Question: What are keywords and why are they important?
Answer: Keywords are the words that potential customers enter in search engines to find websites related to their search terms. If you want to get your website in front of your target audience, it’s important that your website has good search engine ranking for the keywords that relate to the theme of your website. Keywords work best as carefully selected two to four word phrases.

Question: What is a domain name and how do I purchase one?
Answer: A domain name is what your site is known by in the large world known as the Internet. Example: www.meandfoxymcgee.com is a domain name. I recommend GoDaddy for the purchase of such. Cost is usually $9.99 per year. I have had my domain name through them for three years now and have never had complaint one.

Question: Will I need graphics for my website and with so many graphic artists to choose from how do I decide who to purchase from?
Answer: Yes, you will need to purchase graphics for your website. Competition amongst graphic designers is fierce. My best advice on this score is to do your homework and comparison shop. Develop a discerning eye and know what style of graphics you are looking for. Ask questions such as “What am I really receiving for the amount of money that I am spending?” Is html code included with the graphics? Does the designer provide technical assistance if I should require it, after the fact? Is the cost average to what most graphic designers would charge me for the same products and services? If there are things you want to know don’t be afraid to email the designer and ask before you purchase. Doing this sometimes gives you an idea of what kind of customer service you will receive should you purchase from them. Are they quick to respond to your emails? Are they friendly and helpful? Do they seem to know their business?? If not, you will probably want to go elsewhere. Please keep in mind though, that most graphic designers only make graphics-- they do not build websites and there are some huge differences between the two. If you are web surfing and you come across a site that has graphics on it that you totally adore you should take the time to find out who created them. Most sites give credit to the graphic designer at the bottom of the index page but if there is no credit information available you can always email the webmaster or webmistress of the site to find out who did their graphics.

Question: Who will host my website and what does hosting cost?
Answer: As far as hosting goes, there are several great options available via the internet as far as hosting goes. Several sites offer combination hosting and website building packages ranging in various prices beginning at about $10.00 per month and upwards. Again, you will want to comparison shop and pay close attention at what is offered in the package. Some will offer low monthly prices but you may require a trade-off in storage space or they may limit product amounts etc. It pays to carefully compare to get the maximum services available. My personal recommendation for hosting and website building would be CAS (Create-A-Shoppe-Plus). http://www.createashoppeplus.com CAS offers several options and services that allow you to create the site of your dreams!! I have had my business website at CAS for three years and have always been pleased with the variety of services and options available.

Question: Who builds my website?
Answer: If you use a site such as CAS for the creation of your website, you will have the option to build your own website or you can have someone else do it for you or help you with it. In addition to having my site at CAS, I have made and installed several graphic websets for other CAS website owners and know the system well. I can upload and install your graphics, build your pages, create your categories and add your informational content.

Question: Who will maintain my site?
Answer: Most sites such as CAS, require that each site owner maintain their own site, however, CAS has a HELP forum to answer many of the basic questions that arise, along with a wonderful site owner who is available to answer any questions you may have.

Question: What can I do to market and promote my new business site?
Answer:An online e commerce store is no different than a retail business in the real world and should be promoted as such. There are several resources and SEO tools available for use, some fee oriented and others free of charge. GoDaddy’s “Trailblazer” subscription service is one such resource. You can also find a link on Me and Foxy McGee’s weblink pages for a free search engine submission site. Other ways to promote your site include Banner Exchanges, Top Site lists, pay per click ADWORDS from Google, Newsletters, fliers, magazine and e-zine ads, Ebay, and good old fashioned word-of-mouth! There are a gazillion websites out there and you may have to get very creative in ways to get yours noticed.

Question: What is a FAVICON?
Answer:A favicon is a multi-resolution, 16X16pixel image included on most professionally developed websites. Internet Explorer and Firefox display the favicon in the toolbar address line and in the favorites or bookmarks menu. The favicon is yet another tool that allows you to promote your site’s individuality with an easily recognizable image that only your site exhibits.