The Last Word: Stick to Business

A Web site meant to promote your business should do just that. Nothing else. If you want to have a personal Web page that tells the world how much you love your dogs, cats, or children, that's fine. Put one up, but not on your business site.

Want to share your political or religious philosophy with the world? Great. But set up a separate site to do it instead of adding religious or political pages or links to your business site unless you make your living from religion or politics.

You should also avoid free Web hosting deals that put banner ads for other businesses on your site. It is better to lay out a few bucks every month to make sure your site boosts no one's business but yours.

The Web site that promotes your business has just one purpose: to bring in customers. Every single pixel on it must be dedicated to that goal.