When you have a small business and decide to take it online, it is a good idea to have a plan in place first. A website can accomplish a number of things and the first thing you need to decide is exactly what you want yours to accomplish. This should be decided before you even start because it can affect what type of web design or what kind of website you get and even who you choose as your host, as well as many other things.

For instance, are you going to use your website just as an online advertisement, or as a place customers can come to buy? If it’s the latter, you will need business hosting with a shopping cart and several ways for the customer to pay. Not all shopping carts accept credit cards, but many potential customers prefer to pay that way. You need to make sure your shopping cart is suitable for your needs.

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