Forward_Web – Page 3

What is Whois and why is privacy protection important?

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Forward_Web

What is the Whois System?
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The WHOIS system is in place to ask the question,“Who is responsible for this domain or IP address?” Every domain that is registered must have a public record of the person or organization who registered it (aka, the registrant). That record includes (among other things) the name, address, telephone number and email address of the domain’s registrant.
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Why is Whois Privacy Protection important?
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Unscrupulous types — like spammers and identity thieves — can gain access to your contact details just by looking up your domain name on any WHOIS look-up website. There are even services out there that watch for and list new domain registrations, which makes it that much easier for such people to find potential targets.
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To combat the negatives that can happen when your private information is published, registrars usually offer an optional WHOIS privacy service (Privacy Protection). Which allow the registrar to act as a proxy of the registrant. They publish the proxy contact information on the WHOIS directory, and keep the registrant’s information private. Although Privacy or ID protection usually costs a little extra (around $3-$4 per year), it is well worth it.
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Ready to register a domain name with privacy protection? Head over to our website and register your domain name today: https://secure.forwardweb.net/cart.php?a=add&domain=register
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3 suggestions to consider when building your next website

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Forward_Web

Thinking of building a website on your own? Here are three suggestions to consider:

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1. Develop your logo BEFORE building your website. By designing your logo first, you can ensure you are using the right color combinations and “feel” for your website to match your logo. This will save you from having to redevelop your website once your logo is designed.

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2. Choose your website builder carefully. Although it is natural to want to go with the “easiest” option. Keep in mind that anything involving website development is going to require time invested. With this in mind, try to go with a website builder that allows you to migrate your website away from the company you built your website with (These are often times referred to as open source website builders).

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3. When building your website, put the user experience first. In other-words, when building your website, try to visualize and anticipate what information your visitors will be most interested in. Make sure this information is easily accessible and easy to read (across all devices). This means testing your website on mobile devices, as well as desktop devices.

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Need help building your website? We are always here to help: https://forwardweb.net/contact-forward-web/

3 ways to ensure your website is loading fast.

Posted on October 14, 2017 by Forward_Web

Here are a few quick ways you can ensure your website is loading as fast as possible.
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1.) Make sure your images are optimized for web. The smaller the image size (without sacrificing quality), the better.
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2.) Make sure you have some form of Caching enabled for your website. Websites are generally viewed hundreds, thousands, or sometimes even millions of times per month. Normally, each time a browser requests a web page, the server has to do a bunch of complex (and time consuming) calculations. It retrieves the latest posts, generates the header and footer, finds your site’s sidebar widgets, and so on. However, in many cases, the result of all these calculations will be exactly the same. Wouldn’t it be great, then, if we could simply make the server remember the final result, instead of processing each request separately? This’s exactly what caching does!
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3.) Take a closer look at your web host. The back-bone and engine of any fast loading website is going to be the server that is hosted on. If you have fully optimized your website and your website is still loading slow, it might be time to find a new server for your website.
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Remember, most people nowadays will accessing your website from mobile, so your website needs to be lightweight in nature.
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Having issues with your website? We are always here to assist.
https://forwardweb.net/contact-forward-web/

💡 Having trouble figuring out how much you should pay for your next website?

Posted on October 7, 2017 by Forward_Web

Before shelling out thousands of dollars on your website or simply handing the project off to a family member or friend. Here are some important points that will help you make a better decision on who should handle your next website and how much you should pay.

1.) Although it is true that anyone can build a website using free software (like wix, weebly..ect). Its important to note that even building the most basic website (the right way), meaning the website is specifically tailored around your content and brand. Can easily take between 20-40 hours to complete.

To put this in perspective, think of website development as a combination of writing a paper (several in this case), putting together a power point presentation and then coming up with a plan for how to present it to hundreds and thousands of people.

With this in mind, when you get a quote on a website (if the number seems high) consider whether or not the time put into your website by your potential developer is going to bring any significant value to your business. If the number seems low, question whether or not enough time is going to be spent on your project to deliver the desired results. Either way, the definitive factor is always going to be time spent on your project and how much that time is worth to your business.

2.) Just because someone is charging a lot of money to build your website, doesn’t mean they should.

This is where it gets a little more difficult to separate those who are simply calling themselves “experts” from those who will truly bring value to your business. How can you separate the two? Simple, ask questions and follow your intuition. Here are a few key questions you should ask anyone who is planning to build your next website:

– How do you plan to build my website?
– What type of support will I get once my website is built and how much are you going to charge me for that support?
– Once my website is built, do I own my website 100%?
– How can we market my website once it is complete?
– How much will my project cost and what is specifically included?
– What is your experience with building and marketing websites?

