HOW TO GET STARTED:
You've made the decision to have a website. What do you do next? Here are some basic suggestions to help you get started:
- Make a list of your top four or five objectives. What message do you want to promote? What do you want your website to do for you or your business?
- Surf the web for a few websites whose design and function you like and some that you dislike. Make particular note of navigational styles, colors, layout, and features you'd like to have on your site.
- Look at what your competitors are doing and how they're doing it. Consider if you want to offer something more, better, or different.
- Jot down a few notes about your ideas; making a rough outline or sketch can be helpful (but is not necessary).
- Consider what pages or sections you want to have on your site. A typical site may start with the following basic pages:
- Make a list of any additional features or pages you may want on your site, such as Shopping Cart, Feedback Form, Events/Calendar, Blog, Newsletter, Search Box, Site Map, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, Database, and/or Flash.
- Register your desired domain name, or contact me if you would like help beginning at this point.
- Select a hosting service, or contact me to help you with the selection process.
- Contact me to get started on the design process for your new website.
- Start roughing out the text content for your site.
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