WHY A WEBSITE?----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the Yellow Pages become extinct, it is recommended to start your website now sooner than later. I used to spend around $1500.00 for the yellow page ads, but now it only cost around $150.00 a year for my web sites and most of my business comes from the website which I have had up for around 8 years. Most of my business comes from the websites, from searches done by the search engines and sent to my websites. I mention the eight years existence, because it will take a few years for your website to propagate and get into the search engines. Because of this, it is a good reason to get your websites now, sooner than later. Keep in mind that once you have your website up it will take around two years for search engines like Google and others to start to pick it up. However, this does not mean that you cannot start promoting your website as soon as it is available, this is will serve to get into search engines quicker in the long run. Having the website is not the ultimate, but having a website that is search engine friendly is what you are striving for. So beware of web building services that offer to build your site with memory laden flashy graphics that make your site longer to load in a potential client’s internet window server. This is not what makes your site search effective and engine friendly. More important than flashy graphics is literary content, search phrases and key words is relevant to your business and services. First of all, ask yourself, I have been in business a long time and I have done fine without a website, why do I need a website? The answer to that question is Whether your business is new or established, a website can give your business a pick me up, a fresh new competitive edge. If it is a new business it can get you out in the front of the competition. If it is an established business, it can give it a fresh new competitive edge from those who do not have a website yet. Also,if you think about it, a website allows you to take your local market to a global market in a short period of time, and at minimal expense. This is most important if you have hard to find items, one of a kind collectibles or special, unique services. Website services usually include:an initial consultation, registering the domain name, editing and sizing the photographs and graphics; write content based on what is receive from clients; build the site with assorted pages that are linked together. Once the site is built, it is uploaded to the internet where the client now, has the chance to access the website at their computer, and review it and check for errors. The client then conveys any errors and editions to the webmaster where he then makes the corrections. All this can be done via email for the convenience of both parties. The corrections are made and the site goes up again. For a typical, basic, starter-website, Gatica recommends around five pages: a Home Page w/Graphic and links to the other pages in the site; an About Us page, with your businesses’ history, mission and business philosophy; a Google Map page or search information or street map; a Contact page, with pertinent information like the business’ phone number , your address, and contact person’s name, etc.; 1 or 2 pages with appropriate pictures, graphics with search engine, searchable literary content, key words and phrases; and finally, an Email account set up and connected to the respective site, i.e.: info@webs4you.co. This allows customers to email inquiries regarding your services or products directly to the business’ computer. Gatica warns: “Beware of website building services that try to sell you on the idea of building a site with excessively flashy graphics and pictures. This does not make your website Google friendly and may be a detriment to your site while people are searching for your products and services.” “Remember once you got your website up and working for you on the internet – flaunt it!” says Gatica, "Promote it via bumper stickers, promotional T-shirts, store-front signs and any other way you can think of.” For more information you can call, 281-441-9714 and visit www.webs4you.co.