Based on the above responses (assuming you have shopped around and asked these questions to at least a few agencies and freelancers), you should be able to quickly come up with a short list of who might be suitable to build your website. In shorts, treat the hiring of your developer like an interview process.

3.) Avoid taking up the friend or family member who is offering to build your website for “Free”. Although it is true that everyone has to start somewhere. In most cases, if your website is going to be a key part of your business, you will want to stay away from “Free”. Reason being, anyone who is offering to build your website for free (unless there is some form of barter or sponsorship involved) is not going to take your project serious. Which also means, the end result is likely going to be sub-par, costing your business time and money.

If you absolutely have no choice and have to depend on someone to build your website for free. Sure, go ahead, however if you have a proper budget, do your due diligence and make the proper investment in getting your website built the right way from the start.

Questions about website development? We are always happy to assist,contact us here: https://forwardweb.net/contact-forward-web/

FernGullyGraphics changes name to Forward Web

Posted on July 11, 2017 by Forward_Web

Hi everyone,

Today we are pleased to announce the launch of our new company name Forward Web (which replaces our previous name FernGullyGraphics). So why the name change?

As we have grown over the past years, our core business has gone far beyond Graphics and more into the categories of Web Hosting, Web Development and Marketing. Although graphics and printing is still very much a part of our business, we wanted to update our name into something that was a little more synonymous with what we do. Since we have always seen ourselves as a forward thinking company, we thought Forward Web was a more appropriate name for our company.

With that being said, we do want to make note that the only part of our business that has changed is our name. The Staff, ownership and level of service you have come to expect are all going to remain the same. Some Important Notes:

* As we slowly update merchant accounts..ect you will start to see Forward Web showing up on your statements.

* If you have any payments in the mail that were made out to FernGullyGraphics (you do NOT need to resend these payments), we will be able to process as is. Just make a note that all future payments should be made out to Forward Web.

* Any email sent to @FernGullyGraphics.com is still going to be actively checked.

* If your domain name is currently using ns23.FernGullyGraphics.com nameservers, these nameservers will remain active for the foreseeable future.

* We have not updated the URLs for the client portal yet, however we will do so within the coming week. Once we update the client portal url’s, your login credentials will remain the same and the old url’s will forward to the new ones. So ideally, you wont have to do much on your end.

That should cover everything, if you have any questions about the name change, please do not hesitate to ask. We look forward to continue serving you under the new brand for many more years to come.

Tips for Registering the best Domain Name

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Forward_Web

When choosing a domain name, you will want to make sure you choose a name that not only fits your business, but also works from a marketing and promotional standpoint.

Follow these suggestions to ensure you are registering the best Domain Name possible for your business.

1.) Avoid using numbers and hyphens

When registering a domain name, avoid using numbers and hyphens. This will help avoid any confusion when your domain name is spoken or heard. For example, if you were to register 123domain.com, you will have to explain whether or not the 123 is spelled out or not.

2.) Avoid using slang in your domain name

When registering your domain name, avoid using slang (ex: u instead of you) or words with multiple spellings (ex: express vs. xpress). This will help reduce the chances of your potential viewers mis-spelling your domain name, ensuring your website is easy to find and remember.

3.) Target your audience

If your business is local, consider including your city in your domain name to make it easier for local customers to find and remember your domain name. Example:ModestoCarRepair.com

4.) Describe Your Business in your domain name

Try using keywords that describe your business and the services your business offers. For example, if you’re a car repair shop in Modesto, think of registering a domain name like CarRepairinModesto.com. Not only will this help prospective visitors identify with your business when they see your domain name. In addition, using keywords in your domain name will also have a slight seo (search engine optimization) benefit.

5.) Keep Your domain name as short as possible.

Keeping all of the above points in mind, when registering your domain name, make it the objective to keep your domain name as short and memorable as possible. If your domain name is too long and complex, you risk the chance of potential visitors mistyping or misspelling your domain name.

Ready to start searching for your next domain name? Get started by Clicking Here.

5 Tips for Improving User Engagement on Your Website

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Forward_Web

Now more than ever, the ability to attract, engage and bring visitors back to your website is critical to the success of your company. Here are 5 tips for increasing user engagement on your website.

