(This month, we'll talk about what comes next now that your site is up and running.)

If you've followed the steps outlined in this book then by now you should have your web site up and running and are receiving rave reviews and lots of hits.  Step back for a minute and review all that you've done and give yourself a well deserved pat on the back for learning a new skill!

Where you go from here is up to you.  You now have the knowledge to get just about any kind of web site up and running. 

Be prepared, Web sites are a lot like potato chips, you just can't have one!  Before you know it, you'll have a personal site and one for your hobby and one for your kids

(This month, we'll talk about what comes next now that your site is up and running.)

Your web site is now up and running, and you're thinking that all is right with the World Wide Web. Well, not so fast.  Web sites are funny things.  They go stale almost immediately and when they do, people quit looking.  So what next?  Next is maintaining your site and this really breaks down into 3 categories: 1.  Updating content, 2.  Maintaining links, 3. Making backups

Updating Content

The first thing to recognize is that building your web site was the easy part.  Keeping fresh and keeping people reading is the tough part.  Content in King on the web and without constantly changing content traffic to your site will dwindle.  Studies have shown that you have about 15 seconds to capture someone's attention on the web before they click and go elsewhere.  That's not much time!  Plus, if they visit your site 2 or 3 times and nothing has changed, they generally lose interest.  So decide now on a regular schedule of freshening your web site with new pictures, text, a contest, anything to make it different.  How often should this be done?  That's all based on the kind of web site it is and the purpose of the web site.  Watch your usage statistics (available through your control panel) and you can tell when traffic is dropping off. This can give you a rough estimate of how often you are going to need to update the site.

Maintaining Links

Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more irritating to someone visiting your web site than clicking on a link and having it either go to the wrong page or no page at all (the dreaded 404 Error).  The links on your pages to other pages in your web site can get "broken" when you add new pages or change the look of your web site.  Make sure after every revision of your web site you test each and every link and make sure it still works and is going to the right place.

This is also true if you are linking out to other web sites.  Check them often and make sure that site is still up and running.  Web sites come and go at an amazing pace on the Web, so never assume a site you linked to last month is still there.

Backups

You've probably heard all this before but it bears repeating again.  Make sure you make backups of all your web site pages and information and keep it  in a safe place.  There's an old joke that goes, when do people make their first backup?  Right after they lose everything!  Unfortunately there is a lot of truth in this old joke.  Hard drives, CD's and other storage is so cheap now that there is absolutely no excuse for not having backups.  You can even get software to automatically back up your computer so you can use the "I don't want to be a computer geek" excuse.  Remember, sooner or later, you are going to need those back ups.  Don't wait to think about it until you have a loss!

(This month, we'll talk about some of the dark sides of the Internet.)

If you've made it this far you are truly on the way to earning your geek street cred!

Congratulations! Take a moment to bask in the glory of your accomplishment!

Before you get too comfortable, however, it's time we remind ourselves about a few of the less palatable aspects of the Internet.

Sometimes we are so focused on our little corner of the world, that we forget that they don't call it the World Wide Web for nothing!  Anything you put up on that web site is instantly available to anyone, anywhere, 24/7/365.  What's my point?  Don't put anything on a web site you wouldn't want on a billboard in public! This means pictures, names, phone numbers and so on.  Anything that is on your page is open to the entire world! 

This is particularly important to remember if you are making a web site for your Lodge or other volunteer organization.  Make sure you have people's permission to put their pictures or other information on the web site before going live.  If you are dealing with a children's group, be even more careful.  The world is full of loonies and most of them seem to be on the Internet!

A good idea is to not use full names and descriptions (address, town, etc.) unless you have the persons permission.  Or if that's information you need to share with a group of people through the web site, use a protected directory.  The folks at account support can help you set that up.  Using a protected directory will require a username and password to access that part of your website.  It's an easy and effective way to keep things safe.

(This month, I'm going to step back from the geek speak and get into the heart of the matter...how do I build a web site.)

