The Fun Stuff

Later, we can discuss how to choose a business name but for right now we assume you have one.

The most important thing you will do for your brand identity is to do these three things:

• Get a paid email service
• Purchase a domain name
• Develop a website

Whatever product or service you sell is best sold amongst its peers. You want to run with the best out there. Using a free email service does not speak well of your dedication to the finest for your clientele. Along with that, doesn't ceo@acmewidgets.org sound better than ceo@foodoo.com? Free email services are best used for throw away addresses. If you are interested in a particular newsletter or forum but want to keep your company out it, then those are your best choices.

Domain names are very inexpensive. You can get your own for as low as $1.99 per year at http://www.godaddy.com. There are more packages available.

Why do I need a domain name? Because when you set up your website the address will be acmewidgets.org or .com instead of freewebsite/acmewidgets.com. Your business cards, which will be professionally done, will impress. Your customers will not have to contend with pop-up ads, spyware and other annoyances. You will be providing customer care at its best.

But I don't know how to set up a website! First, there are three very good solutions to this:

• At most good sites, there is a set up called wysiwyg. You simply follow directions and set up a very plain site that contains information about your company and how to get in contact with you and/or personnel.
• You hire a professional to do it for you. Hold them on retainer so they will do updates to the site on a regular basis. There is nothing worse for credibility than to have out of date contact and product information.
• You hire a student from a local college and pay them a reasonable fee. Even a high school student knows enough about site building to give your company a totally professional package.

Having your own domain name and website usually includes personal emails, either included in the package or for a little bit more.

In the next post, working with marketing.