After taking RK's recommendation and racing home from LV to purchase every domain name that I could think of that pertains to my store, now I need to actually generate a website. I've surfed to the sites of other facilities and noted what I like and don't like, and also noted who the developers were.

Where do I start?
Is there storage specific providers that would be helpful with design?
How much should this cost?
Are there monthly fees to the designer after the initial design?
Although I won't accept online payments now, is there something I should look for to make sure I can accept them in the future?
What has worked and not worked for your business in regard to internet presence?

Thanks.

I am glad you are seeing the importance of having and using a web site. There are some companies who specialize in storage web sites. The cost for your initial design will be about $1,500 depending on what you want to do. If you have a web based software they should be able to incorporate online payments.

Now building a site is one thing. Getting people to see it is another. Getting placement on the search engines is importat. There are things you need to build into your web site so the search engines will find you.

There is a good article in the February edition of Globe magazine about web sites. Globe is published by the SSA.

Feel free to contact me I can give you some specific information regarding companies I have found to be helpful.

Take a look at a free software by WordPress, wordpress.org and wordpress.com. These are Content Management Solutions that make building and maintaining a web site as easy as e-mail.

A CMS is another name for a blog...read my post regarding google and search rankings at What Is The Most Creative Marketing Idea You Have Ever Heard Of?

The Globe article hit on the blog strategy...google is very favorable to content created in a blog application like wordpress.

I maintain and develop content for about 8 sites, all using wordpress, my search rankings and results are fantastic!

The solutions I use cost about $250 up front for the first year then about $150 per year after that. If you want to spend a little money on some graphics figure in another $1,000 up front. Make sure the graphics will fit into the template you use to blog...then all you have to do is start adding content on a regular basis.

I completely disagree with spending money on google adwords, any pay per click or pay a commission to a portal...You can do it all yourself and you will get better results without spending much money at all.

I am always open to comments on what I write or say on this forum. If you are doing something and think I can change what I'm doing/saying...LET ME KNOW...I want to be a better self storage owner.

on a side note...It's snowing like crazy in Fairborn, Ohio today...forecasting up to 10 inches! shutting down early to ride my snowboard!

I am one for build your own. It may not have the glitz of some of the big designers, but it is mine and I have full control over what does and does not go into it.

I have been "playing around" with web design for a few years and have taught myself just enough HTML code to be dangerous!
A few years ago I did invest in Office Front Page 2003 -- just to make life a little easier.

If I can offer any tips, or if anyone has any for me -- let me know. Always willing to help others, or learn more.

__________________
Wayne
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.
webmaster@all-americanselfstorage.com