Clue #2 - Buy It In Pieces

A typical small business Internet environment comprises four discrete parts. By breaking these down, and shopping each part separately, you can save significantly, and get the most powerful functionality available for each piece. Get more bang for your buck.

For a typical small business, the Internet infrastructure requirements comprise four separate elements. They are:

• Internet access
• Domain management
• Email management
• Web hosting

Unless the vendor can give you an immensely compelling reason to buy all these bits from them, split these up and buy them separately:

• Internet access – a basic broadband connection with no extras.
• Domain management – buy domains direct from a good registrar, such as Domain Direct or Verisign. If a partner does this for you, insist the domain name be registered in your own name and that you are registered as the commercial contact. Make sure you get the registry key (this is like a password) and store it somewhere securely.
• Email management – ensure you have the ability to switch email providers without losing control of your domains.
• Web hosting – ensure your hosting environment is backed up and is not linked to your access so you do not have to move all your files if you change access providers.

Wherever you are, and wherever you go, you will always be able to choose the most cost effective provider for each of the components of your internet environment.

In this brief recommendation, we have suggested that you separate the key components of your internet environment, and that this allows you to shop for the most cost-effective provider of each of the pieces.

Ask your service providers what you are paying for each of the component parts. If they don’t answer your questions, you are safe to assume they are ripping you off. Get control of your environment and select the most cost effective providers for each of your requirements.

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