Duran Kinst Strategies

Elite service without the attitude

small businesses

Where Should I Host My Website?

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Sherman just can't keep his hand away from his face...

Howdy folks! It’s Sherman again. Don’t worry, I’m working from home and obeying the social distancing guidelines. As a robot, I try to avoid washing my hands, but I’ve still been using plenty of Clorox wipes! I’m having a hard time not touching my face though.

Anywho… Even though the world seems to have come to a standstill, the internet is still up and running! We are all increasingly reliant on websites now as we do what needs to be done from where we are. That brings me to today’s question: “Where should I host my website?”

Before we talk about who should host your website, let’s talk about why web hosting is so important. It is true that every website needs a web hosting service provider (web host) in order to live on the internet. Just like your closet, which protects that Goonies shirt you can’t live without, a web host stores all the files necessary for your website to function properly. As such, the web host you choose should be properly equipped to support the site you want you to have.

If you’re a newbie to this whole website-building thing, let’s clarify some other terms you might hear. Be sure not to mix up hosting and domain. Your website’s domain is its location, or URL, on the internet. Think of it as the street address for your site, while the web host is the house itself. Another thing to be aware of is that web hosting is different from website building, so if you use WordPress or something similar to build your site, you will still need a web host. There are many options for where to host your site. A few web hosts that we have worked with before include GoDaddy, Network Solutions, Namecheap, and WP Engine. You can see how several of the top web hosts compare here. More recently, we have started using SiteGround. With their plans, they provide free SSL, Cloudflare integration, email addresses, and more!

Speaking of SiteGround, we can host multiple websites there. So if you’re a DKS client, we can hook you up for no extra cost. 😉

Do you have a question for Sherman? If so, please send it to us.

How Do I Manage Multiple Social Media Channels?

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Sherman, the DKS robot mascot

Hiya folks! It’s Sherman again, and this time I’m answering our third question in the Stump Sherman series: “How do I manage multiple social media channels?”

That’s a tough one! Nowadays, there are so many social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc…) that tailoring content for each one can be overwhelming and time-consuming! What do you do??

According to my calculations, there is a solution!! 

HootSuite is a social media management platform that lets you post your content on multiple social media sites at once. We use the free version, which allows us to post on three of our social media networks at once, affording us more time to tailor our messaging for other social media platforms when it’s required. We could do specialized content for each social media platform, but oftentimes we find it more worthwhile to post the same thing on each–and HootSuite makes that much easier.

Speaking of HootSuite, they also offer HootSuite Academy, a collection of social media courses and certifications, a few of which are free. There’s even a course that walks you through how to use HootSuite. We highly recommend the social media marketing course too (which is also free!).

And of course, if you are having trouble finding the time to manage your social media yourself, you could always just hire us to do it! 😉

If you have any other questions about social media or any of the other challenges that come with communication in this digital world, you can always try to stump me too—it’s free!

Do you have a question for Sherman? If so, please send it to us.

Is It Okay to Use Other People’s Photos?

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Sherman is computing an answer for today's question.

Hiya folks! It’s Sherman, the robot mascot of DKS, and I’m back today with the next question in our “Stump Sherman” series: “Is it okay to use other people’s photos and images without their permission? How do I get free photos, images, etc.?” 

This is a biggie. It is important to use nice images. A sloppy photo makes for an unprofessional-looking business, but an eye-catching image may be just what you need for your project. 

Let’s see… My database says the answer to the first question is “no”. Most images are copyrighted, so stealing those images is actually against the law. Big no-no. You can even be fined for taking a photo without the owner’s permission if you are caught. I do NOT recommend doing Google searches and stealing whatever you want.

However, certain images are A-OK to take without permission. You’ll see them labeled as  “copyright-free,” “public domain,” “creative commons,” or simply “free”. There are actually many sites where you can find these images. Here are just a few:

We also use Envato Elements for our clients, though it is a paid subscription. It gives DKS access to a huge collection of high-quality stock photos, as well as videos, fonts, templates, and more – all without needing to credit the original creator.  

Do you have a question for Sherman? If so, please send it to us.

Should I Have a Website?

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Sherman, the DKS robot mascot, is ready to talk about websites!

Hiya folks! I’m Sherman and today I’ll be answering the first question of our new “Stump Sherman” series: “Should I have a website?”

Computing… Hmm, this is a tricky question. According to my calculations, there are numerous reasons for having a well-built website.

A website can be a wonderful showcase for your business. In this digital age, if someone is considering making a large investment in what you sell, they will want to see your site first. It provides easy access to important information, such as details about your goods or services. 

A well-designed website can also help potential customers find you when they search for the types of services you provide. Instead of going to your competitors, they can go to your website! 

A website may be a wonderful investment for your business if you choose to put in the time and resources. While there are options to create websites for free, you may find that the quality of the product is lacking. And if you don’t have enough experience, you may need to hire someone to design it for you (ahem, we may know someone). 

Between that, the domain name and its platform, building a site for your business can be costly. However, if you want your business to look professional, slapping a sloppy site together for free isn’t an option. 

In addition to potential costs, once you have made your website, you may find it time-consuming to maintain. If you don’t post regularly, your company may begin to look outdated, and, just like social media, you will need to respond to comments and answer questions in a timely manner. 

Yes, a professional website requires some time and money, but consider the long-term benefits of making a place for yourself in the digital marketplace. If you are feeling overwhelmed or confused, or need help building your website, feel free to contact us. We are happy to help!

Do you have a question for Sherman? If so, please send it to us.

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