| If you would like to start a business website you will | | | | start shopping for a web hosting package. Since your |
| want to have four items ready to go before you | | | | site is going to be brand new, you are not going to |
| begin. Having these tools ready will save you time | | | | need a lot of disk space or bandwidth, so don't buy |
| and frustration during the whole process of setting | | | | the Cadilac hosting service when you only need a |
| up your business website, allowing you to | | | | Geo. Keep in mind that you can always upgrade your |
| concentrate on the task at hand. The tools you are | | | | package as your site starts to get more traffic and |
| going to want to have handy are an FTP program, | | | | larger in size. Most of the hosting packages you can |
| your own domain, WordPress or any other content | | | | purchase now-a-days are very similar so it really |
| management system, and a web hosting account. | | | | doesn't matter who you go with. Try to shop around |
| Finding an FTP program does not have to be rocket | | | | and read some reviews before diving in and signing |
| science; in case you were wondering FTP stands for | | | | up with a host; customer service and up time are |
| File Transfer Protocol. In layperson terms your FTP | | | | what you should be looking for when comparing web |
| program moves your files from point A to point B | | | | hosts. The only thing that I have to say is stay away |
| with point A being your computer hard drive and | | | | from Godaddy, their packages may be missing |
| point B your space on your web hosting account. A | | | | something you may need later down the road and |
| good FTP program shouldn't cost you a dime and | | | | you don't want to switch webhosts if you really don't |
| once you find one, all you have to do is download | | | | have to. |
| the install program and install it like any other | | | | The last thing you are going to have to gather for |
| computer program you have used in the past. The | | | | starting your business website is a Content |
| program that I prefer is CoreFTP which I've been | | | | Management System or CMS for short. You could |
| using for over 10 years; other popular FTP programs | | | | build a static site, but using a CMS will allow you to |
| are FileZilla and Smart FTP. | | | | make updates and additions to your site a lot easier |
| The next thing you want to do is purchase your | | | | than with a static site. My preferred CMS is |
| domain name. Domains used to be relatively | | | | WordPress because I have been using it for a while, |
| expensive to purchase compared to now; I | | | | I am familiar with the admin section, and it is |
| remember paying $40 for my first domain back in | | | | extremely easy to install. Using a CMS like WordPress |
| 1999, but you shouldn't be paying more than $9.99 | | | | will allow you to create pages for your business's |
| nowadays. One of the most popular places to buy | | | | history and driving directions to your store. You can |
| domains is Godaddy.com, but other domain registrars | | | | then use the posts to feature products that you sell |
| do exist, some more that come to mind are | | | | along with coupons or other specials you have going |
| namecheap.com, moniker.com, and When buying your | | | | on. The possibilities are endless for your site. |
| domain try to see if the .com version of your | | | | I'm sure this seems like a lot to take in right now, but |
| business name is available because .com is the most | | | | once you have all of these things gathered and ready |
| popular domain extension, this will help you with type | | | | to go, setting up your new business website will be a |
| in traffic that may be looking for you online. | | | | breeze. |
| Once you have your domain purchased, it's time to | | | | |