While launching a new website with an online store is easy, Setting-up that store to function how you need it to is the tricky part.
This simple checklist will help you to organize your content and get your ducks in a row.
01. Secure a Domain Name
Purchase a Domain Name that accurately represents your brand. It could be your name, your products’ name or a division of your business. Either way, it should be short and easy to remember.
BIZPRO TIP –
- Domain Providers: There are many domain name providers out there, including us. We have put together a list of those that are the least expensive without hidden price increases like what GoDaddy does. Best to use one of those on this list...
- BIZPROWEB - Purchase a domain while launching a website! (~$14.95/yr)
- Enom - enom.com
- Namecheap – namecheap.com
- TuCows – tucowsdomains.com
02. Design a Logo & Branding
Company branding is important. Do some research on your Colors, Fonts, Style for your brand as all of it will be important aspect of your website.
BIZPRO TIP –
- Design Discount: BIZPROWEB clients receive a 15% Discount on Design work by our parent company, sliStudios. You won't be disappointed.
- Inspiration Board: Search the web for other sites, brands, colors that you like and use Pinterest to build a Brand Board to help cultivate your own personal style. When you're ready, share it with our design team and we'll create something special just for you
- Try Design Software: With the abundance of Generative AI services available, you could use artificial intelligence to design a logo for you.
- Design Bidding Sites: Websites like DesignCrowd.com or Fiverr or 99 Designs have loads of freelance artists available ready to show you their stuff.
- Adobe Color: Free to use and great for generating branding color palettes.
03. Organize your Content & Goals
What is the message for your website? What is it that you want to sell? Write it all down and organize it into page: Home / About / Products / History / etc..
General Content
- Website Page Content – Put it in a Microsoft Word File
- High Definition Photos for Backgrounds and General use (minimum 1920x1080px)
- List Keywords that you would like your website to be found by (SEO)
- Social Media Links (if you have them)
- Custom Emails – ex. mary@, jose@, info@, sales@, etc... (3 for Business / 5 for Pro)
Online Store-Specific
- List of Products you wish to sell (Microsoft Excel works great)
- HD Product Images (at least 1 per product)
- Product Information Sheet: Name, SKU, Description, Colors, Sizes, etc..
- Shipping Rates / Packaging Details
- Tax Zones/Rates
List Website Goals
- Capture Emails for Newsletter
- Rank In Search Engines
- Capture Leads to CRM
- Link to/Integrate with 3rd Party Software
- Accept Payments for Products of Services
- Booking/Appointment System
- Have something else in-mind? Tell us!
04. Setup your Logistics & Technical items
Online stores require a ton of back-end work to function properly. Most-importantly is securing a Merchant Service Provider and determine your Shipping Options. BIZPROWEB works with Stripe.com*, and PayPal. A Gmail account for the business is important as it should be used to Register online for various services, keeping this stuff out of your personal inbox.
Merchant Providers
- Stripe.com – OUR CHOICE! Hands-down the best online merchant service provider.
- When enabled, Stripe also offers Apple & Google Pay along with many other integrated payment options.
- PayPal – Always a good backup to have
- When enabled, PayPal will also allow payments from Venmo.
Technical Items
- Google Account – You need a generic Google Account to be used for the business ONLY. This will be used for Google Merchant Center, Advertising, Analytics, Maps APIs, Google Ads and anything else needed. – We usually set this up for you if you do not have it already: for example: [email protected] | You can also connect your Personal Gmail account to it, but keep the business seperate.
- GoDaddy Delegate – If you purchased a Domain Name from GoDaddy and are not comfortable with DNS/IP settings, you can grant us access to your account via GDs Delegate Feature. We'll log in AS You from our GD Pro Account and update the DNS for you. – Video: How to Add sliStudios Delegate Access
Referral Codes: Save 20% of 1st year
Ok, you can do this first; and if you do, we’ll be happy to help you get setup.
