Hello everyone!
My VA business is in the start-up phase and my next project is to build my web site. Having no clue where to start, I am completely overwhelmed, dejected and need help!

What to do first? What should I be concerned about the most? The least?
Secure a website address? Make the website? What programs are the least complicated for a newbie like me?

The biggest thing I want right now is just a nice looking website to tell people what services I offer and how to contact me. Fancy logos and fonts are not necessary at this point, or are they? Should I put more money into the website right from the start?

I read on this forum that SEO is very important for VA's and some hosting sites are not suitable for SEO?

Frustratingly Yours,
Joy

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

Hi Joy! Boy, you sound like I did when I first got started! Hang in there, is my first piece of advice.

You know, when I first joined this forum, I was so eager to get started and wanted to get my website up and running before I really actually knew just what type of services I was going to provide. If you haven't done this already, here's what I would do first...

1. Work on a draft business plan (this includes identifying and creating a logo, a tag line, a business strategy, who your target audiences are, etc.)...
2. Make sure your company name is not registered to anyone else; get a license with your state for a legitimate business start and then check with the city; do they require you to register with them as well?
3. Build your website ONLY after you have all your content ready to go, so start in a simple program like Word and then you can either build the site yourself OR hire someone (they have great web designers on this site!). I, too, am new to HTML language and site building but I created my own site using Coffee Cup Visual Site Designer and the software was only $49 on line (www.coffeecup.com). It's a GREAT software program for people who are new to designing
4. While I wouldn't put too much effort into fancy fonts, etc., I do feel that getting a logo for your business is sort of important. Your logo will appear on your website, business cards and you can also promote your services by having your logo on t-shirts, etc.! So many possibilities!
5. I'm still learning about SEO myself and so far, I just launched my site for business and 'marketed' myself to all my friends and family to spread the word about my services...I did that last Friday. Now, I'm off to the marketing portion of this forum to see how else I can market myself.

If you have more questions, please feel free to PM me and I'll gladly respond.

Deep breaths! You're on your way!!!...

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

Breathe. Ahhh, feel better? Okay, since I am not too far removed from where you are at I will give you some tips I received. First check on the forums here for a VAF checklist. I know someone will provide it because I don't remember the link.

As far as website is concerned, if you have decided on your biz name you need to see if it is available (go to godaddy.com there you can check on availability). After getting a website then you can design one. If you know HTML you can create it yourself (and since I know nothing yet about HTML I can't say anything more but there are lots of VAs who do and would more than willing to help. If you use templates you just put in content. Here is my best advice: Don't wait for six months to put content in like I did!

Check in book reviews for lots of helpful books to assist in building your biz. Just take building your biz a step at a time. The other best advice I have received is to make lists everyday so that you can stay on track.

Best wishes to you!
diana

Hi Kathya,

Everything *does* eventually boil down to the business plan, doesn't it? Maybe all of those start-up books are right, huh?

Thanks so much for the information - it really helped!

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

haha first thing to start a VA biz...BREATHE....yes, breathing is important!

I know enough HTML to make a basic site. Content is King. Thanks for the reminder.
Business plan = Content=Website.

My oldest went back to school this week, my youngest next week. School adds more work after 3pm for me (taxi driving mom that I am) but I am looking forward to quiet time during the day. I can't wait to sink my teeth into this biz! haha

Thanks again.

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

Business plans really can come in handy. It sets you off on a good start knowing exactly what you want to do, steps you want to take in order, etc.

Some don't think it's necessary but most had found it quite helpful. Of course, we will always be adding some changes in the plans down the road but at least it gives us a direction at the beginning.

Start writing a list of services you would enjoy providing for your clients which you can later add to your website. Work on a list of what type of customer would you like to work with which can be helpful as you convey that information in your website as well. List goes on and on!

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Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com

Brenda,

As the old saying goes, "People don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan". Everything is coming into sight now. Thank you.

There is so much great advice to be gained from this board!

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

I totally wanted to jump in on this but I wasn't fast enough! So I guess all I can really add is DITTO to above!

The only thing I could think to really add is to not rush into anything, make sound decisions now so you don't have to go through the processes again later

I wouldn't dump a lot of money into the website. I hired a graphics designer for my logo because I want that to be consistent no matter what, but the website I'm building slowly (as you can see if you click my link). I want it to be great but I know it won't happen over night, so hopefully within the next few weeks I can get it tweaked and set for when my business cards come in.

Everything doesn't have to be done in one fatal swoop, just time things out and don't stress too much (which is weird that I'm saying that since I stress over everything )

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Jonna
JP Virtual Solutions

Hi again! If you need a business plan, Joy, PM me and I'll send you one I've used. What it did was provide me some insight and some 'order' to the steps I needed in order to get to where I am currently. It was exciting to see all the check marks next to 'to do' action items I needed to complete in order to go from one step to the next. You will find it very useful and thank yourself in the long run. Sounds like you're getting some really great advice! :-)

Originally Posted by joywilder

Brenda, As the old saying goes, "People don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan". Everything is coming into sight now. Thank you. There is so much great advice to be gained from this board!

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

Joy, did you already did you already register with the city and county? You're in Cook, right? You might have to go through the process to register an assumed name too.If you're concerned about getting a domain name and website up right away, try godaddy.com. It was fast, and they have website templates, if you're not into designing your own.

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Kathy
www.theofficevirtuoso.com