Starting a website and what to expect

I am looking into starting a website and wondered what an expected, reasonable cost would be when creating and hosting a site through something like GoDaddy? Also, what features that they offer should someone actually use and pay for when starting out? Basically, what do I need to pay for to get started and not need to upgrade or add in right away, but not skimp on essential thngs or advertising/optimizing options (if necessary). This would be for a basic eccommerce/reselling site.

Godaddy would be the best place to research the prices, that will just come down to the package you end up deciding on. The hidden expenses at this point is marketing.

I would suggest anyone who is wanting to make a long term business out of online sales should absolutely seriously consider developing their own site, however just having your own site doesn't guarantee you traffic.

It can cost a lot of money and take a lot of work to effectively drive traffic to your site, and then you have to make sure everything is setup correctly to close sales once their there.

I always suggest everyone has a presence on eBay no matter other online marketing avenues they are using. Used correctly, eBay can be an extremely cost efficient and very effective marketing tool on its own, not just a sales avenue.

Before you start developing your own e-commerce site, give the marketing of that site a lot of thought. Develop a plan on how, and how much it is going to cost you to get customers through the door.

I have yet to create my own website so I'm not too sure what to expect in the process :)

But I agree with Marc's suggestion on using your eBay presence to market your own site. With the traffic that eBay gets one has to be able to tap into this and make the most out of it. Many sellers maintain their eBay accounts even after starting their own site.

I think you'll find this guide helpful - Link hidden: Login to view

All the best!

I’d like to emphasize fuddj’ point, the real struggle once a website gets created is marketing. There are several sites that allow you to create an online store with marketing in place, check out Link hidden: Login to view and Link hidden: Login to view And with the exclusive benefits for SaleHoo members, I will have to vouch for our new partner Link hidden: Login to view :)

Thanks for the great recommendations. I do not have any background in this area of sales and marketing, so what options are there for marketing your website and products outside of using your Ebay listings to drive traffic out to the site? I would not know where to start to develop a marketing plan or why the costs for the different options are.

Hi!

Here's a related post you might also be interested in reading -

Link hidden: Login to view

Hope that helps. All the best!

Thanks for the great recommendations. I do not have any background in this area of sales and marketing, so what options are there for marketing your website and products outside of using your Ebay listings to drive traffic out to the site? I would not know where to start to develop a marketing plan or why the costs for the different options are.

Hi Stbjmb,

The link recommended by Satya has a lot of great tips! You have to remember that there isn’t one ultimate way to get traffic. Most people use a combination of some or all of the following strategies to get more people to their site, like -

• Submit your product listings to Google product search (fast and free way to get more traffic) Link hidden: Login to view
• Optimize your site for the search engines. Traffic Travis a good free tool to help you do this Link hidden: Login to view
• Set up a blog on your site and create some unique and interesting content. This is also an important part of search engine optimization.
• Leverage traffic from eBay, Amazon or other auction sites. Set up an account with the username the same as your business name and list a few items at attractive prices. Put your website URL in your email signature tags and insert into template eBay emails. Set up an About Me page with photos of your business, yourself and of course, your URL.
• Use Google Adwords – although this can end up being expensive if you don’t do it properly. We recommend the free training site Link hidden: Login to view to learn more.
• Set up an email newsletter on your website. Keeping in touch with existing customers encourages repeat sales.
• Set up an affiliate program.

Also, try to take things a step at a time. Don't worry about not having experience in one area, we all have to start somewhere. You've got us here on SaleHoo to help you on those areas you are not sure of! :)

All the best!

Here's a really helpful article on Social Media Marketing which might come in handy, please check it out -

Link hidden: Login to view

All the best!

Thanks for all the great recommendations!

Hi Stbjmb,

How are things going with your website? If it's up do post a link, we'd love to see how it looks!

The forum is a great place to get constructive feedback that can help make your site (or listing or description or whatever you share with us) much better...

Cheers!

This is based off of my own personal site that I maintain (paying someone else to build it is definitely going to cost more up front, so this is assuming you have a running store):

$15 monthly hosting
$30 monthly for credit card processing

and

$20 annually for an SSL certificate
$10 annual for the domain registration

also
.30 per transaction


Just to make sure you know - these prices all vary based on your hosting / payment gateway / SSL cert issuer / etc. Some payment gateways charge less monthly, but more per transaction - and some are percentage based.

Hope this is at least a little helpful. There are several all in one solutions out there though, Link hidden: Login to view is one.

Thanks for your input GameReaper :) I'm sure this will other other members who are planning to start their own sites as well!

Cheers

No problem at all - I'm a full time web developer (my day job) so if anyone has any specific questions feel free to send me a message, or ask here and I'll try to remember to answer :)

Hi TK,

I was referred to you by Fudjj, nice guy..anyway..I am starting an auction website and realize I need a partner that has alot of knowledge in programming. Or a freelancer for work for me on and off. I was wondering if you can look at my website: ikilese and see if you can work with the website..its PHP. Thats as far as I know. I am going to classes but I will need service sooner. Anyways, take a look and tell me anything

Kiesha

Thanks for the referral Fudjj!

Kiesha - I would be more than happy to take a look at your site and see if I can help you out in any way.