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Will this be an internet-driven business, with selling and other transactions taking place online? If so, invest in a good provider and/or consultant. If the website is just for background information and not to transact business, then any basic site will do. Mine is the latter and I just did it with a template through Yahoo Small Business. You can always upgrade with the same domain name if you choose.
If all you need is a static website for company info, Google Apps is very easy to use. You can register a domain, have the site hosted on Google's servers and build it yourself. I did that with my own site, although I do plan to make the investment in a more sophisticated site in the next few years. For now, it does the job.
Is your question about establishing a domain or about establishing a (successful) web site?
You can get a lot of people to design the graphics of your web site. But that doesn't make it strategic. To do that, you will have to pay more or give your designer very specific instructions. You can educate yourself.
To work for you, your web site needs to be:
- Visible
- Useful
- Actionable (i.e. have calls to action)
- Measurable
I spent years as a $250/hr. web analytics consultant for Fortune 500 companies. DM me with any specific questions. I do some pro bono. :-)
And as already noted, the need you expect your website to fulfill will drive your decisions.
I am a believer in blogging, Wordpress.com may be a good start, for little dough.
Be sure to hire a professional designer - don't just go for the bargain rate. But be careful and don't be ripped off by people who are way overcharging, either.
I've been in this business for over 10 years and I've seen a lot of people get screwed because they were ripped off by people who could talk it up, but didn't deliver. Be cautious.
And register the domain yourself. I don't know how many people I've dealt with who didn't do that, then wound up losing the domain because the designer wouldn't release it.
And as already noted, the need you expect your website to fulfill will drive your decisions.
I am a believer in blogging, Wordpress.com may be a good start, for little dough.
I'd also recommend using Wordpress. I use it to host my blog, and it has worked out great bc you can start very simple with it, yet get very complex. Just make sure to get your own domain name, as the other posters have said. That will give you ownership, and it looks more professional too.
Definitely talk to someone you know that is web-savvy and get their help. One thing to remember - you can sometimes trade services with a web designer. i.e... if you are a financial planner/restaurant owner, you can offer your services (doing their taxes for free / giving them free dining) in exchange for theirs (designing your website).
I'd also recommend using Wordpress. I use it to host my blog, and it has worked out great bc you can start very simple with it, yet get very complex. Just make sure to get your own domain name, as the other posters have said. That will give you ownership, and it looks more professional too.
Definitely talk to someone you know that is web-savvy and get their help. One thing to remember - you can sometimes trade services with a web designer. i.e... if you are a financial planner/restaurant owner, you can offer your services (doing their taxes for free / giving them free dining) in exchange for theirs (designing your website).
Can Wordpress be used to integrate a blog into one's website that's hosted elsewhere?
I would love to integrate a blog into my own website, which I host on Google's servers through Google apps.
Can Wordpress be used to integrate a blog into one's website that's hosted elsewhere?
Yes, provided your host has PHP and MySQL (most do, I believe).
To download & install Wordpress on your own site, where you can have your own domain name (e.g. yoursite.com) and more control over Wordpress, go to WordPress.ORG. (Alternatively, you may be able to install it easily via your host's control panel via something like Fantastico.)
To have your blog hosted by Wordpress itself, and be limited to a sub-domain name (e.g. yoursite.wordpress.com) go to Wordpress.COM.
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