Find a Reputable Web Host, Dude
In its simplest form, a web host is a computer that is "connected" to the internet. These computers are typically called servers because they "serve-up" web pages to a client (web surfer's) computer.
Design Your Site
The bulk of the work and expense involved in getting online is the design/authoring phase of the process. In its simplest form, a web site is made up of several different image files and html files. The design and authoring can potentially be 99% completed before ever deciding on a web host, however, if your site demands a higher level of complexity (e-commerce, custom cgi-scripting, form-data submission, etc.), a web hosting company will need to be decided upon before designing the site so that ongoing testing can be performed while authoring the site.
Upload Your Site to the Web Host's Server (FTP)
Once your site is designed, all of the files that comprise your entire web site need to be uploaded to your web host's server. Once this is completed, your site can be accessed via your domain name (www.yourbusinessname.com) on the world wide web!!
Submit Your Web Site to Search Engines
Although your web site can be accessed online by anyone who types in your URL (http://www.yourbusinessname.com), in order for it to show up in search engine results, the site actually needs to be submitted to each of the various search engines you desire.
Update and Maintain Site Content As Needed
Once all of the previous steps have been completed. You may be done...for a while. However, the beauty of a web site, as opposed to a printed, color brochure, is that you can immediately update your site to reflect the latest information for your customers.
In its simplest form, a web host is a computer that is "connected" to the internet. These computers are typically called servers because they "serve-up" web pages to a client (web surfer's) computer.
There are many hosting companies which offer many different hosting service plans with varying features (i.e. storage space, bandwidth traffic, SSL-encryption, unique cgi-bin, anonymous FTP, etc.) running various operating systems (i.e. Unix/NT) and server applications (i.e. ColdFusion/PHP).
Once you know the requirements and functionality of your site, an informed decision can be made about which hosting company and hosting plan will be right for your needs. Keep in mind that the monthly cost of hosting can range from $0/month (with pop-up advertisements muddying up your site) to hundreds of dollars per month for full-blown e-commerce sites.
Design Your Site
The bulk of the work and expense involved in getting online is the design/authoring phase of the process. In its simplest form, a web site is made up of several different image files and html files. The design and authoring can potentially be 99% completed before ever deciding on a web host, however, if your site demands a higher level of complexity (e-commerce, custom cgi-scripting, form-data submission, etc.), a web hosting company will need to be decided upon before designing the site so that ongoing testing can be performed while authoring the site.
Upload Your Site to the Web Host's Server (FTP)
Once your site is designed, all of the files that comprise your entire web site need to be uploaded to your web host's server. Once this is completed, your site can be accessed via your domain name (www.yourbusinessname.com) on the world wide web!!
Submit Your Web Site to Search Engines
Although your web site can be accessed online by anyone who types in your URL (http://www.yourbusinessname.com), in order for it to show up in search engine results, the site actually needs to be submitted to each of the various search engines you desire.
Update and Maintain Site Content As Needed
Once all of the previous steps have been completed. You may be done...for a while. However, the beauty of a web site, as opposed to a printed, color brochure, is that you can immediately update your site to reflect the latest information for your customers.
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