Web Business 101
An introduction to opening your own business on the web.

Part II: The Website

Well, you should already have a business name by the time you decide to build a site.

What? You have little if any HTML skills? How can you ever open a web business? Heh... don't worry about it. I had zip for HTML knowledge when I decided to open my store. Combine that with even less spare capital to throw at web designers and its time to get creative.

Starting a Website

Heres a hint... start on a free host. One of the best places to begin is actually Geocities. Now settle down, I know they are reviled for their pop up ads and poor service. The one thing they have going for them is their Geobuilder site building tool. Its a drag and drop, what you see is what you get beginner's way to start a site. Its free, it teaches you the basics, and you can work on those HTML skills a bit as you go. Once you have a site built, you can always backup your files and move... worked for me.

The other option here is finding a free host (there are tons of them out there now) and using either shareware or freeware editing software to make a site. Then you can use a freeware FTP (file transfer protocol) program to load it onto the host's servers.

Editors I use:

Macromedia's Dreamweaver II (30 day free trial)

Coffeecup HTML (free, but rather limited)

Build a site with these, then play with the HTML code and see what happens. Its a good learning experience.

FTP Programs:

FTP Voyager (again, 30 day trial)

WS-FTP LE (freeware and very easy)

Your host should have good instructions for logging on to them and loading files with FTP. It is easy, and as long as you keep a backup, idiot proof.

Hosts

Here is where you need to do some research. Even if you start out on a free host, it doesn't necessarily mean they will support all of your needs when you go to the big show. Things you need to look for on a long term host:

· FTP/Telnet accessibility: you must be able to manipulate files on your own site

· CGI (computer graphic interface) bin: preferably a personal bin where you can store your own programs, forms, and storefront type things.

· Perl support: this is the programming language that allows your CGI and other programs to function. If a site doesnt have it, you are limited on what you can do.

· Secure Server: if you intend to do online ordering with credit card acceptance this is REQUIRED.

· Room: like at least 10 meg of space. Pictures, data files, etc... take up room.

· The advertising policy of the host: banner ads I can handle, but nothing will scare someone away faster than a popup ad with every new page opened.

· Cost, tech support, built in shopping cart/storefront availability, even how your site name will look. Mine started out as http//:2cooltek.hypermart.net... and that was a good one, some get long as heck.

· Also, domain name support. Does your host register your name for free? Or can you transfer a domain for free? Most are, but check...

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