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Your First Website

You've thought about it, talked about it, but never really did anything because the whole thing is something you're just not sure about. Fear not, read on and perhaps getting a website for your business is not so scary after all.

First hings first

Your best bet is to dive right in and browse the Internet for websites that appeal to you. Try to get a feel for what it is you like about them and take notes. Don't forget to put yourself in your customer's shoes! Your customers may not have the same tastes as you. Now it's time to think about what you would want to put on your own website. Would it be products, tips, specials, news, etc.? Don't worry too much about details or getting it perfect, that will come later. There, you've taken the first step.

Next, get some help

Getting a website onto the World Wide Web is fairly easy, but it does require a fair amount programming/design/Internet Marketing know-how for it to be effective and work properly. Think of it this way, most people are handy enough to replace a light fixture with the proper guidance and an instruction sheet. However, putting in a whole new electrical supply to the new light is better left to the professional. So let's call a qualified website designer to help out. While we're at it, don't rely on a friend that's handy with computers and has done a website or two. We're talking about your business and livelyhood here, not presenting your family photo album online.

The Website Designer

Choosing a website designer is probably your toughest challenge. He or she needs to have a fair amount of experience in Website Design, Digital Graphics and Programming the various languages required to make a site function properly. More importantly, being able to understand your needs, your customers and having the experience to apply the proper internet marketing strategies are the key to building a successful website.

The planning and strategy

Once you've chosen a website designer, he/she will help you decide the best way to your business presence on the Internet. This will involve discussions about what you want from your website, what material is best suited, creating a marketing strategy for action and finally, a timeline for implementation. Your website designer will also provide you tips on how to get the most out of your site once it is up and running.

Relax, you're almost there

Now it's just a matter of approving what your website designer has created for you. Normally, you'll get to see a couple of design pages right on your browser. If you like what you see, the designer will then continue the project until all pages and final programming is complete. A final check, maybe a couple of changes and your site is ready for all to see.

The Bottom Line

At this point, most businesses with a website will sit back and wait for the site to magically bring in new business. If the site was built properly, you should begin to get some responses. However, there are a few things you should be aware of. First, it takes Search Engines sometimes several months to index your site. Second, there are several other methods of getting people to visit your site that need to be taken care of. Your website designer should have given you some tips on this. And third, if you want your visitors to take action (read: visit your store, contact you, etc.), make sure you follow up on your strategy that's built into the site.

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