Spell checking is getting easier and easier - with more intelligent and comprehensive word libraries available in a multitude of languages. This means it’s not uncommon for words to be spelled correctly but for sentences to make little or no sense because completely incorrect words have been used.

Take the time to get someone to read through your text with a fresh pair of eyes, but in the meantime take comfort that even the big boys get it wrong fairly often. We commented on the nonsense question in the Microsoft Partner Programme and here’s another from the new Windows Live Messenger:

More Interesting Use Of English By Microsoft

More and more people are finding the value an online shop can bring to their business both in sales and marketing. Not only are they much cheaper to set up than a physical shop on the high street, but can raise awareness of your business as clients search for the products they want to buy on the internet - most importantly, people are actually buying online.

According to a recent report by the Office for National Statistics, Internet sales represented 7.7% of the total value of all sales by non-financial sector businesses in 2007. That’s £163bn, up around 30% year on year - a figure which is growing rapidly. You can read the full report at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/ecomnr1108.pdf and bear in mind this is data from over a year ago now so current trends are likely to be even higher.

Primate Designs have a range of ecommerce options for those looking to venture into selling online:

• “Buy It Now” Shop - add in products with Paypal or Google Checkout buttons for a one-off cost.
• Simple Shop - create categories and products, integrated into a secure payment gateway of your choice for a lease fee and one-off integration cost.

Both of these options are compatible with our Silverback Editing Platform and can be bolted on to even our £500 templated websites.

The old adage; What’s in a name? Well when it comes to your website address, EVERYTHING. The following advice is for those who are choosing an address for a new website being designed and can be used to improve existing websites.

First for clarification a website address is also called a domain name or a URL (Unique Resource Locator)

Don’t choose a mispelt name
Unfortunately it is becoming harder to buy good domain names, so people are having to be clever when it comes to choosing company names and website addresses. However, do not choose a mispelt name, www.primatedezines.com instead of www.primatedesigns.com for example just because the correct spelling is not available.

If you really must have the mis-spelt option, purchase another with the correct spelling. For one simple reason, if a potential client calls you up and asks for your website you may not have time to explain the mis-spelling before they hang up, potentially losing you a sale or worse directing them your competitor.

One for your clients one for Google
If you have bought your website address for example www.thefreebusinesswebsite.co.uk this is the one that you would say to your clients and have on your stationary, it is also advisable to purchase www.the-free-business-website.co.uk. The reason being is Google and other search engines can detect the individual words separated by the hyphens, this assists in promoting your website higher up in the search engine rankings

Big Company name, short website address
If your company is Hyper Global Multi-National Technologies Limited, you should consider a shorter website address. By all means purchase the full business name address, however an abbreviated address such as www.hgmtechnologies.com will be easier to say, easier for people to remember and if you have this written on a sign, car or van it will be quicker for people to read as they pass by.

Check the competition
If you are looking to buy the domain name www.primatedesigns.co.uk, make sure that www.primatedesigns.com is not already owned by your competition, if so you could be driving business their way, it is better to choose another website address where you can purchase the .co.uk and the .com.

An easy way to check who owns domain names is to visit www.who.is. This website enables you to insert a website address and find out who the owner is, sometimes people buy website addresses and never use them. If this is the case with a website address that you really need they may sell it to you.

Numbers 1st or First?
If you have a website address with numbers in it such as www.my1stcompany.co.uk, consider purchasing www.myfirstcompany.co.uk also. Some people will not think to type ‘1st’ and again you could lose a potential customer.

In Summary
So take your time and consider spellings, the competition and purchase all the website addresses you require for marketing and for good search engine results. Remember your website address can be anything you want it doesn’t even need to be your company name, just make sure that people can remember it and spell it.

Our Free Websites have been rebranded to Start Up Websites and received a brand new look. Have a nose around and tell us what you think!

www.easystartupwebsites.co.uk

Looking for a company to create a website that will empower you and benefit your business?

There are many decisions to make, however the following will give you a good start.

1. Take your Website seriously
It is a common mistake to ignore the importance of websites, if you value your business you must ensure that those providing your website understand business. A website should be a vehicle, the end product being where you want to be in business. This does not mean spending lots of money, again those who understand business will be able to cater for all budgets. Have a look at our Free Websites here

2. Google likes websites that are up to date, is yours?
These days there is no excuse for a web developer to provide you with a website that cannot be kept up-to-date by you. If you are in business you cannot rely on a third party to ensure that your online content is correct grammatically and historically. Again a web design company that understands business will provide you with this invaluable platform.

3. Ensure editing is easy
So you have a great company in mind, you understand it is vital to be represented online in a professional way and you have been told that you can keep your information up-to-date, the final step is to ensure that you can do so easily, how? Simply by testing their editing platform yourself, from work at home, with others that can advise. Basically anywhere that does not have the providing web developers present.

Why? Simply if you cannot use this without constant guidance and referring to help notes you simply will not use it. Most people have enough to do in business without learning more ’skills’

Try our Free Online Demo at www.editmy.co.uk

We hope this helps, all the best from Primate Designs

Be sure to check out our new microsites explaining about the Primate Designs £500 Website Templates and £1000 Website Templates. They offer an affordable way to get the flexibility and extra functionality bolt-ons of a bespoke website without the bespoke graphic design costs.

At Primate Designs we believe people should be able to Try Before You Buy, so we’ve put up an online demo of our Silverback Editing Platform for everyone and anyone to try. No submitting your name/email address/favourite colour/aunt’s dog’s shoe size, just visit editmy.co.uk to see for yourself how easy editing your website can be.