Tools you will need to operate your home based internet business

If you are like me, when I first started I knew NOTHING about operating a home business, much less one on the internet! I had very little computer knowledge and was scared that I wouldn't be able to learn all that was required.

The two most important things you will need is a domain name and a host. You can register a domain name here: Register a domain

Now if you are like me, I had NO idea how to create a web site, so I got a free WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor, WYSIWYG editors are graphical web pages builders that allow even web novices to build web pages. Here are a couple of free ones that I know of.... http://www.virtualmechanics.com/products/dwarf/ http://www.mcwebsoftware.com/wwez/

Now Macromedia Dreamweaver is very popular, it has a 30 day free trial, you can find it here: http://www.macromedia.com/go/trydreamweaver also FrontPage is another popular one, you can find it here: http://www.microsoft.com/office/frontpage/prodinfo/trial.mspx they also offer a 30 day free trial. You can also Google it, just search for "Free WYSIWYG Editors" on Google to find more, if these do not work for you.

Once you have your domain, host, and editor, then create your site! I would suggest play around with your editor, read the tutorial that usually comes with it, now if you are saying there is no way you could create a website, you can also find Free Templates (sites already designed you just fill in your information) there again, Google it, search for "Free Templates" and choose the one you like best that will fit with your product!

Once it's all done, you will need to get the website from your computer to your host....how do you do this? You will use a FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program to upload the pages from your computer to your host. I would suggest either: CuteFTP http://www.cuteftp.com/cuteftp/ or WSFTP http://www.ipswitch.com/Products/WS_FTP-Server/index.html both are really easy to use.

Unless you have your own product, you will need to find an affilate program to join for something that interests you. I would suggest you join Commission Junction, they have THOUSANDS of affilate programs for you join, just do a search on what interests you and they will list them right there for you.

If you are saying to yourself, you want it the easy way, (who doesn't right?)

If you would like to join an amazing affiliate program that will build your site for you, then I would suggest you check out SFI, take a look at the overview I am providing and if you choose to sign up, which is absolutely FREE btw.... I will be there to help you personally ANYWAY I can.

There is so much more that you will need to know once your site is up and running, but I won't overwhelm you with that now. That's another article all by its self. :-)

Kind Regards,
Terri

© 2004 TerriO
TerriO operates a successful home based business and has been working from home since 1997 if you would like, visit her at http://www.moremoneywork.com/