Site title

Purpose of the site

Intended audience

Current site – domain name

Contact information – name, street address, phone, fax, email

Tools and expertise available

Need

• domain name
• hosting
• set-up
• development help

Front page – first thing visitor sees

Site map – major components / information sections of site

About – mission, background, history, contact information

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Links to other related sites

Other sites – look, similar objectives, competition

Having a web site has become as important as having business card for small businesses today. Having a site professionally developed can be costly. Relying on friends and family can be frustrating. Do-it-yourself requires another whole set of skills.

• Web site basics – audience, business objectives, outline, image, functions, development process, terminology
• Simple pages – text, formatting, links, free software, online tutorials
  • Nvu (pronounced N-view) – complete Web Authoring System, create web pages and manage a website with no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML
  • Composor –
• Images – pictures, photo editing, resizing, adding to pages, free software
  • Irfanview
  • Picasa
• “Plumbing” – web hosting, domain names, email, directories, uploading files
• More features – tables, forms
• Add-on services – PayPal, shopping carts
  • PayPal

  – merchant tools including shopping cart builder

• No Hassle / WordPress solution – requires some technical assistance but is easier and quicker to have a great looking web site that is easy to maintain.
  • domain name registration or transfer
  • mini web hosting account
  • install WordPress with technical help
  • select and upload themes with tech help
  • add post, pages, categories

Sample sites – retail

• Happy Go Baby – complex, products by category, shopping cart, accounts
• Classic Collection – some nice touches, uses PayPal
• Herbal Grace Bath and Body – just starting
• Beatnik Bags
• Ishama
• JAK Designs
• Rubber Ducky Soap
• Treasures By Tara