Setting Up Shop on The Internet

Xoom.com is a unique company. It gives its users unlimited space on their server. You can chose from tons of clip art. They do not include advertising on your Web page. You get free email, fax delivery, and other useful features. Visitor counters are also free. This is a great site to build a personal home page or an e-commerce site. However, it does not offer credit card processing services.

5. Homestead Technologies, www.homestead.com, 650-549-3100

This is another unique site. It offers one feature that all of the others lack. Users from anywhere in the world can build Web sites together! You get around 12 MB of server space. You also get a host of other services like chat rooms, e-mail, guest books, traffic counters, etc. This site is great for the first time builder. It is also useful if you are a company with offices in different locations, but want to share the web building experience.

These are just a few of the most popular sites that offer these free services. There are many more that offer the same or similar services. A detailed search of the Internet will usually lead you to them.

If you want more control over how your site looks or feels, then it might be a good idea to register your own URL (about $70) and build a custom web site. You will have to get your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to host your web site. They will charge a monthly fee. Most major ISPs will assist you in setting up shop. Many offer service packages designed specifically for new e-shop owners. A simple storefronts will probably run about $30 a month. If you want extras, such as payment processing and advertising, the fee could be $125 or more a month. If you decide to follow this route, remember to follow these important guidelines.

1. Write a business plan. This is true for any business, but it is especially important for your new e-business. When venturing online, it is even more important to know who you target customer is, what your marketing strategy will be, and how fast you want to expand. As always, a business plan is the best way to cover these bases.

2. Register your domain name. This is intellectual property! Your domain will be the main connection you customers will have with your business. As your business grows, your customer base will grow. Don't let some fly

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