What can a website do for my business or organization?

1. Having a website makes it easier for people to find and learn about your business. Most Long Islanders rely on the internet, and less are relying on traditional media such as printed directories.

2. A website can save you valuable time and money. By including all your basic information (what you do, hours, locations, directions, etc.) visitors can learn about your business with less effort from you and your staff. With a website, you'll spend less time answering the same questions over and over again. A website can also reduce your printing costs. For example, if you owned a restaurant, you could post your menus online, so you don't need to print as many and you can more easily make updates.

3. A website helps you serve your customers. For example, if you're in the insurance business, a form can be placed on your website to pre-qualify clients.

4. A website can open your business to new markets, since your website is viewable virtually anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. For example, if you're a real estate agent, people looking to move into your area can find and contact you about housing information.

5. A website helps you obtain customer feedback. On your website, you can ask for feedback and get it instantaneously. Feedback can also be anonymous, encouraging more candid responses.

6. A website helps you support your staff. For example, a secure area can easily be added to your website, so that your staff can access information without requesting it by phone or email.

7. A website gives your company credibility. For most businesses and organizations, people expect you to have a website, just as they expect you to have a business card or phone. Having a website lets people know that you are committed to your cause. And here's another thought: there's a good chance your competitors have a website.

How can I promote my Website?

A common misconception is that once you have a website, lots of customers will automatically find it. However, this is typically not the case. Your website needs to be promoted, and here are a few tips on how to do it.

1. Include your web address on all company media (business cards, promotional items, etc.).

2. Include your web address in your email signature.

3. Include your web address in all print, radio and TV advertisements.

4. Advertise on relevant websites. For example, if you were a deli owner, you may consider purchasing ad space on a local town website to attract local customers. If you sell parts for antique cars, you may consider buying ad space on a website for an antique car club.

5. Make sure that your web address is included in directories that list your business.

6. Chose a domain name that is relevant and easy to remember. (>More information About Domain Names)

7. Avoid the temptation to trade links with link-farms. These are websites that contain a large collection of links with little or no relevant editorial content or theme. Usually link-farms do not generate quality traffic, and many search engines will penalize your website if you use them.

8. Optimize your website for Search Engine placement so that people can easily find your website on the major search engines (Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc.). Please note that this can be a daunting task, so you may want to consider using a professional that specializes in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), or, when you hire a webmaster, make sure SEO is included when they create your website.

Should I use a "free" email service for business?

If you have a website, you are usually much better off using an email address based on your web address (e.g. YourName@YourCompany.com). For business, you and your staff should avoid "free" generic email services such as those offered by Yahoo or AOL. Although these services may be suitable for personal use, they may not convey the business image you desire. Furthermore, when you use these "free" services, you are using their domain name and thus advertising their service. You would be better off using YourName@YourCompany.com so that your domain name gets the exposure. Here's another item to consider: when you use "free" email services, they typically insert advertisements into your email. This can be distracting at best, and at worst you may be advertising for your competitor.

Should I register more than one domain name for my business?

The answer is often yes. Registering and using multiple domains names can help build your business:

Can be used to promote different products or services you offer.

Creates an opportunity to use different advertising strategies to reach targeted markets.

Provides customers with more ways to find your business.

Captures common misspellings of your domain, instead of sending customers to an error page.

Captures alternative spellings of your domain, instead of sending customers to another website.

Helps protect your brand.

Let's look at a couple of examples where it was helpful to register more than one domain:

Class A home improvements of Wantagh specializes in new roof installation and roof repair. While www.Roof.LI was a natural choice for their website, the company also uses www.Roofing.LI and www.Roofer.LI.

Another example is Storage Quarters, a full-service Garden City company specializing in document storage, records management and secure document destruction. Using www.Storage.LI is effective because its easy to spell and easy to recall. But as the company promotes its scanning and shredding services, www.Scanning.LI and www.Shredding.LI offered additional opportunities.

Should I create my website myself?

There are companies that allow you to set up a website on your own. Here are some things to consider when using a do-it-yourself website company.

1. Usually, do-it-yourself website companies require that your select from pre-made templates. Make sure the templates they offer fit your business needs and your personal tastes. Unfortunately, templates may be limited in selection and originality, and may not be optimized for your business.

2. Depending on which do-it-yourself company you chose, you may still have to learn some programming and/or graphic development.

3. Be careful of low-cost and free do-it-yourself companies. They typically generate revenue by placing ads for other organizations on your website. This is not desirable since it will distract visitors from your message.

4. Make sure the do-it-yourself company offers all the features that you need now and in the foreseeable future.

If I hire someone to create my website, what should I consider?

Hiring someone to develop your website, can save you a lot of time and effort. Furthermore, a professional website is more likely to serve your business needs and attract customers.

1. Chose someone that is accessible and local. Inevitably, you'll want to talk with your webmaster because there are some topics that can't easily be addressed through email alone. You should also select someone local, so its easier to have a face-to-face meeting should one be needed.

2. Review their portfolio and look at the work they have done for other clients.

3. Select a company that has been in business for a few years. As with any business, experience and track record are important.

4. Get a complete website package. There are many details involved in generating a website including domain registration, hosting, graphic development, search engine optimization, maintenance, etc. Hiring a company that does everything is usually more efficient than going "a la cart" from different professionals. (At Long Island Dot, we offer 100% complete website packages. >Contact us for more information.)

What should one consider in selecting a domain name?

A domain name (web address) should be easy to remember and related to your business or organization. Here are some general guidelines in selecting one.

1. Typically, the shorter a Domain Name is, the better. Apart from being easier to spell and type, a short Domain Name has more impact and is more memorable. One-word Domain Names are usually the best; two-word Domain Names can also be effective. Domain Names with more than 15 or 20 characters are usually less desirable. Remember, for people to visit your Website, they have to successfully recall and type your Domain Name.

2. Typically, Domain Names without hyphens are more desirable than hyphenated Names since the hyphen can distract from the continuity of the Name. For example, it is much simpler to say and recall, "Oyster Bay dot LI" than "Oyster hyphen Bay dot LI".

3. Domain Names that are based on a well-known word (or words) that represent your industry are most desirable. For example, say the name of a Long Island alarm installation firm is "Smith and Jones Alarm Company". A Website address of Alarm.LI would have far more impact and be more memorable than other addresses such as SmithAndJonesAlarm.com.

Why use dot LI?

On the internet, competition can be tough. To reach audiences it's vital that you position your site so its easy to find. A dot LI domain name means your Web address can communicate more than just where your site is, it also tells your audience that you're a fellow Long Islander, before they even get there! And since dot LI is so distinct and memorable, visitors will have no problem remembering your address.

What is dot LI?

Dot LI is a Top Level domain (TLD), just like dot com or dot net. Your Web address works the same with a .LI extension as with any other TLD name, but the .LI extension can add much more to your site. Dot LI is distinctive and memorable, and is uniquely suited to any site where a strong association with Long Island is desired. A .LI domain name is also much more likely to be available than a dot com name, enabling you to better control your presence on the Web. Dot LI can be registered by anyone worldwide, and was assigned to Liechtenstein in 1993 by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority.

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