The power of your Web presence

Published: 2011-09-22 15:49:05
Author: Oliver Mauss | ChiroEco | September 2011

In today’s world, it is necessary for every business to have an online presence just as much as it needs a phone number and an address.

The Internet is now the main reference source people use when searching for providers of goods and services. If you don’t have online visibility, your practice may be overlooked completely.

The host

Web hosts provide online services specifically designed to help small businesses — like chiropractic offices — make their mark in the virtual world. The first step to creating an online space for your business is to choose a Web host, preferably one that will provide you with all the tools necessary for developing a website.

Critical things you need include a domain name for your business and a reliable website design tool. Some hosts provide additional features like unlimited Web traffic, fast network speeds, and extra tools for your site, as these can boost your online presence.

If you are unsure of the specific needs that your website will require, investigate “unlimited” options. Some hosts offer unlimited hosting packages, which may include an unrestricted amount of Web space, Web traffic, sub-domains, and email addresses in their hosting packages.

Choosing unlimited options eliminates the worry of running out of online space for your website, not having enough bandwidth for managing traffic to your site, and the hassle of upgrading your package. Instead, you can feel comfortable knowing that your site will always have the technical support it needs to easily handle all of its requirements.

You should also be concerned with reliability when deciding on a Web host. You want to be confident that your website will always be live online and never be unavailable due to server downtime, which could potentially cost you customers. Some hosts provide redundancy with their services, which means a website is automatically transferred to a second server in the event the primary server has a problem. This ensures your website is always accessible and secure.

The virtual address

People are increasingly referring to companies by their websites, and domain names are becoming interchangeable with company names. When choosing a domain name, it is important to select something short, simple, and easy to remember.

It can be difficult for people to remember and find a site online if its address uses several words, numbers, or symbols. If your budget allows, consider purchasing multiple domain names to eliminate the possibility of “cybersquatters,” or people who use website addresses similar to those of other companies in order to carry out fraudulent activities.

You might consider adding domain names that include different extensions (like .biz or .co), and include common misspellings to reduce the risk of malicious virtual activities aimed at your practice.

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