Steps to Getting Packing List Online

This is overview of how a simple site gets online. The examples are specific to Packing List.

1. The URL www.packinglist.info bought from www.getdotted.com for £30
2. Sign up with a free web host. This site is hosted by www.freeola.co.uk
3. The Packing List is typed out in Microsoft Word and stored as Word and PDF
4. This page (and site) written in Word and stored as HTML. The "home" page is called index.htm
5. Make sure the HTML code includes Description and Keywords for search engines
6. All the files are stored on the PC in a folder and the links are tested with Internet Explorer.
7. Free and shareware FTP programs are available. We use www.tucows.com to download SmartFTP.
8. Use SmartFTP to download files from the folder to www.packinglist.info
9. Find an affiliates program. This site started just with Amazon.com which gives a range of graphics to copy to the site, and an easy payment system.
10. Submit the site to major directories.
11. Wait for the millions to flow in ("if you build it they will come")

And, although it wasn't necessary, I did use MS FrontPage Express to speed up the editing. If you don't understand why then click on the View Source menu choices to see how HTML can get pretty tedious.

There are so many options to make a site more sophisticated and add value. An easy option is a visitor counter. There are easy ways to add feedback, suggestions, online user polls, bulletin boards, moving graphics, and richer content. A real possibility is a dynamic packing list generated in response to the user's stated requirements.

Either way it's quick and easy to do and satisfying. A site like this won't generate real income, but if you have a niche product or unique content then it's worth a shot. Good luck.