One of the most frequent requests I receive from readers is tips on how to make money online. The world wide web presents almost unlimited potential for both established operations and entrepreneurial individuals to generate additional income. In the 21st century, if you only focus on the customers that walk through your physical door, then you are missing out on tremendous marketing opportunities.

Many local operators have yet to jump on the online bandwagon as they may not be internet savvy or may not have realized the powerful reach of the internet as a marketing tool. Some feel that their local customers rarely use the Internet, so they don’t see the economic benefits of presenting their products and services in cyberspace.

The reality is that the use of the Internet in Jamaica has been growing rapidly. Recently released statistics reveal that around 1.2 million people in Jamaica have access to the Internet. Also, as the internet generation (people 25 and under) start to win in the workforce, they expect instant access to products through online shopping options.

So how do you access the more than 1.3 billion people around the world who surf the web?

First of all, you need to have an internet presence by setting up your own website. In the past, this has posed a challenge for many cost-conscious business owners who have been deterred by the high cost of website design. Times have changed, and now you can get a website on a budget. Let’s see some low cost web options:

Do it yourself (DIY)

Although DIY may be the least expensive option, it should only be attempted by adventurous and patient individuals who enjoy opportunities to learn something new. Since I definitely fall into that category, I went the DIY route when I decided to set up a website for my new business.

The first step in creating a website is to purchase a domain name. There are several locations online where you can buy a domain name, the most popular being GoDaddy.com. Domain names are usually around $9, but the cost increases depending on how many additional services, like email addresses, you want to have.

With no prior experience, I designed my web pages using Microsoft Publisher. It was quite a simple process, as Publisher offers several templates to create the desired look. Once I was reasonably satisfied with the finished product, I realized that I had no idea how the pages on my computer would morph in cyberspace.

I found that the next step was to pay to have my website hosted on the Internet. Web hosts are companies that provide space to their customers on a server that connects to the Internet; It’s like renting a room in cyberspace. You can find local operators providing this service, with costs starting at around J$10,000 per year, or with monthly access fees. You can also search online for various web hosting options.

With the help of some web-savvy friends and some online research, I got a crash course in the world of File Transfer Protocols (FTP). This is a way to exchange your web pages from your computer to the server that hosts your website on the Internet. I downloaded a free FTP from the web, took notes on the steps to upload files using this service, and in no time at all, my website was live on the Internet.

With a shoestring budget of less than J$11,000, I had created a web presence for my business. I was surprised that it was so simple to put a website on the Internet, but I later learned that Microsoft Publisher was definitely not the preferred way to create a web page. Armed with new information, I am now determined to learn more about HTML, which is the programming language used to create documents for display on the web.

Use an online template

I know that most people will be intimidated by the prospect of designing and publishing their own website. However, there are several online resources that will allow you to easily create your own site at minimal cost.

One option is the Yahoo Small Business web hosting service. Yahoo gives you the ability to select a site layout, choose a page layout, and decide the type of pages needed, such as home, contact, and services. If you know how to use Microsoft Word to create a document, you can add your text, logo, and images to complete your website design.

Yahoo Small Business says its service is ideal for small independent businesses that have growth prospects in check. The service currently costs around US$12 per month.

So with a little effort and a willingness to learn, you can be up and running on the Internet at very little cost. Next week we’ll take a look at what it takes to start selling your products and services online.

Copyright © 2008 Cherryl Hanson Simpson