What makes your website work?

Jul 8th, 20081 Comment

Be Informed.

Be Informed.

Do you know everything you need to know about your website and the vendors responsible for making it work?

  • Who do you call if your website goes offline?
  • Who is the legal owner of your domain name?
  • When is your domain name due for renewal?
  • If you need to make backup copies of your website, do you know how to access your website files?

If you’re stumped by any of these questions, your homework is to complete a Website Information Worksheet and become informed about what and who makes your website work. If you have this information … somewhere … in multiple locations or hidden in your email archives, please take time to complete a Website Information Worksheet.

This exercise is important for anyone that has hired or plan to hire someone to create and maintain a website. If you’re outsourcing your website tasks, chances are that you may not be aware of all of the components that make your website work. There are certainly all-in-one solutions available (i.e. one vendor provides domain name registration, website hosting and website design services). However, a general rule of thumb is to use separate providers for your domain name registration, website hosting, and design needs. This is a more cautious approach to an all-in-one approach (i.e. you’re toast if the one company disappears).

With the growing number of technologies available for small business websites, it is likely that you will be served by multiple providers as your website grows. It is important that YOU, the website and business owner, are informed regarding the number of providers responsible for making sure that your website works. Feel free to use this worksheet to maintain all information pertaining to your website (maintain your passwords in a separate location). Having the important details pertaining to your website in an easy to find location will serve as a valuable resource during a website emergency, if you’re considering switching providers or if you’re begininng a website enhancement project.

For additional worksheets, articles and advice, subscribe to the Resources for Small Business Websites.

Download the Website Information Worksheet.

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About author:

Kishau Rogers is the founder of Websmith Group, a website development company. Her mission is to connect small to mid-sized businesses with the information and technologies necessary to meet their goals EFFECTIVELY. Kishau Rogers has over fourteen years of experience, which includes web, application and database development. Kishau also speaks, blogs, and writes articles to educate organizations and entrepreneurs on tools and best practices for maintaining an effective web presence. Kishau maintains an ongoing partnership with her clients in defining strategies to ensure effective, dynamic and innovation web solutions.

All entries by Kishau Rogers

One Response to “What makes your website work?”

  1. alex farguson says:
    September 18, 2009 at 10:36 am

    Very nice information. Thanks for this.

    Reply

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