| How well do you know the company that hosts | | | | problem with the web server,it also provides |
| your website? Inthis era of dotcom | | | | a backup copy of your web pages if your |
| failures, if your host company goes out | | | | providergoes out of business. |
| ofbusiness, you may be in deep trouble. | | | | |
| | | | 2) Buy your own first level domain ( if |
| Let's cover the basics first. A website | | | | youhaven't already. It looks much more |
| is a group of electronic | | | | professional than a secondlevel domain, and |
| | | | is an inexpensive investment. Go to: to |
| "files" stored on a special computer (also | | | | register your name for less. |
| called a "server"). | | | | |
| | | | 3) If you already own your domain, and had |
| This server is hooked up to the Internet to | | | | your web designer orhost register it for you, |
| allow visitors accessto web pages 24 hrs a | | | | make sure the domain name is actuallyin your |
| day/7 days a week. | | | | name. We had a client recently have to |
| | | | change the domainname they were using, |
| If you own a "first level" domain name, | | | | because their former web developerregistered |
| | | | the domain in their own name! Go to: , |
| (example: the web site and its pages are | | | | type in your domain name, then in thenext |
| yourproperty. But if your host goes out | | | | page click on "whois record". Your name |
| of business, shuts down itsservers, and the | | | | should be the firstone listed. The |
| web pages are not retrievable, your website | | | | Admin and technical contacts can be your host |
| isnot just inaccessible, it's gone! And | | | | orweb designers. |
| you no longer have accessto the email address | | | | |
| associated with your site. | | | | 4) Know your web host company. Like |
| | | | anything, you get what youpay for with cheap |
| If you use a free service to host your web | | | | web hosting. Support will be by phone |
| pages and have a | | | | oremail, and on generally on THEIR |
| | | | schedule. Be aware of what youare |
| "second level" domain name, such as the | | | | getting. |
| hosting company goes out of business, you are | | | | |
| completelyout of business. No domain | | | | Your best bet is to contact for services with |
| and no pages. The domain addressyou've | | | | a web host whoprovides quality service at a |
| been using (and hopefully advertising!) and | | | | reasonable price. Protect yourselffrom |
| the site arecompletely gone. | | | | the possibility they might go out of |
| | | | business. |
| Protecting Yourself: | | | | |
| | | | MIND'S EYE NEWS TIP IN PLAIN ENGLISH: |
| 1) You should always retain a copy of all | | | | |
| your web pages andimages used. This | | | | Retain a copy of your website and make sure |
| serves a dual purpose. It not only | | | | you own your firstlevel domain address. |
| provides alevel of safety in the event of a | | | | |