Posted by jojo_MN on 11/16/06 10:12pm
Msg #160726

Website design

Can anyone recommend a good website hosting service? There are so many out there. Also, what is the average price per month to expect? TIA

Reply by KBLedgard_CA on 11/16/06 10:28pm
Msg #160731

I've had no problems with GoDaddy.com and they're reasonably priced.

Reply by Laurie_PA on 11/16/06 10:51pm
Msg #160733

Re: GoDaddy also n/m

Reply by Ernest__CT on 11/17/06 1:22pm
Msg #160855

GoDaddy.Com here too. (But I designed it myself.) n/m

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/17/06 5:50am
Msg #160760

DirectNic.com

Is what I used but I recommend it only if you're ready to roll-up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. You will do most of the work. Programmers are available by phone and email to assist you and answer questions. I don't remember the final price but it was very inexpensive and well- within my budget. Let me know if you have more questions. Good luck!

Reply by Margaret_FL on 11/17/06 6:43am
Msg #160766

Re: DirectNic.com

I used DirectNic.com to do my website and I used the templates, it is very easy to me and is is
very inexpensive www.firstcoastnotary.com

Reply by PAW on 11/17/06 5:52am
Msg #160762

Depends on how much "handholding" you want or need. Many sites, like GoDaddy, offer very reasonably priced sites and packages. There are other sites that offer a robust service for the more experienced web developer for a lower cost. (I personally use IX Webhosting (http://tinyurl.com/yel4ez) which has been the top rated hosting site for a couple of years now.)

Reply by Laura Vestanen on 11/17/06 7:35am
Msg #160776

DirectNic.com + 1and1.com

I've used DirectNic for years. Their templates are very easy to use. The total cost for a year of hosting, template, and domain name purchase is $100 or less for the first year and around $30 a year after that.

But if you want to have email with your domain name (such as [e-mail address]) DirectNic is not for you. DirectNic uses Pop3 for its email. You must download and upload email messages through your internet service provider. These are not compatible with high speed internet connections, especially cable. The cable companies want you to use their email programs and see Pop3 providers as "the enemy." They will block your messages in a way similar to they way they block spammers.

Webmail has your email messages and program on their server. So rather than download and upload your emails (as with Outlook), you go to the internet and do all your correspondence there (as with Yahoo and Hotmail).

DirectNic does have a webmail option but it is so limited I found it to be unworkable.

I've had my Yahoo notary email address since it and hotmail were the only email programs one could access from any internet-connected computer anywhere. Due to a lot of hard work on my part, that email address is all over the internet. So I definitely do not want to change it. DirectNic is fine for my notary website.

But if you are just starting and want an email address with your domain name in it, then an inexpensive hosting option is 1and1.com This company uses a fully-loaded webmail program.

The basic monthly hosting and webmail fee at 1and1.com starts at $3. You will get more storage, email addresses, etc, than an independent notary could use - unless you are using lots of gimmicky animation/flashmedia junk which will actually make clients want to avoid your site.

Your website does not need to look great. But - as Brenda says - content is everything.

Research and implement SEO - Search Engine Optimization. This is very important. My SEO research took around 200 hours and has paid me well for the time invested.


http://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Your-Non-Loan-Notary-Services/dp/B000IB14YW/sr=11-1/qid=1163770249/ref=sr_11_1/103-8222110-5382223

Reply by MikeC/NY on 11/17/06 8:26am
Msg #160787

Microsoft has just rolled out a free website hosting program - they'll even pay for the domain name. The free version gives you access to their SiteBuilder software and a few other goodies (25 email address, 50GB storage, usage reports, etc). You're limited to using their tools to build the site (I don't think you can modify the HTML), but if all you're looking for is a simple Web presence, you can't beat the price... The also have a pay version available that's more flexible - I think that's $19.95 a month, and you can upgrade from the free version if and when you're ready.

Only caveat is that they require IE 6.0 or higher to sign up and build your site - no other browsers are supported for that part of it (not required to view your site, just to work on it).

http://officelive.microsoft.com/