Web business/Design, Help needed

[NySportsfan]

Whats up all,
I was wondering if some of the guys on here that are very savvy with making web pages, web design, and if anyone has a web based business(dawgball think you do?). I am looking into starting something, not selling anything, but need advice and help about boosting traffic, and especially if someone may be interestd in designing my site for me they can contact me, I was told it needs to look very professional in order to work. Also, with enough hits I eventually want to try and find advertisers, but need help on how to pursue thse kinds of things. Inexpensive to buy a domain and start a site so I figued it was worth a shot after reading a few articles of what different people have done. Hope some people have some good replies if need be we ca speak via email at a later time I just need to lay a foundationwith the technical programming aspects,the content I am pretty set with, Thanks to all wh can help with anything or point me to someone who can, if anyone wants to speak more specifically post here and I'll give you my email

Michael

 

[hellah10]

it depends on what your doing site on. Im designing that arab student union (at univ. toledo) website - and 2 things will attract ppl - pictures and a message forum.

if you need help webdesigning, shoot me an email...

 

[Anders]

Michael -

"goldcupsports" may see your message and reply but if doesn't, get my e-mail from jack and I'll forward you his as he'll be able to help out...

GL, have had quite a bit to do with setting up a site this year thru my job and liasing with the site company and it is a process u need to get right - and make sure the costs are reasonable

 

[bases]

? ny sports fan

? ny sports fan

? ny sports fan
are you looking for someone to make your site for free

i know a webdesigner who is very good, but not for free, and shoot me your email and i can have the person contact you via email and he can emil you websites he's designed

 

[dogface]

I cna through my guy into the ring as well, I can get you an incredibly affordable deal, and he's done all of my prior sites I have owned...you may get my e-mail from Jack, just mention who you are and from where?

TSI

 

[NySportsfan]

Thanks for the replies.

bases- No, I am not necessarily looking for somebody for free. But, I am trying to keep costs down initially. I know exactly the content and what I want on the site, I'm buying the domain shortly, the problem is only making the web site professional looking so I generate traffic and eventually ads hopefully

Anders, Im bookmarking my thread, and saving it for my records, and when I am set to make the site, I will certainly solicit your thoughts as I don't know the ins and outs all yet

hellah- I will check that site out. I know the key is a professional looking site, but I need to register the domain and do some administrative things first, gonna keep this for my records though, thanks and appreciate it

dogface- I will see, It is appreciated though. I'm looking for initial ideas and avenues first, Gonna save this for my records and probably contact you shortly, thanks

Keep the replies coming guys, gonna try to launch something as Im tired of working for a boss when I see all these people sef employed,lol This is a great site and Im glad I can always come here to get advice/help and questions answered

Michael

 

[dogface]

FTR: my design guy owns

http://vereor.com/ so you may persue his site for past wrok etc..

I now Nick, and his VP Geoff...just let me know when you want a referral...


TSI

 

[hellah10]

i use stargate.com as my host. They have excellent customer service. You can pick between Windows or Linux server (I got a linux). They can help you setup alot of things...

If I were you, I would learn CSS

 

[NySportsfan]

dogface, that site looks great, and they probably do a fantastic and professional job. Hell, I'd like to ask them whether my idea has a chance to make money,as I assume they charge a bit to make a good web site, if not it'd be a stupid investment on my part, but maybe you can get me a discount and I can do something for you down the line If I have a chance

hellah, will look at stargate, someone told me yahoo's a good host because they will get you higher on their searches since you use them? But I do not know. I assume CSS is a kind of progamming language?I just want to focus on the content end, and eventually advertisers and may have to pay or the technical web site end as it may take up a lot of my time to learn, The key seems to be having a professional looking site though,

Thanks guys

Mike

 

[dogface]

LOL! You would be surpised at what kind of price I get! Actually he has beeen very good to me and my referrals...so just get my e-mail from Jack and I cna get you guys talking at least. ALso do some research on what sites cost, so you can verify what you can expect, and then you can also see the discount he would be giving. But I think you'll be happy!

