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What are Web sites used for?
The internet is used by consumers and business professionals for obtaining information, entertainment, goods, services, products, and advertising.
Why do you need a Web site?
With today’s busy lifestyles, people rely on the internet to find solutions to their specific needs because it’s fast, easy and can be done 24/7. As a business owner, you want to be able to sell your services to potential clients at their convenience.
How do you build an effective Web site?
There are five (5) pieces to a Web site that businesses should focus on:
- Identifying the target audience
- Providing easy to read content and navigation
- Easy to locate contact information
- Keep brand style consistent
- Identify your competitor’s sites and do it better
What is branding?
A brand is a symbolic embodiment of all the information connected to a company, product or service, including an explicit logo, fonts, color schemes, symbols, jingles, ideas, and even personality. For example, you are able to recognize a Pepsi product without reading the label because you’ve learned their logo; they consistently use it in all their marketing. The same thing is true with the Alka-Seltzer jingle – “Alka-Seltzer to the rescue.”
Custom Web site design versus template Web site design
Template Web site design:
Web sites templates are used widely among businesses with a limited budget, good for starter uppers. In the beginning stages of a business a template can work great, but be aware that thousands of other businesses will have a site that looks just like yours – no specialized branding. Keep in mind that there are limitations to templates and if you are looking to add features (i.e. search engine optimization, animation, advanced functionality or databases) to your Web site, it will cost more in the long run then doing a custom Web site with a professional developer. You may also have a hard time finding a template that fits your company’s branding style.
Custom Web site design:
With an almost immeasurable amount of Web sites on the internet, it is imperative that your business Web site leave a lasting impression with the viewer. With almost everyone looking for services on the internet, sometimes your Web site is your company’s only chance to make a good first impression, so don’t blow it.
Having a custom Web site allows you to work with a professional Web designer to come up with site that meets your company’s needs and can grow as your company does. Custom Web sites are also more cost effective in the long run if you want to add animation, specialized pictures, advanced functionality or databases, client login and other types of interaction that can benefit your company and clients.
General Questions
Are you have difficulties sending email to particular people?
The Spamhaus Policy Block List ("PBL") is an international anti-spam system maintained by The Spamhaus Project in conjunction with Internet Service Providers and is used by Internet networks to enforce inbound email policies - it is NOT a blacklist. The PBL database lists end-user IP address ranges which should not be delivering unauthenticated email to any mail server except those provided for specifically for that customer's use. The PBL lists only IP addresses (not domains or email addresses). Unfortunately Anthem's internet service providers are on this list.
Outbound Email Policy of The Spamhaus Project:
Anthem's IP range has been identified by Spamhaus as not meeting the policy for IPs which should deliver 'direct-to-mx' mail to PBL users.
The Fix: If you are using any normal email software such as Outlook, Entourage, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and you are being blocked by this Spamhaus PBL listing when you try to send email, the reason is simply that you need to turn on "SMTP Authentication" in your email software settings (Tools > Accounts > Properties > Outgoing Mail Server > check "My server requires authentication").
If you do not know how to do this, ask your Internet Service Provider for help with "SMTP Authentication".
Please note the Xfactor & Xtreme Powered Web servers do not use Spamhaus (we have more user friendly anti-spam program), so if your account is hosted with us you should not experience any problems with your incoming email. If you are sending email to an individual or business that uses GoDaddy as their hosting provider, you may encounter difficulties communicating with your intended recipient because they do use Spamhaus Policy Block List. After working with GoDaddy, they said that by turning on the SMTP Authentication, it would correct the issue; however, some individuals are still experiencing issues. If Cox is your internet provider, please email them at abuse@cox.net and explain the issue.
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