Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

      Can anyone out there help me start up my first website. I know I need one but I don`t have a clue how to start  it up.  I bought a book on it but actually I don`t have the time it takes to learn all about web language and all the other essential stuff.

 I just need something to get my business out there for now, nothing too expensive would be wonderful too.

Also information on web servers would be helpful too.
Need some good advice here please.
Thanks !!!

Jo


-------------------------

Jo
NJ

Hi Jo,

I can help you get started. Have you chosen a domain name yet? A web hosting provider? Do you know what your expectations of your website are yet? I can get you set up with the basics. If you want to go over specifics, you can contact me via the "My Messages" tab at the top of the page.

BTW, what book did you get? If it turns out to be useful to you, others may want to get a copy of it too.

Scott

Hi Jo,

For a new online business like yours I would recommend that you take a look at Yahoo Merchant Solutions. Yahoo offers three different soultions for an online merchant. In your case I would recommend that you take a look at the Starter Solution. All the steps are clearly explained along with guides and tutorials. If you have any other questions please ask as I am very familiar with Yahoo`s Merchant Solutions. One thing I should mention; I someone suggests to create a website for you make sure that you have full control of webdesign, order processing, inventory management, and marketing. Often what happens to individuals who let one person get involved in the entire aspect is that they tend to bring their own people into the mix. And for example you want make a small change within the website, then the entire group of people is suddenly involved and they charge a small amount for their involvement simpkly because they have ties to the webdesigner of the person who`s doing the marketing.



-------------------------

Skype Me!!! @ tomaszpw
Rate Me.

Hello Jo.

I would love to help you get a website up and running. I have
to disagree when it comes to using Yahoo though, very pricey
for what you get in my opinion. Depending on your business
and what you`re looking for in a site I am sure you can get a first
class site up and running for very little money. Please e-mail
me if you are interested in me helping you get started. I ran a
photography business off the web for a couple of years before I
got a job transfer and truth be told I miss the programming and
design.

Good Luck.

bobbyhume@yahoo.com

Before everyone gets their panties in a wad ... allow me to step in. From having several commercial web sites, starting in 1997, I can share volumes of what to do ... and more impotantly ... what not to do.

Lets start a dialogue here please ....

Please share with us ...

1. What type business do you now have?
2. If you don`t have a current business, what are you considering?
3. What type of financial resources do you have to start this business, or to fund the design, implimentation and marketing of the web site? (Don`t be embarrassed if you have very little resources...many of us started out flat broke.)
4. Are you considering designing this site by yourself ... or are you seeking "true" professional help? (Not some guy that used to work for some guy, that used to work for some guy ... you get my drift.)
5. How long have you considered this venture? Have you gone through the H.O.T.S. process? (if not sure ... follow this link .. http://www.oneminutemillionaire.com/tools/hots.asp )
6. Do you have a "mentor" to keep you on track?
7. Do you have a "team"? (Remember, a team can be as little as 2 people ... Joe Montana didn`t win those Super Bowls all by himself.)

Take your time in answering these questions .... then I`m sure many of us can help. Good Luck.

 

Can anyone out there help me start up my first website. I know I need one but I don`t have a clue how to start  it up.  I bought a book on it but actually I don`t have the time it takes to learn all about web language and all the other essential stuff.

Hi Jo - I know I`ve seen this mentioned amongst a lot of other great advice so far, but the most important question in my mind is the one about what kind of business you`re in?

That`s going to dictate much of what happens with your website decisions.  If you`re simply looking to have an online presence that provides information about your business, your website needs are going to be very different from someone looking to run a full-fledged e-commerce website.  Bottom line: websites are never a one size fits all proposition, and please avoid anyone who tells you that they are.

So let us all know what type of business you run, and I`m sure we can all help you out in this area (and hopefully provide some great information that everyone reading this can use!).


