Information Needed

• If you're wanting to start a business online- you will of course have to first decide what type of business. What type ? That's a tough question but we all have hidden skills and even hobbies that we can turn into a profitable online business. You'll have to provide the answer to this question.

  A good article that I recommend you read to learn what not to do is written by J. Alec West and titled
  The Most Dangerous Article on the Internet

  Get this article as a free E-book to remind you of what not to do and yes it's free. What Not To Do

  What about all those affiliate sites that I can join for free and they give me a free website ? If you've done any amount of surfing you'll see just how many of these so called websites are out there with the only difference being a little space on the site that says presented by or your friendly representative or agent "John Smith". You need to be unique and different in order to be successful on the internet. If every Tom, Dick, and Harry have one what makes you think you'll be the one that attracts all the customers ? Many of these affiliate programs also provide a paid affiliate program that have all these wonderful additional benefits you'll get if you upgrade your free affiliate status to a paid affiliate status. I may be wrong but I thought affiliates we're supposed to pay me.

  You may think I'm being a little harsh on affiliate programs. Not really, just on the ones where you have little if any chance of making any money. Now for the good news. There are some good affiliate programs. "Real" affiliate companies will offer high quality products and/or services that you can sell and this is absolutely necessary in order to actually make any money. Unfortunately, so is your hard work. Don't ever pay anyone for the "privilege" of asking others to pay you for nothing.

  My site's, Bean Counter , theme is accounting, bookkeeping, and website services and information and tools to aid small businesses. These are services that I directly provide. The accounting, bookkeeping, and website services I charge for. The information and tools are provided free. I also represent (am an affiliate) of sites that provide other business related services that I don't directly provide. This is similar to when you ask a friend if they know anybody that is a good doctor, plumber, carpenter, etc. I try to only represent and recommend top notch programs that provide a real product or service at a fair price. Some of the sites I recommend I make a small commission if my visitors buy anything while others I just recommend because they provide a good business product or service.

  Some types of affiliate programs you might want to check out that offer real and legitimate ways for you to make a "little" extra money (I didn't say get rich) are:
  SiteSell     Hosting Reseller Information

  Other sites that provide you with affiliate opportunities are:
  Commission Junction     LinkShare     BeFree     Share A Sale

  It's best if you have your own products and/or services and use an affiliate status as a means of earning a little extra from others that you represent that have products that blend in with the theme of your site.

• Check out what competitors and other sites in your line of business have and surf other sites to get ideas-bookmark and write down what features you like about the sites that you've visited.
• Determine what you want to do with your site and who you're trying to reach with a website (your audience).
• Decide whether you need just a nice basic site or a fancy site with an online catalogue with ordering and payment features.
• If you already have an established business gather up information about your business such as your company logo, sales brochures, flyers, company catalogues, newspaper-tv-radio ads, yellow page listing, key employees and customers.
• Decide what pictures (images) you'd like to have on your website such as a pictures of your products, staff, and office buildings or manufacturing facilities.

Services Needed

• A domain registrar is a service that provides registration for the use of a name for your site. A good name for your site is part of the recipe to a successful web site. Your domain name is your identity on the internet. This is one of the first tasks that need to be done when you have decided to get or build a web site. All web sites need a name so visitors can easily find the site . You want your name to be something that identifies your company or the products/services that you sell. Prices for the use of a name range anywhere from $5.00-$35.00 per year.
  If you know where to go you can get your name for less than $10.00 per year.
      Bean Counter Hosting     GoDaddy Domain Names

  Lesson 2 tells you all about this service and domain names.

• Hosting Service Provider
  For a small fee they provide those wanting a web site computer space to store their web site pages (files), e-mail accounts, web page making software, tools to use to give your site special capabilities, and 24/7 (24 hours a day seven days a week) access to the internet so that anyone wanting to visit your site can visit it at anytime. Prices range anywhere from free to over a $100.00 per month depending on your needs. Most small and medium size businesses should be able to get this service for between $10.00 and $25.00 per month depending on what features they want and need.

