steps
to getting your business online

step 1. domain name

What's in a name? Everything — the easier the name is to remember and to associate with your company the better. If at all possible the name should be your company name or at least a representative of your company's services or products.

Think of a few appropriate names for your domain mycompany.com and then see if they are still available for registration at a register company through internic.com

step 2. research

What's your competition doing? Do you like certain styles of web sites and their components better than others? What key words do you use when searching for information on your industry in a search engine like yahoo.com or google.com ?

step 3. define site goals

Is the site going to educate or provide information, entertain, or sell products online? Who is the site aimed at — new or current relationships? Will the site develop over time or will it be fairly static?

step 4. server space

Hosting services are offered in all sizes and services to suite your site demands. For example, if you are going to require a form that utilizes a cgi program to submit its information - you would require access to a cgi bin from your server. Geo-Hosting is a local company here in Calgary which offers very reasonable hosting packages and many of my small business customers have been satisfied with their services.

step 5. define site design

Aesthetic, Functional, and technical design requirements. Concepts for both navigation and creative style of the site are presented and refined. Graphics, photos, logos, content are collected and produced for the site use.

Step 6. development and testing

A prototype of key pages are coded and tested through an online server space for browser compatibility and user interaction.

Step 7. implementation

The site is uploaded to your choice of web hosting server. The site is closely monitored for usability during the first weeks of launching.

Step 8. maintenance

Designize offers a maintenance program to update information on your site and keep it current.

Step 9. promotion

Keep your site in front of your customers with the addition of your web address to all your current and future marketing pieces. ie. business cards, letterhead, invoices, envelopes, yellow pages ad, brochures, advertising, etc