The Internet Made Simple
Beyond the Sidewalks

When I first started on the Internet, I can't tell you the countless hours spent researching, comparing services, wading through endless web pages searching, searching ... Then I discovered that I was "like magic' on a million email lists and the junk mail and advertising began.  I became afraid to make an inquiry! But eventually, I figured it all out -- and now I would like to share with you.

Step 1: Obtain a Domain Name

The first step to getting on the Internet is a Domain Name.  
Domain Names are controlled by ICNN and registered with InterNic.  There are over 6 million names currently registered for use on the Internet.  It is essential that your name is unique so that when someone types your name into their computer from anywhere in the world--they go directly to your site.  You must register your domain name so that there are not two sites on the Internet with the same name.  A name may have letters, numbers, or dashes (-) and up to 67 characters total, including the .com suffix.

This is the address of your website, the www. websitename.com  name.  While there are many different extensions available now (.name, .biz, .info)-- the best choices is still probably either .com, .org, net or .edu.  These are the most familiar to most people, and as a general rule, if you have a business -- choose a .com name.  You can check for name availability from the following link.  send us a quick email and we will register your name.   Cost is $35/year unless you host a complete-design package website with Beyond The Sidewalks -- and then the cost will be credited back to your account which means -- it is FREE.  Two year and Five Year registrations are discounted.

[Check Name Availability]

[Order Your Domain Name]

Step 2: Find a Website Host

This is an easy one. 
Website Hosting  is my primary business and I am proud to offer, what I consider to be  the best website service on the Internet.  Our servers are  top level servers, with dedicated IP addresses and a variety of features offered ALA CARTE, so you don't have to pay for what you don't need.

Beyond the Sidewalks offers all this, plus....
Great Service at very Reasonable Prices

[Our Prices]

Are there less expensive hosting services?
Sure.  You can find a lot of inexpensive or even free hosts, but believe me, you will get what you pay for.  At least half of my current clients came from other servers and have nightmarish stories about service and their websites.  And most free sites are virtually invisible to search engines.  Furthermore, ask yourself WHY ARE THEY FREE?  Because they are not the primary business of the company offering them.  They are just a way to get you on board and then the junk emails start, the advertisements, the offers... Maybe even banner adds directly on your website. 

[Order YOUR Website Now]

Step 3: Choose (or expand) your products

If you do not already have products to sell, click the Drop Source Directory Link for lots of great ideas.

 

Step 4: Publish Your Website

Websites are built in a language called HTML.  To build and manage a website you have to either: a). Learn HTML; b.) Purchase a program that will convert your pages into HTML; c). Hire a website designer to build the pages; d: Use a template that converts your ideas into a web page. 

At Beyond the Sidewalks we offer Custom Design for the ultimate professional presence on the Internet and Edit-Plus (a blend of custom pages and templates). In short, we can help you publish your website in whatever mode you need.

[More Information]

 

Step 5: Accept Online Payments

About Shopping Carts & Online E-Commerce
If you are planning selling items online, there are several ways to do it. The following are some options that you will see on the Internet.  A printed form that the buyer prints from their computer, fills out, mails to you with payment. An electronic form that your buyer fills out, adds the items and adds the tax and/or shipping costs, and then clicks submit. The form is mailed to you and you can determine how you want to receive payment.  A variation of the electronic form is to have it hooked to a credit card solution and the buyer can make payment on line at the time the electronic form is sent to you.  Shopping Carts are the easiest and becoming the standard on the Internet. Buyers simply click on the items that they want to purchase. The cart totals the amount due, adds the tax, shipping costs, and then transfers the buyer to a payment page where they can enter credit card information.

We offer an up-to-date shopping cart and several merchant options for taking credit cards. We also offer secure servers so you can take sensitive information such as credit card numbers safely to protect your customers.  So which solution is the one for you? It depends on your specific needs, and we can help you decide, depending on what you want to spend, the number of products you have for sale, and how you want to manage your products.  Want to see our shopping cart in action?  Visit these sites:  www.koenigfarm.com     www.ellenshalfpintfarm.com     www.homesteadfirearms.com  

Doing Business Online?

If you are serious about Doing Business On the Internet, it is critical that you have the ability to Take Money Online.   That may involve opening a merchant account.  There are many options.   I encourage you to call your bank and see what they will charge.  It usually involves a pricey set-up fee, monthly fees, and per transaction fees.  You may have to rent equipment.  But there are many other less expensive alternatives available, and while you are just getting started, we recommend that you try these until you know exactly what your needs will be.

Here are 2 Merchant Account solutions.  Both will do the job and are compatible with our shop cart.  Compare  their services, costs and benefits...

Other Credit Card Services that collect the money and then pass it on to you are more expensive per transaction, but if you do not process many cards, they may be less expensive in the long run because there are no monthly fees.  And as in all business transactions, read the find print carefully. 

AAA-WEBS - Website Informatione