How to Get Your Business Online

This post was originally created for the now discontinued ebusiness Connection website (e-bc.ca) original publish year 2006.

Taking your business online can be intimidating if you don't have much experience with the internet or web development. However, since every business should be using the internet in some way, the following checklist is meant to give you a clear set of steps to follow to get your business online.   

Read the information attached to this checklist by following the links in the text. This will give you enough knowledge to talk intelligently with internet service providers and web developers who you may need to work with to get the job done.

Before you start checking things off this list, you will want to develop your web strategy.

1. Research & Register a Domain Name

Finding a suitable domain name is something that is best done at the same time as choosing/registering your business name.

2. Develop the Website

Understand what your basic needs for a website are. Below is are 5 Options for Website Development:

1. Do it Yourself
   - Least expensive but probably most time consuming. Would you rather spend your time programming or running your business?

2. A Friend
   - Similar to DIY solution but they may not have the required design, development of Internet marketing skills and you may have to hire other individuals to ensure all your project needs.

3. A Student
   - Can be cost effective for a  small business.
   - May be lacking in experience or skills in certain areas that may need to be farmed out.

4. A Freelance Web Designer/Developer
   - May be more cost effective than a big design firm.
   - May not have all of the resources needed for larger projects and continuity in relationship (if they move or go out of business) can be an issue.

5. A Professional Design Firm
   - Often provide the most comprehensive set of skills, resources and services.
   - Usually the most expensive option.

   Note: Fill out an RFP while considering the choices above. It will help you and your potential web designers/developers understand your needs.

3. What Type of Site are You Going to Develop?

You need to decide how interactive your website is going to be and what services it will provide.

4. Are You Going to Use a Content Management System?

A Content Management System(CMS) allows you to update the website yourself, without relying solely on your web designer/developer.

5. Develop Your Website Content

• You are the only one who knows what content should be on your website. In order to properly represent your company on the internet, you need to supply your web developer with the content. Don't expect that your web developer will create it.
• Content includes text, pictures, logos, media or anything else you want to appear on your website.

6. Research legal issues

• Rules that to a normal business apply to online business as well. 
• Be aware that there are legal concerns specifically related to online business that you should probably talk about with your lawyer. These include creating contracts online, terms and conditions of use statements for your website, privacy policies, intellectual property rights and more.

7. eCommerce - Do You Need a Merchant Account?

Will customers be purchasing from your website(Selling Online)? If so how will you collect funds? Are you going to use a standalone shopping cart tool? These are all questions you should think about.

8. Finding a Hosting Company

• The hosting package that you choose is dependent on your present and future website needs.
• There is a vast range in hosting options for your website. If you are working with a web developer, it's possible that hosting will be part of your package. It is a good idea to shop around in order to find out if your package contains a competative hosting rate for the services that you are using.

9. Launch You Website

• Now that your website is ready to go live, you need to make sure that people can find it.
• Marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) are essential research topics if you want to generate traffic and sales on your website.

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