This is one of the most frequently asked questions by small business owners. They are feeling the pressure from their customers and competitors, yet for many business people it is a daunting task, as they don't understand the whole process.

In fact, many people are even asking the question whether they should have a website. Whether you are a consultant, florist, designer, builder, architect or a doctor, consider the many advantages a website provides:

1. Make money – Set up an on-line store or get paid for advertising from other companies.
2. Save money on advertising – Instead of paying for large ads, simply advertise your website.
3. Be flexible in your message – Change the content as your business changes. No need to re-print expensive brochures.
4. Exposure to new customers – You will reach more local clients as well as interstate and global markets.
5. Having more professional image – Keep up with the times and your competitors.
6. Save time – Don’t spend hours on the phone, direct customers to your website.
7. Keep your business open 24/7 – Provide customers information when THEY need it. If you don’t, someone else will.

The big question is whether you need to register a domain name or not. The simple answer is NO, but a better answer is YES it is a good idea.

What is a domain name?

The purpose of a domain name is similar to that of a street address or telephone number. The domain name directs customers to you on the Internet. The domain by itself is not your email or web address. The domain does form the base from which these addresses are derived.

For example:
Company Name: Smartbuzz
Domain Name: seoconsultingfirm.com
Web Address: www.seoconsultingfirm.com
Email Address: info@seoconsultingfirm.com

Do I need to register a domain name to have a website?

NO, you don't need to have your own domain name. Your website can be created and hosted without it. Your website address will look something like this:

www.seoconsultingfirm.com/bid2india
OR
www.seoconsultingfirm.com/~bid2india

The disadvantages of NOT having your domain name include:

1. If you decide to change your webhosting company or if that company goes out of business, you will lose your website address. Your website can be transferred to a new company, but your address will change. And that means re-printing stationery and re-doing all your advertising, notifying all your customers etc.

2. Website addresses that contain information other than your company name are long and hard to remember and do not appear as professional. Compare these two and see which one you are more likely to remember:

So it is a good idea to register a domain name, even if it is just to protect yourself for the future. Say for example, your business name is bid2india and you decide not to register your domain name for now.

Along comes Amrit Pal who opens his own business and registers bid2india.com domain name. After a year you decide you want to have your own domain name, but since Amrit Pal already owns it, you won't be able to register it. Not to mention your customers who know your business as bidding company may visit his website, thinking it's your web address and instead hire Amrit Pal Services.

Step 2 - Plan your website:

Planning your website is a two part process:

• Decide on the website design (colour schemes, buttons, special effects etc). This is your website designer's job. However, you may have a preference for a certain colour or look. To help you choose a design, you may wish to check out other people's websites or work with your web designer's pre-set templates.

• The content. There are many items you may wish to include on your website

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