There is a process to follow in getting your business started online. Since you are here, you must have decided to take this project on for yourself.
Let’s outline the steps.
- Step 1. You have already completed step one, you have an ISP (Internet Service Provider) or you would not be able to get on the Internet in the first place. It doesn’t matter who the provider is, but if you are unfamiliar with the term you at least know the names of the companies… AOL, AT&T, Cox Cable. One of these, or some other company, is providing Internet service to you, this is your ISP.
- Step 2. The next step you want to take is getting a domain name. There are a lot of providers for this service also. Names you may recognize are GoDaddy and Network Solutions. The one I am going to recommend here is 1&1 Domain Names and Hosting. The reason is, they seem to have the best prices, at least for now. You will need to do some planning at this point. You want to actually do some thinking about your domain name. Choose a name that has some relevance to what you plan to do. When you get to the site where you will register the name, there will be a box to enter your choice and in a couple of seconds, you’ll know if that name is available. If it is, just register it.
- Step 3. The next step may be a little more difficult. You need to choose an IPP(Internet Presence Provider). That may sound complicated, but it really just means you need someplace to host your domain. You may be able to host a domain for free at the same place you log on, at your ISP. Just check with your provider. If you don’t want to host there, there are lots of choices for this. You will usually be able to host your domain at the same place you registered. Again, I recommend 1&1 Domain Names and Hosting
- Step 4. The next step is to build a web page. This is a little more complicated, but again, your hosting company will usually have a free web site builder to make things simple. There are a host of programs you can get for creating web sites. There is free software programs (like Kompozer and My Free Web Site Builder and Create Your First Website) which are really easy, and then at least one free program which is a little more complex (which is NVU). Then there are web site programs for a price like DreamWeaver, a really robust program (but NVU has a lot of the same features).
