The Expert Advice, Made Easy Blog

We have talked a little about how to make money on the internet. Obviously one of the main ways to do this is via your own website – whether it is your own shop selling products, or a website about one of your interests, which uses advertising to generate income. But first of all, you need the website. Here are the initial basics of setting up your own site – it's not as difficult as you might think!

Designing a Website

The starting point for creating a website is the design stage. At this point it’s important to know what you want from your website and how you want it to look. Designing a website doesn’t necessarily require the use of a computer, but it does require careful research and planning. The following section explains how this should be done.

What’s the Point? 

The one question that you should keep in mind when designing a website is ‘What is the point of it?’ It’s essential to keep thinking about the purpose of a website, especially when you discover more and more features to add to it and start generating an ever-growing number of ideas. Designers often talk about needs analysis – thinking about what you want from a design. Your answers should include the following:

• Make money: This could be the primary objective, but the website needs more elements to ensure people visit it and in turn make money for you.

• Attract particular visitors: An audience is essential, especially an audience with a specific interest that can make money for you.

Market Research

One of the most effective ways to design a website is to look at what your competitors are offering and see if you can do better. Don’t just stick to websites in your own country; search worldwide through the various search engines from Google and Yahoo! Also, look at other industries that work in the same way as the website you plan to create. For instance, if you plan to create a website covering the renovation of a house, look at websites that cover the restoration of cars.

Design on Paper as well as On Screen

Websites with multiple pages are often easier to design on pieces of paper. This method allows you to make a list of subjects and aspects you want to cover, then write them into the relevant pieces of paper that represent the different pages of the website. Most designers use a hierarchical structure for designing web pages, with an introduction or home page at the top, then sub-pages below and, if necessary, more pages below these. Also invaluable, Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation package that can be used for designing the pages of a website.

Design Colours and Themes

Look at lots of colour schemes on different websites to help you decide which ones work and which ones look unsuitable. Experiment with different colours, fonts and styles using word-processing or DTP software. This will help to settle upon a particular set of colours, fonts and other styles that can be applied throughout your website. Important: avoid using too many colours and fonts in a website.

Build Your Own Website

A website can be created in a number of ways, ranging from writing your own HTML code using a simple text editor to using an online creation package with web space and a domain name provided. The following section explains what options are available and how a website should be constructed.

Website Checklist

A website needs the following checklist of considerations:

• Domain name: A suitable website address.

• Webspace: A website-hosting service or a server to store the website’s files. 

• Software: A program of some description is required to construct the website, whether it’s online or on your computer.

• Email: A message-forwarding service can provide multiple email addresses that contain your website address (for example, sales@robhawkins.co.uk), which are redirected to a specific email account.

Build Options

The popular approaches to building a website are as follows:

• HTML editor: If you are familiar with writing in hypertext markup language (HTML for short), you can produce exactly what you need using something as simple as a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad.

• Web design software: Serif’s WebPlus, Adobe’s Dreamweaver and Microsoft’s Frontpage are some of the web design programs that can help create an entire website. Some software is free to use, such as WordPress, whereas others are offered as trial versions with full versions ranging from a few pounds or dollars to a few hundred.

• Other programs: Word processors including Microsoft Word can export a file as a web page, allowing it to be used in a website.  This is an easier approach to creating a website, especially if you are familiar with such a program, but the results may not be as good as using a dedicated program.

• Online design: There are lots of deals offering the online creation of a website, often for free (although advertising is usually included). If you are new to web design software, then a free online website may help to make you more familiar with what’s required.

Using Online Website Design - Step-by-step example

The following step-by-step guide outlines what’s involved in making your own website with an online web design program provided by www.moonfruit.com.

• 

  Visit www.moonfruit.com: Open your web browser and go to Moonfruit’s home page, where you will see a number of website designs on the screen. First, log in or register by clicking on the ‘Login’ button near the top-right corner of the screen. You will need to decide upon a username and password and enter details including your email address. After registering, you can choose to create a website – click on ‘Add site’.

• Pick a design: On Moonfruit’s home page, you’ll see a variety of website designs. Click on the arrows toflick through the different ones and when you find one you like, select it. The design will pop up in the centre of the screen. Select ‘Click to build’ to proceed.