  Some good and reasonable hosting services:
  Bean Counter Hosting     SiteSell     iPowerWeb
  

  Lesson 3 tells you all about this service.

Tools

• Computer with the capability of accessing the internet

• Web Browser
  A browser is just a program (software) that allows us to view information and interact with websites on the internet. Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are two of the most popular browsers. If you need a copy or want to update to the most current version click on the following links.
  Internet Explorer     Netscape Navigator

• Web Page Software (Editor)
  An editor is the software that allows you to create your webpages. Some are fancier than others and provide a lot of helpful features such as a tutorial on how to use the software, spell checkers, routines for creating tables-lists-menus, and ready made scripts that perform special tasks on your website. Some even have an FTP program built in that you can use to publish your site.

  There are many good free as well as pay for web editors available. A word of caution. If you purchase (pay for) a web editor, especially a relatively expensive one, you need to realize that this is an additional cost of making your own site and that you could have used this money as part of the payment to have your website totally designed for you. The free editors are excellent so I recommend saving a few bucks and using them.

  There are different types of editors that you can use to create your web pages.

  Simple Text Editors You really don't even need a fancy editor to create your web pages if you learn some basic HTML. Believe it or not you probably already have a tool on your computer that provides you with the capability of making web pages. Windows provides Notepad as a utility. Another very good simple text editor is Note Tab Light.

  These editors don't require much time at all to learn how to use.

  "Real" HTML Editors
  "Real Editors" like simple editors are editors where you need to know about the codes (HTML) and how to use them to make your pages look the way you want and contain the information and pictures you want displayed on your pages. You will have to invest some time in order to learn how to use the software. The basic difference between Simple Editors and "Real" HTML Editors is that the "Real" HTML Editors provide you with a bunch of fancy features that help you create your web pages.

  These editors require a little more of your time in order to learn how to use them.

  WYSIWG Editors
  WYSIWYG is an acronym for "what you see is what you get". This type of editor conceals the codes ( you don't need to know the codes or how to use them) that are automatically generated that make the pages appear the way you want them to. You just concentrate on the page design and the text and images you want to display. A WYSIWYG editor does not always make it easy to make corrections.

  Even the simpler WYSIWYG editors will require you to invest some time in order to learn how to use the software.

  Combo Editors
  Combo Editors provide you with WYSIWYG capabilities and also allow you to enter your own HTML code. They try to provide you with the best of both worlds.

  Of course you need to invest some time to learn how to use them.

  As I stated earlier, YOU can create websites without learning about all the dirty details. I still recommend that you learn a little HTML. It's not that hard.

  Lesson 4 provides additional information about editors and where to get them. My reference page also provides links to sites where you can get free copies of "Regular" HTML Editors and WYSIWYG Editors.

• Web Page Templates
  A template is a webpage that already contains all the special instructions (HTML codes) for displaying the page and contains instructions that tell you where to insert your text and images. It's a guide that allows you to create webpages without knowing about special codes (HTML).

  Resources for finding nice templates to use as guides and examples for developing your web pages are found on my reference page.

• Logos, Images, and Graphics
  Just like a good glass of wine sets off a good meal, good graphics add a little touch to a web site. I've had a difficult time finding nice clip art and graphics. Finding nice free clip art is even more of a challenge. You're probably better off paying a little for your art work.

  My reference page provides links to sites that will at least get you started in finding and getting some nice art work.

• FTP Program
  FTP stands for file transfer protocol. This is just the rules that need to be followed when transferring data from and to computers. The tool that takes care of following the rules for us is known as a FTP Program. This tool allows us to "publish" our web site on the internet.

  Lesson 5 explains how to publish your site using FTP and other methods so that users of the internet can access your website and also provides links to free FTP programs.

  My reference page also provides links to free FTP Programs.

• Scripts
  Scripts are nothing more than small programs that perform specific tasks such as maintaining links to others, running a bulletin board or chat room, telling a friend about your site, or maintaining subscriptions to your news letter. You do not have to learn any programming to be able to use scripts on your site.

