Get Started.

a) Create a free account.

Click here to get started with 1&1 Business Site. The 1&1 My Business Site package costs $9.99/month, and you can try it free for 30 days. Your customer details will be used to create your “Contact Page."

b) Choose your layout and color scheme.

There are over 100 layouts and nine color choices to choose from. Based on your selection, 1&1 will create a custom website for you, pre-filled with relevant text, graphics and your company's details. You can change the design and content at any time with their site builder.

c) Choose your domain name.

A free domain name is included with every 1&1 Business Site account. A domain name is the web address where you and your visitors will access your website. Keep your domain name short, easy to spell and easy to remember.

Add Pages to Your Website.

a) Customize your Home page.

The homepage is the most important page of your website, and should include a snapshot of your company. 1&1 allows you to add text boxes, images, a photo gallery, etc. to enhance your homepage's content. Include your company's value proposition, feature your "best work" and make sure your contact information is visible without having a visitor scroll.

b) Customize your Contact page.

A contact page helps visitors identify your business if they are trying to find it. 1&1 creates a contact page for you based on the information you provided when signing up for a free account. Double-check that this information is correct. You can add other elements to your contact page, such as a Google Map, images and a contact form by hovering over a text block on your contact form, and clicking the "plus" sign. Include every form of contact here you can think of (e.g. cell phone, office phone, fax number, email address, social networking profile links, and your physical address, including a picture of your storefront or office space).

c) Add supporting pages.

Supporting pages help strengthen you website's message. Create pages with 1&1's site builder tool, by hovering over the navigation, and clicking "Edit Navigation." In addition to a home and contact page, you will want to create a page that lists your services and pricing (if applicable), as well other pages specific to your industry. For example, if you are a contractor, you might create a page specifically for any ongoing specials you might have.

Create Logical Navigation.

a) Create main navigation links.

Navigation is how visitors get around your site. 1&1 will automatically create a main navigation bar based on the pages it creates for you. You can create new links by hovering over the navigation, and clicking "Edit Navigation." It is best practice to keep your primary navigation limited to 5 links, but you should at least include links to the following in your primary nav: homepage, contact, and services. If you don't include links to your supporting pages in your main nav, you can always use a sub-nav, or just link them to your main pages.

b) Create secondary navigation.

Secondary navigation should be used for content that needs to be broken up, or is several layers deep. You can create a sub-nav by hovering over the navigation, clicking "edit navigation link," adding a page, and then using the "right" arrow to move that page to the next level. Use the "left" arrow to move it back as a primary link.

Enhance Your Website (optional steps).

a) Customize your header and logo.

Give your website a unique style by creating a custom header. You can upload a logo, stock photo or pattern from 1&1's gallery, or upload your own custom image by hovering over the header and clicking "Edit header section." The size of 1&1's header is 940px x 238px, and it is recommended you re-size your custom image to this size. Patterns work well if you plan to use a title as your main focus.

b) Change your layout.

Changing your layout affects the position of your nav bars, the size and shape of your header and footer, and the way the content blocks are positioned in the body. The important thing to remember is to choose a layout that works for your website needs. (Screenshot) A note about 1&1's pre-set layout colors: Green indicates that the color of the block can be changed in the "Style" section. Yellow indicates a block inherits the background pattern/image set in the "style" section. White/Gray indicates that this element will not change colors.

c) Change your color scheme.

You can change the font style, color scheme and background pattern/image in the "Style" section of 1&1's site builder tool. Be sure to read our "Best Practices" tips when deciding your color scheme.

d) Get your website listed in search engines.

1&1 gives you the ability to edit your page title, site description, meta tags and alt tags for search engines in the "Settings" section. Your homepage should go after your most important keyword (e.g. a local lawn care service might go after "Austin lawn care"). Be consistent. Make sure your page title and main heading (H1) match, and that the content below pertains to those headings as well.

e) Add images, video and other multimedia.

1&1 has a wide range of elements you can add to your pages. In addition to the usual headings, text boxes, tables, photo galleries, etc., you can add a flash or YouTube movie, RSS feed, guest book, file download, and del.icio.us links. Think through how your customers interact with you, and create content based on those interactions.