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Report: Developing Your Own Web Page
- Find an Internet Service provider that will allow you to
develop a home page with Common Gateway Interface (CGI) support. CGI
will allow your home page to interact with the computer that is
accessing it. Most of the larger providers do not allow you to use
their system for home pages. Those that are offering limited home
page storage do not allow cgi. You will probably do better by
finding a local access provider in your area. Check your local
yellow pages and newspaper classifieds for the providers in your
area.
- Develop a home page that describes your product or
service. There are many good books on line on writing HTML. When you
develop your page be careful not to develop for a specific browser.
When you are finished with your page, you want all potential
customers to be able to view it. Also, be careful with the number
and size of graphics. Your graphics look nice, but your customer may
not want to wait long enough to see them.
- Write a series of headlines and short descriptions for
your product or service. Most of the search engines and advertising
areas on the Internet will limit your description to 25 word.
- Test your headlines by making a copy of your home page
for each headline. Submit your headlines to a number of the search
engines and link each headline to a different copy of your home
page. Work with your service provider to obtain a count of the
number of times each home page was accessed and use this count to
determine the best headline and description.
- Expand your home page into a web site that includes
various methods for ordering your product or service. For best
results, you will probably want to allow your customers to order by
credit card. This will require a second service provider that runs a
Secure Commerce Server. Providers that specialize in Secure Commerce
Servers are generally more expensive than local providers. You will
probably find it more cost effective to use a local provider for
e-mail and general access and have a second provider for your web
site.
- Link the search engines to your site using your best
headline(s) and description(s).
- Join Newsgroups that discuss issues involving your
products or services and answer questions. If you establish yourself
as an authority in your field, customers will come to you when they
need to make a purchase.
Best of luck with your new web site. |
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