The first thing you will need to do is purchase a domain name and hosting for your website. There are many companies out there that offer these two must-haves as a package deal. Shop around and find the one that works best for you.
Here are a few good hosting companies to check out:
Choose Domain Name
Choose your domain name wisely. Use your company name or the closest wording available. You want your domain name to be intuitive, and simple for users to remember. The easier it is to remember, the easier it is for customers to use search engines to find you. Even though it typically costs a little extra, try to get the .com. It will be well worth the investment. If the .com isn’t available try .net, .info, .biz – in that order.
Website Design
Designing a website can be tricky, or fun, depending on how you look at it. The most important thing is to not over think it. You’re not a web designer. That’s okay. There are tools out there, like WordPress that allow users to easily build their website without ever having to use any confusing HTML code. I won’t go into great detail about this, but there are some helpful tutorial videos on YouTube. However, if you have the capitol to hire a web designer – go for it.
Website Messages
On your website you will want to let people know the following:
- Who you are
- What services you provide
- What clients can expect
- How to contact you
Keep this information short and sweet. People’s attention span online is very short. If they can’t find the information they need within a few seconds, they will leave and search for it elsewhere. Make sure they are able to find crucial information right away (like your phone number).
Then, when you are ready to connect with your audience even more, and would like to start sharing your clients’ results and showcasing your latest events, etc. you can start a blog.
Check back next Marketing Monday for tips on how to start a blog.
Have you created a website? Have any tips to add?
