Don't let website designers hold your Domain or web space hostage!

Welcome back to Technology Solutions Blog. There is some important facts you should know when hiring a website programer or designer. Besides the actually process of building a site through coding or a builder, there is other parts of the process. The problem is the website expert needs all the info for your hosting and domain to link it properly and sometimes they purchase those for you. That's like paying me to build you a house, on land that I own. If you wish to do anything with your house, you have to pay me for permission.

   Hosting is something many clients already own before they hire a designer. This isn't always a good thing, perhaps that space won't be needed or support the site being built. Also if you think you will want to upgrade your site, buying a yearly hosting package on go-daddy may not be a good idea. There is several ways to build a website now days and the do it yourself ones are very basic. If you only need a one or two page site, then that may be an option for you. But once you get into multiple pages, shopping carts, animations and so on, a professional should do the work.

   So far I mentioned that a designer shouldn't purchase your web hosting for you and it's best not to buy any before building a site. Now let me explain why and what order things should be done. If you want a website built by a professional, meet with one first. Discuss the parameter of the work, how many pages, links, add-ons (shopping carts, data bases), amount of pre-written text, logos (added or designed) and it's best to have some examples of sites you wish to emulate. Once that has been established, you discuss with the designer what hosting you should purchase for the type of site he is building. Ask him if how their prices rate among other hosting companies and why that firm. If the designer offers to buy it on their own card, that spells trouble. That means if you ever want to change companies, edit your site or build a new site, you will have to bring back that designer for a cost. Make sure if it's purchased, it's on your own account and credit, otherwise you have no control of it. Also, the design firm could charge you more for hosting as well with no benefit to you. At Exodus Technology Solutions, we offer hosting through us, but we at least handle the maintenance and editing with new charges for clients. Even with that being said, it's still better for us as a business and you as a client to have your own account.

Business Solutions for all sizes

  Regardless of your companies size or growth, we all need technology solutions. The modern business owner uses his PC for many everyday tasks. From a POS, client database, demos, graphic designs, book keeping and many more uses. But what happens when your device breaks or gets infected with a virus? Granted some larger companies or corporations do employ their own IT staff. Which is usually overpaid unless they use a specific software or hardware for their business. If you don't have an onstaff expert available, then you must shop around to repair firms.

  Today we will discuss some issues involving IT outsourcing or service work for your business in general. Obviously most companies cannot afford 40K a year technicians to keep their system running. The big advantage of IT compared to hiring in when your stuff breaks is preventive maintenance. Stopping problems before they start is always a plus and you have more of an idea of the quality of work and cost. Sadly, unless a computer repair firm does regular training and testing, they have little to go by on how qualified their workers really are. Just because they are certified, that means little. An A+ certificate is extremely basic and doesn't require real problem solving skills. So ask questions about the technicians and the company. Preventive maintenance won't matter if they tech isn't motivated or isn't qualified.

  How do we know if they are quality experts? Ask the firm some good questions and also ask yourself some. After a conversation with any firm, you will have an idea how professional they sounded. Did they know their own prices? Are they charging you $90 plus dollars an hour? Is this a company you would consider for a long term relationship? Did they have any real customer serivce? Or send you to talk to several people before getting any anwers? Was the main business line a cell phone?  You need to ask those before really considering anyone for service. Then ask the repair firm about how they know their technicians are qualified. Do they train them often to keep them up to date? And even though no one calls a reference, ask for a name of a business they work with.

  Most computer repair firms don't have customer service reps and that can lead to some issues on it's own. I will cover that in another posting, but try to choose a firm that does value customer service. Flat rate pricing is also a plus, hence more motivation to complete the job in a timely manner. It's also better when more then one representative shows up for your business. Maybe two can problem solve better then one person to reduce your down time and it shows they care about your account. Lastly, if they act more like salesmen, it's because they are salesmen. In fact, a local competitor to Exodus Technology Solutions have 4-5 locations within 20 miles of each other. Not because they have that much service either, only one location has technicians who do repairs. They hire sales agents to get your business and send the work to one location. Customer service agents and sales agents are completely different and care about your needs much differently.

