| Website
Planning Guide |
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Define the Objective of your Site:
Is it to generate qualified business leads? Offer resources
and information to your current customers or the public?
Are you launching a new business? Do you want to sell your
product or service on the web? Defining your goals will
help shape the design, functionality, and marketing plan
for your web site.
Consider
your own resources:
Are you a computer buff that likes to do stuff on your own?
Are you busy with other obligations and a bit overwhelmed
by the internet? Are you an experienced internet user or
a novice? Regardless of where you find yourself on the spectrum
of internet expertise and the time you want to invest, there
is a optimal solution that will work for you.
Make
a Budget for your Website:
Your website budget needs to include the costs for initial
setup and design, monthly website hosting fees, future changes
and enhancements, and marketing of your site. Consider what
level of return you'll need on your website investment.
As with many investments, you should expect that it will
take some time to recoup your costs. You'll find a general
idea of the costs and options we offer by looking at our
Pricing page.
Decide
on a Service Provider:
Depending on what conclusions you reached on the above considerations,
choose a service provider. If you have a low budget and
like to do things yourself, you can create your own website
and have your web pages hosted by your dial-up ISP. If you
want more support and guidance, Bi-ling Solutions can provide
a solution that accomodates both your budget and the level
of involvement you want in the process of planning, designing
and maintaining your website.
Decide
on and Register a Domain Name:
You'll need to find a Domain Name that is available and
pay the nominal annual fee ($25 a year or less). We're happy
to offer advice on choosing a domain name and we can take
care of registering your domain for you. If you already
have a domain or website, and would like to use our services,
we'll take care of transferring your domain for you.
Consider
Site Features:
Make a list of features you want on the site. Do you want
to provide estimates, let visitors shop, accept catalog
requests, or publish a calendar of events? Take a look at
our portfolio, or search the web for businesses like yours
to help you clarify what your own website might provide.
Think
About the Content For Your Web Site:
Write a short paragraph or sketch a simple drawing of what
you want on your home page and how you want it to look.
You can use your current print materials if you have them,
or simply write out your business ideas and plans. Think
about what you want to communicate to website visitors.
Come up with topics to cover, such as 'About Us', 'Services',
or 'Industry Resources'.
Assemble
Site Content:
Gather together any text, graphics, your product database,
or other materials you want on your website. Bi-ling Solutions can
create a website design and build your website using whatever
materials you have available. Check out our Design Process
page for more information on how we can help create and
assemble your website.
Research
the Competition:
Perform searches for similar website businesses. Make notes
about features you like or dislike. If you see an appealing
design, share it with your designer to give them an insight
into your preferences.
Develop
your Marketing Strategy:
When your website is ready to go, you'll want to let the
public know about it! You need to get the word out in as
many ways possible. Add your website address to any printed
material you have. Send a letter to all your contacts telling
them about your website. One important way to get traffic
to your website is through search engines. Think of search
keywords and a site description that will help your customers
find you in the search engines. Bi-ling Solutions offers keyword
research and search engine optimization services that can
get you top listings, as well as other internet marketing
tools to help boost traffic to your website. |
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