Marketing for results. Website design
Website Creation
Domain name & hosting
First element of a web site is the Domain Name (often described as URL or Uniform Resource Locator), the address that will locate your web site on the internet - what you want to call your site.
The second element is the Hosting, where the computer files which are your web site are based. The website can be created using a range of software and the files are hosted on web servers accessible on the internet.
Static website or a Dynamic site?
A static site means your web site is like a brochure or leaflet written in HTML. Although it is possible to make it more dynamic using scripts, HTML is not suited on its own to a more dynamic site.
A dynamic site needs a processing language like PHP which can be used to perform a range of functions, perhaps dealing with a database of records which can help with search routines, ecommerce, blogging, forums, input forms or any site where processing of data is useful. In this case the server will process the files to create the HTML web pages.
Updating your website
The main consideration is how you want to update your web site.One option is to have a web site designer add all of your files and create the web site to your requirements and then simply email him with changes, which he will undertake for a fee. Simple, but the cost might go up with regular changes and it lacks flexibility.
The second option is to consider a CMS (Content Management System), like WordPress, that you can manage yourself, once installed by your designer, who can simply check from time to time for upgrades and other security issues and be available for advice and guidance. there is a learning curve for the CMS software, but this will be worthwhile with regular input.
Website Hosting
Hosting is simply where the computer files which hold your web site are based. Depending on issues like the website complexity and the levels of traffic that your site receives will determine the type of hosting service you need.
Shared hosting
The simplest and lowest cost option is shared hosting - where a server (or group of servers) store multiple website files. These are ideal for simple, low traffic sites to give you an internet presence. If you have a simple site and are expecting limited traffic this is likely to be fine for many startups.
Dedicated Hosting
If you are expecting a higher traffic levels from the start, or you have a site with a level of complexity that will need access to the management of the server, you will need dedicated hosting. Three options exist and these vary in cost and flexibility: VPS, dedicated server or cloud hosting.Website Development
Existing website
You have a website, but are looking to develop it, are having problems or want to start again with a new approach.
Updating your website
If you are having issues with the management of your website you might need to look at the process of managing content and updating. Consider a CMS (Content Management System), like WordPress, that you can manage yourself, or dedicated software based around your systems.
Website Hosting
If you are having issues regarding hosting, perhaps in terms of traffic levels or security you may need to look at a more advanced form of hosting. Shared hosting works for simple low traffic websites and also websites where you do not need access to the higher management of the server, perhaps involving specialist software. If you need more, then you have to look at some form of dedicated server.
Three options exist and these vary in cost and flexibility:
VPS (Virtual Private Server)
A VPS gives you a portion of a real server. Main advantages over shared hosting : guaranteed resources for your site, performance benefits, easy to expand and can handle complex software requirements. They do need to be managed as they usually come as a basic linux operating system.
Dedicated server
For a complex site with lots of traffic a dedicated server (or group of servers) is necessary to handle the computing load and these are a more expensive option. Like a VPS you need to manage the server. The cost and resources vary considerably. Unlikely to be necessary unless you have a lot of traffic.
Cloud hosting
Uses the networking of multiple servers and matched to VPS style technology to create effectively a VPS on a network of computers. You choose the amount of resources you want. Combines the guaranteed resources of a VPS with the ability to quickly increase and decrease the resources purchased as your needs change.
Marketing services
Marketing for results
Using imagination and creativity to produce marketing solutions to the problems that face my Clients. Making these ideas work to produce results for the best possible value. From Sales and Marketing Advice through to a wide range of marketing services and implementation.
Sales Promotion
Add tangible value to your product.
Business to business
It needs a business like approach.
Staff marketing
Effective incentives and good communication.
Trade marketing
Some chains are more important than others.
Design & artwork
Picture worth a thousand words.
Copywriting
Pen can be mightier than the sword.
Production management
Everything ready, on budget, on time.
Premiums
Create interest and generate a response.
Business research
Don't bury your head in the sand.
Alistair Macleod
I believe that you need to take a marketing perspective to all projects - even the simplest. It is my way of adding value to everything I do. I have spent over 25 years in sales promotion agencies creating and implementing a wide range of successful, and often award winning, sales and marketing programmes for retailers like Safeway, BP and Thresher; manufacturing companies like Philips, Zanussi and Duckhams; paper trade businesses like Robert Horne, M6 Papers, UK Paper; and many more sales promotion campaigns for SMEs. More recently I have spent several years creating web sites.