Whether you want to create your own personal website or set up a new website for your business, this type of project can be intimidating for people who have not created a website before.
The good news is, there are many different online tools available that makes the work of establishing a website very easy and with minimal cost.
When beginning the work to set up a website, consider these steps to help you make the best decision for your needs: PLAN - What is the purpose of your website? Do you want to sell products? Would you like to have a way to inform potential customers about your business? Do you want to post opinions and articles online or provide entertainment? As part of your plan you should decide what you want to accomplish as your first step.
PLAN - What type of URL do you want? The URL or domain of your website is important and gives an idea of what visitors should expect.
If you are starting a pet supply business, for example, you may want a domain name like "bestpetsuppliesever.
com".
If you want to stay localized you may want your domain to reflect your location - like "ChicagoPetSupplies.
com".
Or if you believe you might sell more than just pet supplies you can go with your business name or a more generic name such as "GeneralSuppliesChicago.
com".
To find out if a URL is taken you can work with your web hosting provider.
PROPOSE - Which web hosting provider should I use? You should research at least 3 different web hosting providers before making a decision.
There are many international providers and there are local web hosts.
Look at the pricing and look at the options provided.
Some will give you tools to build your own website and make updates - for a fee.
Others let you simply upload your completed website.
And there are various features such as security, capacity, email and online shopping carts.
Get proposals from as many companies as you like, and determine which would be best suited for your budget and needs.
PROMOTE - How to get the word out? Once you have a website, the work begins to let everyone know about it.
On any printed materials (invoices, receipts, sales flyers, and business cards), make sure your new web address is included.
Also announce your website through local newspaper ads and local community sites.
Finally, promote your website through social media.
This includes having a Facebook page that links to your website, a Twitter account or LinkedIn profile, and also post to industry forums and blogs.
You can also run ads through sites that your customers may visit.
Many website hosting providers can walk you through the steps, or they have online wizards that make website setup extremely easy.
Alternatively, you can work with a web design agency to do most of the leg work for you.
In either case, creating a website is a great way to promote your business or yourself.
The good news is, there are many different online tools available that makes the work of establishing a website very easy and with minimal cost.
When beginning the work to set up a website, consider these steps to help you make the best decision for your needs: PLAN - What is the purpose of your website? Do you want to sell products? Would you like to have a way to inform potential customers about your business? Do you want to post opinions and articles online or provide entertainment? As part of your plan you should decide what you want to accomplish as your first step.
PLAN - What type of URL do you want? The URL or domain of your website is important and gives an idea of what visitors should expect.
If you are starting a pet supply business, for example, you may want a domain name like "bestpetsuppliesever.
com".
If you want to stay localized you may want your domain to reflect your location - like "ChicagoPetSupplies.
com".
Or if you believe you might sell more than just pet supplies you can go with your business name or a more generic name such as "GeneralSuppliesChicago.
com".
To find out if a URL is taken you can work with your web hosting provider.
PROPOSE - Which web hosting provider should I use? You should research at least 3 different web hosting providers before making a decision.
There are many international providers and there are local web hosts.
Look at the pricing and look at the options provided.
Some will give you tools to build your own website and make updates - for a fee.
Others let you simply upload your completed website.
And there are various features such as security, capacity, email and online shopping carts.
Get proposals from as many companies as you like, and determine which would be best suited for your budget and needs.
PROMOTE - How to get the word out? Once you have a website, the work begins to let everyone know about it.
On any printed materials (invoices, receipts, sales flyers, and business cards), make sure your new web address is included.
Also announce your website through local newspaper ads and local community sites.
Finally, promote your website through social media.
This includes having a Facebook page that links to your website, a Twitter account or LinkedIn profile, and also post to industry forums and blogs.
You can also run ads through sites that your customers may visit.
Many website hosting providers can walk you through the steps, or they have online wizards that make website setup extremely easy.
Alternatively, you can work with a web design agency to do most of the leg work for you.
In either case, creating a website is a great way to promote your business or yourself.
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