1.) Calls to Action

Your web visitors are already accustomed to following visual cues to determine which content is important to them. Calls to actions that are clearly marked with an action word enable your user to more easily navigate your site and get to where they want.

In creating buttons for your website you should think about color and the psychology of color. Think about the message that you want to evoke for a user (trust, experience, intelligence) and choose your colors wisely. Something else to consider are the actual words you use for your buttons. The words should include a verb or an action word that excite the user to do SOMETHING. Choosing the right words or psychological triggers is highly determined by the level of emotional identification that word prompts. No emotional connection means no action. So make your words bold, time sensitive and action-oriented.

2.) Hyperlink Differentiation

When you add a link to any page you are saying you want the user to click there. Make sure links are easily identifiable by visual cues. Underlined text and different colored text, draws the attention of the reader and lets him know that this is a link. Regular web user see blue-and-underlined text as links and know to click on them. When it comes to hyperlink differentiation you do not need to reinvent the wheel. Sticking to convention can be your best ally here. A simple way to test how effective your links are is to blur and remove the color from the design and see what stands out.

3.) Use Bullets

Bullets will enable the user to quickly get all the information they want. This will make your propositions more attractive and will enable the user to get all the information they need. Additionally you do not have to go the traditional route with a simple circle. With custom graphics, you can also get creative with your bullets and help the reader further with images that represent your point. This is also useful because it will force you to isolate the most important points you are trying to make without getting caught up in terminology or specifics.

4) Use Images Strategically

People across the Internet are getting smarter and faster at judging company websites. When they first visit your site they are easily able to pick out a generic stock photo that they have already seen elsewhere or that resembles the non-personal style of stock photography. Using stock photography can decrease trust and also stand out as generic and non-unique. Unfortunately these associations carry over to your business as well.

Ultimately, no stock photography will be as capable of conveying YOUR brand, services, and products the way that you want to. Only your own actual images can do that while also speaking clearly to your potential customer. Use images strategically and place them in your website to support the content and allow the users a visual break from text, but make sure they are relevant and non-generic.

5.) Use Video Where Possible

Unless your website visitors have crazy speed-reading skills, it is a safe bet that they digest information they see and hear faster than information they read. Because of this, a custom video is a great way to get your message across in a format visitors will quickly and easily digest. We’re not saying video should completely replace written content, but it is a great complement to your copy and will strengthen your message overall.

Reasons you may need to upgrade to a Virtual Private Server

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Forward_Web

For many businesses, growth means upgrades. Virtual private servers (VPS hosting) are great solutions for businesses in between having outgrown their standard shared web hosting and needing a full dedicated server. So how do you know if an upgrade is the right move for your business or website? Here are a few signs and or reasons you may need to upgrade to a VPS.

Your site is slow: A slow website means your visitors are not getting the information they need in a timely manner (major negative). In addition, a slow website means your website is being negatively effected on Local and Organic search rankings (double negative). Regardless of the negative effects of having a slow website, the reasons why your website is loading slow could be related to your website having outgrown it’s shared web hosting enviroment. Since every shared web hosting account has limits in relation to the amount of traffic the website can handle. At some point (if your website grows in popularity) your website will outgrow your shared web hosting account (requiring more dedicated resources).

You want or need more control over your web hosting environment: One of the primary reasons (outside of needing more dedicated resources), is to be able to install your own operating system, software or web server. Although you don’t necessarily need to have system administration knowledge (you can acquire a fully managed VPS if you don’t), with more control, will come more responsibility.

You’re worried about security: There’s no way to guarantee total safety with web hosting. However, staying along the same lines of having more control. Having a VPS (if managed correctly) will give you a greater level of security vs your standard shared web hosting account. This can be especially true if you are running an e-commerce website that requires PCI compliance or the storage of sensitive information.

Still not sure if you need to upgrade to a VPS? Do not hesitate to have Forward Web analyze your current website/web hosting environment to determine whether or not an upgraded is required.

3 Reasons Why Social Media Matters For Your Business

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Forward_Web

In today’s day and age, marketing your business on social media is imperative in order to succeed in this competitive market. A large percentage of marketers agree that social media is important for successful business growth but, if you are not sure why, keep reading because Forward Web shares 3 reasons why social medial matters for your business in this article!

Reason #1: Increased Traffic to Your Website

One of the greatest struggles for a digital marketer is getting people to your site and keeping them there. The advantage of using social media is that it has the benefit of directing people straight to your site. For instance, Forward Web writes blogs regularly which are then shared across a selection of social sites and all links lead back to our website. Each interaction pushes that content in front of more people and this results in more opportunities for people to find our website.

