How to create a winning Web site

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, Feb, 1998 by Kathy Yakal

Using this approach, your design and site size will be limited to the mall's specifications, such as the amount of space available. On the other hand, cybermalls attract a lot of shoppers, each a potential customer. You can choose a general mall, one of many regional cybermalls, or a mall that focuses on one specialty, such as antiques.

You'll find dozens of malls by searching "cybermall" using any internet search engine. Universal Cybermall (www.umail.com) charges $135 to create a three-page site with a custom image and a small table. MarketPlaza (www.marketplaza.com) charges $795 for its Plaza Page package, which includes a page of up to 750 words, four images and a form to receive comments and orders. Majon's Cybermall (www.majon.com) provides easy-to-use software to create your own Web page and currently charges $175 for six months to host your site with secure online ordering for customers.

If you already have a Web site, you can list it with many malls for a small fee. For example, the internet Mall (www.internet-mall .com), with more than 27,000 stores, will provide a link to your site and give a brief description of your business for $24 per year.

Check any mall you're considering carefully by exploring it as a customer would. Contact owners of sites listed on the mall, and watch for hidden costs such as setup fees. ting what th