It seems like such a little thing, but it’s a major annoyance if not a business-loser when you or your customers and clients can’t connect to a website. Sometimes, it’s a typo. Sometimes it’s just how you type in the website’s address.

Here’s how to make sure you connect. It’s really very simple: Pay attention to the website address you’re given. There are times to type “www,” and there are times not to. The most common misconnections occur when checking email over the Internet. Most people routinely type “www.email.domain.com” and get an error message or get directed to some web page they don’t want.

There’s a technical reason for this, but the simple explanation is that it’s all in the coding for the location on the Internet. Here are some things you should be aware of both as a website visitor or as a business owner who is having a website built.

As someone who’s going to a website, make sure you type the address as instructed. If you’re instructed to type in the “www” prefix, do it. Browsers will use your browsing history to connect you without typing in the full address later, but on the first visit, follow instructions. If you are given specific instructions NOT to type in www, don’t type it. It’s a reflex for most of us, so take a second look. It’s one of the most common mistakes for not connecting to webmail sites. Some ISPs or browsers may offer some suggestions and ask you which website or address you trying to reach.

And while we’re talking about visiting websites, make sure you type in the web address in your browser’s address bar. Search-engine providers, such as Google, Yahoo and Bing all have search bars that sit near the address bar. If you type in a web address in a search bar, you’ll go to a search page.

If you are building a website or having it done for you, make sure you or your web builder codes your address as a c-name record. Again, it’s technical, but a c-name record will enable people to type in your domain name without the www, and that will help make sure customers, clients and prospects connect with you.

Dare we say it, connecting is critical. You don’t want a customer, client or prospect to get inconvenienced or not contact you at all. Just remember to tell your web builder to code your site so it can be accessed more easily.

If you have any concerns about coding for easier connectivity or need help in talking to your web builder, talk to us. Our phone line – 973-433-6676 – is always available, and we respond to email.

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.