Internet Marketing for Small Business: choosing the right web host for your business website:

 "Where Do I Go to Get a Website Up?"

There are thousands and thousands of companies touting for your business when it comes to web hosting (or putting a website up on the web for you). Basically, you have 3 options:

1. Hire someone to do the whole thing for you.
2. Buy the different components that you need, and do it all yourself from scratch.
3. Use a service that will allow you to take control and do it yourself, but that will guide you and provide support when you need it.

Let's look at these options one at a time:

Hire Someone

If you do this, make sure that the person you choose is a marketing specialist - or that the company you go to has marketing specialists in its team. Remember, your website is primarily a marketing tool and not a work of art. Don't entrust your marketing to someone whose speciality is artistic design.

Also, make sure that you brief the person or company on exactly what you want them to do. If you're not sure, ask about the options. A good website creation specialist will discuss your requirements with you in some depth. Shy away from one who doesn't.

Also, make sure that your domain name is registered in your name. Remember, you might want to move your website at a later date. Always keep your options open.

Do the Lot from Scratch

If you're in a position to take this option, then this site is probably not for you. But if you're still here, keep reading, as we're going to list some resources you might well find useful.

Do It Yourself - But With Support

This is usually the most cost-effective option for the small business.

The service I would steer you towards is Third Sphere. They will register a domain for you - or let you use one you've registered elsewhere - and link it to a hosting account which has lots of features designed to make the creation and marketing of your site as straightforward as possible. And they're recommended by experts like Mark Joyner, Terry Dean and Joe Vitale. (If you don't know who they are, just look them up in Google!)

Another service worth looking at is Site Build It. This really is a one-stop shop for everything you need to build a fully functioning, profitable business website. The only drawback is that you are more tied to the services within Site Build It - there's less flexibility to add in bits from other sources later on. As long as you're aware of that, you can't beat it for comprehensiveness. And you won't need any other website creation software. Take a look at the Site Build It Tour (a new window will open).

You can purchase additional domain names inexpensively at GoDaddy or at Domain Orb. If you're buying extra domain names specifically to redirect to a website hosted on another domain, have a look at NameStick, which is set up specifically for doing that.

So, we've got our domain(s) registered, and we've got our hosting account set up. Now let's look at creating our website.