What is a Global Web Presence™? First we must revisit the World Wide Web. As of now, people see web sites, web pages, and domain names. U4H, Inc. knows not all domains are created equally. As of now, top level domains (TLD’s) are categorized by their endings. There are over 260 different “dot somethings” to date (April 2008). Some are gTLD’s or generic top level domains, and those are further categorized into sTLD’s (sponsored top level domains) and uTLD’s (unsponsored top level domains). Other domain names are ccTLD’s or country code top level domains, and as of today not all countries are represented, and not all citizens have “access” to specific categories and Url addresses.
In order to find web sites/web pages, an individual must utilize search engines, know the specific address, or type directly into their web browser a word, series of words, phrase, or statement. It seems like everyone has a web page. Web pages are merely commodities, homogenized, and virtually worthless to a large extent. But unlike most traditional commodities, globally recognized domain names become more valuable through time, popularity, and exposure.
Software that domain registrars provide, and the hosting and server capabilities that large corporations provide—they can provide on a “cheap” basis, because what they are giving you is “cheap.” How valuable, how useful of a tool, how efficient, how precisely can a person really develop a web site with software that can “build your web site in minutes” on undedicated servers, with shared “IP” addresses. Web sites look more and more the same, with the same formats, the same types of features, even the same content, layout, and graphics.
Now, not all this is bad. Regular individuals/small businesses can and should develop a web presence. It is wonderful to have very little money, begin something, and make it live. Individuals/small businesses need to develop a web page, series of web pages, and turn those into a global web presence outside the realm of constrictive traditions. This takes time and money.
When developing a web presence, one must start somewhere, and domain registrars offer preliminary solutions while at the same time can assist in making domain properties more valuable/frequented. Domain registrars allow individuals/corporations with no real technical knowledge to jump into a technical arena. Some individuals/corporations are beginning to only see the web as tremendous conglomerates and or trademarked entities such as Yahoo, Microsoft, Google, AOL, MySpace, YouTube, Craigslist, Wikipedia, Second Life, and Ebay. They are beginning to believe that the playing field cannot be made even without tremendous capital.
Some conglomerates/web sites started off with no money and the best intentions. Some continue to evolve in the true and positive sense, constantly moving forward and reinventing themselves periodically. Most are uninspired, chaotic, mindless, uniform, and aesthetically unappealing. Some simply mirror/copy one another; focus in specific areas/arenas/markets; but all perpetuate the same types of products and services. All provide what they think people want, need, desire, but most importantly do what is going to make money. And they constantly repackage and exploit the same ways they make money; and most web users are accepting of this because it is the “norm,” and they believe there is not much they can do.
Sadly to date most large conglomerates provide limited abilities and ration advances in a calculated manner, or perpetuate stagnant existences in an effort to maximize their profits. They do not study, or care to listen to the people they supply products and services to because they are seemingly “untouchable.” They consciously/unconsciously believe that they know what people what, need, are willing to accept, and desire better than the actual individuals. And individuals have to be willing to accept something, because look at the limited/similar choices and avenues they are given.
Some individuals believe the web is a wasteland; the web is all pornography; the web has dangerous trojans, viruses, and worms everywhere; the web has little credibility; the web is a great place to buy things; the web is a great place to find people, places, and things; the web is an invaluable resource; the only credible sites are government sites or organizations; the web is a lot of fun to play on; the web is a big waste of time; the web is a necessary part of business and life; everything is moving towards the web; the web is being used how it was intended to be used; the web is getting better; the web is getting worse.
Regardless how one sees the web, or what they might believe, there are a few cold hard truths. One is, the World Wide Web and Television are officially merging, and in the near future they will become seamless. The playing field is becoming more level and will be equalized with this merger. How corporations begin to couple technologies together now, and how they use these technologies will determine their ability to survive, adapt, prosper, and remain relevant. The development of a global web presence anticipates, knows, and manifests potential capabilities, into abilities. The World Wide Web and Television are expected to react and deliver very different things with immediacy. (To date, E-commerce isn’t viewed as a constant bloodline with an ever-present ability to utilize its capabilities; it has become a separate, compartmentalized entity. (U4H, Inc. believes E-commerce must be an ever-present part of both the Internet and Television.)