Free and easy site boosting SEO tactics

   Trying to get ranked on Google effectively can be difficult and even costly. But let's discuss a few ways that you can help your cause without spending money. Obviously, time equals money so constant blog posting, articles and press releases are time consuming. Not including the time is takes to write unique or relevant content. Maybe there is a way we can utilize our friends, family and friendly businesses.

   Facebook is a great tool not to just reach out to people, but increase your site rankings. Any sites that connect to your site with a link, like Facebook, will help your page ranking. The better ranking those sites have, the more it helps your main site. Facebook is an easy way to get another site with a good number of hits attached to your main site. Plus that handy "Like" button also increases your ratings. So post that Facebook link around and build up likes. I'm sure if you like another companies, they may do the same.

   Blogs are a huge part to building up page ranks. Make sure you add one and try to post on it here and there. It's like adding fresh new unique content to your site regularly and Google loves that. But get some friends to post some comments and even guest post on a friends blog.

   Do you have family and friends in college? They could visit your site from school and provide you with a high quality education visit. Just little things like this that will give you a head start without a ton of time or money. Any site views from a state, government or education IP address counts as a high quality visit. 

  Don't forget about other web based tools that can help build your web presence. Business directories are a good source of advertisement and a good backlink to your site. Twitter postings are also rated as high PR backlinks and you could guest post on blogs as well. These are all free and effective ways to help draw attention to your site and build it's page ranking. 

   I would also like to give a shout out to a great company who is working with Exodus Technology Solutions. If your looking for tile, grout and natural stone restoration services, then visit http://www.miprorestore.com for great deals. They service all of metro Detroit.

A few more company sites I would like to mention are: 

http://www.photographicvisions.biz

http://www.phillipsresidentialroofing.com

http://www.exodustechsolutions.com

http://www.exoduswebsitedesign.com

http://www.exodusconsolerepair.com

A Few Myths About Virus Scanners And Viruses

Myth #1: Having lots of pictures on my computer slows it down

Truth:

Most computers these days have more than enough storage capacity to hold all your data without slowing down. Thus, a slow computer will not necessarily speed up if you delete some of your pictures or music. There are many other factors that can affect your computer's speed. It is typically programs that are running unseen on the computer that slow you down, not just data that is stored on your hard drive.

Myth #2: A virus can wipe out my hard drive and all my files

Truth:

I will occasionally get a forwarded email warning me about some new dangerous computer virus that can wipe out my hard drive. I typically respond to the sender explaining this is virtually impossible so it is best not to spread the fear. Computer malware (often called viruses) comes in all shapes and sizes, but extremely few actually have the ability to delete your personal data, nor is that their design. Malware is interested in obtaining information, not destroying it. Even if a virus makes your computer inaccessible (e.g. it will not boot), rest assured that your data is safe. It can likely be recovered fairly easily by someone that knows what they are doing, but you should have a reliable backup in place anyway.

Neither can a virus cause physical damage to your computer. Viruses can only manipulate the software of the computer, not the hardware.

**As an academic disclaimer, it is technically possible that a specially designed virus could cause hardware malfunction or damage, but the likelihood of this happening is so remote it barely deserves mentioning.

Myth #3: An anti-virus program fully protects me from viruses

Truth:

Most people who get viruses already have an antivirus program. Anti-virus programs are not 100% effective. Even if you have the newest version with all the updates and security, you can still get a virus.  Most of my virus removal clients tend to use two certain virus scanners (Norton & McCafee), who also eat up a large portion of your system processes.

For more information on any topic, call Exodus Technology Solutions at 734-238-2877 or visit http://www.exodustechsolutions.com

We are proud to announce our new web design site as well. It make have a few glitches in two of the apps, but those will be resolved soon. It looks great with the new HTML5 format, check it out at Http://www.exoduswebsitedesign.com

PS: Would like to mention a new client as well, roofing experts in Monroe. Visit the Phillips Residential Roofing site at Http://www.phillipsresidentialroofing.com