Front Page or Dream Weaver: You'll need an html editor to save a lot of time and energy. I stared out writing html and I've got to mention any good html reference book. See many different home pages and style sheets already laid out and ready to go. Just copy to your hard drive or host server and fill in your info. If you don't have your (.com Name) don't get trapped, see enameco.com, one of the easiest to manage your URL's with. To check the status of your URL (.com Name) see Who Is.
       |  Style Sheets & Themes | Who Is |

Hosting: You'll want a host server to put your site on. To save a lot of time first check out Hurricane Electric the best in speed, if they are over your head see Site Set Up a Windows server and very easy to use.
       |  Hurricane Electric | Set Up Site  |

 Web Site Development:  The site is up and all looks and works well. Now how many visitors are finding your site. With a hit counter, we can tell how many visitors we've had and adjust our pricing and inventory accordingly. Not getting the hits expected? Then lets check our meta tags and Key Words for total hits on-line.
     | Hit Counter  |  Word Tracker |

 Loading Time of site. If the inventory and pricing are in line, is my site loading fast enough? Or are buyers becoming bored with watching my site load and simply leaving. It's not always easy to get the .gif and .jpeg files small enough to load quickly. Perhaps a thumb nail picture and the full view when clicked on is the answer on my e-commerce site.
      | GIF and JPEG Crunching |

 Appearance must be professional. Use different colors and scripts, but very seldom java scripts because it takes time for them to load. Keep it fast but interesting.
       |  Color Codes  |   HTML   |  Java Scripts  | Buttons  | Backgrounds  |

 Search Engine Optimization: Like any store your e-commerce site will need up keep and maintenance. Links and HTML change. When an html editor like Front Page or Dream Weaver is used its best to check your work. Try at least a couple of different browsers and versions. Having someone else check it occasionally is also a good idea, a second pair of eyes will pick up differences. I've been surprised several times, once by a broken link to a search engine, they do change up info. Now I check my site monthly for errors and try to keep up with what the search engines are doing. They do change. You'll want to check it before the end of the month that's usually when Google spiders the site.
     | Site Tune up  | Search Engine Watch |

 E-Mailing Services: (Targeted not Spam) I don't know of anyone who likes spam. It's the most time consuming, waste of time I think I've ever encountered, all I do is delete it. One option is to rent or purchase targeted email lists from direct marketers who maintain lists of people who have agreed to receive commercial email messages on a specific subject. Clients often do appreciate a quick response to their  questions and perhaps current info they've asked for or about. I know I do, and have receive many Thanks just  for responding quickly. I don't write books just try to get to the customers point. Not always do I answer the question but expand with the information needed by the potential client. That may mean you re-write their question to clarify and fully meet their needs.
     | Net Creations  | Smart List  | Auto-Responders   |

 Banner AD Exchanges: This is one I have to pass along, because banners can add traffic and credibility to your site. The down side is of course losing traffic to another site. If I were going to use banners again I would use an affiliate banner program (with Staples for instance) not only is it a business product my clients require on a regular basis; it is a tool used in growing their e-commerce business. I have Banners that I think will greatly benefit my clients.
      |  Free Banners|  E.I.S. Banner Exchange | Refer-It | Affiliates - Make Money!

 Press Release Distribution:  A press release allows you to leverage the Internet as well as traditional media for announcing your entry into the online world. Press releases are usually coordinated with the web sites initial launch or to introduce a new product or service. The unique advantage offered by the Internet is the ability to instantly send your press release to thousands of media outlets and newswire services all over the world -- at a fraction of the cost of postage stamps.
      |  Internet News Bureau |  U Promote (TM) | 

  Search Engine Posting: Of course this is the meat and potatoes. If you go to each search engine and follow their instructions, then you are on track to see results at your e-commerce site. I can't stress enough to follow their instructions.
     |  Chuck Taylor's Cheat Sheet   |  Research Search Engines  |

  Key Words: Once you've posted your site it's time to think of  advertising on the Search Engine pages that contain your key words.
      |  Google   |  Yahoo & MSN | Overture |

 Busn. Info: For info on particular aspects of your business.
       |  SBA | Census Bureau  | SCORE

Your questions and comments are WELCOME.
E-mail: C Taylor

Chuck Taylor Sr. Account Exec. E-Commerce Solution Software Coordination CardService Texas

450 N. Sam Houston Parkway   Suite 273 Houston, Texas  77060-3551 Tel.:  800-948-6457 Fax:  281-445-7257

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