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1. How To Guides - Build a Web Site - HP Small & Medium Business
Solutions - how-to guides
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Build a Web site
» Overview
» Understand it
» Plan it
» Do it
Overview » Use it
» Buy it
This How-To guide walks you through all of the steps involved in creating an effective Web » Download a pdf version of
site, from planning to launch to promotion. It gives you the 10,000-foot view of all of the this how-to guide
activities involved so you can begin the process with your eyes wide open and with the (212KB, PDF)
appropriate expectations for the time and resources you'll need to get your site up and » Tell a friend
running:
Related courses
» Understand it: find out why a Web presence is important and what The HP Learning Center
it takes to create a compelling site. offers a variety of courses
» Plan it: identify the business goals and audience for your site, and related to Web site design
and development. Visit it
then plan a site appropriate to both.
today and look for:
» Do it: walk through all of the steps involved in building a site.
• Adobe Photoshop 7
» Use it: learn how to work with a hosting provider to launch your site basics
and then promote it to draw visitors. • Advanced Adobe
Photoshop applications
» Buy it: shop for the hardware and software tools you'll need to • Building your first Web
develop and maintain your site. page
• Digital photography for
Our Web Site Development Checklist will help you move through the process of planning, your business
designing, and testing your Web site. • Graphic design for
non-designers
» Understand it
• How to build your first
Email this page Web site
• Introduction to
Macromedia
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• Introduction to Web
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2. How To Guides - Build a Web Site - HP Small & Medium Business http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/sbso/printable_oov.cgi
Solutions - how-to guides
» Return to original page
Build a Web site
» Overview
» Understand it
» Plan it
» Do it
Understand it » Use it
» Buy it
A strong Web site is crucial to the success of companies both large and small. It offers an » Download a pdf version of
excellent gateway to communication with existing and potential customers, as well as the this how-to guide
opportunity to move into e-commerce. With a well-planned, well-delivered Web site your (212KB, PDF)
company can increase awareness and acquire new customers that previously were out of » Tell a friend
reach.
Related courses
There is more to a quality Web site than HTML and graphics. For your site to effectively The HP Learning Center
represent your organizational image and convey the proper message to your intended offers a variety of courses
audience, you need to analyze the purpose of your site and its audience. Once you know related to Web site design
why you are creating your site and for whom, you can get down to the business of building and development. Visit it
the site. Images, content, and other media come together to represent your business on the today and look for:
Web, so quality is of the utmost importance. Solid site organization combined with an
intuitive interface creates a productive and memorable user experience. Finally, a good • Adobe Photoshop 7
provider will meet your site hosting needs without breaking your budget. basics
• Advanced Adobe
Targeted promotional activities are the icing on your Web site cake, and drive visitors to
Photoshop applications
your site. A combination of search engine referrals, advertising, and solid e-marketing
• Building your first Web
activities will help you get the word out about your site.
page
» Plan it • Digital photography for
your business
Rate this information • Graphic design for
non-designers
Was this information useful? Your feedback is important to us. • How to build your first
Web site
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Not at all(1) Neutral(3) Definitely(5) • Introduction to
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Submit » Dreamweaver
• Introduction to Web
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• Scanning basics
To download the latest Adobe Reader, please go to the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com.
