So you’re thinking of having your own website?

I’ve listed 10 baby steps to take first, that could possibly save you a world grief.  Only wish I’d known it first! 

Firstly, before writing anything down, ask yourself the following questions.  It will give you a clearer idea of what your website is all about and open the doorway to possibilities that you may not have considered before:

• What do you know about websites, web design, the World Wide Web?
• Will your computer support a website?  Mine didn’t and I had to buy software that installed a web server.
• What is the purpose of your website?  Is it for business or pleasure?
• There are thousands of websites out there.  What will make your site unique?
• Who do you know that can help you?  How experienced are they?
• What is your budget? 
• What are you willing or not willing to do in regards to your website?  Work long hours; manage the site, continual development etc.
• A website is like a baby, it needs loving attention and nurturing.  Will you have the time to do this, or will you have backup?
• Does your website fill you with excitement and a determination that it will work for you?
• Are you open enough to listen to the advice of more experienced people?  

Now that you’ve asked yourself some serious questions about your future site, the following baby steps will give you a broad idea of what’s ahead for you.

You could use it as part of your marketing and business plan.

1. Start with thinking up ideas in your head, however outrageous they might sound, just to get the flow going.  Once that starts get yourself a writing pad and pen, and plan, plan, plan and keep planning until you running out of things to plan.
2. Once you’ve got your list done, start at the very beginning and draw a mud map of your plan. 

If you find the first two points challenging find yourself a suitable brainstorming partner and have some fun with it. 

Note:  If your plan is vague it can take many weeks to come up with a     site design you’re happy with, and if you change your mind halfway through the design stage, it can take a many more weeks after that.

3. During your planning phase, consider the way you want it to look, your logo, colour scheme, and branding (very important).  You’ll also need to consider your content, images, contact details, fonts etc.  Once you’ve given the green light to all of the above - stick to it. 
4. Will you need a shopping cart and merchant facilities?  How many email accounts will you need?  Do you have a privacy and disclaimer statement? 
5. How do you know your website will produce an income for you, passive or otherwise?
6. Know who your competition is.
7. Get yourself an experienced web developer.  If you know someone that knows someone that knows someone, organise a meeting with them.  Find out what the developer can and can’t do.  Do you want self taught or someone that works in the industry?
8. Get a timeline for the completion of the different components of your site you want built – allow for some flexibility along the way – nothing runs smoothly all the time.   
9. Shop around for a host and domain company.  People talk, so ask those working in the industry who they’d recommend, read some IT forums and magazines, read the fine print with any host and compare features.   I have a brilliant Host that was recommended to me by someone working within the industry.
10. Get yourself a basic reference book/manual and become familiar with some of the basic terms like .asp, html files, ftp (file transfer protocol) it can save you a lot of time!

There are many, many more things you can learn about websites.  You can do on-line courses (some free some not), you could contact your internet provider and ask whether they have tutorials of FAQ’s on websites, you can research the web or get yourself some good books or attend classes at your local college. 

The last thing I will leave you with however is this, be prepared to spend some money.  Depending on what you want will depend on the money you spend.  It’s pointless having a website that looks fabulous, cost a lot of money to set up and maintain, however it doesn’t provide you with an income, passive or otherwise – that is, unless you can afford it.

Have fun!