How to check up on your Web site
We have discussed some of the responsibilities of Web site designers and Web site owners in past columns. One sad mistake I see often among Web site owners is they believe that once they have a Web site, the world will automatically come knocking on their door. They say they aren’t getting any business from their Web site, but do not know what steps to take in order to check what the problems may be and to improve their results. The purpose of this article is to give a small business Web site owner an idea of how and where to check if a Web site is being seen and being listed in search engines.
Web Site Statistics
A good Web host will provide you with Web site statistics that will tell you how many visitors are coming to your site. They often are also able to tell you what pages are visited, other sites or search engines that referred visitors to the site, what keywords or search terms were used to find the site, and other interesting and useful facts.
If the number of visitors is low, there are questions you should ask:
Here are a few of the free tools that are available online to check on the position of your site in search engines, its popularity and if the design features are in place correctly. Rest assured all you need to use them is an Internet connection and basic computer knowledge.
The sites mentioned offer these free services but are beyond our control, and we do not guarantee the accuracy of the results or endorse other products they represent. We offer these research tools here to give you an idea of what is necessary and what is available. You will also notice if you use the tools, results will vary from site to site. Use your own judgment about the results.
Domain Name Registration Information
A critical problem clients of mine have had is not realizing that a Web site domain name must be registered and reregistered periodically. If the registration lapses, your Web site will be off the air. Domain name registration is a very different item from the monthly hosting fees that you pay for your site to appear on the Internet or the Internet service provider fees you pay for Internet access from your computer.
If you are not sure where your domain name is registered or when it expires, you can find out by going to http://registrar.verisign-grs.com/whois/ and typing in your domain name. The site will check registration databases and tell you the “who, when, and where” information about your domain name. Be aware you should keep the contact information listed with the registrars up to date in order that they can contact you when necessary. Today, many different competing companies, at a variety of rates, can perform domain name registration so you can shop for price and service.
Article by Lee Raine
A version of this article appeared in the March-April 2005 issue of Equestrian Retailer Magazine.
Return to Web Design & Hosting
Web Site Statistics
A good Web host will provide you with Web site statistics that will tell you how many visitors are coming to your site. They often are also able to tell you what pages are visited, other sites or search engines that referred visitors to the site, what keywords or search terms were used to find the site, and other interesting and useful facts.
If the number of visitors is low, there are questions you should ask:
- Have we included keywords, metatags, keyword-rich content that can sell our product or service and other primary essentials of Web site design in order to be search engine and customer friendly?
- If so, have we submitted our site to major search engines and directories so that they will include the site in their databases?
- Have we included our Web site address in all our advertising from stationary and business cards to print advertising campaigns?
Here are a few of the free tools that are available online to check on the position of your site in search engines, its popularity and if the design features are in place correctly. Rest assured all you need to use them is an Internet connection and basic computer knowledge.
The sites mentioned offer these free services but are beyond our control, and we do not guarantee the accuracy of the results or endorse other products they represent. We offer these research tools here to give you an idea of what is necessary and what is available. You will also notice if you use the tools, results will vary from site to site. Use your own judgment about the results.
Domain Name Registration Information
A critical problem clients of mine have had is not realizing that a Web site domain name must be registered and reregistered periodically. If the registration lapses, your Web site will be off the air. Domain name registration is a very different item from the monthly hosting fees that you pay for your site to appear on the Internet or the Internet service provider fees you pay for Internet access from your computer.
If you are not sure where your domain name is registered or when it expires, you can find out by going to http://registrar.verisign-grs.com/whois/ and typing in your domain name. The site will check registration databases and tell you the “who, when, and where” information about your domain name. Be aware you should keep the contact information listed with the registrars up to date in order that they can contact you when necessary. Today, many different competing companies, at a variety of rates, can perform domain name registration so you can shop for price and service.
Article by Lee Raine
A version of this article appeared in the March-April 2005 issue of Equestrian Retailer Magazine.
Return to Web Design & Hosting