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Launching a Web site can be a daunting task, but it gets easier each time you do it. Gary Pfalzbot and his wife, Pamela, should know. They have successfully launched six Web sites over the past several years. The couple does everything themselves — from designing the sites to marketing them on the Internet.

Their Web sites range from GoatWorld.com, an informational site and community for goat owners and enthusiasts, to Rock Lane Records, an online music store and shopping emporium. Pfalzbot explains that each of his Internet ventures fits into his life in a certain way. "Music is my heartfelt passion, electronics and Web design are my living, and goats are my new hobby and business interest," he says. "So I’ve got a full plate. I’m never bored."

Considering Pfalzbot's experience, you'd think his site launches would go smoothly — but that's not always the case. Pfalzbot has learned what works by trial and error, particularly when it comes to finding a Web host. "Even when we thought we were being careful shoppers, we got taken by a few of the biggest companies in the Web-hosting business because we trusted them to do the right thing for us — their customer. They didn’t," Pfalzbot says.

The company that hosted Pfalzbot's first Web site seemed reliable from the outset, but within months he started noticing spotty technology problems. Eventually it got to the point that Pfalzbot didn't have regular access to his Web site or email, causing him to lose several scheduled promotional opportunities.

"After that we went through a number of Web hosts which we eventually dropped because of their inability to satisfy our requirements, either servicewise or customer servicewise," Pfalzbot says.

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This wouldn’t have been such a problem if the Web host would have acknowledged the technical problems and compensated the Pfalzbots for their lost revenue. "The thing about it is that no matter who you host with, you're going to be required to pay for service up front. If the Web service fails for any reason within the paid period of time, you are not reimbursed, but the Web host still has your money," he says.

Unfortunately this is the way many service providers work, and Pfalzbot learned the importance of comparing prices and shopping around for a reliable Web host. He says being locked into a contract with an unreliable Web host not only wastes money, but it also wastes an entrepreneur's creative energy. "It makes you feel trapped. It takes a lot of your time to find another service, and it leaves you feeling mistrust for the new services you might consider because you don’t want to get taken for a ride again."

Today Pfalzbot has a dependable Web host, and he's busy focusing on his next Web site — a sheep information site similar to GoatWorld.com. It will be his seventh site, and Pfalzbot is confident this launch will go smoother than the first.

— Kim Wimpsett

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