  They are the tools that provide methods for making your site interactive. Instead of your site just displaying information about your business and products visitors can even order and pay for your goods and services online.

  My reference page provides links to sites that provide free scripts that you can use to add "special" features to your site.

• Special capabilites shopping carts and credit cards

  A shopping cart is a script program that allows web site visitors to buy goods and services offered at a website. This allows site visitors to pick products that they want (put them in their cart) and wait to check out (pay for them) until they are done shopping at the site. Let's use an example we're all familiar with to clarify. We're all familiar with our local grocery store. We pick up a shopping cart and browse the aisles putting products in our cart. When were done we go to the checkout counter and pay for our groceries. In the old days we could only pay with cash or a personal check. Nowadays many allow us to pay with credit cards. Just like the grocery store, online shopping carts allow visitors to collect the items that they want to buy in their "shopping cart" and wait until they are done shopping to check-out. In addition to the shopping cart software you will also need the capability of processing credit cards or other online methods of payment. When you see the term E-commerce it is referring to web hosting packages that provide the tools necessary for you to sell products and allow your visitors to pay for the products online.

  You can use tools supplied by a hosting service provider if they provide this tool or you use an outside service that charges a small processing fee that will enable to you to setup a shopping cart and receive credit card payments for your goods or services.

  Whether you need these capabilities depends on whether you want to sell goods and services online or just advertise and provide good useful information about your business online.

  If you want to sell and receive payment online you definitely need this option.

  See my reference page for links to sites where you can obtain information and set up your shopping cart.

• Site Submission Software, Search Engines and Directories
  You must get listed in the search engines. Think of the search engines as similar to your yellow page ads in your local phone book. The purpose of both is to allow customers to find out where to go to get whatever product or service that they need. Search Engine listings offer one big advantage over your local yellow page list. Your website with its products and services are presented and available to the entire world. Of course the higher in the listing the better off you are. That's why many businesses have a name such as AAAAAAA Services because they get listed in the yellow pages ahead of other businesses offering the same service.

  There are free and paid for services available on the internet where you can submit your site using their software to automate the process. Another option is that you can purchase software that will help you accomplish this task. You can also do it yourself the "manual" way-it's not that hard.

  My reference page provides links to sites that provide free "automatic" submission services and also listings of directories and search engines that you can use to "manually" submit your site.

• Site Promotion and Tools
  This is an ongoing task. Besides getting listed in the Search Engines and Directories you still need to use other methods to get your site noticed. Swapping links with quality and related sites and joining good click for hit programs are additional measures you can take to improve your sites visibility. It also helps to find some good software that will aid you in these tasks. Just like having a listing in your yellow pages most businesses also run ads (radio,TV, or newspaper) ,send out mailers, solicit by phone (I hate it but they do it ) and other things to attract customers to their business. Well site promotion tools are just the additional methods that businesses that have web sites use to try to get their site noticed and better rankings (higher listing) in the search engines.

  My reference page contains links to some site promotion tools and software to get you started on this never ending task.

• Books & Tutorials
  The internet is one of the best places to acquire new skills and information. The only difficult part is sometimes finding the information that we need without a lot of pop up and banner ads and signups to gain access to the information.

  I've provided links on my reference page to ebooks and tutorials that will benefit you if you decide to create your own site.

• Sticky Content
  Why will people visit your site ? The only reason is that you are providing something they want or need. Just like a retail business has to have location, location, location in order to be successful your site must have content,content, and more content. Bye the way, the content better be good or they won't be back.

  Sticky means that your visitors have a reason that they want to come back and continually visit your site. Some examples of some sticky content are news feeds , tips of the day, stock market quotes, business news, weather, tutorials, free ebooks, monthly specials, etc.

  Just like a retail store owner is glad to see a new face walk in, he's even happier when that new face becomes a familiar face. Why ? The more times that a customer is exposed to your products or services the better the chance you have that they will actually buy something. The same reasoning applies to your website. Very few people buy anything the first time that they visit your site. Remember on the internet since that can't see you or your bricks & mortar store loaded with all sorts of good stuff you need to gain their trust before they will buy.

