Things You'll Need:
- Domain Name, Hosting Site, Web Designer, SEO specialist
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Step 1
Decide what you want your website to do for you. Will it be strictly educational and informative? Do you want it to draw business to your brick and mortar store - tell the public your address, hours, services? Or, do you need a site to sell your products?
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Step 2
Lay the groundwork for the Web developer by gathering together information about your company. The designer will need your logo, company data, product information and photos, color choices, images and any other information you want to present. You will want your website to tie into your other marketing collateral. By having this information ready in advance, you will be better prepared to discuss your needs.
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Step 3
Consult various Web design firms. Check out sites designed by those firms and get customer feedback. Select a template or custom “look and feel”. Most Web firms have a significant amount of knowledge and experience under their belt when it comes to Web usability ~ how to make a website more user-friendly but the firm must also understand your business. If you need a shopping cart, even if you plan to sell only a few items, find a professional firm to make it more likely that you will be able to avoid usability problems.
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Step 4
Be certain the developer you choose will handle the Web hosting, site optimization (SEO) including keyword selection, submission to search engines, statistical tracking (hit counter), maintenance, email addresses, and domain name registration. Select a domain name that tells the public and search engines who you are and what you offer. Keep it simple but make it explanatory. For example, Lease-A-Website.biz is much better than JimsStore.com.
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Step 5
Determine if you want the leasing company to handle maintenance or if you want to be able to do updates to the site or shopping cart on your own. Some companies offer access to a client control panel that will allow you work on the site. This feature may be a big variable in the cost so should be determined up front.
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Step 6
It is important to understand all lease terms before signing an agreement. Compare services, costs, and payment options that are offered by website leasing companies. Find out the start-up costs, monthly maintenance, upgrade fees, terms of the lease, and if there are penalties for early termination. Include a purchase option at the end of the lease. When your website is a success, you might prefer to purchase. If not, you should be able to walk away at the end of the lease having spent only a portion of the buy-out price.
