Build a Web Site

How to build your Web site

For a most basic primer for those still new to the Internet start here.

For a fast start to understand Web business, go to Bootcamp. The NetLingo dictionary will help you decipher Internet jargon with ease. For strategy see our suggested books (if you are new to eCommerce please read them!). Our White Papers section will also help you get Web smart quick. Try the Cisco Systems Internet IQ test to determine your company's potential in the new economy.

If you have never built a Web site before it can be confusing. We suggest:

Register your domain name Click here to register your domain name. RealNames currently cost $100 per year so that your site can be reached without the dub dub dub dot com.

Transfer your domain name to your Web hosting company You need to have a computer connected to the Internet that will "host" your site so that your customers can visit your site. If you are new to the Web, we recommend that you choose a third party Web "hosting" company to host your site rather than try to do-it-yourself. Once you have selected a Web hosting company, you will need to ask the company you registered your domain with to transfer your domain to your new Web host. We use DellHost to host our site, however you may also check out Verio. Dedicated hosting can be found at Space4Rent.com A great intro to this subject can be found here at CNET.

Incorporate and trademark your name. You can easily incorporate your new business at BizFilings.com. They offer packages that range from $75 - $295 plus state filing fees. Next, file a trademark for your new business with the US Patent and Trademark Office by using NameProtect.com

	Web design and Hosting, how much can you afford to spend? You can use a free, do-it-yourself service such as Trellix, Freemerchant.com or others that can be found on TheFreeSite.com. These services have easy to use web design tools that will get you up on the web within 48 hours. The tradeoff is that the available designs are not right for everyone and you will have the free webhost's logo on the site. If you like the design of this site, you should call Robert MacDonald at Old Cape Cod Design at (508) 477-2424 or www.oldcapecod.com. Robert is a great designer, resourceful and fast. His email is robert@oldcapecod.com If you sign up for third-party web hosting and purchase MicroSoft FrontPage, you can design and publish your site your self. Alternatively, Verio.com will do it all for you at a cost of $6,000 to $40,000. However, if you think you may want to execute a grand eCommerce game plan MarchFirst, Razorfish or Sapient could be your answer for costs ranging from a few hundred thousand to several million dollars. These companies will assist you with web strategy, design, implementation and hosting. An excellent description of what is required for high powered site development can be found here in eCompanyNow magazine. Before you commit to anyone please read "Dotcom Inferno: Money to Burn" from the November, 2000 issue of eCompanyNow magazine. A quote: "Say, these consultants sure seem nice and smart. Why don't you sign a contract with them? Or, on second thought, why don't you just rake your money into a pile and set it on fire?"
	Stay current with the Web These magazines will help you understand much of the industry surrounding Web development and start-up issues. These tutorial resources will also help with advanced issues.
	Optimize your site for the major search engines. We recommend you read this article from Search Engine Watch and test your site (against your competitors) at LinkPopularity.com.

Bon chance mes amis!