Telegraphik

I was pondering how in the world to get started with this series. I could start off with the logistics and what not. Then I realized. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty dirt of it all. The first step to do when starting any website is this. It’s really simple. Come up with a solid brand. Easily my favorite tool for brand research is called Instant Domain Search . Branding is my first step in building any new website. In this case its a web directory. Branding is a huge step in the right direction for any project. Problem is another great idea plopped into my head. So I stopped everything. Yep, I stopped everything because the truth of the matter is this could be the next big thing.

So I stopped building a web directory. And instead I started building what I call Project Next. Here are the simple steps I like to go through.

Free Tip: Branding
A solid brand really is key to any successful project. For example the Ipod,Iphone, etc. My biggest branding success in my opinion is 901am. It’s short sweet and to the point.

1. Locate a domain that just works.
To me this is hugely important to any successful website. Again my favorite tool is Instant Domain Search, and I usually register my domains through NameCheap or Godaddy if I plan to sell a project. Or if I plan to keep it I register it through Dynadot. GoDaddy has come under a lot of fire lately but I’ve never had any problem with them.

2. Register your website as an LLC
Once you lock up the domain move on to establishing an LLC for your website. This really helps solidify your business and will protect from any potential issues if you ever want to sell your project. Personally I can recommend BizFilings.

3. Setup a solid web hosting account
I don’t know how many times I have to say this. But seriously Midphase rocks.

4. Setup a WordPress Installation
Setting up WordPress takes less than five minutes and should be the framework for which just about all of your sites are built regardless of anything you do.

5. Take care of some business logistics
Once you are registered as an LLC, go ahead and get your business an EIN, Tax Identification Number for businesses.

6. Setup a virtual business binder
You want to stay organized, any website you have should have a logistics binder with various sections to stay organized. I’ve made the mistake of not doing this in the past and it only causes a headache.
Here are the various sections the virtual binder should have.
a) Incorporation Records ( Any information in relation to your incorporation, and domain name)
b) Financials (Taxes,Advertising,Hosting,Revenue,Etc)
c) Business Plan ( What in the world does this site do and how will it benefit others?)
d) Affirmations (Where you want the site to go and take you in the next 3 months)
e) Content Plan ( A content strategy planned ahead atleast 3 months)
f) Contractors (Any one you might hire to write content,etc)
g) Link Building ( A solid link building strategy)
h) Affiliates (All Affiliates associated with this site)
i) Traffic (A print out of your traffic from day one. Keep this up to date)

7. Download 3 Free Mac Applications To Keep your site on the right track.
1. Checkoff ( A todo list for my desktop)
2. Journaler (This is where I build my virtual business binder,and make blog posts)
3. WriteRoom ( The place I go when I’ve got writers block)
If you don’t have a mac get one seriously.

8. Go through and develop a solid plan in each of your ‘binder areas’.
Sometimes having a good plan is the best step you can do to a successful site. Take plenty of time to get everything organized and planned.

9. Build 10 Solid Articles Before Telling Anyone About Your Site
The key thing is to build a vast array of Flagship Content in which to build on to make your site really separate itself from the rest of the pack.

10. Be consistent in building your new venture
Really there’s only way to have any success on the web and that’s consistency. Be consistent in publishing your articles, marketing them, building traffic and links. Google loves slow and smooth consistency.

In closing,
I’m sorry to have overwhelmed you with this monster post. There’s a lot of goodies in here. I will digg a litle deeper in each section of the virtual binder to offer some solid tips on what to do in order to have success.