Having a website developed and uploaded to your web host's server is a fairly uncomplicated process. The key word, however, is "process". Here are some steps that you need to take to get your website hosted, created and out there for the world to view:

You'll need to have your site hosted at a web hosting company.

Make sure that the web host can handle what you will have on your website. For example, if you will have a database or an online selling option, you'll need to use a web host that provides a way to do that. Whether you use a local or a national company doesn't really matter; the services they provide are what matters.

You'll need a domain name, such as www.yourname.com, so you need to reserve it with a company such as Network Solutions, Register.com. You can check to see if the name you want is available by visiting any of these websites. The typical fee is about $70 for the first two years, and about $35 per year thereafter, although they can be had for less. This is in addition to your ISP and/or web hosting charges.

Many web hosting companies will register your domain name for you. Be sure to record any and all usernames and passwords for your registration and web hosting accounts. Make sure that someone who will always be involved in your business is registered as the contact on the account.

In layman's terms, these companies serve as a sort of clearinghouse for domain names. Once you have a domain name, they "point" that name to your web host's server. When people visit your website, they are actually visiting your domain name on your web host's computer - not on your computer.

Decide what purpose you want your website to serve. Will it be for information only, sales of services or products; or to establish a presence for your company on the web?

What information will you want to provide on your website? Put it into logical categories and sub categories if necessary. Will you need to offer a way for visitors to purchase services or products? How many will there be? Will there be images of the products? If so, how many images will there be? Do you have them in digital form, so you can email them to your website designer?

Have the text for your website written. If you need help with that, I also do copywriting.outlined. It is best to be able to provide website content either via email or on a CD..

Think about the key word phrases that might be used for your website. Try to determine what words people might type when using a search engine or directory (such as Google or Yahoo) to find information on the web. The key word phrases you use will be important in having your website come up in the results of their search.

An important part of website design is paying attention to how the search engines find a website. One thing to do is to make sure that they key words and phrases relating to your company or service are used throughout your site.

The more you know about what you want on your website, and the more relevant or helpful information you have to give to the designer, the smoother the creation of your website will be - for both of you.

Whatever your needs are, I can help you with a website design that will be exactly what you want and within your budget.

Contact me at ocayd@ocay.com.