If don't have a website (and I seriously hope that is not the case) and you are considering getting one, here's a little "head's up" for your checklist.

Many web design companies do not include hosting in their package. Our company works like that. If someone asks me: "How much is a website?" I'll usually answer by asking them to be more specific. (Because its a loaded question that has no simple price attached to it.) After a discussion about features and functionality I can give them an estimate. I never include hosting in that price. There's a number of reasons for this.

1. You may have already bought your hosting. Lots of people have a general idea of how to get their website started. Or they have a basic template up somewhere and want to start over.
2. You may want to manage your own hosting. If your website isn't very big, you won't need a lot of hosting. Companies will charge a set-up or handling fee. Its usually a small fee (ours is usually 5-10 dollars), but in this economy it’s a good idea to cut corners where you can.
3. You might need more space. Most people starting their first website have very basic needs: calendars, contact forms, a blog, 5-6 static pages… they don't need a server. But occasionally you do. When that happens, you might need to talk directly to a company that specializes in hosting.

Things to watch out for when you are considering hosting:

• Unless you are considering a huge website (option 3 above) you probably don't need a ton of space or features. (And if you ever do, most companies will let you upgrade.) If you have a mostly static site with some basic features you shouldn't be paying over $200 a year (probably even $100).
• Be wary of monthly fees that web design companies give you. If they say "hosting included" then charge a monthly "upkeep" fee this means they are probably making a ton of money off you every month, possibly for years. You can pay monthly for hosting from hosting companies, but it's usually cheaper and smarter to pay for a year upfront.
• Cheap hosting that covers most peoples' needs will run less than $10 a month and usually paid a year or more in advance.

I'm a fan of GoDaddy and Eleven2. Do you have a hosting company you recommend?

I'm continuing to write about what I learned from Content Critical. Last post I discussed analyzing your audience, the current one, and the one you wanted. Today I want to discuss evaluating your current content.

Take a look at the content already up on your site. Are you updating your web content on a schedule? Do you blog regularly? Make sure you look at the cost/benefit of your content and schedule. The great thing about web content is that you don't have all the costs that we associate with printing content. However there are different costs that need to be considered, such as, the cost of your time. How much time do you spend on your content, and is that a price that is worth paying? Do you have to go through an editing process with other people? Do you pay someone else to write the content for your site or write something yourself that might be less professional? Compare your current content against your prioritized reader list. What needs to change so you are writing for the right audience?

I challenge you today to read through some of your current content and try to get a feel for the direction its taking. Now, measure that against the direction you want to take. Are they the same?

Image by mshades