Deleyna's Dynamic Designs

Starting a web based business is a lot like starting a physical business. You'll need is a location for the files that will make up your website. These files have to live on a computer that is attached to the Internet at all times. This computer is known as your web host. I recommend BlueHost.com.

Next, you will need a name to put on the door. In computer lingo, this name is known as your web address or your domain name. You want to pick something that will be easy for people to remember and that reflects what you do. You'll have to register your name with a "domain name registrar." You can think of the registration fee as ordering a big, beautiful neon sign to put over the door of your building.

Once you have the physical location for your store and you've ordered your sign, it's time to start decorating the inside of the building. A flurry of activity precedes the opening of any new business. The floors have to be done, the walls painted, display shelves arranged, stock purchased and placed perfectly on the fixtures.

In a website, there is a part that corresponds to each of these physical needs. Content is the most important part of any website. Your content is the information your customers are looking for. It must be prominently displayed and easily findable. If you don't have what the customer wants, they need only push the back button to access your competitor's site.

Website functionality is the display fixture of the internet. I love database driven sites because they can be rearranged and redecorated in seconds, allowing the site owner to meet the demands of an ever-changing, growing, world-wide based customer network. My favorite site design software is Joomla, an open-source (free) software with thousands of add-ons and customizations available to create a site that will do just about anything you could want.

Your store also needs to stand out from the competition. You don't want to look like everyone else. This is the design aspect of web design. Make sure your site is designed to appeal to your customers. Avoid anything that creates a slow-loading page. Avoid annoying pop-ups or blaring sound (unless your visitors love that sort of thing). Create a warm, welcoming environment that encourages your customers to stay for a while and come back often.

If you carefully manage the vital trio of content, functionality and design, you will find that the technical aspects of the internet (search engine optimization, etc.) will take care of themselves or can be easily dealt with as your site grows. Create a stable foundation upon which to grow your business.

I wish you great success in your endeavors. Please: invite me to your open house!