MAINTAINING YOUR OWN SITE | here's how

Many people want to take care of their own websites and we not only encourage it, we teach you how to do it. Here's an overview of what's involved. First though, a comment about your site's Ranking because many people are taken to the cleaners over this very issue.

GOOGLE says: No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google. Beware of SEOs that claim to guarantee rankings, allege a "special relationship" with Google, or advertise a "priority submit" to Google. There is no priority submit for Google.
NOTE: It's a great idea to become an educated consumer and get familiar with how search engines work. We recommend starting here: SITE MAP and clicking on anything in the Webmaster Category.

• software you'll need
  MAC: FILEZILLA (free) or FTP Client 4.0.1 ($25) | PC: SmartFTP 2 (Free download unless you need a License for $35)
• formatting images
  Whether PC or Mac-based, you don't need the full or latest version of Photoshop. Photoshop Elements will do nicely. Sold everywhere for about $60.00 (the full Photoshop CS4 version is almost $700!) and you can probably find coupons at Staples or Office Max, etc. Our Training Tutorial will include speacial techiques for web formatting.
• formatting text
  Easy. We'll show you how to update, delete & add text. There are some rules to follow but nothing complicated.
• updating global features
  A 'Global Feature' means that you change one thing say, your copyright date, and it changes on all pages. Presto!
• updating keywords
  Use keyword phrases someone might actually type in. Sometimes a common misspelling of a keyword will get you more traffic than the correct spelling because there are fewer people that spell a word incorrectly, Incorrect spelling has been very helpful to me. Use common incorrect spellings in the keyword section and use as many derivatives of the same word as possible. You may also use connecting words like "how-to" that may be typed in the search engines, however don't over-do it as many search engines ignore many common words, "a, the, and, etc.
  Google has a helpful Tool to help: Keyword Tool
• why Reciprocal Linking is important
  Reciprocal linking between websites is an important part of the search engine optimization process. This why you should have a Links page or a Links section on your site. You put their Link (ask first), and they put a Link back to you on their website. Increases traffic & visibility.
• Hosting Control Panel
  All Hosters have a Control Panel for your website that will provide all kinds of statistics. Learn how to use yours so you know who visits your site, the most popular page, where they're finding you from (Google, another site, etc).
• If you make a boo-boo
  We keep 2 copies of your site, and give you the original on a CD. Once you start maintaining your site you should always keep a current back-up on an external hard drive and, you should - for a nominal fee from your hoster - have them keep a backup. Technology has a way of doing inexplicable things so be prepared.