Assess Your Needs and Web Goals, part 2

Designing Your Website
Creating webpages is not as difficult as it may seem. If you are familiar with using a computer, you can build an amazing looking website.

There are several options available in designing a website and the one you choose will probably depend on time and budget. You can use a website editor to help you create web pages, you can create a site with raw HTML (Hyper Text Mark Up Language), or you can hire someone to create your site for you. If HTML is a new term to you, it's probably best for you to begin with a website editor or hire someone to design a site for you.

Website editors can be fun to use and come in many flavors. Some are free, some are available with the purchase of a web hosting plan, and some require you to purchase the software. If you enjoy learning new things and have the time, you may get a lot of pleasure out of designing your own site with the help of a website editor. View a list of website editors that are popular today.

Designing a site is not all about pretty pictures and graphics. Yes, your site should be easy on the eyes and appealing, but you also want to keep your visitors intrigued with the content. Your site will be more successful if you present your content in a way that caters to the people that will visit your site.

Your content should be well-thought out before even touching a computer. Both you and your visitors will benefit from a website that is organized. Most people visit websites because there is information available or a service that is needed.

The layout of the content begins with building the main navigation. Start with pages that are already popular so visitors are familiar with their meaning. The basic pages to begin with are:

• Home
• Services
• About
• Contact

Once you have these pages, you may decide that the purpose of your website requires a couple more pages. Some people will include a Links page or a News page. When your website provides all the information that your visitors are looking for, your website will flourish and people will feel respected and spread the word.

After you have written down the layout of your site in advance, put yourself in your visitors shoes and try to drop any predisposition you already have. Will your site makes sense? Will it flow easily? Will it meet your purpose? While websites are not permanent, it will save you time and money to do it well the first time.

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Choose a Domain Name
A domain name is the name that visitors type into their web browser to bring up your website. When it comes to your website, your domain name is as important as your own first and last name. You want a domain that describes your site and is easy for people to remember.

If your website is all about you, consider registering your own name to use as your domain name or use a nickname that most of the people around you know. If your website is all about your company or a specific service you offer, consider registering your company name or the name of the service. If your website is all about your family, consider registering your last name. If the name you want is not available, don't give up because there is usually a variation of it available. For more information about choosing a domain name, read How Do I Choose A Domain Name?

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Order Web Hosting
Web hosting is a service that allows you to post your web pages, also known as HTML files, to the Internet. Websites are stored (hosted) on a special computer called a server. This server allows Internet users connected anywhere to reach your site when they put in your domain address (www.yourcompany.com).

NetFronts makes choosing a web hosting plan easy. Try our Plan Wizard, which asks you specific questions about your website and then recommends a plan based on your selections.

Market Your Website
Once you have your website online, the next step is promoting and driving traffic to it. There are several ways to bring people to your site. Here are a few ideas:

• Submit your site to search engines and/or invest in a search engine strategy
• Conduct research on partnership sites and request reciprocate linking
• Submit site to specialized and industry specific directories
• Create an emailable newsletter, email it to subscribers weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.
• Write general informational articles about your services. Include your URL in the "about the author" section and submit to industry specific newsletters and/or trade magazines
• Include your website URL on all business cards, stationary, email signatures, press releases, and any other advertising mediums
• Sell your products and services via your website
• Send offers to your customers with a visit to your website in the call to action
• Talk about your services and site in online forums and blogs
• Hold a contest through your website
• Begin an affiliate program
• Buy Pay Per Click (PPC) advertisements
• Sell your products through other shopping and auction sites (e.g., Ebay, Yahoo! Shopping Auctions, Amazon Marketplace)

Your NetFronts web hosting plan comes with a FREE search engine submission tool, which simplifies the process of submitting your site to the top search engines. Most plans have a mailing list feature allowing you to set up your own emailable newsletter or email offers to your subscribers. Our additional services section offers even more advanced tools and services for ecommerce and search engine optimization.