By Marie Mushing
Ah, the age of technology, a simple click of the mouse can add your business information to many online directories, search engines and more. We move along the internet, like it should follow us and track all our movements, moods and know when things change, and react accordingly. Sounds like a faithful puppy doesn’t it?
The one big drawback to this, “the puppy” is not trained. It is amazing how quickly, we assume technology should move once we get used to it. Maybe one day, we can have all the Internet update all our online information from one central location, but this is not something that will happen soon, so we still need to track all our online movements, so that we can go back and update our records if something relevant changes, especially our e-mail address or web site links!
You should have a database of all the links your web site is hooked up with on the Internet, especially, those that hold time sensitive information, such as your domain registration.
Most people don’t realize that the e-mail address they use when they register their domain is the one that the renewal will be sent to, and if you don’t update this information, you could lose your domain name to someone else. It isn’t up to your registrar, your webmaster or anyone else to make sure you don’t lose your domain name. If the notices are sent to your email address, then you are the only one responsible if you lose your domain name. I usually recommend that my clients mark their calendar for the coming year ahead and note when they need to renew their domain name. That is a great time to check and make sure your domain registration information is current and the email address is correct.
Paid online directory listings are another important place to make sure your records and links are kept up-to-date.
Don’t forget about newsgroups, blogs etc.. If you are a regular user of newsgroups or a blogger and your critical information changes, make sure people can still contact you or follow your old link to your new site.
Updating your search engine information if you make changes to your web site domain name or e-mail address is also important, especially if you rely on online markets to gain business or use paid search engine inclusion.
In conclusion, keeping a database or file in your favourites of critical web sites that need to be updated if you change your e-mail or web site address, makes it easy to return to these sites and effect changes. Your web designer should also be able to assist you with updates to your domain information when you make any profile changes.
© Copyright 2005, Marie Mushing, Successful Alternatives. All Rights Reserved.
About the Author
Marie Mushing is the Founder and Administrator of the Bizepost Network and the Owner of Successful Alternatives. Visit www.bizepost.com for information on upcoming events and to learn how membership can benefit your business!
