What do I need to do to launch an online business?

Find a Name

First reassure yourself that launching a Web business is a modular process—you can start with a simple core and add more to it as your needs grow. The foundation is your domain name (e.g., "Register.com"), which you can register any time, the sooner the better. You may need to search several times to find an unregistered domain name. Most registrars will offer alternatives, sometimes with suffixes (called top-level domains or TLDs) such as .net instead of .com, sometimes with variations of the name you searched for.

Keep searching if the alternatives don't work. Some registrars even provide searching help over the phone, toll-free. Once you decide on a name (you can legally register multiple names) you can use it indefinitely as long as you renew the annual registration, which should cost no more than $35 per year. Expect a discount if you choose a multiple-year registration.

Build a Web Page

Domain name registrars typically include a customizable Web page with every name registered. Take advantage of this perk. The setup for these pages is designed for beginners, and reputable registrars offer toll-free help if you need it. By completing this step you create a page on the Internet seen by anyone who types in your address. Make sure that visitors can find out at least what you offer and how to reach you. This is your first Web site—your core module.

Set Up a Mailbox

Your domain name is essentially your business' address on the Web. For the same reasons you set up mail service at your business' street address, it makes sense to set up a mailbox at your business' Web address. The most basic option is usually Web-based mail service where you check your mail and send messages through a Web mail interface similar to free mail systems. One advantage of Web-based mail is the ability to access your mailbox from any computer with an Internet connection. You can also designate an application such as Microsoft Outlook to manage mail from your desktop.

You can usually forward mail from other email addresses to your business' mailbox, so you don't need to give up old addresses that your friends or clients use to reach you. As your business grows you can add more mailboxes for different functions or new employees. Nearly every domain name registrar offers basic, Web-based mail service starting at roughly $10/year for a single mailbox. Expect toll-free help setting up and using your business mail service for this price, and make sure your registrar offers at least a limited money-back guarantee on all services it provides.

Next Steps

Your one-page Web site and email address may meet your business' needs over the next year for less than $50. From here you'll be able add more complex mail service, a template-based Web site, or a fully customized site that may include an e-commerce component.



Peter Girard

Marketing Director, Register.com