Since you're reading this note, you probably already understand the power of the web: the world is literally at your fingertips. You can order products from the far reaches of the world with no more than a valid credit card (presumably yours!) and a few clicks. You can find out the name of 'that guy' in 'that movie'. More importantly, people can find out about your business, assuming of course you have a website. Since you're here, I'm guessing you don't.

Now, I am not going to start giving you the hype about businesses failing without websites, but I do know this. Many of the people who are doing web searches right now are ready to buy. Let me repeat that: they are searching right now and are ready to buy.

Okay, okay, you've convinced me that I need a website. Now what?

Well, first of all, you need to think about what you want your website to do and how involved you want to be in keeping the content up to date. Yes, I know, you want it to make you a gazillion dollars so you can retire to the Hayman Islands. I should have said you need to think realistically about what you want your website to do.

• Do you want a simple site to just get going and give people the warm and fuzzies that you are a real business?
• Do you want to sell your products online?
• Do you want to be able to edit your own website or is that on a need-to-know basis and you definitely don't want to know? Bear in mind that most web developers have pets and/or children to feed so they generally charge an hourly rate to do updates. My hourly rate for updating is $60. For this reason, if you're going to be doing a lot of updates throughout the year, it's probably a good idea to have a content management system built so you can edit to your heart's content. On the other hand, if you're too busy doing what you do best, producing and selling your product and services, you may well want to 'leave it to the expert'. This decision is so important that it needs its own section.

As I mentioned above, you will need to decide whether you'd like a static website or one with a content management system. Just so you know, static websites have nothing to do with bad television reception. It simply means after I finish building your website, you'll need me to do any updates for you.

At the other end of the spectrum, if I create a content management system for you, after a bit of training and, more importantly, practise, you'll be able to change the content yourself. Now you didn't hear this from me, but even though it's less money in my pocket as I won't be doing updates for you, I highly recommend that you pay a bit more and have a content management system built from the start.

Let me give you an example. The cost for a five-page static website starts around the $500 mark. A CMS website costs around $1,000. Having said that, in just over eight hours of updates (costed at $60 per hour), you break even. Either way, I'm happy to do updates for you, but the point is, with a CMS, you at least have the option of doing the updates yourself. NB: Adding a CMS system after a static website is built will cost significantly more (a ballpark figure is around $800) than having it integrated at the beginning.

In any case, I know that budgets can be tight so many people opt for the static option to get going. I just like people to be aware of the pros and cons, but the decision is ultimately up to you.

The next thing to do is think about the domain name you want. Just so you know, if we liken your domain name to your street address, hosting is like your house (a place to put all your website stuff, if you will). You don't have to worry too much about hosting since I'll be organising it, but people often ask what it is so I thought I'd mention it.

While I'm setting up your hosting, I will also set up domain-based email addresses for you that you can check via webmail anywhere in the world that has an internet connection and a web browser. (And, let's face it, if it doesn't, I really don't want to go there.) The reason I'm so keen on doing this is one of my pet peeves is people using This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it when they could be using something exciting and memorable, such as This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it instead. Having (and using) professional email addresses is another way you can show your customers you really mean business.

Scott me up, beamy!

At this stage, many people look a bit like Bambi in the headlights as there's a lot to think about, but there's good news: I'll be doing most of the work. Your job will mainly be to:

• pay the bill (well ... I am generous, but not that generous)
• get together all the information you'd like to include on your website
• give me prompt feedback as I design your website
• promote the completed website on all of your marketing materials: business cards, brochures, newsletters, with compliments slips, letterhead, ads, flyers, etc. (I can give you a hand with these as well if you need it.)

How do I get started?

The first step is to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it about your project. In that email, send over some ideas about what domain name you want. It should be closely aligned with your business, but not too long. You should also include links to a few websites you like, which will give me an idea of your style. I will then send over a quote and if you're happy to proceed, a 50% deposit will be due before I begin working.

Speaking of deposits, how much is this going to cost me?

So, how much does all this wonderfulness cost I hear you ask. The usual answer is, 'How long is a piece of string' (which admittedly is a bit weird; don't these people have rulers or tape measures?), but seriously, I'll need to find out what you want in order to cost it.

As a rough rule of thumb, a five-page static website will run in the neighbourhood of $500, depending on how complex the requirements are. A content management system based website will cost approximately $1000. Your yearly web hosting and domain package will only be $100 for the first year as you'll receive a free domain (valued at $60 with set-up time). Sounds good, eh?

After I sign up and pay the deposit, what happens next?

Once I receive payment, the first thing we'll work on is getting your very own piece of web real estate: your domain. Exciting, isn't it?! I'll then organise your web hosting and email addresses. This part of the process is usually completed within a couple days. Then the real fun will begin: building your website.

What am I waiting for?

What was that? I think I just heard the sound of another potential client of yours buying a widget from your competitor's website. If you heard it too, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a few lines about what you want to achieve, what your business is all about and we'll start working on getting your business online.