Bootstrap Financing Tip #2: Make Your Own Website

One of the key principals of bootstrap financing is reducing your business start up costs. Make your own website and save hundreds - even thousands of dollars! If you are planning a new business, there is simply no question that you need an online presence. No matter what type of business you plan to start, a website is an absolute necessity. Why miss out on the over 220 million internet users in the USA alone? These web surfers enjoy the convenience of shopping any time of the day or night — and may be looking for a product or service just like yours!

Case in Point

When my husband and I started our janitorial company over 5 years ago, we were using large display ads in the yellow pages as our primary form of advertising. After wasting tens of thousands of dollars, we decided to take our business online. As a result, our business increased by 130% and our profitability went through the roof! Why? The main reason is that it is far cheaper to create, maintain and promote a website than it is to use some prehistoric forms of print advertising. Do keep in mind that one size does not fit all. There may be some businesses that benefit from print advertising in the phone book - I just haven't come across one yet!

Bootstrap Financing Tip #2 - Make Your Own Website!
Did you know that you can make a professional, traffic generating website without breaking the bank? If you don't have a big budget for creating a website, explore a "do-it-yourself" option. By doing it yourself, I don't mean starting from scratch. What I do mean is taking advantage of very affordable services which offer you the option of building a professional website. Check out these absolutely free and very low cost options:

1. $4.99/per month: GoDaddy.com - Website Tonight
Includes website builder with professional templates, hosting and email

2. FREE: OffiveLive.com - Microsoft Office Live
Includes website builder with templates, hosting and email

Remember, there is no sense in having a free or low cost website if it doesn't generate traffic. If you do decide to make your own website, be sure that you do some research on search engine optimization.

What is Search Engine Optimization

Check out the Wikipedia definition here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_optimization

All successful websites have two main ingredients: (1) traffic or website visitors; and (2) conversions, also known as sales, sign-ups or whatever action you'd like a potential customer to take. In order for a website to attract visitors, it must be prominently listed in search engine results.

Web surfers type in "keywords" to help them find the information they're looking for. When building your site, you must understand the process of utilizing keywords in the content provided on your website. If you don't it is unlikely that you will have many visitors to your site. No visitors mean no possible conversions.

Essential Website Freebies

If you do decide to make your own website, you don't have to sacrifice the quality features that a more expensive site would offer. Visit these dot corns to take advantage of essential, free tools for your "do-it-yourself" website.

• Free Pop-up Link Generator: Visit Snap


• Free Spam Eliminator: Visit Captcha.net


• Free Contact Us Form: Visit Freecontactform


• Free Website Photos: Visit Photobucket


• Free Search Optimized Web Content: Visit EzineArticles

Discover how you can start your business TODAY - even if you have very little money, poor credit or don't own a home. Learn the key principals of bootstrap financing. For more information, check out The Start-Up Business Survival Guide.

© Kimberly Kelly 2009 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide.