Getting Started
Like most businesses, you know you need a web site - but where do you start?
Getting online is not as difficult or time consuming as you may think. As part of our commitment to giving small to medium-sized businesses the tools and resources they need to succeed online, we have created this Getting Started guide.
From choosing a domain name, to choosing a hosting plan that fits your needs, to navigating through the processes of setting up a web site, and putting your site to work for you, we've got the answers right here.
Step 1 - Choosing a Domain Name
Your Domain Name is your unique online brand, and the address for your web site (www.yourdomainname.com) and e-mail (you@yourdomainname.com). This is an important first step, because you want a Web address that makes it as easy as possible for potential customers to find you.
So, how do you select a domain name? Here are some tips to help you get started:
Choose a domain as close to your company name as possible. If the web address you want is taken, you have a variety of alternatives. You can use a domain name that describes your product or services, or try a variation on your company name, like a hyphen or abbreviation. Try several variations on your desired name. Avoid overly long or complex names that will be difficult to remember. Names can include up to 67 alphanumeric characters, including hyphens. Names cannot begin with a hyphen, but they can begin with a number. Also, names should be at least 4 characters long. The extension ".com" is the most common, but you could also use .net, .org, .biz or .info. Some businesses register their name with all available extensions so their business is not accidentally confused with another, and to ensure their business is the one customers find first when looking for them.
Step 2 - Hosting Your web site
For people to access your site, the files that make it up your web site must be stored on a specialized computer, connected to the Internet around the clock. It's like renting a storefront at your local shopping mall, except on the Internet there's no advantage to location, you have access to the same visitors as anyone else. We provide storage space, availability and security for your data, so that your web site is always "on", 24x7x365.
We have hosting plans to suit every need, and every budget. Please view our hosting plans - if you're not sure what to choose, please feel free to contact sales@jpwebpages.com and our experienced sales staff can help!
Step 3 - Web Design
Use our web design story board and make a rough outline of what your web site will include before it is actually created. It can be used to organize thoughts and content.
1. The Main Page or index
Think of this page as the cover to your "book" inviting viewers to enter your site. Our goal should be to make it colorful and eye catching. Your company logo, name and a brief description of your company may go here.2. About Us
Think of this page as chapter "one" of your "book".Your company profile or a more in-depth description of your company is described here. Additional pages can spring from this page such as:
Company History page
Credentials page
About Our Employees - individual biographies page(s)
Customer Testimonials Page
Company Awards Page
A customer serviced page with hyperlinks
3. Services Offered
Chapter "two" page of your web siteAgain, additional pages can spring off of this page to describe your services in more depth
4. Products Offered
Chapter "three" page of your siteThis page will describe in detail the products your company offers. Again, additional pages can be linked from this page to describe your products in more depth.
5. FAQ
Chapter "four" of your siteThis page should list any frequently asked questions about your company and the answers.
6. Contact Us
Chapter "five" of your siteThis page should list your address, phone number, e-mail address, hours of business, etc. Mini pages could spring from this page to include:
Company Directory of Individual employees / title / work extension and e-mail address page.
An information request form page.
A Directions page
7. Site Map
Chapter "six" of your siteThis important page is similar to a Table of Contents except it is made up of hyperlinks to each page of your site.
The ideas for content are endless.
Additional web page ideas include: Online discount couponsHelpful links
Definitions of words pertaining to your business
Step 4 - Promoting Your Site
Just putting your web site online isn't enough. You have to promote your business online, so that potential customers can find you. Search engines are the most common way people find what they're looking for online, and can be an easy way to get your web site noticed. We will submit your site to several Search engines to get you started.
Online advertising with companies like Overture® and Google™ is another way to get your site noticed. You can purchase keywords, so that when someone types those words into a search engine, your web site is among the first displayed. Newsletters and email advertising are also great promotional tools. These are just a few of the ways you can promote your business online - the important thing is that you devise a marketing plan that makes sense for your business and budget, and there are a multitude of options available to help you achieve your marketing goals.
We offers all-inclusive web site hosting, site building and marketing plans designed to help you achieve your business goals.