Why do I need a website?
The Internet's World Wide Web is like a global yellow pages. Every day more and more people are jumping onto the Internet--customers, merchants, and seekers of information of all kinds.

Not listing your business or organization on the Internet is like not being listed in your local directory. If you don't, who'll know who you are and what you do. In these days of instant world-wide communications, word of mouth just isn't enough.

Here are some specific reasons why a well-designed website is a good investment for you--whether you are a business that would like to increase your selling area or an organization who wants to be able to reach more people.

24/7. Your Site can be open all day every day - even when you're actually at the movies, walking the dog, or taking a nap. People like to log on to the Net at all hours, in all time zones. With a website, they'll never see a "closed" sign sending them to look somewhere else.

Merchandising & Publicity. Brochures and catalogs can be very expensive to produce and update. The information that you want to get out can be easily displayed on your website. When you want to make a change it's a lot easier--and cheaper--to make the changes on the website than at the printers. Make a change and have it available to all right away.

Sales and Specials. If you decide to have a sale or run a special, you don't have to plan too far ahead in order to get the copy finalized, printed and mailed. You can notify customers right away. Printed ad costs are very expensive. With an on-line presence, you can advertise all day, every day, without increased costs.

Expansion. If you decide to expand your operation, you can do that without an accompanying increase in your overhead. You don't need to increase staff, just add on to your website.

Decreased Postage Costs. When you're on the Internet, you can get information out quickly and without the addition of ever-increasing postage expenses.

Customer Service. Useful information can be available 24/7. You can offer a "Frequently Asked Questions" section. E-mail notification of upcoming sales, changes in products, special events, etc. can also be included.

Portfolios. A website is a great way to take advantage of showcasing your work or project. You can have examples available for visitors to view at any time, from any place, and in any weather.

What do I need to get a website?
Here are a few of the basics you need to get your presence onto the website. These can be accomplished on your own or with the help of a web designer.

Domain Name. This is your Internet address. It's where people will go to see you. For example, our domain name is www.high-desert-design.com. It is recommended that your name be short, to the point, and easy to remember.

Registration. Your domain name must be unique. Once you determine that the name you have chosen isn't in use by someone else, you need to register the name. Registration gives you the exclusive use of the name for a specified period of time. You don't actually own the name, you just own the right to use it. Renewals to keep using it need to be made.

Site Host. Once you get a unique name registered, you need to have a place to put your website. The place your site resides is called your site host. Choose your host based on the requirements of your site. Make sure that your host can do what needs to be done for your site to run efficiently. As in many other instances, the cheapest isn't necessarily the best.

Site Design & Construction. Now you need to get from your ideas to your presence on the Internet. Many decisions need to be made, including a succinct purpose for your site, a definition of your proposed audience, the impression you want your site to convey, and how you will accomplish all these things. So, essentially you have an idea that turns into a plan that becomes the blueprint used to build your site, using the best design and content you can get.

Who do I get to build my website?
There are many web designers available to build sites of all sizes and complexities. You can usually choose from a set of basic designs or you can opt for a custom-designed site. There are also lists of optional services to choose from. In other words, there are as many design packages and optional services as there are web designers.

Shop around until you find design services that you like and a designer you feel you'd like to work with.

We hope that will take you right to our Contact page and the beginning of a great working relationship with High Desert Design.