Not everyone needs to have a “presence” on the Web, of course. Most people will be quite content to surf the Web to find what they are interested in, and then sign off and go do something more productive. But those of us who just can’t seem to pull ourselves away from the computer often want to do more than just surf the Web…we want to be part of it.
The popularity of social networking sites and photo/video sharing sites over the past few years testifies that there is an ever-increasing number of people who just can’t wait to put their lives on the Web. This is a wonderful way to stay informed and connected, and to keep your friends and family “up to speed” on what’s happening in your life. But how many people take the time to consider just how much of their personal lives they want on to be publicly available on the Web? Having a good plan for your overall Web presence will help you protect the information you want to keep private, and expand the reach of that information you want to share with others.
If you’re serious about creating an overall Web presence for yourself or your family, the first order of business will probably be to ask yourself what you want to do on the Web. Are you interested in making a name for yourself, sharing files or photos with friends and family, starting a small business, selling a product/service (for personal or business reasons), or creating a public Web site for the world to view (for personal or business reasons)?
Continue reading “Getting started: Do you need a “presence” on the Web?”