The Daily Cartoon

You have your domain name, now you need hosting for your site. This can be changed in the future - with hassle, it has to be said - but it can be changed. So don’t worry too much. To begin with it can make sense to buy your hosting from the same place as you get the domain name - for example 123-reg sell hosting packages as well as domain names and I would recommend buying hosting at the same time as you get your domain name. This obviates the need for changing DNS and such-like - not that it is complicated, but it is an extra stage that can cause problems.

What should I look for in my hosting?

Your hosting is where your website lives. Search engines take into account the physical location of your webspace, so that the cheapest hosting (usually in USA) is not necessarily best for UK companies (because you will find it harder to show up in UK search engine results)

Relax and take your time over this first decision - don’t rush, it might be the first of many decisions, but it is also one of the most important. You can change it in the future, but you won’t want to, not when you have spent time, money and effort bringing whatever you have chosen to prominence.

What is a domain name?

First things first, your domain name is what people typr in to find you on the net.  It is the bit that follows www. So the domain name here is concepttshirts.co.uk.
So what to choose as a domain name?

The whole business name does not need to go in the domain name. There is no need to have limited, ltd or anything extraneous in the domain name. This what people type in - you want to keep it as short or memorable as possible.  Does the customer care if you are ltd or not? Think from their point of view.

Of course most simple names have long been bought, so you need to be inventive. Remember too that the domain name is the first thing that search engines see of your site.  If widgets are in the name they will assume you sell widgets. This works for and against you - If you chose an obscure domain name you are handicapping yourself from the start in the search engines.  But this can be fought against, and if you have a more generic name it is harder to be unique.

Where should I buy a domain name?

In the UK one of the places that we have used for domain names is 123-reg . if you chose to buy somewhere else make sure that you have full DNS control. The price should be around £8 for two years.

You can easily type in your name and see if it is available on the 123 sire or any of the other sites that sell domain names

So you’ve downloaded the Be the next dotcom success book and read it and know a little of how we started.  Now I will talk you through setting up your own business online. I will hold your hand and help you go from an idea in your head to a website and online business that actually makes you money!

We will cover topics from first choosing your webname and naming your pages right through to search engine optimisation and online customer services.

This will be an exciting ride, so if you are interested in getting a business online, or starting a completely new one from scratch then follow this series and learn, learn, learn!

Before we go any further, please download the book > Be the next dotcom success < to learn the basics of how we started up online.

It is completely free and you will pick up a lot of information on how to get going.  Once everyone has read this primer then we can delve deeper into getting your business working online

Online business guru is the new column writer to help get your new online business up and running. He has been a major part of making our online business successful and now he is writing columns in the blog to help you.

1. Decide on a product - keep it light (postage is going to be an issue.) No gold plated elephant sculptures.
2. Up to a point, do not worry about the competition - on the net you can compete with anyone, it does not matter that you are smaller. If you see that your sector already has websites, don’t worry, just be better!
3. Choose a niche, then go wider. Be an expert on a certain niche and become known for that area. You can always increase your area of sales as you become more successful.

4. You will need to learn about the way the net works. Be prepared to spend hours at the computer. It is not just a case of paying someone to set up a website for you, you have to be pro active. (I will cover how in a later article)

5. Don’t expect overnight success. But given time and effort the net is the place for an explosion of custom. If you are thinking of getting started on the web then get on with it today!
I have started with a simple yet important five step plan to get your thoughts in line and ready to hit the ebusiness streets!

Online business guru is available for online consultations for your business, whether you are thinking of going online or need help making your website more successful. More details are available here > online business consultant