When Should I Set Up My Website? Ask Anne, The Pro Writer

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne:
At what point in a freelancers career is it appropriate to set up a website? I have one national publication and at least 10 regional publications. Is this too early. If so how long should you wait to set up a site?

–Maureen, Atlanta, GA

Hi Maureen,
First let me apologize. I’d forgotten your question was in comments… I’ve been looking for it in my email! That’s why the delay.

No, it’s not to early; you should set up a website today! Right now! In fact, I suggest writers set up websites very early in their careers these days.

I don’t know what’s going to happen to the Yellow Pages, but as near as I can tell most people use the ‘net instead. Sure you’ll be there amidst a million and a quarter others, but if you do your site reasonably well, you can come to the top in your specialty.

Here are a few hints and thoughts that may help.

• You’ll need a host – I use 1and1 (yep, that’s an affiliate link)
• You need your own domain name – if you go with 1and1 you can buy it there. Your name or an easy-to-remember variant is probably the best domain for writers.
• If I were starting today, I’d set up my website as a blog in WordPress. You may have to get someone to install it, although you can do it your self if you’re patient. Once it’s up and running on your host you now have a website that’s easy for your to update and change. I’m actually going to eventually change my sites to blogs.

I wrote an article on this called: You’re a Writer – You Need a Website! I haven’t updated it to reflect putting up a blog, but the rest of it is more or less sound.

Thanks for asking. Now, go get started on your site and when it’s done, or almost, share your domain name with us.

Do you have a question about freelance writing? Ask Anne, The Writing Pro – that’s me ;) Ask in the comments or send an email and put Q&A in the subject line so I can sort it out from spam and I’ll do my best. Meanwhile, you’ll find some Q&A’s here:

http://www.bizzia.com/category/ask-anne-the-pro-writer/

Write well and often,

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