So, you're ready to have your Web site built. You've already decided what function the site is to serve. Now it's time to get started!

You'll need a domain name. For example, mtbakerweb.com is a domain name. When you purchase your domain name, you own that name and the right to use it on the Internet. It is your Web site's address.

You can purchase domain names on many sites; here are a few:

Dotster: http://www.dotster.com

Go Daddy: http://www.godaddy.com

Verio: http://www.verio.com/

When you select your domain name, keep it as close to your business name as possible. You may find that the name you really wanted was taken, but you should be able to find one that will meet your need. The preferred domain extensions are .com and .net for commercial sites. Non-profits should use .org.

Now that you have a domain name, you'll want to figure out what you want on the site. You'll need to assemble the text and images you want to use on the site. If you have a logo, the pages will incorporate the logo design. So, if you have existing brochures or advertising materials, you can use them to help create the look of your site.

If you are planning an e-commerce site, you are going to need prices, descriptions, and images for each product. We'll go into the requirements for sites with shopping carts a little later.

In addition to the images and text, you will want to think about the colors you want on your site and the feel you'd like the site to have. Let's avoid screaming yellow with florescent green type; we don't' want visitors to get retinal burn!

Once all the materials are gathered and you know what function the site is to serve, you're ready to send the information to the designer. There's more work ahead, but the preliminaries are done.

These are some very basic ideas to get you started on thinking about what you may want on your Web site. If you'd like to discuss any of this with me, I'd be happy to talk with you.