-------------------------

chuck fuller

Thanks to all who replied to me on help for my first website.  I have tried to answer everyone`s questions below.
Web Hosting Provider?
          No - not yet - there are so many ads out there for web hosts, I havent done any comparisions yet at all.
Domain Name?
          Probably would be the Tomsriverconcierge.com - simple and descriptive
(my town and services both) both words would make good search words for
my area. My own company name is Ocean County Support Center for Home
and Business and that wouldnt work for a domain name.
Method of Payment I would accept?
       Probably seniors would be paying cash or checks and two-income families
would use credit cards. I have gotten a lot of credit card applications from
vendors and will have to choose someone.
My Location
        I am in Ocean County, NJ (the jersey shore).  Mostly everything is done but I have to finish composing my legal contracts (my attorney has the final
say though) and order the rest of my company apparel .  If I had to outsource these startup costs it would be unaffordable since I don`t like to borrow money. I am waiting on some things like stationary, a logo (to be designed) and brochures.
What type of business do I have now?
       This is a business that I hope to have up and running very shortly, it is taking a long time I think because I am doing everything 100% but I don`t want
to start up wrong I want it to start out right.  There is no competition out there now and there are thousands of seniors in this area, enough for plenty of competition I would think. Since this is a first of its kind business, I can`t get information on rates or any data at all so I`m out here on a limb, so to speak.
There is a business in Beacon Hill, Mass that has a similar business and they
are very very successful. They charge $1500 daily for consultations and they are getting requests from all over the country.
 Types of services are many, but mainly shopping services, concierge services,
errands, organizational, help with medicare, social security, doctor claims, consumer advocate, computer search, helping seniors stay safe at at home and
help with identity theft information,coordinatiang handyman/contractor repairs + more. This is to help seniors live at home. Two income couples could also use some of these services plus more such as waiting for home deliveries, gift shopping, appmt scheduling & holiday reminders, faxing documents to a secured fax machine instead of faxing to a public office fax, copying & scanning services + more. I know it sounds like a lot of work and it is but I do have people in the wings to help when I am ready.
What type of financial resources do I have to start my business?
          To be perfectly honest, I am financing myself because I don`t like to borrow but the well will be running dry shortly.  Thank goodness, all the equipment I already have.  I probably should think about an 800# though instead of my own home number.
Are you considering designing this site yourself?
       I originally thought that I could so I bought a book and was reading it. Then
nothing else was getting done so I stopped reading it and was going to wait on the website but I know that I need one. I would like my website to be imprinted on my cards and stationary and on my car sign.
How long have I considered this venture?
       About 3 years ago I guess, its not a spur of the moment thought.  I talked to many people about it, family, friends, seniors. Everyone thinks its a great idea esp in this area, no negative comments at all.  I really do this now for people I know and family but I want to offer it to the senior population. As baby boomers are getting up in age, they will be needing services like I will be offering and I believe other companies will be forming to service these people.  I have 8  years experience in this field (for my father) who was able to live at home only because of me and my sister taking care of him. I already had a few meetings with S.C.O.R.E. and the man that was working with me was enthusastic about it for this area.  I also have met with some directors at a senior community and they were positive about this type of business in this community as well.
I havent heard any negatives.
Do I have a mentor? 
          No
Do I have a team?
          No team
I think it would be nice to have a website that would list my services & rates,
benefits from using my company, some history on me and the company, Q and A, testimonials, email capability will be needed for people to send to me a list of services they will be needing, and a message board so people can comment and rate the business. I also would like to send out a monthly newsletter reminding
people things that have to be done seasonally (things that everyone forgets to do or they dont want to do them)  I also will be needing a wireless device so that people can contact me on the road for emergency requests - i want to be responsive as much as I can. Does anyone know if someone sent me an email on my website if I could retrieve it on a  blackberry?
---------------------
Well I finally got to the end, hope I didn`t put anyone to sleep
thank you all so much!
jo in toms river


                  


 
   






-------------------------

Jo
NJ

Hey Jo - thanks for the detailed response about your business, certainly sounds like an interesting venture.  I think we all have a much better idea of what type of business you`re starting.  As I read through your list, it doesn`t look like you`re interested in building out a huge amount of expensive functionality (others may not agree).  I`d classify them as follows:

• Content: services, rates, benefits, history, FAQ, testimonials
• Functionality: an online form of some sort, message board, email list management system

As far as the wireless device question, Blackberry and similar devices just pick up emails the way any other system does, so there`s nothing special or unique about configuring that.

My initial take is that you could get a functional site up without investing a lot.  Can you provide us with some idea of what you`re budgeting for the website?



-------------------------

chuck fuller

Welcome to the world of the startup business !

Its very exciting to be your own boss and start your business.

I would suggest the following:  Do your homework and research the market or product you are interested in, get to know your competition. I found having a Web Developer to help is important, especially if you are not an expert in HTML and JAVA code writing. They will know how to do the design, but you need to be the guide on what you want, like most things, you get about 70-80% of what you would like to start, unless you have an unlimited budget. Web Development can be very expensive, I found that I start with something I can work with, within my budget. It also seemed to take a while to get things going and this is a factor of how busy your designer team is, so its important to get a rough timeline, although they seem to be missed on a regular basis ( murphys law), so plan for some buffer time for your expected launch ( I found at least an extra month was a good buffer). You also need a good marketing plan ( Google and Yahoo can be fairly expensive, but necessary in startup mode), so you will want to plan for at least 25-30% marketing expense early on, maybe more. You can estimate how much you will make in your business as it launches, but plan to be flexible, I found I need to expect slightly less than I am wishing for and budget accordingly, also you might want to understand your expected "break even" point... it takes time to become profitable in a startup, usually at least 6 months, maybe a year depending on your business. It can be eye opening, and everything is expensive... boxes, shipping, inventory, office space... all are important considerations. Best of luck, I am sure you will get much more in the way of feedback... Have fun, being your own boss is a great thing, planning is a big factor in making things a success and driving customers to your site.

-------------------------

Tim McLaughlin
PetsStock
http://www.petsstock.com
Where your Pets Buy Stuff !
Internet Supplier of Quality Pet Supplies for Dogs and Cats

Anyone who wants a professionally built website for $20 a month and no contracts please email me tiffhannah@yahoo.com. I will also update it weekly for you.

-------------------------

Tiffany Hannah tiffhannah@hotmail.com www.iboplus.com 1-866-404-2510