You too can accomplish the same results by implementing this process. A lot of the social profiles now have the option to adding a link back to your website too. For example, Facebook and Instagram now encourages this connection with the implementation of the call-to-action button that links people directly to your app or website. Bottom line, the goal is to increase traffic to your website.

Reason #2: Increase Your Brand’s Exposure And Authority

For people to be more aware of your company, it is important to have a strong social presence and to constantly be engaging. Social media makes it possible to demonstrate not only that you exist but also that your business is functional and responsive, with current, interesting and relevant things going on. A simple share or retweet from your followers can change the way the message is delivered. This helps increase your brand’s exposure and authority tremendously as it amplifies your message, thus exposing you to more people.

Reason #3: Social Media Provides An Avenue For Contact and Feedback

As a business, social media is a fantastic and effective avenue for contact and feedback, it really opens up some doors of opportunity that might not have otherwise been available. This is a real opportunity to not only understand your customers’ experiences and quickly respond to their concerns or complaints, but it also helps you understand how your business is perceived. This information is a essential to make any necessary adjustments for constant and regular growth.

One of the reasons why so many people rely on social media nowadays is because users know they will get a speedy response through social media. It is pretty standard for customers to expect a reply within an hour and with that in mind it is important to monitor your accounts regularly. Feedback is highly useful and welcomed (even if it’s not always what you want to hear). In fact, unhappy customers could be considered a great opportunity for improvement and growth, after all, wouldn’t you want to know if a customer is unhappy or if your business has a problem? Think about it, if you can turn an unhappy customer around, they will be completely satisfied with the experience and be more inclined to spread the word.

As you can see, social medial can play a major role in the success of your business. Not because it can be used to push your way to the top of the results page but because it allows you to engage with your audience and build strong, long-term relationships, listen and respond to trends and feedback, and make and share amazing content. It takes some patience but the process is well worth the investment because over time, your influence will increase as people will find value in what your business offers. Would you like more information on this topic? Contact Forward Web today!

3 Reasons Why Having Business Cards Matter

Posted on August 14, 2016 by Forward_Web

Technology is a big part of our every day lives and just about everything we do in business is digital; we sign contracts online, send countless emails back and forth, attend meetings and even our networking is now done digitally! But, even though our technology is constantly evolving, there is one thing that will not be replaced any time soon, the business card. In this article, Forward Web provides 3 reasons why having a business card matter:

Having a Business Card Shows You Are Prepared

Imagine this: you are having a great conversation with someone and they ask you for your business information but for one reason or another, you have no business cards with you. What do you do? Do you write your contact information on a napkin and hand it over to them? Or perhaps you suggest they save your information in their phone but their phone happens to be dead? Either way, none of those approaches are professional.

Instead, if can simply pull out a business card and hand it over to the person who wants to do business with you will demonstrate that you are prepared and a great indicator that you are professional. Ending conversations with “let me give you my business card” is still very effective.

A Professional Business Card Is The First Impression Of Your Brand

Anytime you make contact with someone, you want to make a great first impression (especially when they could potentially be a great prospect or connection). What better way to make a great impression than with a professional business card! A memorable business card does a lot more than just pass on an email address or phone number.

Investing in a professionally designed business card is extremely valuable. The last thing you want your new connection to do is associate your business brand with the word cheap. An professionally designed business card not only makes a great first impression but they can also serve as an effective icebreaker. Conversations don’t always have to end after handing over your card, in fact, oftentimes a unique business card will fuel a conversation even further!

Business Cards Are The Most Effective Direct Marketing Tool

When it comes to marketing tools, there are many options available; from email marketing to effective search engine optimization and paid media, they all do a fantastic job of attracting leads and prospects however, they will never be AS effective as an face to face meeting sealed with a handshake and a business card exchange.

You could potentially run into lead or prospect opportunities every time you walk through your front door. Whether your day consists of a going to a conference, an airport, lunch, doctor appointment, grocery store even happy hour, opportunities are all around you. For this reason, it is important to make sure you have business cards with you at all times to ensure you will never miss an opportunity to make a valuable connection.

Business cards are not outdated yet, and as you can see, there are many great reasons why you should invest in professionally designed business cards. True, it is an expense but it is an expense well worth investing in because the fact of the matter is that you can never have too many business cards and they are an fundamental part of your business! For more information or if you are interested in our professional and custom business card design service, make sure to contact Forward Web.