If your web developer is also your web host - you need to understand the answer to this very basic question.  Do you own the content on your website or does your web developer?  If you decide to move your website somewhere else for hosting - can you take everything with you?

This issue isn't treated uniformly by all web developers, so make sure it is clear before you enter in to a business relationship.  We recommend you obtain a contract from your developer that states your rights. Our standard web development agreement explicitly states that the client has exclusive rights to all the content they provide or for which they pay us to develop on their behalf.  If they ever wanted to move their website - they could take all their content with them.

Conversely, we have some services that allow our clients to use shared content that we have developed and own. For example, we offered a turn key IDX solution for real estate agents.  The solution came with content we developed, which is shared by all subscribers to our service. Our development agreement for this turn key solution states that we retain ownership of this content and it can only be used as a part of our subscription service.

We believe it all comes down to common sense. If you provided or paid for the content it should - and does - belong to you. If you didn't provide or pay for the content - then it doesn't belong to you.  While this seems like common sense to us - it isn't always the case and web developers can - and do - right their contracts differently.  

Our beloved home town has garnered yet another award. Relocate America has named Idaho Falls on their 2009 Top 100 cities in America list. Of course, we've known this for a long time! We are proud to be part of this great community.

I'm always a little surprised when I encounter business professionals who are using email addresses provided by their internet service provider (q.com,msn.com) or from other free widely used email providers such as gmail or hotmail.

Using a privately branded email address (yourname@yourdomainname.com) has some great advantages and is very simple to setup and can be completely free.

Portability

The best reason for branding your own email? So you can take it with you. When I first encountered the internet I began using the free email address my ISP provided to me. After switching ISPs a handful of times - and having to get new email addresses each time - I had enough.  If you own your own domain name, you can take your email anywhere you want; switch your ISP, you can even switch your email provider - it doesn't matter. If you own your domain name, you never have to change you email address again.

Professionalism

Your company, even your personal image, will appear more stable, more professional, with a branded email address. Everytime someone sees your email address in a message, on a business card, etc. it will help re-enforce your brand - not someone else's.

How to get there

Getting your privately branded email doesn't have to be expensive.  When approached for help we usually recommend most small and medium sized businesses start with Google Apps. Google Apps has a free edition which will allow you to create up to 50 free mailboxes. For additional mailboxes, email and phone support from Google or for premium features you can upgrade to a paid edition.  With Google Apps you basically get privately branded Gmail, plus access to a host of other free Google Apps such as online document and spreadsheets and shared calendaring.

Setting up Google Apps can be a little difficult if you are not familiar with DNS (domain name system).

For those who prefer a completely hands off setup we can obtain and manage your domain name for $15/year and setup your domain with Google Apps for a one time minimal setup charge.