How well do you know the company that hosts your website?  In
this era of dotcom failures, if your host company goes out of
business, you may be in deep trouble.

Let's cover the basics first.  A website is a group of electronic
"files" stored on a special computer (also called a "server").
This server is hooked up to the Internet to allow visitors access
to web pages 24 hrs a day/7 days a week.

If you own a "first level" domain name,
(example: http://www.mycompany.com/), the web site and its pages are your
property.  But if your host goes out of business, shuts down its
servers, and the web pages are not retrievable, your website is
not just inaccessible, it's gone!  And you no longer have access
to the email address associated with your site.

If you use a free service to host your web pages and have a
"second level" domain name, such as www.freehost.com/mycompany,
when the hosting company goes out of business, you are completely
out of business.  No domain and no pages.  The domain address
you've been using (and hopefully advertising!) and the site are
completely gone.

Protecting Yourself:
1) You should always retain a copy of all your web pages and
images used.  This serves a dual purpose.  It not only provides a
level of safety in the event of a problem with the web server,
it also provides a backup copy of your web pages if your provider
goes out of business.

2) Buy your own first level domain (http://www.mycompany.com/) if you
haven't already.  It looks much more professional than a second
level domain, and is an inexpensive investment.  Go to:
http://123cheapdomains.com/ to register your name for less.

3) If you already own your domain, and had your web designer or
host register it for you, make sure the domain name is actually
in your name.  We had a client recently have to change the domain
name they were using, because their former web developer
registered the domain in their own name!  Go to:
http://www.whois.net/ , type in your domain name, then in the
next page click on "whois record".  Your name should be the first
one listed.  The Admin and technical contacts can be your host or
web designers.

4) Know your web host company.  Like anything, you get what you
pay for with cheap web hosting.  Support will be by phone or
email, and on generally on THEIR schedule.  Be aware of what you
are getting.

Your best bet is to contact for services with a web host who
provides quality service at a reasonable price.  Protect yourself
from the possibility they might go out of business.


MIND'S EYE NEWS TIP IN PLAIN ENGLISH:
Retain a copy of your website and make sure you own your first
level domain address.

Copyright © Mind's Eye Presentations. All rights reserved. 

The authors of this newsletter are Darlene Cary and Lynne DeLuca
of Mind's Eye Presentations, providing customized, effective
web strategies for businesses. Contact them at 615-867-4009.