Asa for hosting, I have been using rotohost.com (Nick did their website as well) and the price is very low, and they have been perfect, I have experienced only 10 minutes of downtime in my 2 years with them.

TSI

 

[Magic_01]

What is your company or business you are planning on doing? This makes a difference on how much designers charge. I actually work for a webdesign company and we host websites as well. I can give you the host website and a few sites we have done if you get my email from jack and contact me. We can talk more about what you have in mind, and throw out a cost for you.

 

[NySportsfan]

Thanks guys. Yea, I have no idea what things cost and need to do some research. But, consdering I don't expect profits for 6 mo's or so I have been told, I'm not selling anyting, it is a niche service, But I am walking a high wire act, I need a well done professional looking site, but it doesn't behoove me to pay a lot for it when I don't know how my thing will go, Yet you have to pay to get a job done well. Hosting-wise, I don't know the difference between many, I assume they're comprable, gonna do more research later. Have all the content and lay out, need someone to do the actual programming of the site (c++ or whatever it is) and the links, and all, unless the host you use walks you through it. I'd be willing to pay a decent price for a great job though,and some kind of input as to how o get affiliates, increase traffic, et al, Thanks again guys for the replies, sorry for typos if any, keyboards messed up

Mike

 

[NySportsfan]

Another question I could use help on if possible..........What exactly is a cost per click deal......I don't understand they say you pay $.05 or whatever per click, I assume that's everytime someone clicks on your site from their search engine? and you get paid when people click on their ads on your sitw? just a little confusing, I hope everything works out well, just takes time, wish I knew a good, reasonable comp. programmer, do most people specialize in programming and design all in one? :shrug: thanks a lot guys, once again

Mike

 

[in2fitness]

cheap domain names

cheap domain names

Mike,

I would suggest getting your domain name asap. I just got one at godaddy.com for just $7.95/yr.

hellah10 - Thanks for the heads up on Stargate. I just signed up with them and put your web site down as my referral when I signed up. Hopefully they will give you a credit or something.

 

[dawgball]

NY--

First, it's tough. Expect it to be a while, if ever, to make money. I don't own a web-based business, but I have several friends that do (and did). BUT, you are the only one that has to believe in it to make it work. Our company builds and sells web-based applications, so it is a little different than what you are looking to do (I think). It took us a little more than three years to become profitable and almost another year before we were cash flow positive. This included 10 months without a paycheck. The reason I bring this up is to make sure you understand the reality of it.

CPC advertising is the best bang for your buck. This past quarter (Q4) we tripled our CPC budget, and it is really paying off. We are probably going to up it again. If the industry you are targeting has trade shows it is another good way to market your products. Don't go to the big trade shows at first (I don't knwo if we will ever attend the big ones again). You will be lost in the sea of the big boys and the wanna-be big boys. Out of the 40 or so trade shows that we have attended, only one was not profitable to attend. We set it up where we only needed one paid account from each trade show, so we were not expecting much direct business from each.

Look at CPC ranking . We use Google Adwords primarily, but we are going to be branching off to a couple of these other ones in Q1 of next year and continue our experiments with this type of advertising. I am also currently researching a company called Industry Brains. They are CPC but perform thier listings differently than just in a search engine. I can't vouch for its effectiveness at this time.

#1 Rule: You need at least $1.01 back from every $1.00 spent on marketing and advertising.

If you ever want to ask any questions about business or marketing, feel free. I think Jack has my email.

Good luck.

 

[hellah10]

Re: cheap domain names

Re: cheap domain names

Mike,

I would suggest getting your domain name asap. I just got one at godaddy.com for just $7.95/yr.

hellah10 - Thanks for the heads up on Stargate. I just signed up with them and put your web site down as my referral when I signed up. Hopefully they will give you a credit or something.

whoa, Thanks!!!

 

[NySportsfan]

hellah10,
have your email address gonna drop you a line later, the site you made looks pretty good

Mike