Quick Start Guide to Online Business

With literally hundreds of options for hosting, marketing and design of your new Web site, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. Here is your 6 Step Quick Start Guide to Getting Online.

1) Get Your Ideas Flowing

Just click and view material from some of today’s best business minds, including Seth Godin, Jim Kukral and Guy Kawasaki.

2) Sign-up with Web-Hosting

To be in business online, you’re going to need a Web host and domain registrar.

3) Install WordPress

For ease of getting started and maintaining your site, a WordPress installation is recommended. Originally just for blogs, WordPress is now a fully functional site design and management tool. Wordpress is the engine for your website. It manages your content, and allows you to easily modify the appearance of your site – with virtually no technical experience. And it's free.

 4) Chose Your WordPress Theme

The theme is what gives your WordPress installation both its function and its design. It’s good to choose carefully, because it can be a hassle to swap themes after you have lots of content. Many of the themes available allow you to disable or remove the blog component if you don’t need it. You can create your page with the “Pages” option

5) Create Your Twitter Account / Instagram Account

You’re going to need a Twitter account for your business. It is valuable for promoting your content, and for interacting with clients and suppliers.

6) Email Marketing

Email marketing is an important component of your online business. With an opt-in email list you’ll have a group of people eager to listen to what you’re saying. With a regular email newsletter, your visitors won’t have to remember to come back - you can keep in touch directly.