If you are here, is because you are thinking of revamping your outdated site, or starting a new one. With the overwhelming options available in the market, it is very difficult to make a decision.  With my post I will try to give you a roadmap as to what will be best for you depending on your budget and needs.

Let’s begin by understanding the importance of a website. In order for customers to trust you, they need to see that you exist in the World Wide Web.  In this modern life, this is the ONLY way you will be found.  Worth to Mouth is still a thing, but even if a previous customer puts in a good recommendation with someone, that someone will google your business before giving you a call.  Hence the importance to have website.

Many companies out there will just sit with and discuss the money part and promise you an increase of your sales.  This is not true.   NO ONE can guarantee the the increase of your  business based off a website, just like no one can for sure tell you how many customers will walk into your local store and buy a product  from you.

A website is a location, is an extension of your office or store.  

In this part 1, I want to explain to you what are the first things you need to get started and help you understand what each item is.

This is the a list with the most essentials items and what they are:

1. DOMAIN – A domain is what people will use to find your website from the browser, for example: yourname.com. Some are very lucky and are able to find the exact name available with a “.com” if this is not your case, is ok, it just means you. need to get creative with what you call yourself online.  Remember this has nothing to do with your legal name, LCC, or CORP.  This is just for a way to identify your website.  I will write a separate post with more information about a domains and when to use .net, .com, .us, etc…
2. HOSTING – Hosting is the server in which the content of your website will be living. Think of this as a high-rise office building. You have now leased a suite in the 4th floor.  The number of square feet is equivalent to the storage you will need on this hosting server.  The domain name you chose is what helps the “cyber post office” locate your office.
3. CONTENT – Last thing, but most importantly you need to have all the content.  This is the only thing that I recommend is done by you. Anyone with knowledge can purchase, manage and configure your domain and hosting, but no one can describe your business as you would. Yes, there are companies which can generate content for you, but even if you decide to contract their services, it is recommended that you spend time in describing your services in detail and the story of your business.

Stay tuned for  part 2 and 3  where we will discuss Design, templates, and much more.