How To Get Started

Oftentimes, the most difficult thing for a small business owner may be finding out how to get this web site "thing" started.

Turns out, this website "thing" is really a friendly little joe.

First you need to take a look at your business and decide what purpose your web site will serve. Take a look at other sites in the same industry. How are they using their web space? What services do you offer that they do not? What kind of information do they have? What is your target audience? Do you want to sell things from your site?

Gather information you already have for your business like brochures, yellowpage ads, newspaper ads, price and product lists, photos of your building, you and your staff, logos, trade certification information etc...

You and your web designer (you will probably end up always referring to this person as, "my website guy" even if it's a girl) will look at sites in your industry right along with you. It's a very good idea to jot down a list of sites you like and their their URL so you can recommend sites for review by/with your website guy.

Get a notepad and start jotting down ideas. Eventually you can start organizing your ideas into what you visualize your web site to be. This is essential to a successful experience with your website guy for getting the look and layout you desire.