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3. How To Guides - Plan a Web Site - HP Small & Medium Business http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/sbso/printable_oov.cgi
Solutions - how-to guides
» Return to original page
Build a Web site
» Overview
» Understand it
» Plan it
» Do it
Plan it » Use it
» Buy it
Before you dive into the details of creating your Web site, you need to develop a sound plan » Download a pdf version of
that encompasses your objectives and your target audience. this how-to guide (212KB,
PDF)
Identify your site objectives » Tell a friend
It's one thing to know you need a Web site, but do you know why you need one? Before you Related courses
start designing your site, you need to have a clear set of goals in mind. Create a list of
The HP Learning Center
objectives that define your Web site plans. They might include:
offers a variety of courses
• Provide core information about your business related to Web site design
• Provide in-depth, pre-sales information about your products or services and development. Visit it
• Reinforce your branding messages today and look for:
• Help your customers find and contact you
• Adobe Photoshop 7
• Function as a landing page for e-marketing
basics
• Enable your customers to purchase via telephone or mail-order
• Advanced Adobe
• Allow your customers to purchase directly online
Photoshop applications
• Help new customers find you via search engines or other online directories
• Building your first Web
Once you have mapped out everything you want your site to accomplish, you can begin page
thinking about how your design and content will support these goals. At this point, you • Digital photography for
should also decide whether or not you will be engaging in actual e-commerce -- selling your your business
products on your Web site. If you do plan to build an e-commerce site, you'll have an • Graphic design for
additional set of tasks outside of planning and building the site itself. Be prepared to figure non-designers
out pricing, taxes, shipping logistics, credit card or other payment capabilities, inventory • How to build your first
communication, and other merchandising issues before you begin creating the e-commerce Web site
site. Many Web site hosting providers can help you resolve these logistics. • Introduction to
Macromedia
Profile your audience Dreamweaver
• Introduction to Web
The demographics of your audience will affect the way you design your Web site. If your graphics
Web site audience is very computer-savvy and will most likely be accessing your site with a • Scanning basics
high-speed connection, you can load up your site with graphics and multimedia. If your
audience will most likely have minimal computer experience and a slow connection, your
site design should emphasize clear navigation and be primarily text-based. A good rule of
thumb is to keep your Web site as simple and easy-to-use as possible while still using
enough graphic elements to create a compelling, brand-distinguishing design.
You should also consider how your target audience will dictate your design theme. If you
have a conservative, serious audience, stick with classic design themes and straightforward
information. If your audience is young and energetic, you may be more successful with
brighter themes and more multimedia.
To outsource or not?
Depending on your level of expertise, you may decide to develop the site yourself or hire an
outside programmer or Web site hosting service. If your site is fairly simple, you may find it
most cost-effective to create it yourself. You can choose from a variety of Web layout
programs that let you build a Web site without ever touching a line of HTML code.
If your site will include e-commerce, it's best to have an experienced programmer create the
e-commerce areas. Some Web site hosting providers offer e-commerce services as well. In
many cases, these services will be simple to set up and use and you won't need to bring in a
programmer.
Even if you choose to outsource your Web site development, you still need a good
understanding of the processes and activities that go into building a site so you can
1 of 2 5/30/2006 2:10 PM
5. How To Guides - Build a Web Site - HP Small & Medium Business http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/sbso/printable_oov.cgi
Solutions - how-to guides
» Return to original page
Build a Web site
» Overview
» Understand it
» Plan it
» Do it
Do it » Use it
» Buy it
Before you spend resources creating content and designing Web pages, invest some time in » Download a pdf version of
creating a site map or flowchart that shows the structure of your site. This is an ideal way to this how-to guide
identify the graphics and content you'll need, as well as a good time to spot and correct any (212KB, PDF)
navigation or site structure problems. » Tell a friend
If you're not sure where to start, begin by using a piece of paper (or box in a diagram Related courses
program) for every essential page you can identify -- your home page, your company's The HP Learning Center
contact information, etc. Then experiment with arranging these pages in the most logical, offers a variety of courses
easy-to-navigate structure, adding pages as necessary. Finally, decide what content and related to Web site design
graphics or multimedia needs to go on each page; this will be the list you can work from as and development. Visit it
you create these elements. today and look for:
Tip: If you outsource your Web development, a general site map should be the first
• Adobe Photoshop 7
deliverable in the project. It will give you an opportunity to be sure everyone is on the same basics
page, and identify and content or collateral you will need to provide for the site.
