Starting up a new business but have NO idea how to set up a website!

[rubynoodles37]

Hello all

I am planning on starting up an errand running service offering services such as:-

Prescription collection
Letter/parcel posting/collection
Dry cleaning collection
Grocery shopping
Appointment drop off and collection
Dog walking

Also a 'Pop in' service offering:-
Feeding/watering pets
Bringing in mail
Waiting in for deliveries
Opening/closing curtains
Turning on/off lights
Grocery shopping
Watering plants inside and out
Light gardening
Basic cleaning
Maybe light maintenance etc

I am planning on putting up flyers in all of the local shops etc and placing adverts in the local free magazines.

I think that perhaps I should also have a website but how do I go about this?

Is it easy to set up your own website and does it cost much? Also should I register my domain name asap and how do I go about this?

Hopefully some lovely person out there can help-Thanks:)

It's a good idea to get your domain so it's reserved for you. I recently set up a website for my business using wordpress, it hasn't been that easy but it's not too bad and it means that I can update it easily as I understand how it all works. Good luck with it all!!

Oh forgot to say I think my domain cost around £10 but you can get some free when you buy hosting I think. The hosting is not too expensive, something like £60.

Sounds like a good business idea. As previous poster said registering your domain name is very cheap (£5 per year ish for .co.uk) and at least reserves it so you can at least be confident you have a name and start telling people. You could always start off with a Facebook page which is free, particularly as assuming it will be a local service, then think about a website.

For a website, start simple and create a page with list of services and contact details. Agree with previous poster that Wordpress is a great tool if you want to save money by doing it yourself and it's just content-based. (Wordpress.com provides hosting and templates while at Wordpress.org the software is provided for you to download and you then find your own hosting, so a bit more complicated).

If you want to move towards having an online ordering system eventually, this can also be done with Wordpress but if you are non-technical this could be time to get an expert involved. With any new business it's a good idea to start small and prove there is a market before shelling out on expensive websites etc.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions!

Thanks all I shall be having a look on Wordpress later:)

WordPress is a great platform but I would recommend buying your domain, hosting and any web build packages from one provider. You'll probably get a better package price for the lot rather than buying one service from one company and another service from another company if that makes sense? Definitely choose someone with a UK support center something like www.names.co.uk would be ideal.

If you're on a budget might be worth reading this guide I found

blog.names.co.uk/2014/11/5-top-tips-small-businesses-budget/

You've definitely come to the right place as I think there will be lots of mummy bloggers on here with past experience of setting up blogs/websites :)

Thanks Ash74 :)

i am on the same boat, planning to build a websit myself, and dont know what to do next after i got my domain name.

I highly recommend this book: www.amazon.co.uk/Create-Website-Using-WordPress-Weekend/dp/1781570310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416824693&sr=8-1&keywords=website+wordpress+in+a+weekend

I found lots of good advice on mumplusbusiness.co.uk/resources

Thanks all for your very helpful advice:)