The web’s greatest feature is its near-zero barrier to entry. You can build a presence online for practically nothing. Running a simple site costs about $1 a day. Millions of ideas are tested daily. A single person can broadcast to the globe instantly. Historically, no one has reached this many people for this little money.
So you have an idea. Where do you start? The process depends on your goals.
Securing Your Domain Name First
You might have a killer domain name in mind but not be ready to build the site itself. Maybe you want to ensure nobody else steals your idea. Say you want MyIdea.com.
First, check the domain name registry. Verify it isn’t taken. If it is available, register it immediately. This process is often called “parking” the domain. Parking reserves the name. It gives you ownership.
The domain must live on a server somewhere. Users visiting it will see a placeholder, usually an “Under Construction” notice. This prevents others from squatting on your brand.
Many companies charge fees to park your domain. Verio is one option. They provide a form to check availability easily. The whole process takes minutes. You secure the asset before the product exists.
Building a Content Site
If you are ready to launch a content site, the stakes are higher. A content site shares information. Text. Images. Links. Yahoo! is essentially a massive content site.
To build one, you need two things:
- Knowledge of HTML
- A hosting provider
You must learn HTML to create the pages. Then find a company to host the site. This means they operate the web server for you. You don’t buy the hardware. You rent the space.
E-Commerce Complexity
An e-commerce site is different. It sells things. It takes orders. It processes credit cards.
This setup is more involved. You need a merchant account. You need commerce-related services. It’s not impossible. Just more steps.
Good luck with the launch.
Further Reading
- How Web Pages Work
- How Web Servers Work
- How Web Animation Works
- How CGI Scripting Works
- How E-commerce Works
- How Web Advertising Works
- How Domain Name Servers Work
- How Search Engine Optimization Works
- How Creating an Online Business Works
