[soarwitheagles]

Hi everyone!

I would like to start a small computer repair business locally. I am trying to gain some basic information before I dive into this new endeavor.

I have some questions and was hoping someone here could help me gain a better understanding.

Well, here are my questions:

What's the best method of purchasing a domain and creating a website?

Do you know of any articles that would help me to understand the foundations basics of creating a small computer repair service?

What would be the best way to build a simple website? Which web page software would be best for a newbie that needs to keep it simple?

How do I ensure my website comes up when people google for local computer repair in my area?

Well, that is all I can think of for now.

Can you help me please?

It's me,

Soar

[CrazeD]

The best method to purchase a domain and hosting? Probably Paypal....

I recommend Web Hosting, Reseller Hosting, and Dedicated Website Hosting w/ cPanel - HostGator for hosting and Browser Update Page for the domain. You can get your hosting with Godaddy too if you want, but I found it to be a little slow. Course, there's also a ton of other awesome hosts as well so just search around, do some Googleing etc.

As for the website software, it really depends what you want for functionality. What do you want your website to do? What kind of content do you want? If it's just a simple page saying "I'll fix your PC, here's my number" well then that's easy enough to do in just HTML and you don't need any special software.

However, if you're looking for something with dynamic content that can be updated regularly and easily, then perhaps you can mingle with some PHP. If you need a full-on store, check out osCommerce or Cubecart (though that doesn't sound like what you need).

To get your website to come up in Google, you'll have to learn a bit about SEO which will increase your page rank on Google. This includes rich content, meta keywords that only have to do with your topic (because overdoing that can actually hurt your page rank), get some links from other sites or links to other sites (but not link farms, those severely decrease page rank). The best way to get page rank is to have a lot of traffic, and you can obtain that by spending a little cash on Google AdWords (and the various other search engine equivalents) and also local listings like flyers and such.

There's a forum section specifically for SEO, so be sure to thumb through that - you'll probably learn a lot.

[soarwitheagles]

Originally Posted by CrazeD

The best method to purchase a domain and hosting? Probably Paypal....

I recommend Web Hosting, Reseller Hosting, and Dedicated Website Hosting w/ cPanel - HostGator for hosting and Browser Update Page for the domain. You can get your hosting with Godaddy too if you want, but I found it to be a little slow. Course, there's also a ton of other awesome hosts as well so just search around, do some Googleing etc.

As for the website software, it really depends what you want for functionality. What do you want your website to do? What kind of content do you want? If it's just a simple page saying "I'll fix your PC, here's my number" well then that's easy enough to do in just HTML and you don't need any special software.

However, if you're looking for something with dynamic content that can be updated regularly and easily, then perhaps you can mingle with some PHP. If you need a full-on store, check out osCommerce or Cubecart (though that doesn't sound like what you need).

To get your website to come up in Google, you'll have to learn a bit about SEO which will increase your page rank on Google. This includes rich content, meta keywords that only have to do with your topic (because overdoing that can actually hurt your page rank), get some links from other sites or links to other sites (but not link farms, those severely decrease page rank). The best way to get page rank is to have a lot of traffic, and you can obtain that by spending a little cash on Google AdWords (and the various other search engine equivalents) and also local listings like flyers and such.

There's a forum section specifically for SEO, so be sure to thumb through that - you'll probably learn a lot.

CrazeD,

Wow! You sure helped me a lot with all the important info you shared. I appreciate you and the help you have given to me.

I will do as you say and do some more reading in the forum section.

Have a great day!

Soar

[n00bie379]

I think you may do the following: take a look at Reliable Web Hosting Service | Marble Host. If you like what is offered - order a package with a free domain name inside, and then use a sitebuilding tool to create a site online... This is the simpliest way to get what you want. The hosting provider plays not big role, but features of the plan.

[CrazeD]

Originally Posted by n00bie379

The hosting provider plays not big role, but features of the plan.

I disagree.

Pretty much every good host shares the same features. Some may have 500 emails instead of 200, or unlimited, whatever...but who really uses that junk? As long as you have the essentials like good language support, fantastico maybe (though I never use it), maybe a simple web page builder etc.

What it really comes down to is reliability of the host, price, and speed. At least for me, that's how I shop.

[Dave@56]

Originally Posted by n00bie379

I think you may do the following: take a look at Reliable Web Hosting Service | Marble Host. If you like what is offered - order a package with a free domain name inside, and then use a sitebuilding tool to create a site online... This is the simpliest way to get what you want. The hosting provider plays not big role, but features of the plan.

I think you are right, because this could be one of the simpliest way to get a hosting, a domain and tne site. Here is all in one: you buy hosting from marblehost.com or any other similar provider, they offer free domain name and sitebuilder for you, and you are free to create a site whatever you need.

[powerkor]

If you are not experienced as a web designer, I suggest you find someone with one-click-install apps that support what you need like oScommerce and Wordpress. Anything with a easy-to-use cart and CMS (content management system) app would greatly reduce the things you'd have to learn.

Godaddy offers this, POWWEB offers this. Those are the two I deal with all the time.

And I agree with above, a site builder would help too, which both Godaddy and POWWEB offer.

Thanks, I hope that helps a bit.
Eric

[Gigos]

There are literally thousands of hosting services to choose from and you may be tempted to simply go with the least expensive option. I highly recommend you to have a look at ahosting.biz web hosting offers. This company is able to pass on the savings to you. For more information about the foundations basics of creating a small computer repair service I suggest you to search in Google - there are many interesting facts stated there.

[darkender]

Alot of hosting companies have web builders built right into their control panel. Ewww ahosting.biz? wow the dedicated servers are like $2000+ a year :S why would someone want that when they could just buy their own server for less.

Edit: BTW a good one I like is AccountSupportHosting - The Most Reliable E-Commerce Web Hosting On The Net! and it has a shopping cart program called shopsite which is easy to use. Also you get a free domain name when you signup too.

[winspire]

Originally Posted by soarwitheagles

Hi everyone!

I would like to start a small computer repair business locally. I am trying to gain some basic information before I dive into this new endeavor.

I have some questions and was hoping someone here could help me gain a better understanding.

Well, here are my questions:

What's the best method of purchasing a domain and creating a website?

Do you know of any articles that would help me to understand the foundations basics of creating a small computer repair service?

What would be the best way to build a simple website? Which web page software would be best for a newbie that needs to keep it simple?

How do I ensure my website comes up when people google for local computer repair in my area?

Well, that is all I can think of for now.

Can you help me please?

It's me,

Soar

I'm more newbie than techie but these videos helped me after spending too many days on getting a website up. Wish I would have found them in the first place.