There are many different ways to build a web site.  How difficult or easy it will be is hard to state in general terms.  A lot depends on what the web site is for, how many pages it will be, if you will be doing e commerce and so on.  Nonetheless, let's look a the 3 easiest methods.  By using one of these methods or using them in combination, you should be able to create any kind of web site you want.

The 3 major methods are:

1.  Online Site Builder software

2.  Offline Web site development software

3.  Outsource to a design firm

Let's look at the pros and cons of each of these methods.

Site Builder Software

Many hosting sites (like www.TLHInteractive.com) will provide online site building software.  For many small web sites this is a quick and easy way to get started.

The site building software consists of pre-done templates that you can modify to suit your needs.  You simply browse through the templates, pick a layout you like, fill in the blanks, point and click on the options you want and Ta Da!  you have a web site. 

The advantage to this method is speed and independence.  You can put together a decent web site in well under an hour and you can change it whenever you want simply by using the site builder software to make the changes.  Also, there are no special skills involved and no technical stuff to learn. Just point and click.

The downside to this is you are limited by the software to the templates shown and are also limited as to which areas or features of the template you can change.  You also may end up accidentally picking the same template as a competitor!  No one likes coming to the party and finding someone else with the same outfit on!

Offline Web Site development software

For those of you with a little more adventure in your soul, you could always buy a good web site development package and learn how to make your own custom web sites. 

Development software can vary from the low cost to the very expensive kind.  In the past you would have had to learn how to write in HTML code, the underlying code that makes a web page look like a web page.  But many packages now allow WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) design.  This means you can type in text and draw graphics and so on to make the page, just like if you were using a word processor or graphics program and the development software will write the code for you.  It's really quite fun, in a nerdy sort of way.

The advantage to this is the freedom to make any kind of changes you want.  You can change websites as you mood changes if you wish.  You are in complete control of how your site looks and acts.

The disadvantage is that you have to learn the development software.  This can be pretty time intensive and you have to enjoy the geek speak  quite a bit.  There also the cost of the software.

Outsource to a Design Firm

While this might sound like a very expensive way to do things, it can be surprisingly affordable!  Considering that buying a copy of Frontpage or Dreamweaver, the two most popular web site development packages, will cost you several hundred dollars plus the time it takes to learn how to use them, the use of a design firm starts sounding better and better.

The process is fairly simple.  Most designers will ask you to fill out a questionnaire telling them what your site is about, what kind of look and feel you want and so on.  Then they will ask you for some sites you like and for some you don't like.  So far, this is same work we would have done regardless of which method of development we had chosen.

The design gnomes then go to work and after a couple of days, they will send you out some sample web pages to look at and comment on.  Once you've found a sample you like, just provide them with the text and OK the project.  They will write all the needed code and in a few days send you a brand spanking new Web site to put on your hosting space!  You can even get them to put it up on the hosting space for you and avoid all the geekery! 

It's also possible to use a combination of these techniques.  You could throw up a quick site using the site builder software while you are learning the development software.  Or you could have the site professionally designed but do the upkeep and changes yourself using development software.

Whichever method you choose remember, it's just software and you can change your mind or approach any time you want!

The following article is a report of  a task force of the Masonic Information Center.  Use the points in this article to create thought and discussion on how your Lodge can create great public awareness.

The task force observed that even at Masonry’s membership’s lowest point in 1941, Freemasonry still had 800,000 more members than today - its lowest level in at least 80 years. This is not a cyclical trend. Other factors are at work.

Among the statements in the report are:

• Masonry’s challenge is to focus on making Masonry relevant to our changing communities.

• Clearly, Masons are not satisfactorily addressing ways of keeping our members involved and enthusiastic about Masonry.

• We have failed to accept the fact that the world is a different place than it was in the 1940s and 1950s. Family time is squeezed into the evenings and very often the children have their own activities. The technology explosion has provided a source for entertainment/activity that competes with any organization requiring a time commitment. Freemasonry has done little to keep pace with change. Freemasons still grouse about any increase in dues or per capita. It is time to readjust our thinking and come to realize that both time and money are necessary factors in creating a quality organization.

