Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

So we've already discussed why freelance writers should consider creating a website just like any small- or home-based business operator would.  But the questions went deeper than just "should I?  Why should I?"  Eleanor also asked for low cost ways someone can develop their website and what to look for in a web host.  This is perfect timing, actually, because I, your fairly fearless hostess, am embarking on this journey myself. 

When I finally narrowed down the domain name I wanted for my very own website (yes, I'll announce that as soon as I've got the thing built!), of course I had to make sure that it was professional, catchy, and not yet taken.  That last one was the hardest, frankly.  I'm still not sure if it falls under the "great minds think alike" category or not, but everything I really loved was gone, gone, gone...owned by someone who got into this writing gig thing before me.  *sigh*

The good news is that I had what I consider to be the foresight to plan out what I want to be able to do on my website in the future and I was fortunate enough to find a web hosting company that offered options that will allow my site to perform those functions for me at a price I can afford at this moment.  Building the site and using those options will presumably recoup the investment and build the business, thus allowing further work and income; I'm sure you grasp that cycle.

What should you look for in a web host?  Well, obviously affordability was the first thing I looked for.  And since we're focusing on the freelance writer for the moment, I assume that you are on a budget of some sort.  So examine the pricing guides closely of any web host you are considering.  One of my colleagues recommended iPower which I originally thought looked interesting, especially since they offer a referral program where one can earn credit toward one's hosting bill.  Then I checked out GoDaddy, which could have been cheaper but I couldn't tell...I was confused by way too many options.  I wanted someone to spell it out plain and simple for me.  I ultimately found that when I mistakenly received a neighbor's copy of a Costco membership magazine that featured a piece about their web hosting program.  Then I got a coupon in the mail (my own, this time) saying that if I signed up for their web service I'd get a Costco cash card as well.  You can bet that sweetened the pot, so I looked closer. 

Turns out that the web hosting program offered there covers all of my bases: hosting of the site itself, domain registration, a program to help me create and build web pages, up to 200 email addresses and unlimited forwarding, statistics/visitor tracking, 24/7 customer service, a shopping cart and merchant credit card programs (for sales of the e-books I shall be writing and selling this year!) and a bunch of other things I shan't name because I don't yet understand them myself.

Needless to say, these are the things I believe you should look for, but you'll have to base it on what you want your site to do, both now and in the future.  Again we fall back on the concept that too few writers understand: building a freelance writing career is just like building any other business.  You must create a plan.  I say again: you must create a plan!  Successful businesses are not built on a whim and a prayer.  You don't have to be locked into every single decision you make now for the rest of your career, but you cannot truly build a successful business if you don't take the time to think about where you are now and where you hope to be at the peak of your business endeavor.  Set goals...set timelines...and consider what tools are necessary to accomplish your goals according to those time frames.  In my case, as you see, I plan to publish and sell e-books; obviously I'll need tools to do that.  Granted I don't have an e-book available for sale this week as I build my website, but I want to know that I have the tools available to market my offerings and create income from them, without having to suddenly add on (both to my hosting program and my expenditures!) at the last minute.  Think about what you wish to offer those who visit your site: e-zines?  Products and resources via retail shopping?  Surveys?  Find a host that offers the tools for performing these functions for a dollar amount that fits your budget and you've found real value.

In my opinion, the most important thing to look for when it comes to developing your own website is a program or access to templates that are desirable and user-friendly.  I did check out Yahoo! Small Business hosting but upon browsing their template samples, I didn't see anything that really "floats my boat", so I kept looking.  Now I'm truly glad I did.  The company I chose also offers website creation, but I won't be springing for that.  I'll tackle it using their program, which I downloaded and started fiddling with that very night.  (They are also sending me the CD version, but as every writer knows, it's hard to hold off when you feel the need to create.  Go, follow thy muse!)

My other suggestion for those building a site on a budget and with limited computer skills would be to ask around with web-savvy friends to see if they know of a web designer who would be willing to barter site creation for advertising of their services.  If they are just starting out, they may prefer cash over cross-promotion, but it never hurts to ask!  If you truly do not want to build your site yourself, don't.  Don't ruin the experience by struggling through a task better left to someone else.

Remember, above all else, that what suits one writer (or company) will not necessarily fulfill the needs of the next.  Plan, plan, plan!  Then get out there and start researching companies.  If you find "the one", I suggest that you wait a day or so before committing to a contract with them.  It's all too easy to jump while you're visiting with The Muse and aching to build your site.  But, as I found last week, a night's rest can be good for the pocketbook...and your stress levels...you may save yourself some buyer's remorse if you take the time to examine one more option.  Each of the sites I visited appeared to offer everything I "need" and everything I "want.  It took time, however, to find the one that had it all rolled into one package that I could understand at a glance.

Happy writing...and business-building!