subject: The 3 Critical Tools You Need To Build Your Own Website [print this page] The first step to creating a successful, Internet marketing business is building a credible and professional looking website. Your website is the jump-off point of all your marketing efforts - it's your virtual place of business.
Remember that old saying in the Real Estate business that the number one thing that creates a successful business is "Location, Location, Location?" Well, the same thing applies to your online business.
So just like any brick and mortar business, it's important that your virtual office is easy-to-find, attractive to your customers and welcoming. Location is just as important for virtual real estate as it is with a brick and mortar business.
Since we're talking about your "virtual real estate" - you want to make sure that your affiliate website is user-friendly, attracts your prospects and motivates them to click on the links to the products and services you are promoting - and of course, make a purchase. Your Website should be as classy and professional-looking as possible...without being too flashy or high-tech for visitors.
But before you can build a website, you need to have three things - a domain name (the URL or "address" that someone types into their browser when searching for your Website), a place to house or host your Website, and an HTML editor to create your web pages. Let's start with the domain name.
Choosing the Right Domain Name
When choosing a domain name, there are basically two options:
1. You could choose a name that relates to the specific industry that you'll be selling to. For example if you're going to be selling affiliate products to horse lovers, then you'll want to try and find a name that relates to that. However, it's gotten more difficult these days to find these types of domain names.
2. Choose a domain name that is easy to remember and generic. And still a third option is to choose your own name or the name of your business - this probably the easiest and probably the best of the three choices. You can register a dot-com domain name for around $10 per year (and it's tax deductible). There are several good companies that will register your domain name - NameCheap.com is the company that I use and recommend.
Finding the Best Hosting Company
Next you'll need to choose a hosting company - this is where your virtual real estate will be located. Try a good basic company like HostGator - they guarantee your site will be up at least 99% of the time, and their fees are about $7 a month.
Whatever you do, DO NOT choose one of the "free" hosting sites. Not only will it look nonprofessional (most of the time they put advertisements all over your Website) but they're also not the most reliable - and entrepreneurs have often found out too late that their Website is often "down" or unavailable - and you're losing money every time someone can't get to your site.
Building Your Website
These days with simple WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) Website builders, ready-made templates and even the availability of freelance designers, there is no excuse for even the "technologically challenged" not to have a professional Website. In fact, you can pick up an excellent free HTML editor at Kompozer.net.
These three tools are all you need to build a successful, moneymaking website. Why not get started right now?
by: Derrick VanDyke
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