Article /
Computers /
Internet
How To Build a Website & Start an Internet Business |
Whether it’s for a small business startup, an existing business, a creative
artist who wants to display their work online, or for someone with a strong
interest in a particular cause or hobby, these days almost everyone can benefit
from having an online presence in the form of a website.
Why Start A Website
The global nature of the Internet makes it possible to meet people, make
friends, business contacts, and potential customers, fans/patrons, and allies in
a cause who may live anywhere on the planet. The Internet provides businesses
with a storefront that never closes and needs no staff. It gives artists,
writers and musicians greater control of their work, and the ability to
self-distribute their work to millions of people at a very low cost. It allows
job seekers to post a resume that requires no postage and can be viewed any time
of the day or night.
But with all of these reasons to start a website, it’s easy to start a website
that does too much, and none of it well. For anyone who wants to start a
website, the key is to focus on doing just a few things well. It’s crucial for
the site owner, web entrepreneur, web developer, or web publisher (the terms are
nearly interchangeable) to know what he/she wants their site to accomplish, and
design a site to do those things, and only those things.
Refine the Concept
The first and most crucial requirement for starting a website is to decide what
exactly the website is meant to accomplish, and what the tone and presentation
style should be. If it’s an artist’s portfolio site, it could be straightforward
and a fairly dry presentation of completed work, or it might be somewhat quirky
and meant to display the creator’s own personal style as well as their artwork.
For an online business startup, or an electronic storefront for an existing
business, the layout, styling, and overall feel of the business should reflect
the products being sold. It makes no sense to sell high tech electronics in a
storefront that looks like Aunt Emmy Lou’s parlor. You’d want the website to be
slick and refined with lots of clean colors and modern typefaces, etc.
Once the purpose and style of the site have been established, the first and most
definitive step in starting a website is just around the corner. It’s time to
choose a name.
Domain Name Registration
One of the first steps in starting website is to register a name (domain name)
for the site. Some thought should be given to this name, as it is meant to be
reflective of the content on, and purpose of, the site. It will also be the most
common way that people will find the site through search engines, business
cards, and word of mouth.
Once a name has been chosen, registering domain names (buying domain names) is a
fairly straightforward process that can be done easily through one of two
methods:
- Network Solutions: This is the company charged with registering and keeping
track of all domain name registrations. Anyone wishing to register a new domain
name can go directly to Network Solutions.
- Web Hosting/ Domain Registration: Most commercial web hosting companies can
(for a fee) register domain names in addition to providing a range of web
hosting options. Web Hosting is the act of storing the designs and content that
constitutes a website and making it available across the Internet for a fee.
Web Hosting & Data Storage
There are many companies in a wide variety of price ranges, depending on
services needed (basic hosting, forums, blogs, shopping cart and online store
services, etc.) that will provide web hosting and domain name registration. Most
reputable web hosting packages should include the ability to host multiple
domains (2-5 minimum), multiple email accounts for each domain, and an allotment
of storage space and maximum bandwidth allotment. Many of these web hosting
companies such as
Wordpress hosting also offer webpage temples and design
software that is easy to use, and more than adequate to help a new website
owner, web entrepreneur, or Internet publisher build a website.
Overall, it’s best to avoid the cheapest web hosting companies, as their ability
to keep their servers online, and the quality of their service may be
questionable. For not much more money, it’s possible to find a web host with a
proven track record. Top web hosting companies have a reputation for good uptime
(few technical problems), better customer service, and offer a wider range of
services to serve their clients as they grow their online business or web
presence.
For reasons of marketing, control of the product, and making money, having a
website is almost a necessity for anyone who regularly goes online. Developing
that website doesn’t have to be a painful process. There are tools available
that make the process, if not “easy”, at least doable for the web developer who
is reasonably Internet aware. The first steps on this journey are to establish a
concept for the site, register a domain name, and choose a web host.
TAGS:
website,
How To Build a Website,
Internet Business,
online presence with a website,
website design,
WHATSAPP