In this section, we're going to assume that you own, operate, or manage a business or a professional services firm. We're also going to assume that you're interested in learning how you can use the Internet and the World Wide Web to enhance customer or client relations and to increase sales or otherwise expand your business or client base. Finally, we're going to assume that, like us, you prefer plain, easily understood English to the techno babble that plagues the online field.

Do I have to be on the Internet? The answer, of course, is "No, you don't have to be on the Internet. But most of your customers and prospective customers will expect you to be there, and many will be disappointed if you aren't."

It's similar to the situation that existed in the days before e-mail when everyone was expected to have a fax machine. Being able to send and receive faxes made it easier for your customers and clients to do business with you. The same can be said about having a Web site today.

Unfortunately, many businesses put off setting up a Web site because they assume it has to be some hugely complicated, and possibly expensive affair. But nothing could be further from the truth. Regardless of your industry or profession, you have a wide range of options when it comes to putting your business on the Web. We'll summarize your major choices in a minute. But first, a bit of non-technical background will be helpful. People today use the terms "Internet" and "Web" interchangeably. And that's fine. But it is still helpful to understand the difference and to have a bit of history, if only to amaze your friends at the next cocktail party. What we know as the World Wide Web today was created by the convergence of three things: the Internet, clickable links ("hyperlinks"), and a graphical user interface (GUI).

The Internet is the transport mechanism. It consists of the wires, fiber optic cables, computers, switches, and software that makes it possible for you to connect with or send e-mail to any one of literally millions of computers around the world.

When you need much more than a website, Nekston delivers custom scalable web based technology to fit your business needs. A web interface to powerful back-end software to automate business tasks. We work in several platforms including RedHat Enterprise Linux, Windows .NET, Apache and IIS, ColdFusion, BlueDragon, ASPX, SQL and MySQL.