Steps
- Get a website - if you don't have the budget ($2500 - $5000) for a custom designed website, get a starter website that includes everything you need to get your business online in a few days. It will not offer as many options, but will be far cheaper. See External links below. Great options available for renting a website, see http://www.renthttp.com. This will allow you to add eCommerce, Blog, Photogallery, forum etc. at no additional cost.
- Proofread your website: There's no point in marketing it like crazy if it has silly errors in it. Make sure it's ready for the professional world.
- Register a great domain name: Find a domain name that has the type of business in the name. Ie, a dog walker might register www.sanfranciscodogwalking.com.
- Search Engine Optimize your site: Make sure your site has the necessary meta tags (description, title, and keywords), alt tags, title tags, and copywriting. If these are new terms for you, visit http://www.sadiedesigns.com/blog.shtml for a basic web marketing glossary.
- Add your site to local searches: Most of the search engines have local search functions, and you should definitely appear there. Visit www.local.yahoo.com, www.local.google.com, and www.superpages.com to list your site.
- Register your site with search engines: Submit your site to the major search engines (Google, Yahoo, MSN) and directories (DMOZ).
- Build links: Ask other related sites to link to your site. You'll have better luck if your site offers solid resources, tools, or tips for readers. Also submit to related directories.
- Write articles: Write articles about topics relating to your site, and publish them on your site. Also submit them to as many article directories as you can find. Just do a search for "Article Submit".
Tips
- Make it easy for people to contact you from your site by adding a Contact Us form, not just listing your email address.
Warnings
- Listing Email with 'mailto' tag can create problem of SPAM flood. Try to convert your email address in 'Human Readable' format.
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