|
|
Like most businesses, you know you need
a web site - but where do you start?
 |
Getting online is not as
difficult or time consuming as you may
think. As part of our commitment to giving
small to medium-sized businesses the tools
and resources they need to succeed online,
we have created this Getting Started guide.
From choosing a domain name, to choosing
a hosting plan that fits your needs, to
navigating through the processes of setting
up a web site, and putting your site to
work for you, we've got the answers right
here. |
Step 1 - Choosing a Domain Name
Your Domain Name is your unique online brand,
and the address for your web site (www.yourdomainname.com)
and e-mail (you@yourdomainname.com). This is
an important first step, because you want a
Web address that makes it as easy as possible
for potential customers to find you.
So, how do you select a domain name? Here are
some tips to help you get started:
Choose a domain as close to your company name
as possible. If the web address you want is
taken, you have a variety of alternatives. You
can use a domain name that describes your product
or services, or try a variation on your company
name, like a hyphen or abbreviation. Try several
variations on your desired name. Avoid overly
long or complex names that will be difficult
to remember. Names can include up to 67 alphanumeric
characters, including hyphens. Names cannot
begin with a hyphen, but they can begin with
a number. Also, names should be at least 4 characters
long. The extension ".com" is the
most common, but you could also use .net, .org,
.biz or .info. Some businesses register their
name with all available extensions so their
business is not accidentally confused with another,
and to ensure their business is the one customers
find first when looking for them.
Step 2 - Hosting Your web site
For people to access your site, the files that
make it up your web site must be stored on a
specialized computer, connected to the Internet
around the clock. It's like renting a storefront
at your local shopping mall, except on the Internet
there's no advantage to location, you have access
to the same visitors as anyone else. We provide
storage space, availability and security for
your data, so that your web site is always "on",
24x7x365.
We have hosting plans to suit every need, and
every budget. Please view our hosting
plans - if you're not sure what to choose,
please feel free to contact sales@jpwebpages.com
and our experienced sales staff can help!
Step 3 - Web Design
Use our web design story board
and make a rough outline of what your web
site will include before it is actually created.
It can be used to organize thoughts and content.
1. The Main Page or index
Think of this page as the cover to your
"book" inviting viewers to enter
your site. Our goal should be to make it
colorful and eye catching. Your company
logo, name and a brief description of your
company may go here.
2. About Us
Think of this page as chapter "one"
of your "book".
Your company profile or a more in-depth
description of your company is described
here. Additional pages can spring from this
page such as:
Company History page
Credentials page
About Our Employees - individual biographies
page(s)
Customer Testimonials Page
Company Awards Page
A customer serviced page with hyperlinks
3. Services Offered
Chapter "two" page of your web
site
Again, additional pages can spring off of
this page to describe your services in more
depth
4. Products Offered
Chapter "three" page of your site
This page will describe in detail the products
your company offers. Again, additional pages
can be linked from this page to describe
your products in more depth.
5. FAQ
Chapter "four" of your site
This page should list any frequently asked questions
about your company and the answers.
6. Contact Us
Chapter "five" of your site
This page should list your address, phone
number, e-mail address, hours of business,
etc. Mini pages could spring from this page
to include:
Company Directory of Individual employees
/ title / work extension and e-mail address
page.
An information request form page.
A Directions page
7. Site Map
Chapter "six" of your site
This important page is similar to a Table
of Contents except it is made up of hyperlinks
to each page of your site.
The ideas for content are endless.
Additional web page ideas include: Online
discount coupons
Helpful links
Definitions of words pertaining to your
business
Step 4 - Promoting Your Site
Just putting your web site online isn't enough.
You have to promote your business online, so
that potential customers can find you. Search
engines are the most common way people find
what they're looking for online, and can be
an easy way to get your web site noticed. We
will submit your site to several Search engines
to get you started.
Online advertising with companies like Overture®
and Google™ is another way to get your
site noticed. You can purchase keywords, so
that when someone types those words into a search
engine, your web site is among the first displayed.
Newsletters and email advertising are also great
promotional tools. These are just a few of the
ways you can promote your business online -
the important thing is that you devise a marketing
plan that makes sense for your business and
budget, and there are a multitude of options
available to help you achieve your marketing
goals.
We offers all-inclusive web site hosting, site
building and marketing plans designed to help
you achieve your business goals.
|
