Steps for Creating a Website

• Step 1 -  Select a unique domain name.   This is the website address (url) customers will type in their internet browser to reach your website (www.your-business-website.com). Jot down a list of several possible domain names.  You can check to see what's still available at Network Solutions.


• Step 2 -  Gather your content.   Decide what information is important to your customer. Jot your ideas down and then try to organize your content to determine the approximate number of pages you will need. Do not try to cram a large amount of text in a single page - and try to keep your content to the point. Today's internet consumer is looking for facts, not hype. If your customer has to search for information - they will become frustrated and jump to the next website they find.


• Step 3 -  Determine what features you will need.  Consider your business process - how can you help your customers help themselves? Online forms, document libraries, order forms, and customer logins will help to streamline your business and give customers immediate access to the material or service they need.
  
  A business website can also be used to for internal purposes. Online contact database, event calendars, document and forms libraries can be added to your site with ease.


• Step 4 -  Choose a website design.  Consider visiting your competitor's websites for some design ideas. Also decide if you would like to incorporate a logo or corporate colors into the website. Hook Technologies takes your input to develops a prototype that you can review online. We can then make adjustments to the initial design and come up with a final look & feel of your new website.


• Step 5 -  Post your site to the web Once you are satisfied with both the content and overall design it is time to "go live"! This is usually just a matter of transferring the new pages to the website host computer. Hook Technologies takes care of this process for you.


• Step 6 -  Improve and maintain your site.The key to a successful website is to keep it current and to add new features as often as you can. Some additional features you may want to consider: offer new features (articles, customer log in, etc.), new products and "web-only" specials in order to encourage repeat visits to your website.