Laying the Information Marketing Foundation

By Bill Davis

internet-markeketing-muscle.com

Beginnings

Every successful online business is built on a strong foundation, though most likely they didn’t all start off that way.

If you want a real business that you can run from anywhere in the world for which you have an internet connection (and that could be literally anywhere there’s cell phone connectivity), you will want to build it using solid technology that is easy to use, maintain, upgrade, and backup.

To build that foundation, follow these steps.

Design & build your web site

It almost goes without saying that if you wish to build an online business, then you must have your own web site.

I highly recommend that you own this valuable asset (that you can sell later, just like a physical business with a building, goodwill, and other assets), rather than “rent it”.

This means setting up web hosting, registering a domain name, and uploading or otherwise updating web server files.

Don’t worry — it’s not nearly as onerous as it may seem.

Research to discover your ideal site concept

What is it you want to do with your online business?

Will it be a business that sells knitting supplies, information about how to grow a vegetable garden, or electronic books about cooking?

Next are some guidelines for picking your perfect niche.

Pick a niche that…

Is in

hig

h

deman

d

Has a narrow focus

You are

passionat

e about

Give ‘em what they want

No, really, do that.

Keywords…

…make all the difference.

Figure out how your ideal customer will search for what you provide and then design your web site to deliver results that match what he’s looking for!

Ug. Keyword research.

Information marketing

content marketing

traffic building

making offers

list building

monetization

Tiered Keywords — Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Long-Tail Keyword Phrases.

You already have your site concept, or primary keyword phrase.

Your secondary keyword phrase should consist of 5-10 (the narrower the niche, the less secondary and tertiary keyword phrases needed) keyword phrases that are tightly related to your primary keyword.

Your tertiary KWP are tightly related to your secondary KWP. Choose 5-10 per secondary KWP (so 25 at a minimum).

Get a domain name

Branded?

Keyword?

The first order of business, once you determine that you’re going to purchase a domain name is to go to a reputable domain registrar and open an account. 

Set up your nameservers

At your registrar

At your web host

At a 3rd party

Get a hosting account

You need this.Free is not optional.

You get what you pay for, too.

But what kind?

Shared hosting

VPS (Virtual Private Server)

Dedicated server

Start with shared hosting.

If your site becomes wildly popular, move up.

Easy.

Popular Web Hosts

BluehostGreat starter

HostGator

A step up

LiquidWeb

Big league web hosting

Choose a Content Management System (CMS)

WordPress…that is your choice.

It’s the best.

It’s open source. Lots of core functionality built right in.

What isn’t there in the core installation is provided by thousands of 3rd party developers—thousands of themes and plugins suitable for nearly any functionality you can dream up.

WordPress—Need help?

WordPress Security:

WP Secure Pro 2.0—WordPress security for laymen (not techies).

Getting started:

WP Zero—you will learn everything you need to know to get started with WordPress.

Now…Just Do It!

Install WordPress

Choose a theme

Add your plugins

It’s easy.

1. Install using Fantastico

2. Configure per WP Zero

3. Choose from among thousands of themes—StudioPress is best

4. Add in the functionality you need with plugins

Do This, Not That.

Thou shall make proper backups and test them

regularly.

Backup early.

Backup often.

Do NOT store your backups at your web host!

Don’t lose all your hard work

Because you didn’t back it up

Add some tools

Google Analytics & Webmaster Tools

These provide a powerful 1-2 punch to your web site-building efforts

Google can be your friend.

3 more things…then you’re done (well, sort of)

Establish your Google identity

Create your social media profiles and content

Build 3rd party sites for content syndication

Google account Google+ YouTube Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Pinterest

Then…

WordPress.com Blogger Tumblr

Last and certainly not least…

Create AMAZING content.