• Name and address: After selecting a website design, you’ll need to enter a name for the site and an address. The site address will include ‘.moonfruit.com’ at the end. So if you use an address such as ‘FrenchGite’, the full address will be www.frenchgite.moonfruit.com. After entering the site name and address, click on ‘Launch my site’ (if the address is already used, you’ll have to enter another one). 

• Keep for free: Your Moonfruit site is only available as a free trial for 15 days, but can be converted to either a paid-for website with more features, or a free website with Moonfruit’s own advertising and limited features (sufficient to get you started). A message box will prompt you and guide you through choosing a paid package or converting to free (the site has to be updated every six months to remain free).

• Add content: The online sitebuilder screen will display the web page design you chose. It can be edited by double-clicking inside text and changing it. Images and text boxes can be removed by selecting them and pressing delete on the keyboard. Other pages for your website can be opened and edited by selecting the appropriate navigation buttons.

• Insert your own images: Click on the Insert button near the top of the screen and a list of objects to insert will appear down the left side of the screen. Click on ‘Image’ on the left side of the screen and a File Manager window will appear. Select the images folder on the left, then click on ‘Upload’ to locate and add your own images from your computer. After uploading an image, select it and click on the ‘Use this’ button. You can then close the File Manager and move and resize your image on the web page.

• Check and publish: Your website can be instantly viewed online and is also available for anyone else to look at. Either click on the relevant button on screen, or use your web browser to visit your website address (the one ending ‘.moonfruit.com’). Your website can be further modified by logging into your account. Other features can be added including links to Facebook and Twitter.

Domain Names and Hosting

An easy-to-remember and relevant website address (domain name) is essential, but relatively easy to find and acquire. Domain name search sites including www.nameboy.com, www.123-reg.com, www.checkdomain.com and www.whois.net can check whether a domain name is already owned. If it isn’t, you can shop around for a deal to purchase the name along with any web hosting packages and online web design services (if required). 

All-in-one Offers

If you haven’t got a domain name and web space to host a website and are unfamiliar with HTML or web design software, it may be cost effective to opt for a package that includes all of these features with an annual or monthly payment. Web hosting services can provide all of this and there are plenty of them to be found through search engines such as Google and Yahoo! However, it’s worthwhile speaking with them and making sure you’re confident they are providing the correct advice and guidance. Look for web hosting services that are in your country and possibly local to you.

Home ISP Websites

Your internet service provider at home may provide some online space, which can be used to host a website.

Free Domain Names 

Many free website domain names are available, which include the provider’s business name in the address or feature advertising with your website. 

Adding Content 

There’s a vast assortment of content available that can be added to a website, some of which is free to use. The following section outlines what you need to consider in the way of content and where you can access free material that helps to make your website look professional. 

The Essentials

There are a number of categories of information that need to be included in your website to help avoid legal disputes and reassure customers you are genuine. These include the following: 

• About you: It always helps to include a short section outlining who you are and what you do. If possible, include a personal angle, such as a photograph of yourself.

• Legal paragraphs: Include any relevant information on copyright of your website’s content and legal disclaimers concerning the purchase of products and delivery. Look at other people’s websites to see what is required.

• Purchase protection: Display the methods of payment you accept and if there are any security measures, promote this to reassure customers the website is genuine (for example, SSL or Verified by Visa).

• Contact details: A website needs to offer some method of communication to help deal with enquiries, purchases and complaints. 

Avoiding Scams and Spam

One of the biggest threats for a commercial website is receiving an endless stream of spam emails and telephone calls from companies offering products and services you don’t want. Many websites try to avoid this using the following methods:

• Contact details: Don’t display your contact details as text because the information can be copied and used for sales calls. Instead, create an image for the contact details and add this to your website. 
• Online forms: If you have any online forms for customers to submit questions, include a validation field where the submitter has to type in some words that are displayed as an image. This is difficult for automated programs to read and helps to avoid scams.
• Register first: Restrict access to your website unless visitors register and log in. Whilst this may deter some customers, it helps provide a level of security, which may reassure customers who want to make online purchases. 

Keep It Clear 

Make sure your content is clear and easy to understand. Avoid over-filling pages to make them difficult to read. Many websites are cluttered with affiliate advertising, search boxes and additional images, leaving very little space for the main content.

