"Most people just want a web site don't they? Somewhere for clients to visit, see a product and get in touch? So that's two pages and maybe a page counter, doesn't matter what it looks like, it's easy, right?" If only that were true, there are many reasons to visit a web site, just as many reasons as there are to visit an outlet or pick up the phone.

Take for example our business, we register domains, we host and design web sites, we design marketing literature and logos, we provide training and technical support. As we say on our About QTec page "Q-Tec provide quality solutions in the areas of web design, web based services, multimedia and marketing communications materials." There are things which we don't do which you may, like manufacturing a physical product or providing a financial service. In building this web site we have made a statement of intent and have expressed our commitment to each of our unique services by providing content, it should be the same for you. Each part of your business needs to be covered, you may need to consider online transactions, business to business e-commerce, or encrypted transmissions in order to provide the best product or service to your client or customer. All of this needs to be packaged and branded carefully too, for earthlings not aliens.

As the old phrase goes "you don't get a second chance to make a first impression". Never has there been a more succinct phrase (old or new) to best describe the impact of the first time someone discovers your domain name and calls up your web site. Those first impressions start with the domain name itself and extend to the look and feel of your web site, its ease of navigation, readability and the quality of its content. Accessibility is a key issue and a target for new government legislation.

If all of these things are acceptable to your visitor then you still have the final hurdle of keeping their interest, which could mean regularly providing fresh information and content, reference or technical specifications, even themed games.

Once you slow down and think, considering all of these challenges you'll begin to understand why it's not "easy" at all, and why two pages and a counter put together quickly and served from a free provider will do more to alienate visitors than welcome them to the most important business on the planet, yours.