03/ 28/ 2002
by Laura Bell
Have a contingency plan for when things go wrong
Whether you've just put up a Web page or have long been doing e-commerce, you need backup plans, according to small business owner Deni Mosser, Web designer since 1997, and interior designer for 20 years (http://www.mosserdesign.net).
- If you are running a site which encourages heavy downloading, then have your Web consultant build a mirror site, which duplicates the first one. The mirror site also offers protection if your original url (server) crashes.
- Web hosting companies go out of business. Make sure there is a clause in your contract allowing you (a) access to your files and (b) to have a copy to archive.
- Protect your site's contents through archiving: go to http://www.xdrive.com and http://www.webstuff4free.com/storage.asp.
- E-mail servers crash frequently. To have constant access to your clients, maintain more than one e-mail address. Free e-mail accounts are available through juno.com, yahoo.com and other major sites. Also, there are free services which allow you to check your mail remotely if your server crashes, or if you just happen to be out of town: http://www.mail2web.com and http://www.thatweb.com. Alternate log-ins can be handled by using Net connections at your local library or cybercafes. Almost all online services have what they call remote login. This requires a registration process. Check with your ISP's (Internet Service Provider) techie support staff.
- For those using e-commerce stores built on a template, be sure and read your contract. Even though you pay your host a monthly fee, if you decide to move your site, most likely you cannot take those files with you.
The best contingency planning for any business owner is to learn as much about the Web side of your business as you can. If you hire a consultant, or pay a hosting fee, make efficient use of this expense by asking questions. You will be thankful in the end.
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2001 issue of MyBusiness Magazine, NFIB's member magazine.