Copyright-free Material

Illustrations, photographs, artwork, video and animation are some of the elements that help to bring a website to life, but where do you find such material and do you have to pay a fee? There are lots of ways to obtain free material, including the following:

• Free clipart on your computer: Programs such as Microsoft Office and dedicated drawing programs such as CorelDraw include free-to-use clipart, which can be included in a website.

• Free clipart and photos online: Search for ‘free clipart for websites’ using a search engine such as Google or Yahoo! and you’ll find an abundance of websites offering free images. 

• 
  Free animation: Animated images help to bring a website to life and can easily be incorporated without slowing down the rate at which the page loads. Animated GIFs and other types of files can be found at a wide range of free clipart websites (see above).

• Other free stuff: Banners, sidebars, lines and buttons can all be found on free clipart websites. 

• Online website builders: If you use an online service to construct your website, this will probably include images and other features that can be included in your website for free. 

Hot Tip: Don’t copy images from other people’s websites without their permission. It could result in a very expensive legal claim.

That's plenty to get you started with your own website. As you gain more experience, you may want to include some video on your site – a particularly effective element on a website. Or add a forum – useful for a wide range of purposes, form gathering opinions on your products to providing online help. Other useful features include guestbooks, news, polls, search facilities, calendars, social network links, live chat, and – a particularly effective internet marketing tool – a blog. 

Links

• Vist Tom Jones' straightforward guide to creating your own website.
• Upload videos easily using specialist services such as these.
• Set up a blog online with a free service such as this.

This post is based on an extract from our bestselling book, How to Make Money on the Internet by Rob Hawkins (ISBN: 9780857753908) – where you can find more on the above and further help on how to get the best out of your website.

Avoiding Fraud Made Easy: Making money and doing business over the internet have their fair share of problems. The following info introduces a wide range of risks, from email scams and hacking to credit card fraud and dishonest customers, which should help you take steps to be more secure online. 

Scams

The vast assortment of scams on the internet range from tax refunds to offers to make you rich overnight. As a general rule, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, so be cautious with such offers. However, many of these scams are often not so obvious to identify. If you are selling goods via the internet, you may receive emails from suppliers, payment services and financial institutions that deal with your transactions or banking. In amongst all the legitimate communication you receive, scams can be difficult to recognize.

Common Scams

It can often be very difficult to identify a fraudulent or false email from a genuine one, as they frequently change and new ones emerge every week. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• False links: Never sign in to a bank, PayPal or other account via a link within an email. This is a common type of scam and often leads to a fake website where your personal details are captured as you log in. Popular scams include security alerts, account suspended notifications and tax refunds.

• Payment made: Emails containing a receipt for goods purchased or a payment made, which you have not authorized are a common scam. Do not click on any links within the email, but check the account that has been supposedly debited.

• E-cards: Never download an e-card or click on a link to download a plug-in or other software to view a card. Even if the e-card is supposedly from someone you know, it may be a virus that has spread from their computer. As a general defence, invest in a reputable virus checker and firewall, and regularly run virus checks on your computer.

• Funds transfer: Another common scam are the emails from someone who claims to have a large sum of money to transfer out of a country in trouble (Nigeria and Iraq are popular) and is looking for a bank account to transfer the money to. You are offered a large fee, but if you respond, you are told you have to first pay the transfer fees. These fees continue and you never see any money.

• You won the lottery: Thousands of emails are produced claiming that you’ve won a lottery which you’ve never entered in a country you’ve never visited. In some cases, the prize money cannot be claimed until you’ve paid a fee, whereas in other cases, you have to submit personal details. In all cases, this is not a genuine lottery win.

• Work from home: Emails claiming you can easily earn hundreds of pounds or dollars a day from very little work are often too good to be true. The sales pitch never reveals what the work involves, because it is often non-existent or a type of pyramid selling (illegal in many countries).

• Data gathering: Some emails contain a program that can retrieve personal data from your computer. The program is often activated upon opening the email message. If an email looks at all suspicious (sent from a non-official email address, too-good-to-be-true promises in subject line, bad grammar etc.) you may be safer deleting it right away. Also a good idea is to always read your email via a web mail service, never via an email program that downloads messages to your computer.