• Membership loss is not the major problem; it’s a symptom of a larger problem: loss of Masonic identity as an observable part of life and lack of energy invested in Masonry. Masons must take ownership of an identity that distinguishes Masonry from other men’s organizations. Masonry is a process of lifelong learning and discovery that delivers a way of living a principled life, observable in the simplest behaviors, whether at lodge, at home, or in the workplace.

• Masonry is no longer identified as an elite organization. Within eye and ear range of the public, Masons have failed to perform what they profess; consequently, they have lost their significance within the context of community.

• Current Masons do not understand the true meaning of our fraternity.

• Public awareness of Masonry begins at a grassroots level. Masons must be visible in the community to demonstrate Masonic values in many aspects of their lives.

• Freemasonry must be lodge-centered, giving members opportunities to express themselves through activities that improve the experience of the lodge and benefit the life of the community.

• We need ways of recognizing success, encouraging creativity, and rewarding accomplishments. Small actions, kind words, and expressions of concern for others are just a few examples. Our work on Masonry’s public image begins with work on ourselves.

• Beginning at the lodge level, plan meaningful activities that put Masonic values into action. Consider how you and your lodge can make each and every activity uniquely Masonic.

• Think carefully about how you invest your time, and we ask that you use your time on programs and actions that are uniquely Masonic. As we work together, we must ask each other how a program, a meeting, or an event improves and demonstrates our experience of being a Mason.

To read the full report, go to: http://www.msana.com/twainaward/abouttime.pdf. 

Now that you have an idea of what your web site is about and what you want to name it (domain name), it's time to find a Host for your web site.

Web site hosts are companies that provide a very special kind of computing space where your web site will live.  These host computers are connected to the Internet and allow the whole world to find you based on the name (domain name) you gave your web site.  You can even buy your domain name from the hosting company.  You'll access this space from your web browser.  It's a horribly complicated business so here is all you need to know. Big room, lots of black boxes.  Stop there, that's enough geek speak for now. (If you really want to know how it works, look at the resources page for more information.)

Go to Google and type in "Web Site Hosting".  On any given day you will get about 1.4 million hits!  Wow!  So how in the world are you going to pick out who to have host your site from that!  Click on a few sites and you'll be bombarded with offers that range from free to really, really expensive.  You'll be buried in geek speak up to your ears.   The amount of visual "noise" on most of these sites makes it nearly impossible to figure out what you are getting for your money.

Fortunately, it's not as hard as it seems if you just keep one thing in mind.  In Real Estate they say the  3 things that are most important are, Location, Location, Location.  Everything else can be changed, remodeled etc.  In Web Site Hosting it's Support, Support, Support!

Everyone will end up calling the support line at some time. Being able to get through, get an answer you can understand and a person you can understand is vital to having a good web host.  The only way to figure this out is to call the support number  of several hosting companies.  See how long it takes to get your call answered.  Do they speak professionally in a clear understandable voice?  Are they willing to help you with "beginner" problems or do they just point you back to their website?  Support is so important that you should spend your most effort finding good support.  Don't be fooled into thinking that the big names or biggest, flashiest web host has the best service.  Often times, these are the worst due to the volume of calls they are taking.

Let me tell  you a quick story about how I learned the value of support.  Early on in my Web career, I was in the process of choosing my first web site hosting company.  I did my research, found a name I wanted, knew what the site should be about and was ready to buy space and put up a site.  I made one near fatal mistake.  I chose the hosting company based on their marketing, I swallowed the bait.  But they looked so good.  They had big color ads in one of the PC magazines, bright smiling faces of happy people and those low prices!  Plus they seemed to give you so many free things for your money.  So like a moth to the flame, I signed up to host my site with this company. That's when the nightmare began.  First I couldn't log into my account, then the domain name didn't work, this was followed by the "free" software not being compatible with my PC. On and on it went. I called Customer Support.  After a nearly 20 minutes hold time, I was connected to a call center in Southeast Asia to a person who wasn't really interested.   We struggled with each other for a while, then finally gave up.  I found another Hosting company and moved my account.  I simply couldn't afford the bad service and neither can you.

