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Archive for August, 2010

2
Aug

Setting Up Shop: Basic Skills – Part 2

  • In order to create your actual website, you would typically have to either outsource the design to a developer, or learn how to edit, manipulate and code HTML yourself.
  • These days, there is a simple solution for those who are looking to design, maintain and control every aspect of their website without having to outsourcing anything at all. You can achieve this by using a blog script as your website’s foundation.  The reason why blogs are so commonly used even for static websites, is due to the simplicity in which even the newest business owner can instantly create full featured websites with very little experience or knowledge required.
  • In fact, when it comes to building a website with categories, sub categories, interior pages, posts and organized content, using a blog structure is hands down, the easiest content management solution available online.
  • And best of all? It’s entirely free!
  • The most commonly used blog script is found at http://www.Wordpress.org (don’t confuse this with the free blog hosting service offered at http://www.Wordpress.com because if you choose to set up your website there, it will be controlled and hosted by WordPress itself).
  • With the .org version, you can simply download a copy of the blog software and install it on your own hosting account.
  • With WordPress.org, you are in full control of how your blog looks, functions and is structured and are also given additional options that are not available with hosted accounts, such as being able to add in Adsense advertising, offer sponsor ad spots, add in a mailing list and much more.
  • Even for those with limited to no experience installing scripts, WordPress is incredibly easy to set up, in fact, most hosting accounts today come bundled with software (such as Fantastico or Simple Scripts) that with a single click, will install a current version of WordPress on your website without you ever having to upload or modify a single file.  You will find both of these services at Blue Host which is my preferred place to host my websites followed closely by Go Daddy.

    • Very easy!

  • When it comes to remotely hosted blogs, where someone else manages your blog for you, you are often restricted by what you can do with it, so I strongly advise against using remotely hosted options unless you have absolutely no other choice.  (Blogger or WordPress.com are the two most popular)
  • Furthermore, you will appear more professional if you house your own blog with your own domain name.
  • Another great reason to set up your website on a blog platform is simply due to the fact that these types of websites often rank higher in the search engines because they are easy to optimize, and with a number of plugins and add-ons that are available to WordPress users, you can instantly tweak your website for better rankings by adding in tags, keywords, page titles and meta tags that are relevant to every page on your site.
  • And there’s yet another reason why blogs are such a great choice when developing your online business website. With blogs, you are able to dynamically change the content on your website instantly, as well as create content that appears on specified dates in the future, meaning that you don’t even have to be physically present in order to ensure that your website features fresh content.
  • Furthermore, with blogs you are able to encourage interaction and return visits from guests and members who are able to post comments regarding your articles, posts and pages (this can also be turned off if you wish).
  • Once you have downloaded and installed a copy of WordPress, you will be able to take advantage of their vast community of developers, people who are constantly working to create new interactive plugins and modules that will extend the functionality of your website and increase exposure and interaction with your website visitors.
  • One aspect of using WordPress that will also save you a lot of time and money is in their theme development, communities that offer high quality, professional templates that can be instantly activated on your website, changing everything from its color scheme, navigation and layout with a single click!
  • You can start out using a free theme until your website is making money and then consider hiring an affordable blog designer, who can craft a custom theme for your website. This will further your brand and help you develop a memorable, unique website.
  • Many people mistakingly believe that blogs are only useful when creating interactive communities, but in reality, even if your website will consist of a single static sales page, you can still use the power of WordPress to create high quality websites, quickly and easily while taking advantage of the fact that search engines like Google.com prefer content-rich websites developed on a blog structure over most other formats out there.
  • Imagine just how easy it will be to create a network of well structured, professional websites all powered by WordPress.
  • You will be able to severely cut down on development time (and costs) and focus on what matters most:Growing your online business.
    • 2
    Aug

    Setting Up Shop: Basic Skills – Part 1

    Setting Up Shop: Basic Skills

  • The very first thing you will need in order to create an online presence is a domain name.  The cost of a domain registration is about $10.00 or less and will provide you with the ability to create a website where potential buyers are able to explore your product or services, as well as find out more about you.
  • This is also where you will want to build an email based mailing list, that is a collective database of prospects who have requested to received additional information, including future broadcasts and special offers, delivered to them by your autoresponder system.
  • NOTE: You should NOT choose your domain name until you have settled on your niche and market focus, so that your domain name blends well with your target audience and incorporates relevant keywords pertaining to your industry.  We will discuss finding your niche right after part 2 of this post.
  • There are hundreds of domain registrars online to choose from, however, my personal recommendation is to use either http://www.bluehost.com or www.GoDaddy.com due to the lower costs involved as well as the simplistic interface provided by both of these services.  You can also host your website at both of these places which I highly recommend.
  • If you would prefer to explore other options, you can do a quick search to locate websites featuring reviews of various domain registrars that are available.  Once again, I recommend registering your domain at the same place that you host your website.
  • One thing to keep in mind however, is that you should always be given full control of your domain name, including a control panel that allows you to make DNS changes, set address and contact information, and customize settings relating to your domain.  You can do these things at either Blue Host or GoDaddy
  • When choosing your domain name, you want to ensure that you select a name that is memorable and ties in closely with your brand and market. For example, if you were offering a design service catering to new webmasters who need a website design, you could choose a domain name that includes the keywords “design” or ‘graphics”. Whatever you choose, you want to ensure that people can easily spell it and remember it.  Avoid hyphens, numbers or odd spellings, and if possible, always register a top level domain extension, which is the .com.
  • NOTE: Remember, you should NOT choose your domain name until you have settled on your niche and market focus, so that your domain name blends well with your target audience and incorporates relevant keywords pertaining to your industry.
  • If you struggle to find an available domain name, there are services online that can suggest available names from keywords that you enter into the search bar.

    • One of these services is NameBoy, available at http://www.NameBoy.com

  • Simply enter in a couple of relevant keywords that describe your market, website or product and click on “go Nameboy” to retrieve an extensive list of available domain names.  You can use this service for free, you do not need to register your domain name with them unless that is your choice.
  • A hosting account and domain name are important, because without these elements, you will be unable to develop an online presence. You want to be able to send people to an information page that features your product line, affiliate products you recommend, or information on your services.
  • Together, with your domain name, and an autoresponder account, it’s all you really need to initially build your online business online.