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How to Start your own Website

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What you need to consider before starting a website

You are ready to make the plunge and start a website. There are plenty of things to plan and work out before jumping in the deep end! A well planned website is a successful website. Having been the owner of a couple of websites myself, I have learned to take things step by step. First, decide if the website is going to be a personal or business site. This may make a big difference once you start deciding on a host.

What to name your domain; You have no doubt been tossing a few ideas around in your head, and getting the advise of friends. Your name is going to say alot about your product/service as well as give customers their first impression of you. For example...Here in my City, we have two private trash dumpster services for neighborhood clean-ups and such. You decide which you would rather hire:
Recycleze, or
quick dump
I know which one I'd pick!
Having keywords in your business name is also helpful, and will send traffic to your site. There is a site where you can play with domain names your are considering. It is a domain name Generator. If you find one you like, you can see if it is available. Purchase either from the site, or somewhere else.


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You have a Domain Name, for your website now it needs a Host

Actually starting the website

Now that you have a domain name that is sure to be a success, you need to find a home for it. If you have decided not to go with nameboy, there are some other worthy sites for you to consider. Remember that while free sites are fine, it doesn't look very professional to have a geocities website. However, if you must start with a free site, get one which you can upgrade when you are ready. **Note: I have personally used and/or evaluated each of the following:

Updated 9/20: Great new Web hosting available with easy sitebuilder! As low as $1 a month!
CLICK HERE to get your website online in 60 Seconds for only $1
FREE Blog and Message Board included!
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Flying Cart Open a website that promotes itself!


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Yahoo! One of the best and easiest. I use it

Yahoo! Small Business

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Powwebs Has plans starting at $5.77. You can also add wordpress blogging to this host site, and get free $80 in Google Ad-Sense Advertising. Point and click website builders, or for the web designer, build your own. Have a look.


New hosting sites are popping up all of the time. Be sure to read the entire agreement before signing on the dotted line!

Next, you need to plan if you are going to design the site yourself, use a site builder, or hire a pro. There obviously are advantages to each. If you are a web designer, then you have an advantage most of us don't. Site builders are good, but normally generic and many times look "pre fabbed." I've used them though, and some are very good. If you decide to hire a Pro, check their rates, referrals, check the BBB and run a google search on them. Here are some I found to be good.

Boxed ArtIf you are fairly good at adding flash and java to your site, then here are some great places to find templates, flash intros and more.


Templates Box is another site for obtaining templates and flash. Not as many features, but a good product none-the-less.

If you need to go with a Professional Web Designer

The down side of a professional designer is they are generally more expensive than the site builders or the templates. The upside is, you have to give the Okay before you accept the final design. If you want a picture perfect website, with everything you imagine on it, then you may want to consider a pro.

Cool Build has several options for you. You can add templates or have your site professionally designed. They have some pretty cool features. You'll want to see this one:

Want to be paid to advertise?

Bring some revenue to your new website

Just as important as running a webiste is making sure you are getting revenue from it. One way to do that is to select exactly who and what you want advertised on your page. There are several good ones out there, including Google Ad Sense, or you may want to consider these:

The BEST of The BEST! Pepperjam Network!

Revolution

A Best Web is an Advertiser/Affiliate forum, Q&A and link-up. Interesting interface:


Share A Sale is a great affiliate program where you pick from hundreds of advertisers waiting for you. This is a must see!

For the Grand Finale

I've used this one several times. This one is great!

Talking interface for your website, blog or Ebay. Too cool
Site Pal
Site pal ads a talking interface of your choice to your site, blog or ebay

About the Writer

My Lenses according to Topic

I am attempting to make my way to the next round of Giant Squids! I have 35 lenses to date and am really enjoying squidoo. Not just writing, but reading other lenses.

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Get as much or as little help as you need here


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Please leave feedback

  • jimb12345 Apr 27, 2009 @ 10:39 pm | delete
    you really explained this so well. thanks for the info.

    cheap domain names
  • ebay-grandma Sep 6, 2008 @ 11:14 am | delete
    Nice, informative lens. *****
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I'm Veronica, and I have been creating lenses on Squidoo since July of 2008. I am now a "Giant Squid 100"! I have graduated from Rocket Moms... more »

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