How to Choose a Web Hosting Service (10 Steps)

Make sure the host's server provides a sufficiently fast connection to the Internet. A T3 connection is optimal, but a T1 will work for most Web sites. A dial-up connection is usually much too slow.
Find out how many machines will be sharing the server with you. You don't want to be slowed down by traffic from other sites. Compare this number with other hosting services to give yourself negotiating room.
Investigate limits on bandwidth and hits. Make sure you won't be charged severely if a lot of traffic goes through your site. Look for reasonable flat monthly rates as opposed to rates based on use.
Find out what kind of customer support the host offers. Twenty-four hour support and speedy replies aren't unreasonable demands. Try to avoid paying for customer support.
Plan ahead when thinking about Web space. The amount of space you need depends on the nature of your site, but be sure to give your site room to grow.
Look for a company that offers virtual hosting. This will allow you to use your own domain name (www.yoursite.com) as your URL as opposed to a directory within the host's domain (www.host.com/yoursite). If you don't feel that you need your own domain name, save money and stick with the host's URL.
Make sure the host provides adequate CGI-bin access if you'll be using forms, and that the CGI bin can support your scripts. You should have your own CGI-bin directory with unlimited access.
Opt for Web-based administration if you're unfamiliar with Web programming. This will provide a Web-based interface for the maintenance of the site.
Look for a host that offers FTP and Telnet access to facilitate uploading files and editing CGI scripts.
Evaluate your e-mail needs. Some servers offer POP mailboxes, while others simply offer aliases that reroute mail to existing mailboxes. Some hosts put limits on the number of allowed aliases. Make sure you fully understand the host's e-mail services.
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How to Conduct a Business Meeting in Japan (7 Steps)

When you meet your counterparts, bow. The Japanese do not shake hands, other than when Westerners would give each other a hug. They might make an exception for business meetings. Wait for the Japanese businessman to offer his hand. Introduce your colleagues by title and function as well as name.
Sit at the meeting table opposite from your hosts. Seat your delegation in reasonable order of rank. If you're the head of the delegation, take the best seat. In Japan, that is the one farthest from the door. If you are using an interpreter, make sure he or she (usually she) sits next to you.
Exchange business cards with all the other participants in the meeting. If you are head of the delegation, you will be expected to start. Do it like this: Face the person with whom you are exchanging cards. Hold your card with both hands. If you have Japanese cards, have the Japanese side up. Bow. Introduce yourself--say your name and your company. Thank the person for meeting with you. Hand over your business card. Listen carefully to the introduction by the person whose business card you are receiving. Take the card with both hands and look at it. Move on to the next person. Don't write on the cards and don't put them in your pocket, but keep them on the table in front of you.
Thank your hosts for agreeing to meet with you. Hand out your presentation material. Japanese businessmen usually appreciate if you send the material in advance, if possible.
Speak slowly and clearly (but do not exaggerate) in your presentation. By handing out material in advance, the Japanese can follow the presentation as you speak.
If you are using an interpreter, make make pauses to enable complete translation.
Tell your hosts that you can take questions during the presentation, if that is the case.
Don't be surprised if the Japanese do not say anything. They may not want to embarrass you with questions, or they might wait for their superior to ask questions first.
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How to Start Your Own Manga Store Online (10 Steps)

Get your manga comics. If you already own a manga book store, you won't need any additional inventory. If you need to choose between distributors, search around your locality or online, make a list of all wholesale distributors and evaluate them based on factors such as delivery, quality, deadlines and reputation.You may be able to ship the books without re-packaging them, since the original packaging may be professional and suitable for distribution. If you choose to make your own comics, make a list of how much time, effort and money you spend on each book. Evaluate the three options and choose a suitable one for you.
Get a computer and a reliable Internet connection. Sign up for an email account. You will need several email accounts to establish an Internet business, sell products and earn money.
Get a credit card or debit card from your local bank. This is necessary to buy products and services for your online business.
Do a study to determine a reasonable price for your products. Base the price on quality, number of pages or author. If you charge more than your competitors, your sales will be affected. In your price study, include a price comparison of other distributors selling similar manga comics with the same amount of pages. Also include manga prices from top-selling authors or popular comics. You may also conduct an informal survey with manga fans by asking them how much they would pay for your type of comic. Try to ask as many people as possible to get a sense of the best possible price.
Register your own domain name through sites such as godaddy.com or namecheap.com.
Register your web hosting package to ensure that it runs 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The web hosting package provides website bandwidth so people can see it online. Base the size of the hosting package on the number of views you expect. The more views you expect, the larger the hosting package you will need to purchase. You will need to pay a monthly or yearly fee. You can compare the prices of various providers and choose based on your budget. Prices usually run between $40 to $300 a month depending on your bandwidth need (as of September 2010).
Create a website. Make sure the design and layout are appealing and pleasing. Hire a designer if necessary. Use free services such as weebly.com or wix.com to create preliminary website ideas. Create your own sales and thank you pages.
Get a merchant account and register with a credit card processor. A merchant account is a business bank account linked to your website. It allows you to accept payments on the Internet. Credit card processors are free, but merchant accounts charge a fee. PayPal and Google Checkout both act as a combination of merchant accounts and credit card processors.
Secure your website. Take measures to ensure that your payment gateway is secure so that your clients can rely on it. Hire a webmaster to test your site.
Promote your website through submission in search engines, directories, blogs, newsletters, forums and discussion groups. Listing your site in popular directories such as dmegs.com and other blogs that cover the manga industry can increase traffic to your site.
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