How to Start a Website
To some small business owners, the process of starting a website for their business seems like a mystery. The truth is that giving your company a web presence is easier and more affordable than ever before.
It’s important for every business to have a presence on the web. It makes it easier for customers and potential customers to find you, and it gives you a venue in which to show off your professionalism and highlight your business’ best features.
You don’t have to be computer savvy, and for just a few hundred dollars you can have a simple website up and running.
Domain Name
The first thing you’ll need to do is decide on a domain name. It should be reflective of your business and, as much as possible, be easy to remember. If your first choice of a name isn’t available you’ll have to select something else, so be flexible.
Once you find an available name, you’ll need to register that name. You can register the name for as little as one year.
It’s important to keep the registration current or someone else will be able to take the name.
Web Hosting
Next you’ll need to select a company that offers web hosting. Web hosting starts around $20.00 a month and goes up from there depending on the type of website and the number of visitors to the site.
The hosting also normally includes a set number of email boxes.
Web Design
Designing a website yourself is simpler than ever. There is software available that make it so simple that in a just a few hours you can design your own site.
If you don’t feel comfortable designing your own site, you can pay your web hosting company to do it for you.
You can also hire a web design firm, but that is typically going to be more expensive than going through your web hosting company. Whoever you use, be sure that YOU will own the site and that everything is registered in your name or your business name and NOT in the name of the designer or hosting company.
Take your small business to the next level by creating a web presence that will impress!
