What to Say When You Have No Web Site

Question: As I am beginning to talk more about my newly established gift basket business, I am being asked repeatedly if I have a Web site. Am I the only one who is struck with fear at this question? Where do I begin? What do I say while I'm waiting to create my site?

Answer: How wonderful that people are interested in your business so soon after you've begun. It seems that the question, "Do you have a Web site?" has replaced the old standby, "How's the weather?" Don't fear. It seems that the world has set up shop on the Web, but you are not alone in not having a site.

Until you decide when to start a Web site, you can respond with, "I'm not yet set up, but I will be soon. Are you interested in a specific gift basket?" or something else that uncovers if the person really wants to buy or is just asking a question because there's nothing else to say.

Answering the Web site question with this two-part response is better than saying, "No, I don't have a site," and ending the conversation when you may have the opportunity to make a sale.

If you're looking for Web hosts that let you set up a free site, look for such companies using search engines. Evaluate each Web host before deciding to use their services. You especially want a host that does not litter your site with ads.

Most gift basket designers choose hosts that charge an affordable per-month or per-year price. You'll get many more options to set up a wonderful site than by using a free host.

Web Sites for Retailers lays out creating a Web site in five easy steps.