• Advanced Adobe
Design your look, feel, and navigation Photoshop applications
• Building your first Web
Most effective Web sites have a consistent design throughout the site: the same page
background and font colors, navigation elements, and often a consistent look to the • Digital photography for
graphics. This "look-and-feel" helps reinforce your branding and message, and makes it your business
easier for the customer to find what they're looking for. • Graphic design for
non-designers
A consistent design doesn't have to be complicated; a simple look and feel can be more • How to build your first
compelling than a fancy, animated jumble of graphics. Navigation should be prominently Web site
placed and easy to understand. It's best to have one consistent navigation element -- like a • Introduction to
bar along the side, top, or bottom -- that appears on every page. Macromedia
Dreamweaver
Create your content • Introduction to Web
graphics
The most important piece of your Web site is the actual information you put on it. Take the
• Scanning basics
time and resources to plan out what information you need for the site, and then carefully
craft your presentation.
Think of writing for a marketing brochure when you're creating your Web site content. Your
text should be brief, compelling, and to the point. Web audiences have a short attention
span, and another page is always just a click away. Break information down into
manageable chunks, avoiding dense text-only pages. Identify where you could make or
support your point using a graphic instead of a text explanation. Finally, ensure your
grammar and spelling are impeccable.
Create or gather graphics and multimedia
The graphics you choose for your Web site have a critical impact on its effectiveness. A
compelling site uses graphics to support branding, navigation, and key content. Beware the
temptation to use too many graphics or multimedia -- not only can they clutter your page and
make it difficult to find information, they will also bog down the user's Web connection.
Depending on your site objectives, you may want to use many types of graphics and media
files, including
• Charts and graphs
• Product photos
• Your company logo
1 of 2 5/30/2006 2:12 PM
7. How To Guides - Build a Web Site - HP Small & Medium Business http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/sbso/printable_oov.cgi
Solutions - how-to guides
» Return to original page
Build a Web site
» Overview
» Understand it
» Plan it
» Do it
Use it » Use it
» Buy it
A Web site doesn't do much good sitting on someone's hard drive. To use the site you've so » Download a pdf version of
diligently built, you'll need to find a place to serve it from and then take steps to promote it this how-to guide
once it is up and running. (212KB, PDF)
» Tell a friend
Finding a hosting provider
Related courses
While a few small businesses choose to run their Web sites on an in-house server, most
The HP Learning Center
companies benefit more by using a hosting provider to host their sites. Hosting providers
offers a variety of courses
(often ISPs who also provide Internet connectivity) offer uninterrupted service, a high
related to Web site design
bandwidth connection to the Internet, and routine server maintenance and backup. While
and development. Visit it
providers generally charge a monthly fee, the savings in server and connection maintenance
today and look for:
is usually well worth it.
• Adobe Photoshop 7
You can find a great deal of information on different hosting options at www.thelist.com. This
basics
site will also help you compare provider features and find a local provider if you prefer.
• Advanced Adobe
What to look for in a hosting provider Photoshop applications
• Building your first Web
As you evaluate hosting providers, be sure to consider all of the following: page
• Digital photography for
• Features: Be sure the ISP you choose offers the specific Web site hosting features you your business
need both now and in the future. How much storage space does the hosting package • Graphic design for
provide, and how much does it cost to expand that space? Does the provider offer direct non-designers
e-mail access? Does the provider support e-commerce technology you can use either • How to build your first
now or in the future? Web site
• Introduction to
• Cost: You should feel the total price is fair for the features and support you receive.
Macromedia
However, beware of choosing a provider on price alone as some very low-priced
Dreamweaver
providers don't offer the full set of features and support you need to maintain a business
• Introduction to Web
site.
graphics
• Support: Chances are you'll need some technical information or help from your
• Scanning basics
provider. How robust is their support system? Do they have a 24-hour toll-free phone
number? What about an online help desk?
• Stability: Will the provider still exist in a year? It's often best to choose a provider that
has been around for at least a year, or comes from a major technology company.
• Reporting and metrics: Tracking your Web site metrics is an important part of keeping
your site up-to-date and improving it. Does the ISP offer services that keep track of your
Web site metrics? How easy is it to use the interface that reports on these metrics?
Register your domain
Your domain name is your Web site's unique address on the World Wide Web and should
convey your Web site's theme or mission. Once you've brainstormed on some good
candidates for your domain name, visit Network Solutions to see if your names have been
taken. If so, it might take some research to find an effective name that is still available. Once
you've decided on the name, you must register it. Hosting providers usually offer this service
and it's generally best to go through their process since they can automatically send the
needed technical information. If you don't have a hosting provider yet you can register your
name with Network Solutions and transfer it to your provider once you have one.
