So, always:

1)Test everything works regularly.

2)Test everything works after making any changes, however small.

3)Test all downloads thoroughly. Things can happen that you may not ever know about problems with your ISP’s server, data corruptions etc.

4)Run dummy orders to check your shopping cart and credit card processing systems work (these rely on third party companies, so you may not know if they develop problems their end).

5)Check load time of your site, over a normal phone line. You may have a high speed connection, but most people are still connected via regular phone lines. They will go elsewhere if it takes 30 seconds to load your homepage.

6)Check all above, on as many different combinations of computer and browser as you can. Does it look and function as it should.

7)Encourage your customers to report faults –and reward them!

There’s so much choice out there, so don’t give visitors an excuse to go elsewhere – make sure everything about your site works –test it to destruction!

Then, I got an email from a person who had visited my "pretty" website. He commented I obviously had been busy. He very kindly did not mention how "unbusiness-like" my site was. He very graciously offered to help me set up my site in a more professional way. He also advised me to get a "non-free" website where I would not be limited to what I could do. And he said it all without hurting my feelings!

Of course I accepted his offer. He set up a template for me, worked on teaching me html, answered questions, and fixed my mess-ups while I was learning. And he STILL helps me out of jams! Who is he? His name is James Pendleton. His website is http://www.jgptophost.com . He has been an invaluble friend to me. If you are looking for a good webmaster, you won't find a better one.

This article sounds like an ad, but it really isn't. My point is that we all need each other. Great businesses can be built when we finally realize that we can do more when we help each other. When we learn to trust each other, great things happen. Pool your resources - offer your strengths to someone who can use them, and often you will find other person will offer you something in return. Then you BOTH will be better for it!