Step 1: Register your domain name

Definition: The address or URL of a particular Web site, it is the text name corresponding to the numeric IP address of a computer on the Internet. (www.netlingo.com)

For example, www.neptunecreative.com is the domain name for Neptune Creative.

Neptune Creative recommends GoDaddy.com for Domain Name purchases.

Step 2: Purchase a hosting package

Definition: In a general sense, "hosting" refers to "Web site hosting" which is the business of providing the equipment and services required to display Web sites. The business of hosting also involves maintaining files and providing fast Internet connections. If you run a Web site or do business on the Web, you have a host and you know the importance of having a good, reliable host. Hosting is very affordable nowadays; the most important factor continues to be good customer service, make sure they have it! (www.netlingo.com)

Neptune Creative recommends these hosting providers:

Step 3: Set up your e-mail accounts

Contact your hosting provider for instructions on how to set up and administer e-mail accounts.

Step 4: Plan and organize your Web site content

Before you begin building, we recommend that you outline your site content. This simple process paves the way for easier site construction, effective site management, and a more engaging experience for your visitors.

Some materials that you should consider compiling during this process are:

Step 5: Design your Web site

Neptune Creative offers customized Web design services as well as Web design templates. No matter what your budget is, we can help you design a site that is sure to impress!

Step 6: Enhance your site

You can make your site more dynamic with our communications tools, add-ons, and advanced scripting language support.

Here are some ideas:

Step 7: Set up password-protected areas

If your business requires it, you can set up special password-protected areas of your site for employee and/or customer logins.

Step 8: Attract visitors to your new Web site

Now that you've invested time and effort to build a great Web site, it's time to develop and execute a marketing strategy to ensure that people can find it.

Neptune Creative offers these Internet marketing services:

Neptune Creative also offers traditional marketing such as:

Step 9: Learn from your success and grow

Your hosting provider should offer a reporting and statistics package so you can track your Web site traffic. If your hosting provider does not offer statistics and reporting, or if you are unhappy with the quality of these reports, you can purchase an on-demand reporting package such as WebTrends

Neptune Creative also offers custom report creation. We will work with you to build a database of information (whether it's from the Internet, your business records, or research). Then, we will create custom reports that will help you make key business decisions.

Step 10: Add e-commerce capabilities to your site

When you're ready to start selling or accept payments over the Web, check our our E-commerce Guide (coming soon).