Internet 101: FAQ on Developing a Web Site

Updated February 1, 1996

With my email box overflowing with questions about how to go up on the web, I decided to put all my best advice in one place.
Please send comments and corrections to Steve Glikbarg, the co-executive director of Impact Online

1. How do I go up on the web?
To have information up on the world wide web, you will need to have access to a server ( a dedicated computer) that is connected to the Internet and someone who knows how to 'post' (put up) files on the server.

2. Yikes. We don't have a 'server' or a connection to the Internet. Do I need to buy one?
To answer is, "NO", you do not need your own server. I recently met one executive director that was planning on buying a server for $15,000 plus paying consulting fees and connection costs to an "Internet Marketing" company. I would guess that by as early as 1997, the computer this nonprofit was using as a server and the software to run it (another $2000) will be outdated -- if you think computers get outdated quickly, Internet-related hardware and software has an even shorter lifespan. With the hi-tech world changing so quickly, it's better to let the for-profit companies worry about keeping their equipment state of the art. Don't get stuck with an expensive and outdated system. Buying a server would probably be a big mistake for most businesses and nonprofits.

For a simple website (just text, graphics and links), America Online offers an easy solution. Every America Online account (and email screen name - up to five are allowed) comes with it's own webspace on their service. For more information, just go to keyword web if you are an America Online subscriber.

For those who want a more complex website that might include such things as video or sound, I suggest you rent space on a server. Many companies offer to give organizations space to post files for very reasonable rates. Web Communications offers reasonable rates (just $10 for nonprofits) and terrific customer service. WebCom provides free online tutorials on how to create a web page, create forms, set up mailing systems and use other features of the Internet. Other companies to take a look at are Best and Aimnet. For those who are more technical minded and need less customer service, I would suggest I-Server which offers a complete server that you can configure yourself for just $20/month for nonprofits. What a deal! This includes an unlimited number of email accounts at yourname@yourcompany.com.

As for a connection, yes, you will need to connect to the Internet. Check out information on getting hooked up for more information.

3. How much would this cost?
You need both a connection to the Internet (so you can see the web) and space on a server to post your information (so others can see your website). Renting space costs from $10/month (at Webcom to about $25/month at other companies. Some companies also offer access to viewing the web WITH the server space. In general, I prefer using two separate companies because I like getting the superior customer support that comes with companies that are very focused on providing either one service or the other.

Again, if you have an America Online or CompuServe account, these now come with free server space. America Online allows you 2 megabytes of space (that's a lot!) and CompuServe offers 1 megabyte. For more information, refer to those companies online support areas.

4. What other costs are involved in developing a world wide web site?
a. A high speed modem. They come in different 'speeds". If you already own one that runs at14.4kps (14,400 bps), see if you like it. If you are planning on buying a modem or have one that is too slow (under 14.4), pick up a modem that run at 28.8kps for around $150.

b. Development costs. Programming the web site (called 'coding') is relatively simple. I only knew how to do word processing and some simple excel when I first started out. There are many tutorials on learning HTML coding. If you or someone you know is willing to spend 2-3 days on this, you can have a nice website up. Given what I know know, I can create a website in about a day if I have all the text already typed in by someone else.

Aurora is a terrific tutorial for people who have never programmed before - it's easy and even fun to learn!

5. What about a computer?
Yes, I highly recommend that you own one, but it doesn't need to be anything particularly powerful. Modems are more important than the computer. A 386 IBM or a mac running system 7 both are good enough. A color monitor is important and speakers are useful too. Impact Online requires that all participating nonprofits (one's we create website for) have a computer, a modem and an email account that will get read regularly.

If you wish to put off the acquisition of a computer, you won't be able to receive email feedback from the Internet community, but you can still publish your telephone number on your WWW site. OneEarth and Institute for Global Communication are both Internet Presence Providers which work with computerless companies and organizations. I do not recommend this approach, but the option is available.

6. How many email accounts do I need?
While you might only need one full-service Internet account (PPP or TCP/IP connection) to view the Internet (which many people can use), you will want a separate email for each person who is planning on sending messages. America Online gives each account 5 separate email address as part of its basic $10/month service. Each person gets his or her own password too. Each PPP or TCP/IP connection comes with just one email address.

7. Free advice once you begin developing a site: take a with a grain of salt.

• Beware of hosting your site for free. Web addresses can get changed and files can get moved or even erased. For $25, you can get customer service and the security of knowing that no one is going to mess with your website.
• Don't post current information unless you plan to update regularly. I've seen a lot of sites that are still inviting people to their 1994 Christmas Party. This is what I call a COB WEB. Don't let this happen to your site!
• Use your press releases, newletters and announcements to let people know about your site.
• Market your site on the Internet. Unlike the real world, there is no walkby traffic on the Internet. Ask other sites to list your site in their directories. A good place to start is
• Volunteers are great to do much of the work. Just make sure you find one who won't go away -- there are already too many abandoned sites on the web.

Case Study - Getting People to Visit Your Website
Impact Online receives several thousand visitors each day thanks to a lot of hard work on the developing the site. When Impact Online was written about in the Boston Globe there was no noticeable increase in our daily visits. Later we were written about in the Los Angeles Times, followed by the San Jose Mercury and the San Francisco Chronicle. Again, no increase in visitors. However, when Hotwired, an online magazine, wrote about us, out visitor traffic increased dramitically (an additional thousand per day). When we made America Online's What's Cool list, the number of visitors jumped to over 4,000 per day. The lesson here is that the general public is not online but that you can reach the audience that is online already through the equivalent of the "online press" and through asking other websites to create links to your site.

The suggestions expressed here are solely the opinion of Steve Glikbarg. Impact Online does not endorse any of the companies mentioned.

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