Upload your site
Most hosting providers allow you to upload your Web site files via FTP, a fast and efficient
method of transfer. Your provider will tell you where to upload your files so they will show up
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8. How To Guides - Build a Web Site - HP Small & Medium Business http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/sbso/printable_oov.cgi
at your domain name.
Promoting your site
An excellent Web site is only as effective as the traffic it receives. Promoting your Web site
is a key factor in ensuring it fulfills its objectives. Reaching your existing and potential
customer base is crucial to a successful Web site.
Search engines
Search engines offer the highest potential for generating traffic to your site. Statistics show
that 8 out of 10 people surfing the Web use search engines to find what they're looking for.
Registering your site with the top search engines like Altavista, Yahoo, Google, and MSN is
vital to reaching potential customers.
Banner ads
Banner advertising provides a relatively inexpensive vehicle for promoting your site and your
products and services. Your banners on other Web sites build brand identity and lead
potential customers to your Web site. You can also sponsor other company's banners on
your own site to generate extra revenue. Don't simply blanket high-traffic sites with your
banners, however, as this will most likely be costly. Research where your target audience
tends to visit most often. Make sure you understand those sites' advertising price structures
and standards before you place your ad.
E-mail marketing
E-mail provides a fast, cost-effective way to reach customers. Moreover, you can use it as a
vehicle for sending marketing messages to existing or potential customers. Several
companies sell mailing lists that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. A search on
any major search engine for "mailing lists" will point you towards several list providers.
Electronic newsletters consist of e-mails, often formatted with HTML that provide
informational articles in addition to your promotions. You can manage your electronic
newsletter with your own software and your own list, or you can work with an e-marketing
company to manage your newsletters for you. E-marketing companies can provide you with
purchased lists and manage your mail, track results, and take care of the rest of your
newsletter needs. The Marketing Association offers a great deal of information about
e-marketing and provides information about e-marketing vendors.
Tip: As your Web site evolves and your site traffic grows, you'll still need to actively promote
it to your customers and potential customers. These promotional methods can expand to
encompass the growth of your Web site.
With a little planning and attention to detail you can create a compelling and effective Web
site that helps your organization stake its claim in cyberspace. Remember that the entire
process begins by carefully identifying your site's audience and culminates with effectively
driving them to your site.
» Buy it
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9. How To Guides - Build a Web Site - HP Small & Medium Business http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/sbso/printable_oov.cgi
Solutions - how-to guides » Return to original page
Build a Web site
» Overview
» Understand it
» Plan it
» Do it
Buy it » Use it
» Buy it
» HP Photosmart M527 Digital Camera » Download a pdf version of
this how-to guide
Take photos at 6 MP resolution (212KB, PDF)
that make beautiful 4x6-inch » Tell a friend
prints and enlargements up to
poster size. Remove red-eye, Related courses
using HP Real Life technologies. The HP Learning Center
Frame and view photos on a offers a variety of courses
large, 2-inch image display that's related to Web site design
bright enough to see indoors and and development. Visit it
out. Plus, zoom in using 21x total today and look for:
zoom – 3x optical, 7x digital.
Record video clips with sound. • Adobe Photoshop 7
Add a dock to recharge basics
in-camera batteries and email, • Advanced Adobe
save and print photos. Photoshop applications
• Building your first Web
» Product information page
• Digital photography for
» HP scanners your business
• Graphic design for
• Easy to use non-designers
• One-touch buttons for easy • How to build your first
usage Web site
• Introduction to
• 1200 to 4800 dpi Macromedia
• Optional automatic document Dreamweaver
feeders for hands-free scanning • Introduction to Web
graphics
» Product information • Scanning basics
» Business desktop PCs
• Long lifecycle stability and
common image
• Choice of operating systems
• Highly serviceable and
expandable chassis
• Configuration flexibility offering
a wide choice of form factors
and components
» Product information
» Return to the build a Web site overview
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