Your cost to implement and maintain an EzPics web site can be divided into the following areas: Domain Registration and Renewal, EzPics Services, and Search Engine Submissions and Placement.
Domain Registration and Renewal.
Domain expenses are generally low ($35.00/year) and are paid to a domain registrar. Although not in any way necessary, we recommend that you either transfer to or register your domain with "Tucows". We have a software interface with them that simplifies the processes of registering, renewing and transferring domain names as well as updating your registration information. Things like change of address, phone number or email address can be accomplished in minutes as opposed to the weeks it takes with registrars like Network Solutions or Register.com.
EzPics Services
The only limitation to an EzPics web site account is the number of image slots available. An image slot is really a combination of data items that are associated with a particular image. It consists of a thumbnail, a full size image, a caption, a text description, a purchase price (if merchandise is for sale), an entry in your digital catalog etc. etc. Image slots are used with on-line galleries, slide shows and photo displays. There are no limits on features like "Guest Books", "Calendars" or "Links Pages", that do not use image slots.
The annual fee for an EzPics account with 100 image slots is $750.00, this annual fee includes website hosting, domain name services, email forwarding, unlimited updates and tech support, initial set-up and implementation, plus unlimited telephone support and training. Fees can be paid on a semi-
anniual basis at a rate of $400.00 every six months or on a monthly basis at $100 per month.
(Additional image slots are available in blocks of 100 for $250.00 / year or $150.00 semi-annually or $30 / month.)
Search Engine Submissions and Placement
The search engines are data bases, each independantly owned and maintained, that cross reference web sites according to the subject matter (content) they contain. In order to get your web site listed in a search engine (and keep it there) you must manually submit your domain (automated submissions are ignored) to each engine on a quarterly basis. It is something you can do yourself for free, however it is a time consuming task and if ignored it will have an adverse affect on the amount of traffic your web site receives.
Over the last year we have seen most of the major search engines begin offering paid express inclusion programs. By paying a subscription fee the search engines send their robots to index your site every 48 hours. We recommend these subscriptions for our new clients as it significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to get your site indexed initially and changes and additions to your web site are quickly reflected in the engines.
We currently charge our clients a fee of $250.00 for our search engine submission service ($123.00 of that fee goes directly to annual search engine subscriptions for MSN business directory, the Excite network including Dogpile, Ask Jeeves). The search engine piece of the Internet puzzle is constantly changing and frought with scammers that make all kinds of wild claims. We do monitor the results we get by buying subscriptions and we spend your money wisely.
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