Getting Your Business Online: What You Need to Know</h1> <article> <h1>Getting Your Business Online: What You Need to Know</h1> <p>MySolutionSpot Editor — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:39:39 GMT</p> <p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><b>Why It’s Important to Get Your Business Online</b></span></p> <p>In order to compete in today’s wired world, establishing an online component to your business is essential for any business owner — whether you’re a small local retailer or a large business conglomerate. Entrepreneur Michael Walsh from StartupNation (www.startupnation.com) likens not having a website to not having a phone number for your business. </p> <p>With more than 11 billion Web pages in existence and more than 1.2 billion people online worldwide, chances are high that people will use the Internet to find your products or services. This is true regardless of your business model – servicer, professional, retailer, non-profit, e-commerce, etc.</p> <p>Setting up your business online can be thought of as a series of steps that together establish your online Web presence. A strong Web presence is essential for marketing, advertising, and communicating your business brand, and will go far to validate the legitimacy of your business and to boost credibility with your customers.</p> <p>While establishing a Web presence may seem daunting at first, remember that a professional website and a professional email address are the ultimate advertising tools. Simply put, your website is a 24-hour, year-round billboard aimed at your customers and prospects around the corner or around the world.</p> <p><b>It Starts With the Right Domain Name</b></p> <p>To get started online, you need a memorable website name. The website domain name is the online address of your business and is how people find you. It should also be your email address. You should treat your domain name as one of your most valuable business assets as it is key to projecting – and protecting – your online identity.</p> <p>Ideally, the address of your website will match the name of your business. In reality, many addresses are already taken (although you can place backorders or bid for <a href="http://www.networksolutions.com/domain-name-registration/domain-taken-center.jsp" target="_blank">taken domains</a>. If that's the case for you, you'll need to give some thought to an original name that reflects your business, possibly using your location or product names in your domain name.</p> <p> <b>Quick Tips for Choosing a Memorable Domain Name</b></p> <p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> <ul> <li>Keep your domain name simple and short</li> <li>Use descriptive words that depict your business</li> <li>Consider adding your location in your domain name (i.e., DCbagels.com)</li> <li>Avoid hyphens when possible</li> <li>Research which domain names others in your industry have registered</li> <li>Register multiple extensions and misspellings of your domain name to protect your brand and to capture typos</li> </ul> </span></p> <p><b>The Next Step is to Build a Website</b></p> <p>Once you've registered a brilliant domain name, the next step is to build your website. Website design and construction offers many options from using “do-it-yourself” tools to hiring a professional designer.</p> <p>Using website creation software with design templates makes building your site almost as easy as creating and sending e-mail. Building your own site also gives you the most control over updating content when you want to, without waiting on a designer to do it for you. In addition, online website building tools let you update your site at any computer with Internet access. </p> <p>Keep in mind, however, that when you do it yourself, you may find that running your business has taken a back seat to building and maintaining your website. This is why many business owners turn to professional designers. If you choose this route, the first step is to check the designer’s references and view their portfolio of website examples. You want to be sure the designer is competent, efficient, and provides work in a timely and professional manner. Always get a written estimate of price and delivery schedules before starting the work.</p> </article> </main></body></html>