| So you have decided that you absolutely need a | | | | keywords that are relevant to your business. If you |
| website. Before you dive in, I would like to share | | | | are a bakery in Boston, and your prospect is |
| with you ten things you would need to know on how | | | | searching for "bakery in Boston," keyword rich web |
| to build a website, in order to ensure the success of | | | | content will help these prospects find your site. A |
| your website project. | | | | professional copywriter can write content that both |
| How to Build a Website Item #1. | | | | communicates your message and is search engine |
| A website address (or URL): Your website address is | | | | friendly. |
| the location at which customers will find you. Ideally, | | | | How to Build a Website Item #7. |
| you will want to use your business name. | | | | Professional website design: What would a website |
| (yourbusinessname.com). If your name is not | | | | be without a beautiful design? There are many |
| available, then try using keywords that relate to your | | | | designers to choose from. However, not all website |
| business. For example, a lawyer in New York might | | | | designers are created equal. Pay attention to the |
| use Ensure that your web address is easy to | | | | web designer's portfolio to review the professionalism |
| remember. If your web address is something that is | | | | of their work. In addition, see how helpful they are in |
| commonly misspelled, be sure to purchase the URL | | | | answering your questions and giving you the |
| for the misspelling of the address as well. | | | | information you need to make a well informed |
| How to Build a Website Item #2. | | | | decision. |
| Web hosting: In order for your files to be live on the | | | | How to Build a Website Item #8. |
| internet, you will need a web host. A website is | | | | Content Management System: If you plan on |
| comprised of files, and a web host is able to make | | | | updating information to your website on a regular |
| those files live on the internet by hosting them on a | | | | basis, then you will need a content management |
| web server. Look for a web host that provides | | | | system that allows you to make changes to your |
| 24-hour support. | | | | website on your own, without having to go back to |
| How to Build a Website Item #3. | | | | the designer. Most businesses out there won't need a |
| A plan: You need a plan before getting started. It is | | | | CMS, but if you are a large online retailer or have |
| important to understand the goal of your website | | | | ambitious growth plans, then considering a CMS might |
| and your expectations in order to get there. Trust | | | | be a good idea. It will make your website updates |
| me it, it will save you a lot of time and money. | | | | much easier and more streamlined. |
| How to Build a Website Item #4. | | | | How to Build a Website Item #9. |
| Logo: Do you have a business logo? If you don't, it is | | | | Blog: Blogs are an amazing way to build a long-term |
| time to make one. A logo is one of the ways to | | | | relationship with your prospects and customers. Blogs |
| brand your business, and should be used on all of | | | | are truly interactive and are updated frequently, so it |
| your marketing materials so your customers will | | | | gives you a great forum for interacting with the very |
| recognize it. | | | | people that will buy your products and services. It's |
| How to Build a Website Item #5. | | | | also a great way to build your list for frequent email |
| Images: Images help to tell a story as well as help | | | | communications. If you are interested in starting a |
| you communicate with your target market. You can | | | | dialogue with your target market then adding a blog |
| either use stock images or your own images. If you | | | | to your website is a great idea. It's also a great tool |
| are a photographer, wedding planner, interior | | | | that will help bolster your search engine optimization |
| designer, or are in a visual industry, you'll want to use | | | | efforts. |
| your own images. If not, you'll want to select stock | | | | How to Build a Website Item #10. |
| images that will powerfully relay your message. | | | | Commitment to marketing: If you build it, they won't |
| How to Build a Website Item #6. | | | | necessarily come- unless you commit yourself to |
| Website content/text: Your website needs to look | | | | marketing. It's important to build it well, stay |
| good, but it also needs to get your message across. | | | | committed to keeping the information accurate, and |
| The content of your website should do two things. 1) | | | | know that marketing is going to be of utmost |
| Sell your products and services/communicate your | | | | importance if you want your site to generate leads |
| message. 2) Be search engine friendly by including | | | | and bring results to your business. |