Being Self Employed – How To Set-up a Business Website
Steps 7, 8, 9 and 10
Continuing with the step by step process for setting up a business website [for the purpose of both advertising your business AND doing business online] the following details require your creativity 'cap' is sitting squarely atop your head! In brief summary of what you've accomplished thus far, your preparations included: selecting a domain name and web host with a control panel that you're comfortable with [learning if you haven't began 'administrating' your site yet]; choosing the site layout along with the design software [unless you've previewed the hosts complementary design software and are comfortable with it] and lastly you've made the purchase of both the domain and site hosting [preferably in one package]. With all of these matters behind you and squared away let's proceed to the final aspects of setting up your business website!
Utilizing your word processing software create some verbiage for your first page. That includes the 'about us,' 'our services' or 'our products, 'contact' information and a thank you note for visitors that sign up for your mailing list and/or sign your guest book. In the begining it's a good idea to draft anything that you plan to publish on your site in a word processor or even text editor so that you can gather your thoughts, allow your creativity to flow and make as many changes as necessary before opening your site design software or control panel! Generally, most computer/laptop users are familiar with either Word, OpenOffice or WordPerfect and this bit of familiarity can certainly work in your favor for draft purposes! Web sites are to be updated and perfected frequently and after 2 or 3 revisions in your site design software there won't be a need to do your drafts outside of the software: all changes, additions and tweaks can be made and saved in the design software without being published to the web.
In order to publish your site from your desktop site editing software you'll need an 'ftp' [file transfer protocol] client. Most 'Basic' grade software comes with a pre-installed ftp feature and following the instructions for entering your server information [provided to you by your hosting company], password and site file location [referred to normally as a directory within the 'root(domain name)/public_html/directory(site file)'. This may appear complicated for the absolute beginner but trust me, it isn't complicated at all! Just a matter of following the steps provided in the software documentation or guide/user manual [with this 'Being Self-Employed' information open in a window next to it] and the bulk of the uploading is automatic. If using the site builder software provided by your hosting company, launching your site consists of accessing the software, adding your information [cut and paste from your draft at first] and clicking on the 'publish' button!
Preview your newly published site and make note of where you want to place your 'shopping cart' or payment preference information. Most hosting companies provide eCommerce options at no additional charge for up to 15+/- items and many site design software programs offer an eCommerce tool. There are also some free eCommerce options available which you can upload to your server and link your 'market' page to. Two popular programs are OSCommerce and ShopScript Free. Once you've chosen your 'shopping cart' software, configure it with the products or services that you will be offering thru your website. Keep in mind that it's fine to star out with one or two items, as you will have plenty of time and site space to extend your offerings at a later date.
The last and final step is actually comprised of two steps:
Give thought to 'monetizing' your site by providing ad space to the major internet advertising promoters such as Google AdSense and LinkShare.
Give thought to promoting your site in as many ways as possible: link and banner exchange programs; online forums and blog community announcements; pay per click and other marketing methods; email and electronic press releases are just some of the avenues you will want to take advantage of to draw traffic to our site.
Incorporating these 'Being Self Employed: How to Set-up a Business Website' tips and suggestions into your website creation and set-up with all of the other sound research that you have done will provide you with one option: success! Keep in mind that while your business may be 'online' and in 'cyberspace' the work involved and results netted will be 'real world' and therefor require real world expectations and effort.
Unless you're selling the only known autographed copy of Ben Franklin's 3rd grade performance summary don't expect to make zillions of dollars over night! Although with consistent promotional efforts, useful and/or unique products and services and the willingness to compete with others [as we do in every other aspect of life] you can make a very good living via an internet business website.
YE is Here!
SUR-BET Global Enterprise Network
YE is an author; WebPreneur; electronics, computer & gadget geek; Certified Holistic Health Consultant; grandmother and devoted traveler that currently resides in Georgia. She can be contacted for interviews, consultations and general comments at either of her websites.
©2008 S.U.R.-B.E.T. Publishing
