Insider Guide to Ezine Publishing

1. Choose your domain name

The domain name you select should reflect the title of your ezine. It is getting harder to find good names, so act quickly. To make it easier for you to find out quickly whether a suitable domain name is available for registration, and to receive some assistance about other related domain names, you can use a tool like Biz Mint. Once you've hit upon a great name, click here to get started registering your domain names now.

2. Choose a web hosting service

Your web host is literally a part of your business itself. It is your host who will ensure that your website is accessible to readers and customers round the clock. In selecting a host for your site, cost is the least important issue. You need exceptional quality of service. If your web hosting service cannot handle the needs of your fast growing business, you will lose thousands of dollars because your site was down.

Several issues need to be considered before selecting your hosting service. The best account of these vital factors that I have come across and benefited from are in Corey Rudl's Internet Marketing Course version 3.0 (lesson 3- 3 to 3-6) where he discusses nineteen essential factors that you need to take into consideration when choosing your web host.

This is information vital to your online success, ignore this priceless advice at your own risk. To check it out, go to http://www.EzineMarketingCenter.com/imc/

3. Designing your website - DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

You need to decide whether you will design your website on your own or hire a professional designer.

   a. Have a Professional do it If you choose to have a pro design your site, don't hurry. Take some time to do basic research. Shop around. Some recent college grads offer their services for a lower cost while they gain experience.

Alternately, you can surf the Net for cool websites and then contact the designers of these sites directly. Before committing yourself to a designer, get testimonials, see other work they've done and verify their credentials. And sign a written contract, with special care to spell out copyright ownership of your content. You shouldn't have to pay more than 50% of the fee in advance!

   b. Do it yourself If this is what you want to do, learn HTML. It isn't very difficult. There are many free tutorials online. HTML editor programs are also helpful in getting you started. The one I love is Dreamweaver from Macromedia.

Secret Tip: Even if you hire a pro, learn some basic HTML. This will allow you to make minor modifications without having to request the pro - and pay high fees every time as well !

4. What should you put on your ezine's website?

Your ezine's website is the face you present to the world. You and your business will be judged from its appearance and functionality. Take care to design a great website.

In Lesson 8.2 of Ezine Launch, you'll find a detailed breakdown of the 14 major aspects of designing your ezine's website. Every single one of them is important and needs to be carefully considered and implemented to make certain that your website is user friendly and designed to attract new subscribers and sell your product or service.

The topics discussed in this lesson are:

   - Building your brand through your ezine website

   - Exploding your ezine's readership by attracting subscribers online

   - Why you should post your latest issue on the Web

   - How to list previous issues in an online archive

   - Gaining your visitors trust and inspiring confidence in your business

   - Why you must offer a privacy policy, and how to create one

   - Making your website interactive to keep readers coming back

   - Constructing your sales letter to maximize sign up rates

   - Encouraging article submissions and other forms of content

   - How to post your online marketing toolkit on the Web

   - and much more.

Remember, every aspect of your site should work towards the same aim - to convert the casual visitor into a loyal subscriber to your ezine. Ezine Launch shows you exactly how to do this.