We've learned a thing or two over the past 8 years on the internet plus our 25 years in the creative industries has helped us understand what people need to succeed in their business, and how to translate that business sense on the web. As women entrepreneurs, we also know what it takes to stay inspired and and goal focused in real life as well! If this is your first time researching what it takes to be online, we've tried to make it simple for you with the brief article below.

Your Business Plan

What's that? You say you don't know how to write a business plan? Take heart! Your business plan can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. You can start with a simple outline of what you're going to sell or offer, how you're going to deliver it, what type of record keeping you'll be using and what your budget (if you have one!) will be. If you have even the basics, it will not only help you stay focused on your business goals, but you can always add to your plan or have a professional help you draw up a more complex one later. How do you want your website to benefit you? Will it give you sales leads, gather information about current customers, be a showcase for your talents or products or just be an "online business card" helping to keep folks in touch with you? Trust us, these kinds of questions and planning are essential to your success!

A Computer and Internet Connection

Computer: you don't need the latest computer on the market, but you'll need some familiarity with using it - even if it's just to respond to email. Almost every college or school has computer classes geared to adult beginners these day...or better yet, have your local computer tutor give you some pointers (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). 

Internet Connection: this is how your computer gets connected to the Internet. Your Internet Service Provider ("ISP") will help you to set up your browser (the program you use to "surf" the Internet) and email program. 


Your Website

A website can advertise, provide information, help you sell online or keep you connected with distant friends and family. Just a few years ago, having a site was considered very bold and trendy. These days, almost everyone has one, from the small company selling overseas to the grandmother keeping in touch with her bridge club. 

No matter what their purpose, websites need to be professional-looking, clear, clean, easy-to-use, with pertinent content and fast loading images. Just for starters. Remember that your website is like an extension of you or your business, so entrust its creation to an expert.

A professional business website should have its own domain name. Among other things, it looks more professional and established. Unless you plan to use your site for personal friends or family only, get your own domain name and host with a reliable server, not your local Internet connection provider's free web space, or your website address will look like this:

http://www.somecompany.com/~yourwebpage
instead of this: http://www.yourname.com

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