How to Easily Set Up Your Own Website Or Blog

If you have a business of any kind, you absolutely need a web presence where you can send potential customers. There are three main ways you can get a website up quickly and easily without hiring someone to do it for you.

1. You can use a free platform like Blogger.com or WordPress.com. Free sites are easy to set up and are a fun, personal way to express yourself. However...they are worth exactly what you pay for them and if you are a business owner, there are a couple of drawbacks to the free platforms that you may want to consider:

Free sites do not have any customer service so if your site is down, too bad.

Free sites don't look professional and have minimal credibility as they can't even afford $.7.95/month to host their own site.

Free hosts will sometimes place banners on your site in exchange for the space you are using, which detracts from your business.

Free sites are generally slower which can be frustrating to customers and cost you sales.

Free sites do not offer the basic features you need to run a business online such as shopping carts.

2. Use a Site Builder Package such as Ken Envoy's Site Build It! which gives you all the website building necessities in a neatly package bundle. Although the initial cost may seem steep ($30/month or $300/year), it includes domain name, hosting, and search engine optimization so that people can find you easily when they search for what you have. They give you tools and training as well as an action guide that will teach you everything you need to know that is a couple hundred pages. Knowledge is power when it comes to the internet and what you learn will eventually show in your sales. The general idea is to build it right the first time.

3. Do-it-Yourself Blog (my preference)

Blogging is a great way to get your business online and allow visitors to get to know you. Once you are set up, it is actually easier to navigate, and has more flexibility than the free platforms.

There are 3 things you will need to do to get your site up and running. The first is to download Wordpress.org. It is free and takes about 5 minutes to download.

Then you need to register a domain name. You can register do that at GoDaddy for approximately $10/year. Keep in mind that.com is the best type and short simple names are easier for people to remember. GoDaddy has fantastic customer service and are easy to contact when you need help.

You also need hosting for your blog (approx $60/year). There are many hosts including GoDaddy, HostGator, and HostPapa. Compare and decide which suits you best. My personal preference is HostGator.

Optional but highly recommended if you are a business owner:

Adding an autoresponder (approx $18/month) is very good way to keep in touch with your customers and build relationships with people on a regular basis. An autoresponder allows you to put a 'form' on your website where people can sign up to receive your newsletters and specials. You can set up a series of automatic emails that go out on a specific schedule like once a week or every 3 days, or you can send 'broadcast' emails whenever you want. Having a autoresponder allows you to build your list and keep in touch with everyone simply and effectively. It is a very powerful business tool and all the profession internet marketers use them.

Two of the most popular autoresponder services or Aweber and Get Response.