Do I need a website? I want one, but do I need it

[G-Man]

I notice quite a few of you guys have websites and was wondering if they are really that effective?

Also, did you have the website done professionally or DIY?

In a past life, I was a programmer (working on the nations phone system - please don't blame me! LOL) so I'm not completely illiterate with the biz of programming - but I don't know HTML (don't care to learn it either BTW).

Is Front Page a decent software if I were going to do it myself? Any recommendations would greatly be appreciated.

I noticed Steve's webpage - Nice Steve! (Quality's website).

Also, whats a good website host? How much does it run per year/month?

Any ideas or suggestions for this and the layout would be most helpful!

Regards,


Gary

[louslawns]

reply

once i was looking for lawnservice before i started doing it and i found it great for numbers that could reach people instead of voicemail and also some services if not all services listed on the website and you could also do like for instance basic service starting at 20.00 and up something like thaton each of you r services that way it wil entice people to cal you more

[Phil Nilsson]

reply

This is an "electronic" brochure that will have an impact ... send potential or existing customers to it.

[rkbrown]

reply

A friend of mine uses http://www.readyhosting.com and is pleased with them. I believe that they have a basic package for $99 per year.

[GrassMaster]

reply

Hello Everybody:

I've been using http://www.readyhosting.com for over a year.

This Web Site here is on a Readyhosting Server. I have several other web sites on Ready Hosting Servers. I'm very happy with them too!

Yes, Front Page is a Very Nice HTML Editor. If it cost Twice as Much I would still purchase it & not think twice about it! []

[qualitylandscaping]

reply

G-Man,

My website is hosted through www.geocities.com

It is the simplist thing I've ever done. To add text, you click on the "add text" box. The thing inserts into the page and you just type choose the font and move on...

You can join for FREE and there are no costs at all for the basic service. You get 18MB of site space and alot more...
If you sign up, use page builder (from geocities), don't use the very basic ready-page..

If you have anymore questions, let me know.. BTW, I design websites during the winter if you want one done on Geocities. I will do them for $40 per page with whatever you want on it (music, flashing designs, pictures, special font text)....

Good luck!

[G-Man]

reply

Steve,

I wish I'd seen your offer before! I've already signed up on readyhost!! Thanks for the advice - I'll probably have questions for you if you are available later.

I bought Front Page 2002 tonight - seems intuitive enough for even me! LOL!

Thanks again to all who responded. I'm sure that there are others out there who are wanting to establish a presence in cyber space?

I'd like to hear some opinions and comments from those who think the web has aided their business - or is it just fluff? I suspect a properly designed website can mean business deals cinched when competing against other competitors without the professional presence? At least that's my hope.

Regards,

Gary

[qualitylandscaping]

reply

My website was designed not as a way to find me, but as a way to promote me.. When I make my flyers and pass them out, I include the link to my website and that gives potential customers (with the internet) a better chance of choosing me, due to the professionalism and the great quality of the work I do..

It doesn't do much for bringing customers to you (i.e. searching the web for a lawn care provider).. There are so many LCO's that chances are slim that any homeowner would find your site from lets say google or yahoo searches.. But if presented on a flyer, and the site is of good design, it will definiently attract people to you...