Once you decide to bring your business online or to make online business from the scratch you should not start with making a website.
Let me explain why and what should be your first steps instead.
Why making a website should not be your first step online?
First, there is no need for a website in the beginning.
Here some examples:
If you want to make an online shop – make an Ebay or Amazon account instead and start selling right away.
Restaurants/Bars/Spa/Haircut salons – make Facebook Page or Google My Business instead.
Hotels/Apartment Renting – Booking.com and Airbnb.com
Second, website making can take a lot of time if you don’t have a structure and all content prepared.
My first recommendation to all friends who asked me about a website is to go to https://sites.google.com and try to make a website there.
I do explain to them that their efforts will not be lost because anyone will need a content to create a proper website for them.
Another reason is that they can have a childish website within a day or two – still better than no website.
Third, with 70% chances your first meeting with a customer will be on social networks or third party websites not on your own website.
Nowadays your website is a processing tool not an entry point.
It means that most likely your customers will find you not because you have a website. They have high chance of finding you on Facebook or Pinterest but your website will help you to process further their request and convert their interest into sales.
What should you start with?
Everyone should start with:
1. Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/business/pages
2. Google My Business https://www.google.com/business/
3. Google Sites https://sites.google.com
Online shops can start selling by creating accounts on:
1. Amazon https://sellercentral.amazon.com/
2. eBay https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/index.html
3. Etsy https://www.etsy.com/sell (If you make something yourself)
Hotels/Renting room/apartment/house:
1. Booking.com https://join.booking.com/
2. Airbnb.com https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes
3. Hotels.com https://join.expediapartnercentral.com
4. TripAdvisor.com https://www.tripadvisor.com/GetListedNew
