Tech with Tom: Get a Web site

Editor’s note: Tech with Tom Kirkham is intended to provide practical information about a wide range of electronic products, software and communication issues. Tom has promised to use layman terms, where possible, and to avoid geeky acronyms unless using said acronyms are the build up to an off-color joke built largely around sophomoric innuendo. Seriously, this should be good stuff and it will post on Fridays (barring any breaking news from Steve Jobs or elsewhere in the Tech world). Enjoy.

So, your business needs a Web site. You might even need a domain name, and you definitely need email. And probably a Facebook page. Oh, and you want to be sure to show up on the top of Google when someone searches for the widgets you sell.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to lay out the basics and not-so-basics of many of the things you need to know to about domain names, websites, and email.

WHY YOU NEED A WEB SITE
You may be thinking that your service business does just fine with yellow pages, TV, newspaper or radio.

Think about this: TV and radio require readers or viewers that are tuned into that particular station at that particular time of the day. Since one single ad will only be seen by those exact viewers or listeners at that exact time, you have to buy more spots, and if you are smart, you will run those spots for months or years to be sure to reach all of those listeners and viewers. Now, add up how much that costs. All of a sudden, a Web site that lasts 3 years or more is a bargain.

As far as yellow pages go, ask someone under the age of say, 35 for a phone number. If they have a computer, they Google it, not look in the Yellow Pages. Even yellow page salespeople will tell you this, and that is why they are moving onto the Internet (along with dozens of “business listings” scammers). I don’t know if this is relevant, but this year, instead of a yellow page sales representative meeting with me in my office to discuss advertising, they just phoned from Houston to get my $4,000 annual business. Something about cutbacks. I’m not spending $4,000 next year.

A Web site speaks for your business, 24/7/365. I contend that bang-for-the-buck, there is no cheaper way to market and advertise than with a Web site. Once it’s built, the ongoing costs are usually minimal. I’m not saying a Web site is the be-all-end-all, just that it is very important and should be considered before throwing $20,000 into a costly television campaign. In fact, a Web site should be a compliment to all other forms of advertising.

DOMAIN NAMES
If you are with me so far, lets go. First of all, you need to get a domain name. Something like mycompany.com. If your company’s name is something like Smiths Widgets, then you are out of luck. That domain was purchased 2 decades ago. You need to think of something creative, easy to spell, and the shorter the better. If your company has a slogan or tagline, work that into the name, and try to see if that is registered.

To check to see if a domain name is available, and to purchase domains, I recommend GoDaddy.com. Their prices are right (About $10 a year) and even though they hard sell the add-on stuff just like everyone else, I think they are more reliable and trustworthy than others. Once you find the domain, buy it. Make sure that you know the company you registered the domain name with, and don’t lose the username and password. A domain name is valuable virtual real estate. Treat it as such.

Having your own domain name also lets  you use it for email. Are you using an email address such as [email protected]?  (And please don’t even tell me you are using something like “[email protected] — you might as well put a sign up that says you don’t get these young whippersnappers any more, with their fancy-schmancy personal computers, and phones that don’t have wires.) An email with your domain address is simply more professional, and you can begin to use it even without a Web site.

Coming Next Week: Web and Email Hosting

Notes on Tom
Tom Kirkham is the publisher and co-owner of The City Wire. Tom also is host of the Tom Kirkham Show on Newstalk KWHN 1320 AM, which airs each Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. He also owns and operates Kirkham Systems, a computer, communication and networking company. Tom has more than 20 years of experience in business and technology, and claims to be a photographer, jazz lover, Cajun food expert and dog rancher.

You can reach Tom at [email protected]