So now that you've found a company with decent support, it's time to pick a plan!  All hosting companies will offer several different plans.  These plans will cost differently based on the size of hosting space you want, and other features. This is where we have to delve into the world of geek speak for just a bit.

At Annual Communication and again at several of the Lodge Leadership Forums, the question was posed to the Grand Master about where to find out about how to launch a web site for a Lodge.  Since I own a web site hosting and design company (full disclosure: These ideas will work any place on the web), the Grand Master has asked me to put together some basic information that you can use to either start a web site or improve the one you have.  The information for this article comes from an e-book I wrote for my own clients.  So let's get started!

I'm a big believer in Dr. Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Successful People.  The very first habit applies to web sites.  Begin with the end in mind.  In other words, before we go off the deep end figuring out URL's and bits and bytes, take a deep breath and step back.  Sit down with a cup of your favorite beverage and take a minute to define what exactly your website is to accomplish.  Think in broad strokes here; we'll fill in the details later. Make sure to think about your web site from the point of view of the target group that will be using it.  Does it answer the "So What" question for them?You should be able to describe the purpose or mission of your web site in a few short sentences or bullets.  Then begin to flesh out some of the features you want.

Now that you have a pretty good idea of what you want your web site to do and the purpose it will fulfill, let's do another quick exercise.

Fire up your computer and go to your favorite search engine, i.e., Google, Yahoo, Dogpile, etc.  Start searching for web sites similar to what you have just defined.  Use different combinations of words from your mission statement.  Chances are, somewhere, someone has something similar or close to what you are thinking about.  Click on some of these sites and see if they have any feature or "feel" that you like. Save these web sites in your browser "favorites" file (Ctl-D) as we will be coming back to them later.  You can also find other Lodge websites using the Lodge finder on the Grand Lodge web page (www.glne.org).

Every Web site has to have a way to be found on the Internet.  The method that the Internet uses to find you is pretty complicated and we won't be covering that in this book.  But the fact still remains that you need a way for the world to find your web site.

That function is taken care of by your Domain Name.  Sounds scary but it isn't.  For example TLHInteractive.com is the Domain Name of my hosting business.  Yours might be BobsPlumbing.com.  These domain names are how the Internet finds you and knows you. 

Domain names all come from the same place and do the same thing.  The important thing to you, the novice web site builder, is that the name you want is available!  This is pretty easy to find out.  Here's how:

Fire up your web browser and go to www.internic.net (These are the people that assign and keep track of all web site names) Click on Whois in the title bar. On the next page you will see a search box that we will use to see if the name you want is already used. Type the name you want for your web site in the box, e.g. BobsPlumbing. Hit go and wait for the returns.  In this case (as of the writing of this e book) the return says "no match for domain bobsplumbing."  Great! That means we can use that name for our web site!  If someone is already using the name, then it will tell you who.  (Want to check this out?  Type in tlhinteractive.com and hit return.)

If the name you want is already used, then try some variations on that name or try a completely different name. This is sometimes the hardest part of making a web site!  Caution:  If your web site name is easily misspelled or very similar to another web site name, make sure a typo won't land your family member or potential client someplace you don't want them to be.

A few tips for web site names:

1.  Keep them short and easy to remember

2.  The most common ending is .com but .net and .org are also quite common.

3.  Avoid easily misspelled words.

4.  Avoid using special characters in your domain name.

Remember, it's possible and sometimes a good idea to have several different domain names pointing to your website.  For example, Bob of Bob's Plumbing may want to buy that name in .com, .net and .biz just to make it easier for his customers and to keep the competition at bay.

Now that you have a name you know is available, let's discuss finding a place to host your web site.  We'll cover that in the May edition of Ideas That Work.