--- title: Five Tips for First-Time Website Owners description: It's no secret the Web continues to explode as a resource for consumers and businesses, and Web ... image: https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-20-52-5232-AM-Apr-10-2023-01-23-27-8812-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-09-32-2918-AM-May-01-2023-09-21-14-3412-PM.png --- [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) [![Website Magazine Logo](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png?width=586&height=145&name=gradient-regular@3x-1.png "Website Magazine Logo")](http://Website%20Services,%20Inc.) - [About](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about) - [FAQs](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/faq) - [Advertise](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/advertise) - [Editorial Staff](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/editorial-publishing-staff) - [Resources](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com) - [Newsletter](https://www.websitemagazine.com/newsletter-sign-up) - More - [Contact Us](https://www.websitemagazine.com/contact) [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) Search - [Latest](https://www.websitemagazine.com) - [Design](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-design) - [Development](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-development) - [SEO](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo) - [Ecommerce](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce) - [Content](https://www.websitemagazine.com/content) - [Marketing](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing) - [Advertising](https://www.websitemagazine.com/advertising) - [Email](https://www.websitemagazine.com/email) - [Infographics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/infographics) - [View All Topics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/channels) # Five Tips for First-Time Website Owners ![Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Peter_Devereaux.png) [by Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/author/peter-devereaux) 15 Feb, 2013 - - - [mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/five-tips-for-first-time-website-owners](mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/five-tips-for-first-time-website-owners) - Link Copied! ![Five Tips for First-Time Website Owners](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-20-52-5232-AM-Apr-10-2023-01-23-27-8812-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-09-32-2918-AM-May-01-2023-09-21-14-3412-PM.png) It's no secret the Web continues to explode as a resource for consumers and businesses, and Web traffic is only going to grow. In fact, global Internet traffic is projected to quadruple[by 2015](https://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns341/ns525/ns537/ns705/ns827/white_paper_c11-520862.html). If you're a business, getting your company online has never been more important for growth and success. Yet surprisingly, 75% of U.S. businesses [do not have a website](https://www.statisticbrain.com/businesses-with-no-website-statistics/). For this reason, OfficeMax and Go Daddy[teamed up](https://www.officemax.com/home/custom.jsp?id=m14830036) to offer create five tips for first-time website owners. **1. Name Wisely -** Choosing a name for your Web address is a critical element, as it is the foundation of your online presence. Select a short, easy to spell and memorable name that clearly reflects your business, products and/or services. If your ideal domain name is already taken, don't panic. Try adding a transition or generic word like "the" or "company," consider a different top level domain (e.g. .net, .org or .info) or backorder the domain name in case the current owner does not renew. **2. Make a First Impression -** Create your website with the end-user in mind. Make it visually pleasing and easy to find information and navigate the site, since most users only spend [10-20 seconds](https://www.nngroup.revsys.com/articles/how-long-do-users-stay-on-web-pages/) on a page. Categorize your Web pages by topic and provide clear and logical navigation with a toolbar that runs horizontally or vertically on each page. Use language that is direct and easy to understand and reinforces your company mission and values. While it may look creative or exciting, try not to go overboard with animation, videos or other special effects, as it can increase the load time of your site and be distracting, which may deter visitors. Your website may be the only interaction a customer has with your company, so make the visit useful and worthwhile. **3. Be Accessible -** Provide opportunities for potential customers to contact you without jumping through hoops by posting contact information on the main page of your site. Surprising,[60%](https://www.digitalscape.info/2012/04/05/overdue-for-an-overhaul/) of small business websites do not include a phone number on their homepages. While there are likely multiple ways to reach you from email to fax or Twitter, focus on contact methods that you want people to use and ones you monitor regularly. When it comes to your email, share one that you use for public inquiries, as it's possible spammers will find it, and keep your personal email addresses separate.    **4. Go Mobile -** With more than [44%](https://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/?p=30235) of U.S. consumers using smartphones to shop and research, make sure your website is also configured and optimized for mobile use. A whopping [93%](https://www.biakelsey.com/Company/Press-Releases/120521-vSplash-Offering-Free-BuzzBoard-Website-and-Digital-Presence-Analysis-to-Small-Businesses-During-National-Small-Business-Week%20.asp) of small business websites are not mobile friendly, which can result in lost business. If you find consumers visiting your site frequently from mobile devices, consider creating a mobile app for your business to better serve these customers.   **5. Optimize It -** Drive traffic to your site through search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines use algorithms to determine when and where your website comes up in search results. Major factors that improve SEO include the frequency and prevalence of keywords on your site and "tagging" select terms. SEO can be a rigorous process, so engage an expert or use a step-by-step website builder to help increase your website visibility.   Now with this in mind, go ahead, take the plunge and put your company online. You'll be glad you did and so will your customers. ![Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Peter_Devereaux.png) [Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/author/peter-devereaux) As the Editor-in-Chief of Website Magazine and President of Website Services, Peter has established himself as a prominent figure in the digital marketing industry. With a wealth of experience and knowledge, Peter has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of digital marketing. His leadership in creating innovative and targeted marketing campaigns has helped numerous businesses achieve their revenue growth goals. Under his direction, Website Magazine has become a trusted source of information and insights for digital marketers worldwide. As President of Website Services, Peter oversees a team of talented professionals who specialize in SEO/SEM, email marketing, social media, and digital advertising. Through his hands-on approach, he ensures that his team delivers exceptional results to their clients. With a passion for digital marketing, Peter is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies, making him a sought-after thought leader in the field. - - - - - [mailto:peter.devereaux@websitemagazine.com](mailto:peter.devereaux@websitemagazine.com) #### Popular Post ### [31 Back-to-School Keyword Targets ![31 Back-to-School Keyword Targets](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/schoolbus-1-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/31-back-to-school-keyword-targets) ### [GoDaddy Goes .XXX ![GoDaddy Goes .XXX](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-15-39-1451-AM-Apr-10-2023-01-36-09-0977-PM-3-1.png)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/godaddy-goes-xxx) ### [23 Cool Tech Facts ![23 Cool Tech Facts](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fact_100x100-2-1-1-1.png)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/23-cool-tech-facts) #### Subscribe to Our Newsletter! 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All Rights Reserved - [Privacy Policy](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/privacy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Peter Devereaux", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/author/peter-devereaux" }, "dateModified" : "2023-05-01T21:22:23.792Z", "datePublished" : "2013-02-15T06:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Five Tips for First-Time Website Owners", "image" : [ "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-20-52-5232-AM-Apr-10-2023-01-23-27-8812-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-09-32-2918-AM-May-01-2023-09-21-14-3412-PM.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/five-tips-for-first-time-website-owners", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png" }, "name" : "Website Services, Inc." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "NewsArticle", "author" : [ { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Peter Devereaux" } ], "headline" : "Five Tips for First-Time Website Owners", "publisher" : { "name" : "Website Magazine", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/" } } ```