AP Creations

Recommended books for every small business owner

Other how tos: http://www.helpwomenstayhome.com

How to set up a small business website

1. Business email – avoid spam in your personal email box with a business email. I recommend gmail. http://mail.google.com
2. Using PayPal as a purchasing agent – using Paypal allows you to keep from using your credit or debit card online. You can also use it to receive money for products or services. The set up is free.



3. Purchase a domain name – what will your domain name be? You can use either your business name or key words describing your business as your domain name. This helps people find you online. I recommend
   
4. Choose a design – What kind of website do you need? Is it a forum, a blog, for sales of products or services, or is it for company branding? Then you decide from there what backend software you will use to communicate with users, ask users for feedback, create sales, promote and market your company. These include WordPress, Joomla, PHP/MySQL, Ajax, Flash, Microsoft.NET, Classic ASP. Here is one of the many sites with templates and designs – http://www.templates4smallbiz.com
5. Purchase a virtual server – Most small businesses and websites use a virtual server leaving their production server for producing their products and services. Using a good virtual server also allows for guaranteed uptimes (the site stays up and available 24/7). I recommend
6. Add content – There are many ways to add content. You may have had a previous website. You may have brochures in print. You may export information from a databse. You can add articles. Or you could allow me to interview you and create the content for you.
7. How will you communicate – You can use email campaigns, communication forms on your website, newsletters, blog feeds (RSS feeds).
8. How will you market your site – I use Google Adwords to advertise my online mall – http://www.caringindustries.com – where I place ads for small businesses and cottage industries. Some of these are my clients. All businesses are welcome. You can also use Google Adwords for your website as well as utilizing your link in emails, business cards and other communications with potential clients. I can also help you set up your Google Adwords account or manage it for you.