iWeb for Business Beginners
Apple's iWeb service began as a tool for building personal websites. Because of its simplicity, small businesses adopted it as an affordable way to build their own websites in-house. Originally, iWeb sites were created to run on Apple's Mobile Me platform, but as of June 2011, Apple no longer allows that for new sites. Your business website requires a hosting company instead.
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Creation
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When you open iWeb, it gives you a choice of templates for your website. The template styles look more personal than businesslike, but you can buy added business templates from Apple. Adjust the template to suit yourself, for example using iWeb's text box to replace any writing on the template with your own word. Use iWeb's widget selection to add photos, film, Google Maps, YouTube videos, or a blog if you choose. When you've tailored the site to your satisfaction, publish it to the web.
Hosting
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With Mobile Me no longer an option, you need space on a hosting company's web server to put up your website. Hosting companies offer varying levels of price and service. Use online directories to compile a list of potential hosts. Before selecting one, consider your requirements, such as the amount of server space you need to store web pages and how much bandwidth the traffic to the website will use. Select a hosting company, then use iWeb to put your site on the host's server.
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Searches
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Your website doesn't help your business if it doesn't draw visitors. When your site is new and you have few other sites linking to it, it's hard for Google and other search engines to spot you. To gain search engine attention, create a sitemap -- an XML File that describes your site -- then submit it to the search engines. There are websites that help you do this, even if you've no idea what an XML file looks like.
Considerations
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The iWeb program simplifies site construction, but it doesn't eliminate the need for good design. Before putting your site together, think about your target market, the message you want to send them and what sort of design fits that goal. Compare your ideas to competitors' sites. Make it easy for visitors to find your top products, your contact information or your CV -- whatever you think important for them to see. Once you generate traffic, check your site stats to learn what part of the site people look at most. This tells you whether changes to your design are necessary.
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References
- Rage Software: iWeb for Business: A Quick Start Guide
- Mac Observer: iWeb Themes for Business 7 Adds 5 New Templates
- Find My Hosting: Basic Guide to Web Hosting
- Google: About Sitemaps
- XML SiteMaps: Build Your Site Map Online
- All About iWeb: 10 Things to Consider When Using iWeb for Your Business Site
