As a freelance Linux consultant, I’ve worked with many clients who have both succeeded and struggled with their online business ideas. In doing so, I’ve noticed several trends that clients have when they struggle with their business ideas (related to technology, anyways). I’ve written this series of blog posts so that others may learn from these mistakes, and avoid making them. Here are 5 of the top 10 technology tips for web entrepreneurs:
1.)Choose your domain carefully, and make sure that it’s easy for others to remember, and type.
Your domain is the most crucial part of your online marketplace- make sure that others can easily remember and type it into their browser’s address bar. Picking a domain with excessive repeating characters (like waatches.com) is a recipe for disaster. Instead, if your first choice for a domain is already chosen, think of a creative way to get around the problem that others will remember (like discountwatches.com).
2.)Once you have your domain, change your business email address to match that domain.
Too many times, I’ve also seen business cards that had a Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email address. This is not only unprofessional, but it makes clients doubt your dedication to your business. After all, email setup is cheap. If you must have a Gmail account, at least forward all mail from your domain to your Gmail account, and then setup Gmail to send mail using your domain.
3.)Take your time, and select a good web hosting provider.
As I mentioned in a related article, Choosing a Web Host, it is absolutely critical that your website is hosted on a reliable provider. Servers can be upgraded over time, but changing hosting providers is a long and expensive process (in downtime, lost sales due to poor network performance, and the costs of switching everything over to a new server). Sometimes the difference between a reputable and stable provider, and a poor one is a tiny difference in money. Make a wise decision the first time, and choose a good web hosting provider.
4.)Always have excellent documentation on your server, and the software that runs on it.
One of the most expensive and frustrating challenges can be if the coder designing software for your website doesn’t leave any documentation. This is not only limited to coders, but can also include Linux consultants, as well. Simply put, ask for documentation before you pay your coder or administrator. Don’t be rude about it, but instead just politely ask for documentation for the project that was completed. A professional freelancer will understand completely, and have no problem leaving you documentation. The documentation doesn’t have to be too detailed (for instance, a step-by-step explanation of all commands entered on your server would be excessive unless the freelancer was compensated extra), but your documentation should convey how the software solution operates, and where any configuration files are located.
5.)Invest in your technology infrastructure.
One of the biggest issues that I’ve seen is clients who treat their technology infrastructure as a one time expense. Instead, you should think of your technology infrastructure as a business investment. Common repeated expenses include server maintenance, as well as software updates and upgrades. Neglecting the maintenance of either your server, or the web applications running on it, is a certain recipe for disaster. For instance, a typical server maintenance program from a talented Linux consultant can cost as little as $40 per month, but it can help prevent much more costly issues (as well as prevent costly downtime).
Next week I will post the remaining tips that I have for web entrepreneurs, the conclusion of this two part series…..
Tags: linux security, Top 10 Tips