So you want your club to have a website?

Webmaster Mike's Site Basics

  1. You need a name
    I suggest you get your name from a reliable provider. I use Network Solutions for 95% of the work I do. there are cheaper services, but I have found that cheap is not always good. For 5 years to own a name is about 100 bucks, If you have a $10 dollar a year host, but you waste hours getting things done - you have not saved a penny. _ Much like your ride - do not go cheap! Go to there website and start trying names you like, Shorter is better, easy to spell is important, you can breakup your name too ie. MY-Club.com vs. MyClub.com
     
  2. You need a host
    A host provides the "space" to publish your website and is your post office for addresses. There are hundreds of hosts out there. You can go local or National. Most hosts will discount their rate if you pre-pay for a year or more. Rates run from 9 to 25 /month. Most clubs websites can be hosted on a budget package. The only time you might need more space is if you want video. Most Hosting Packages include 5 to 25 email boxes that you will control. Thus you can assign email addresses to your members & officers as your club see fit, example President@myclub.com , VP@... , BadAss@.... since you own the domain name you decide on addresses, they can be a role like President, VP... or Members name, Nickname... what ever you decide.
     
  3. You need content
    Get Pictures together, figure out what you want to say. I or your webmaster can format it quickly, the hard part is what you want to say. Just type each page into a word processor, like Microsoft Word, Works, Word Perfect... Think of it as a magazine.
    a. You need a Cover - Simple -Good picture or pictures
    b. You need a table of Contents
    c. You need to have something to say, upcoming events, photos from past, statement about purpose of club, Members and officers page...