How to Design Your Own Web Page for Internet Sales

A retail website can be a profitable way to run a business

Each year the number of businesses that sell over the Internet grows dramatically. Operating a retail website---one devoted to selling a product or service---is no different from operating out of a storefront. Yet, it affords huge advantages, such as lower start-up costs and the fact that you don't to hire a sales force. Even designing a web page for Internet sales is doable at a fraction of the cost of renting retail space.

Instructions

1. Pick a domain name, or URL, for your web-based sales business that is catchy and that people will remember. The best domain names include the item or service being sold. If you are selling discount baby clothes, for example, check whether the name "babyclothes4less.com" is available.

2. Shop for a website designer---someone to set up your sales web page. Better still, give some thought to designing your own retail site. Point your browser to a website such as Bizingo or FreeStart that will help you design and build you own retail website (see Resources).

3. Whether you outsource the task or build the website yourself, choose an appealing design. Think not only of how the site will look but whether or not it is functional. Features like virtual shopping carts provide convenience and ease to customers as do menus that subdivide the goods or services you are selling into sub-specialties that help the shopper easily find what she is looking for. Subdivisions under baby clothes might include undergarments, "onesies," outerwear, and so on.

4. Give first-time customers a reason to stop and shop. Include a banner on your site, for example, that offers a discount to first-time shoppers.

5. Keep your business website fresh by updating the design every 6 to 12 months. Retain some design elements, such as a logo, to preserve continuity. Change the background color and text features, such as fonts.

References

• Bizingo Website Builder
• FreeStart Website Builder
• One Net Enterprises: StoreStarter Retail Website Builder

Resources

• Web Sites for Retailers: Easy Steps From Concept To Creation