Starting your new online business is simple and exciting when you have a little bit of knowledge and someone to lead you in the right direction. Let's work together!
Step # 1 You will need a Domain Name
A domain name is often referred to as your "address on the web". Where you live int he world has a physical address attached to it - such as 123 Web Road, City, State, Zip, so that people can find you for various reasons. On the internet, your website needs to have an address as well. We call this a Domain Name. You can purchase as many domain names as you would like, but only if someone else hasn't purchased it already. Domain names end in various extensions such as .com, .net.org. The .com domains are the most sought after and popular. The .net names are often settled for if the desired .com name is not available, while .org names are normally used for non-profit or government organizations. When you purchase a domain name, it is called "Registering your Domain Name", you are paying to USE it for your own needs on the internet. You can pay for it yearly, or for a set number of years. I recommend purchasing your domain name through Godaddy.com - however, you may also purchase it with any of the webhosts that I work with.
Step # 2 You will need a Web Host
In order for your site to be available on the internet, you need a place to host it. A Web Host provides you with space on their web servers so that your site will show up live on the internet. Think of it has camping - when you go camping, you bring your own tent or camper, but you pay to use the space that you will park in or place your tent. That's what you do with the internet. You pay the webhost to rent some space on their server. There are number of professional webhosts that I am happy to work with and that offer shopping cart services as well as webhosting for your business.
Step # 3 Purchase your Template at SpiffyBoutiques.com
Once you have purchased your domain name and selected a webhost for your business, you are ready to purchase a Template for your site. A template is a Pre-Made design for websites. Premades are an affordable solution for small businesses and give the small busienss owner the flexibility to purchase additional designs to change their website look seasonally, or for special occasions and holidays. A custom design may also be created for your business for those who wish to spend a little more.
There are different levels of templates that can be purchased.
Exclusive Premade Templates - These templates are the higher priced of the premades because they are created to be sold only once. No one will have the same design that you have when you purchase OOAK (one of a kind) or Exclusives.
Limited Edition Premade Templates - These templates are created to be sold up to 3 times. So at least three other sites may have the same template as yours. However, they are cost effective and the first buyer is given the option to purchase the design exclusively for an extra fee.
Unlimited Edition Premade Templates: - Templates in this category are very inexpensive and will be sold an unlimited number of times.
Step # 4 Template Installation!
Template installations will normally occer within 2 - 6 business days of template purchase. You will be provided with a timeline for your install after purchase. To install your template I will email you for some information such as your Control Panel login or FTP login and your store administration login. This information is provided to you via email when you set up your webhosting account.
Step # 5 Add Products & Content to Your Site
At ANY time after you have purchased your webhosting, you may start entering products and information into your new site. You do not need to wait for your template installation to do this. Your website can be put into maintenance mode while you prepare things for opening day.
Your site is now open for business! Start doing some advertising online and offline to promote your business. SpiffyBoutiques.com offers additional services to help you do this professionally including Busienss Card Design, Hang Tags, Mailing Labels and more!
