Build a Business Web Site

At this point, you're ready to begin building a web site. There are three different approaches you can take to accomplish this task:
Build a Web Site from Scratch

Build a Web Site Using a Template

Purchase a Web Site Package

Build a Web Site from Scratch
Typically, this is the least expensive way to build a web site. Of course, if you purchase the most expensive html editors, graphics software and file transfer tools on the market, this will not be the case. However, if you follow my advice from the software section, then this will hold true.

However, this method will also take the longest if you are new to HTML and web design in general. As I mentioned before, HTML is not a difficult language to learn, but there is a learning curve. If you want to get a web site up and running as quickly as possible, then I suggest you use one of the other two approaches I have listed.
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Build a Web Site Using a Web Template

A web template or a web site template is a ready-made web design used to rapidly deploy a web site. Essentially, the entire web site framework is provided for you and all that remains is for you to insert the web site content. This method still requires some HTML knowledge, especially if you want to make some small changes to the look and feel of the pages.

Most of the time spent during initial web design is in planning and formatting. Things like choosing and implementing color schemes, designing page layouts, creating buttons and menus, and ensuring that each page has the same look and feel, can take a good deal of time, even if you're an HTML pro. With a web template, most, if not all of these tasks have already been completed. This means that your web site will be up and running in far less time than it would be if you build it from scratch.

If this method of building a web site is more your speed, then I highly recommend that you browse through the web templates available at the following sites:

You're bound to find one that will work nicely for your niche and for your budget. New webmasters make use of web templates much more often than you might think.
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Purchase a Web Site Package

There are quite a few web site package bundles available for new webmasters these days, but the 'Site Build It' package designed by internet marketing guru Ken Envoy, is, in my humble opinion, the only one that even deserves mentioning. This web package is actually quite good and is the only one that I know of that combines site building, site hosting and site marketing (yes, hosting and marketing included) features into one bundle.

With Site Build It or SBI, you don't need to know any HTML since site building is all point-and-click, you don't need to learn to use a graphics utility, and you don't need to know a thing about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). For those of you who don't already know, SEO refers to optimization techniques used in web page design, that permits your pages to receive higher rankings in the search engines. Of course, higher search engine ranking translates to more directed traffic and typically better sales conversion.

SBI essentially covers all the bases for a newcomer to internet business. Your domain name is registered for you, your web hosting is provided, niche research tools are included, SEO (this is the biggie) is taken care of for you, and with the point-and-click method used to build your site, you don't have to know anything about coding or web design. You can have a web site up and running much sooner using SBI than by using any other approach.

I'm still amazed by how SBI sites created by complete webmaster newbies can attract so much traffic and receive such high search engine rankings, so quickly after site launch. Apparently, the Search Engine Optimization offered by SBI must be doing something right. Obviously, you're going to pay a bit more up front than if you were using any of the other web site building approaches (although if you break all your costs down over a year, SBI is actually less expensive), but if you want to get a web site launched and earning you money in the shortest time possible, then you really should take advantage of it.

'Site Build It'

There is actually a fourth approach you can take to building a web site, and that is to hire a web site designer to build one for you. In my opinion, you shell out far too much money for what you get when you compare it to any other approach. However, if you still want to investigate this route, a good place to start is at Elance.com.

Below, I've listed some web site building tips. I've gathered this information both from personal experience and from expert advice. Some of it may not make much sense until you learn some HTML and bone up on internet marketing strategies and SEO concepts.

Don't ...

get carried away with blinking buttons, animated images, or other web site 'blingage'. Your customers come to you for information, not for a laser show.
use frames.
go nuts with images and other graphics. Too many graphics decreases the download time of a web page.
use busy backgrounds. Your visitors don't want to leave your site with a migraine.
use fancy text or all capitals. Stick with the standard Verdana, Arial, and Times font faces.
use tricks to fool the search engines. Today's search engines can pick out all these tricks pretty easily.
build a site with nothing but affiliate links. You must have content to attract visitors.

Do ...

include tons of relevant content. Visitors and most search engines love this.
include keyword-rich content. All search engines love this.
make good use of your Meta Tags and ALT tags. Again, search engines are key.
include a site map. This is helpful to visitors and search engine spiders.
build up a large set of back links from relevant sites. The more 'important' your site is, the higher it will rank on search engines, especially Google.
provide contact information. Email contact at a minimum.

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