Starting up a website is fairly easy these days. The basic requirement is having web server, html knowledge, idea and time. Where it goes from here is ultimately up to you. I have created 30 plus websites and I must admit that only a handful took off. Why was that?

Planning

It wasn’t the idea that was bad, in fact no idea is a bad idea. Like any startups the beginning is very critical, the plan needs to be clear, but make sure to keep it simple, remember you are a startup with very little resource so don’t overwhelm yourself, and viewers. Focus on getting the idea out.

Idea

There is always someone out there who is interested in what you have to say. Just like this article, you came here because you thought it applied to you in some shape or form. Connecting the right people is what makes an idea spread. It is easier to criticize an idea than it is to compliment it. In our society we measure the success by, popularity, and wealth. That won’t be changing anytime soon but let’s play that game. Model your idea to become popular with your target audience. Worry about generating money after, not now.

How many times have we seen a “stupid idea” became a brilliant idea? Way too many times. If you are passionate it can happen. If you build it, it will come haha.

Who is the idea for?

As a reader, I landed on your page for a reason, now tell me how it can help make my life easier? The biggest mistake I see from websites are irrelevant verbiage about them self, that information goes into the about section not the most important page, the front page. Be direct, be bold, show the concept, and show how it can help your visitor. That’s why site’s that are naked works! Craigslist is a great example of this concept. You are there and you know how to find the information. Your site needs to be the same, I want to land on it and the information is right in front of me. If I want to know more about your business I will, no need to flood me with crap. If I found your site useful, there is a great chance that I have either bookmarked your site, or passed the information to someone else. You following?