  My reference page provides links to some sites where you can get some free "sticky" content for your site.

Recipe 1 Build Your Own Site Up until know we've assumed that you want to do it all yourself. You now know the ingredients and recipe for Building Your Own Site but there are also two more "recipes" you could use. Recipe 2 Hire Someone To Do It For You Recipe 3 Combo-Do some yourself and hire some services

Recipe 2 Hire Someone To Do It For You
Many small and medium size businesses will probably not want to invest the time to learn HTML, software, and build, promote, and maintain their own website. This is understandable, you make your money by spending your time managing, directing, and controlling your company's operations.

What you have to do if you use this recipe is to find a good web design outfit Bean Counter (Sometimes you just have to toot your own horn) that can do what you need for a reasonable price. You might also need to find a registrar to get your domain name a hosting service to host your site, and get your site listed in the main search engines unless the web design outfit also offers these services. Many include these services as part of their design service. Initially, you're probably better off promoting your site yourself.

You or one of your employees will still need to do a little "ground" work and provide some information and guidance to the website developer that you select. The better and more complete the information you provide the cheaper your price should be.

What Needs To Be Done Before You Look For or Hire A Web Designer ?

• Check out what your competitors and other sites in your line of business have and surf other sites to get ideas-bookmark and write down what features you like about the sites that you've visited.
• Determine what you want to do with your site and who you're trying to reach with a website (your audience).
• Decide whether you need just a nice basic site or a fancy site with an online catalogue with ordering and payment features.
• Gather up information about your business such as your company logo, sales brochures, flyers, company catalogues, newspaper-tv-radio ads, yellow page listing, key employees and customers.
• Decide what pictures (images) you'd like to have on your website such as a pictures of your staff and buildings.
• Obtain a basic knowledge of some terminology such as domain names and web hosting so that you can carry on an intelligent conversation with potential web design firms and also have an indicator for judging whether what you are being told is true and accurate.

Now you're ready to Find and Hire a Web Designer.

• How do you find one ?

  Referrals from business associates and friends are a good place to start (one of the best)
  Search and use the Internet
  Search Your Local Yellow Pages

  Make a List of Web Designers resulting from your research and contact those on your list that you are thinking about possibly hiring.

• What information should I get from them ?

  Discuss your needs with them and get a price range (ball park estimate) for what you want done. Get website addresses from them for some of the sites that they have done for others. Visit some of the sites they've completed for others in order to help you determine if they will be able to do what you want done for your website.

• What else should I do ?

  Narrow down your list to two or three. Now it's time to get in writing what they will and will not provide and a firm price.

  Review the proposals and decide on the web design firm that you think will do the job you want at a fair price.

  Most website design firms will register your name and provide you with web hosting services. If not you will need to find a service to register your name and find a hosting service to provide you with the space you need to host your site.

  Recipe 3 Combo-Do some yourself and hire some services
  This recipe depends entirely on you. You may want to get your own domain name and web hosting service and contract out the design of your site.

  Whatever recipe you use I recommend you or someone on your staff list your site in the search engines and be responsible for initially promoting your own site.

  If you've noticed we've had to go to many places to fill up our tool box with all the tools we needed to create and promote our own website. It sure would be nice if we could go to one place to get all the tools and services we need to build and promote our website. Is there such a place ? There sure is and believe it or not the site was created by a medical doctor ! For a toolbox loaded with all the needed tools You definitely need to check out Sitesell's Site Build It (SBI) -How will Site Build It (SBI) help me ? For the answer to this question, take the Quick Tour Slide Show. Still have doubts ? See what actual users have to say. Testimonials If you want to build your own site Sitesell is the place to be.

  In A Nutshell
  Yes, You can build your own website. It's not that hard once you get by the mystique. Your main consideration is how much time and effort you're willing to invest. Remember your time is a valuable commodity and is definitely not free.

  If you're wanting just a nice basic professional website and have some time available I recommend you go ahead and build your own site. For complex sites that need catalogues or shopping carts you're probably better off hiring a professional design firm.

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