• Pyramid sales: Just like chain letters, pyramid sales rely upon a person paying money, then emailing several friends to do the same. Eventually your name arrives at the top of the list and you will allegedly receive lots of cash! The scheme often fails and is illegal in some countries.

• Romance: When someone you have never met is in love with you via email, don’t believe a word of it.

Fraud on Fraud

The worst scams are those that prey on a person’s vulnerability concerning their identity, reputation or money. The following scams are common via email and over the telephone:

• ID theft prevention: So called ‘identity theft prevention services’ have been known to contact people claiming to offer such services and request a person’s personal details, which can then be used fraudulently.

• Credit rating: Companies claiming to improve a person’s credit rating or remove a black listing that should not exist.

• Computer virus: A popular money-making method is to telephone people and explain their computer has a virus, which can be removed if they pay a fee via a credit or debit card. This is usually a scam as the organization has no way of knowing whether a computer has a virus or not.

• Card fraud: A telephone call is received explaining your credit or debit card has been used fraudulently, but before anything can be done about it, you need to run through some security questions. Whilst this may be genuine, do not reveal any details, hang up the phone and call the financial institution for the credit or debit card in question.

Non-scams Become Scams

Sometimes, a genuine idea to make money becomes a scam. For instance, Google cash was initially a legitimate business idea to create Google Ads and make money. There was even an e-book written on the subject by someone who claims to have made a lot of money from it. Sadly, there are many scammers who have taken this method of earning money and made it into a scam. Consequently, it’s difficult to tell what is genuine and what is a waste of money. There are numerous training kits, books and videos promising to make you rich using Google Ads and other advertising techniques. Finding genuine material isn’t always so easy.

Selling Trouble

The commonest problems that can arise with buying and selling over the internet include the following:

• Overpayment: If a payment is received via a cheque through the post and the amount is greater than the purchase price, do not provide an immediate refund for the difference until the cheque has cleared. This type of scam usually results in the cheque not clearing.

• Goods not received: If you sell an item and deliver it, but the buyer claims it has not been received, you may have to provide a refund or send the same item again (if available). It often helps to use a traceable delivery service, even if the cost of delivery is more expensive.

• Used and returned: If a buyer returns a purchase, but when it comes back it has clearly been used, you may still have to offer a refund. This is a particular problem with goods that can be copied, such as an instruction booklet.

eBay, Amazon and other selling websites provide ratings for buyers and sellers, so always check them out if you are concerned about doing business with someone.

Business Scams

There is an ever-growing list of scams offering new business and investment opportunities and cheaper products that don’t exist. Here are some of the most popular ones to avoid:

• Timeshare and travel: This involves discounted property share deals, plane tickets and tickets for major events that don’t exist. If there is no means of getting a refund, don’t become involved.

• Government grants: If your business is eligible for a grant, find out about it from the government body that awards it, not a third party that promises to process your application.

• Fake suppliers: Buying items from an unknown supplier to sell on can be risky. Many businesses use reputable and reliable wholesalers, but it’s always tempting to use someone else, especially if they’re cheaper. If you decide to use an unknown supplier, use PayPal or a similar service to hold the funds until the goods have been delivered and checked.

• Ponzi and Madoff: Investment schemes that offer returns from other people’s money (also known as a pyramid scheme) are illegal in many countries. They use a chain letter method, but most people lose money. The scheme has been around since the nineteenth century. Well-known perpetrators include Charles Ponzi and Bernard Madoff.

• Re-shipping: Goods are ordered for an overseas delivery, but then the customer advises that the goods will be collected by an agent or freight representative. The customer orders an additional charge to be added to the total cost and for you to pay it to the person collecting the goods. You pay the collector, but never receive any payment.

Payment Fraud

Credit and debit card fraud is one of the biggest problems concerning trading on the internet. If you are receiving payments for goods via credit and debit cards, contact the organization managing these payments to find out what you need to do to avoid fraud. Also, find out whether there are any situations where you will lose money regardless of the precautions you take.

As you can see, it's not just the buyers who are at risk – it's the sellers and businesses too – so wise up!

Links

• Here is some official advice on avoiding fraud online.

• If you needed convincing of the importance of being vigilant, read about this victim's experience. 

• More tips on how to sell your stuff online safely. 

This post is based on an extract from our bestselling book, How to Make Money on the Internet by Rob Hawkins (ISBN: 9780857753908).