Intercom Page Builder - e-Local Tips

Thank you for taking a look at the Intercom Page Builder. We thought it would be nice to give you some valuable tips that might help you get your organization on the Internet more easily.

	What’s the best way to start building my web site?
	Is there anything I need to do to prepare?
	How do I make my members and other visitors to the site aware of its security features?
	How do I help those who visit the site find what they are looking for quickly and easily?

Before you start building your web site, the best thing you can do is map it out.

	Sit down and make a list of the pages you want on your site
	Then draw an actual picture of each page
		What do you want it to look like?
		What information is going to be on it?
		What pictures or images?
		How do you want all this content laid out?

	When there is too much content on a page, it is harder for people to find what they are looking for. Be brief!
	It is easier for people to go to a new page to find what they are looking for than it is to scroll down through lots of information they don't care that much about. But they have to know where to go! Provide clear descriptions for the links you provide.
		A computer screen is hard to read. Try to use lots of graphics and other visual aids. Wherever possible, show don't tell.
		A computer screen is also much smaller than a sheet of paper. Make sure that the content you map out on paper will actually appear on the screen. If something is worth mentioning, make sure it is visible. Anything off the screen is easily overlooked.

Finally you need to develop a plan to keep your site up-to-date.
Almost nobody reads yesterday's newspaper. If you want people to keep coming to your site, you need to change its content frequently.

The Instant Page Builder System makes it easy to continually up-date your website. But it still takes planning and work.

	What parts of your site do you want to change on a regular basis?
	How often do you want to make these changes?
	And who is going to be responsible for seeing that the changes are made?

It’s a good idea to look at web sites similar to the one you want to build. Try to figure out why the site is attractive to you. What makes it work? Of course, you can't copy someone else's work. But you certainly can use it to get ideas of your own.

Make sure that you read the Intercom Page Builder Terms and Conditions page, Features and Prices page, and Privacy Statement. Each of them provides information about how the Intercom System is maintained. They also introduce Forward Technology Solutions, the firm that created the Instant Page Builder System, and offers information about their data center and how they protect the information on and for your site.

Make yourself familiar with Web terminology. Terms like “encryption”, “cookies” and “SSL” are important words to know. Web sites like www.webopedia.com provide excellent, concise definitions of these and other terms.

The Intercom Page Builder Page Wizard^TM allows you to generate your own dynamic web site in no time at all. You simply fill out a couple of forms, select the style and pages you want, and, presto! you've got your own web site.

It’s that easy. And if you mapped out your site before hand, you will know the types of pages you want to add to the three or four distinctly different system pages that are automatically included.
The Intercom Page Builder provides several types of pre-formatted pages. You can add you own text and graphics, and change different attributes of these pages. But you don't have to worry about back-end functionality. It is already in place.

How about graphics? You can either create them yourself or down load them from a public access "clip art" or image web site or CD. Remember: most images are copyrighted. You must have permission of the copyright holder to use their material on your web site. But once you find material you can use, all you have to do is upload them to your web site using the Intercom Page Builder.
For a more detailed description of this process, consult the Frequently Asked Questions Page.

How Secure is the Intercom System?

Forward Technology Solutions provides several types of security measures to the Intercom System, such as SSL, encryption and partnerships with companies with reliable networking services. It also has in place various disaster recovery solutions, multiple protections against viruses, hackers, vandalism, fires, and power failures. Their data farms are equipped with a state of the art Intrusion Detection System. Also, back-up tapes are kept offsite.

Privacy Statements and Other Legal Documentation

Privacy statements are important because they provide information to the user about the sharing of information between the web visitor and the web site owner.

The Intercom Page Builder site has a Privacy Statement, as do most web sites. For example the Privacy Policy for this site informs visitors about the sites' policies with regard to "cookies", an Internet term that refers to a file that stores information about the user for future reference. It also provides information about how the site posts messages to its clients.

You can upload a Privacy Statement to your web site with the Intercom Page Builder. We recommend that you consult your lawyer about the kind of information you need to put in your privacy policy. But having a policy is a good idea. You don't want to be liable in any way for misrepresenting your organization.

Terms and Conditions and End User License Agreements

These types of documents can also be important to your web site, especially if visitors can purchase any products or services from you on the site. Again, consult legal counsel about these documents. Terms and Conditions provides information about fees, contract review, access and services, proprietary rights, liability, warranty disclaimers and that sort of thing. For more information, you can take a look at the Intercom Page Builder's Terms and Conditions, as well as those for any other site on the web that has them.