File Uploading Utility setup into your Domain file area: This will be explained further for those who need an FTP utility and will be specific for your hosting plan.
The Basic Steps are:
- Register a Domain Name
- Set up a Hosting Plan
- Get a Template, or Webpage Builder Software
- Obtain or Create Graphics
- Create and/or Customize the Home Page
- Copy it for Each Additional Web Page and Customize
- Upload the Files to the Hosting Server Account
- Test, Modify, Upload - Repeat Until Done
Planning Ahead will Save Time and Rework
Pre-planning will save time. You should already know what type of website you need. You might have a "theme" in mind. Good.
Determine what colors you want and a basic layout, or drawing or example of your webpage. Later you will need to provide graphics to insert, know how many webpages you will need for menu navigation, what initial text to display, what links to include.
The purpose of your website can often determine or help you select the colors and background graphics you want to include. The content and all titles will be written by you. In marketing that means the copywriting responsibility is yours, and usually is the main reason most new Internet Marketers want to be their own webmaster.
We provide "ALittleHTMLGuide" to get you started on building a simple website in HTML and testing it until you are satisfied it is ready to put online, or get more help with it.
If you are just learning to build a website for the first time, I recommend you begin at Guide - Page 3 and follow the four (4) simple steps to build your website first on your own PC.
You can edit it and work on it until it is nearly done before you need to spend any money at all. Purchase the domain name and hosting service when you are ready to "go live" on the Internet. Costs are very low today, under $10 US per month.
After you purchase your Domain name you will want to type it into your webpages and metatags. Since the Hosting Service will be setup to serve the Domain name you choose, you would build and test your website on your local PC at first. That makes it easier and faster to learn HTML and build your website the way you want it.
On-line Stores are More Complex Websites
If you want to build an on-line store, your website will need to be integrated with the shopping cart services of your Hosting Plan. Please SKIP THIS STEP and Do Not Register a Domain Name until you have selected a Hosting Plan for a retail store. It is always easier to setup when you purchase the domain name from the hosting service. Sometimes the Domain name costs are included free and you want to realize those savings.
For online retailing, you will need to select a Hosting Service to support a Shopping Cart system. These provide various levels of services you may want for order management, including accepting payments and credit cards, shipping tables or calculators and catalog management. Most likely you will need to learn how to use custom features for a storefront that is beyond this guide.
Options: Some Hosting Services provide an extensive website building environment for their storefronts. You may not have to build your website "from scratch" and you may have several options or limitations that you would need to understand.
If you are interested in selling a catalog of products and managing order processing, shopping cart features and payment processing, I recommend Yahoo Stores software for several reasons, including that My Minisites Network can support them for you or teach you how to set them up, including the management of their RTML and Store Editor.
Specific estimates on Retail Store website designs including Yahoo Stores and support, if needed, is available via email. To start this process please begin an email thread with us at any time.
It helps to complete our Design Questionaire and send some of your product catalog examples as attachments to an email. Also provide update expectations (how many, how often) and Request An Estimate for Retail Website Support.
For more details about retailing online, see Internet Stores & Auctions at PlanBreview.com.
Secure a Good Business Domain Name
Usually the first thing to do is determine what Domain Names are available that suits your new project or business.
REMEMBER, if you DO plan to have an Internet Store, do NOT purchase a Domain Name now. Usually the domain name purchase is free with your shopping cart hosting plan. You can still use the tool I describe to see what names are available though.
Continue with these instructions here: Guide - Page 1.
This Step-by-Step Guide was written by Karen S Mueller
Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
Guide - Page
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Easy Webmaster System = "ALittleHTMLGuide" + "Webmaster Yourself" 
