Follow these 5 simple steps to having your very own successful web site!
© 2006-2008 The Icestorm Network | Author: Adrian Gonzales

1. Reserve Your Domain!
   The first step in establishing your web site is to first reserve or “register” your own domain name (example: www.yourname.com). Your domain name is your own “web site address” and is how visitors from all over the world can find your web site! To register your domain name, simply go to: http://www.icestorm.com/register. Once your domain name is registered, you will need “web hosting” in order for you to establish the “web space” needed to create your web site and email boxes.
    
2. Get Web Hosting.
   All web sites are “housed” on a computer server in a data center with permanent connections to the Internet. This “housing” of web sites is called “web hosting.” A web hosting service allows your web site to be accessible to anyone in the world 24hrs a day. To choose one of our web hosting plans, simply go to http://www.icestorm.com/webhosting. If you’re completely new to creating web sites, choose our “Entry” Web Hosting Plan. When you require more web space and features, you can always upgrade later.
    
3. Point your Domain Name to our Network.
   If you already registered your domain name through The Icestorm Network, you don’t need to worry about this step. Continue with step #4.
   
   However, if you registered your domain through another registrar, you will need to have them point your domain to our nameservers. Upon sign-up of any of our Web Hosting Plans, our support department will forward all necessary information to you that will help you accomplish this straightforward task. Once you have updated the nameservers with your registrar, it will take about 1-2 days to go in effect.
    
4. Start Building your Web Site!
   Once your domain name is up and accessible on your web browser, you can start building your web site immediately! Depending on your skill level, you can create your site in many ways:
    
   1. Beginner:
      If you are a “beginner” to creating web sites, simply use our Built-in Site Builder! With our Site Builder, you can create professional looking web sites in minutes. No prior experience is necessary. Click here for more information on our Site Builder.
       
   2. Intermediate to Advanced:
      If you have an “intermediate” understanding of computers, and want to create a more powerful personal or business web site, we recommend you try any of these easy-to-use software programs to publish your web site:
      
      Microsoft FrontPage: Info | Tutorial | Buy
      Macromedia DreamWeaver: Info | Tutorial | Buy
      Effective Site Studio: Info | Tutorial | Buy
       
5. Web Site Marketing and Promotion:
   Got your web site already built? Now get the word out to your visitors and/or potential customers about your web site! Here are just some of the ways you can accomplish this:
    
   1. Submit to Search Engines!
      Your web site should at the very least be submitted to all the major search engines (Google.com, Hotbot.com, Lycos.com, etc). We can do this for you free of charge! To do this, simply go to your Cpanel (http://yourname.com/Cpanel --> Search Engine Submit) or email us directly.
       
   2. Submit to Dmoz.org
      Dmoz is one of the largest web directories on the Internet. Make sure to submit your web site with them as well. Go to http://www.dmoz.org/add.html
       
   3. Key-Word Search Advertising
      If you have a small budget to spend on online advertising, put your advertising dollars towards Key-Word Search Engine advertising. By using this method, you reach your targeted viewers almost instantly! This is great for getting good quality traffic to your web site quickly.
      1. Google AdWords
      2. Overture
      3. Lycos AdBuyer
      4. GoClick
          
   4. Web Site Partnerships / Trade Links
      One of the most simplest yet effective ways for getting the right traffic to your web site is to simply “partner” with other web sites related to your subject matter. For instance, if you have a personal site based on “movie reviews,” search through other movie review sites on the Internet and politely ask to “trade links” with them. You place their link on your site, and vice versa. It works the same way if you are selling a product or service. Partner with sites that are in common with your own, and you can create good exposure for your web site.
       
   5. Affiliate Networks and Revenue Programs
      If you have a product or service to sell on your web site, try any of these affiliate networks to not only bring in traffic to your web site, but also actually drive sales to your business. In these programs, you set your own payment or “commission” to the advertiser that will lead to your sale.
      1. clickXchange.com
      2. Cj.com
      3. FastClick.com
      4. CasaleMedia.com
          
   6. Letterheads, Business Cards, and Signatures
      Put your web address on all your letterheads and business cards. Also make sure to create a “signature” (a small closing text created automatically in all the emails that you send out) and have your web address placed there as well. By simply placing your web address in your letterheads, business cards, and signatures, you are consistently creating exposure to your web site.
       
   7. Flyers and Brochures
      A traditional but still effective way of promoting your web site is by printing/mailing out special flyers, postcards, and brochures. For your printing needs, we highly recommend: www.Acidflyers.com
       
   8. Local Advertising
      Target your local community and build relationships with your neighbors! Going local may be the most cost-effective way of promoting either your personal or business web site. Advertise your web site through any or all of these mediums and you’ll likely see results very quickly:
      1. Newspapers
      2. Community Centers
      3. Churches
      4. Schools/Universities
      5. Yellow Pages

Try these methods, and you’ll be on your way to having a successful web site!