New Business Basics

​

We will start by creating the accounts listed below.  The accounts are listed in order of importance.

​

• Secure Your Domain

  • www.godaddy.com

​

• Secure Your Email Account

  • www.gmail.com

​

• Secure Your Google Voice Number

  • www.google.com/voice

​

• Secure Your IG handle

  • www.instagram.com

​

​

Step 1 | Secure Your Domain

​

It is important to secure a domain name first because this is how your future clients will find you online.  Your future website will give valuable information to potential clients and also provide a sure way to contact you with questions, etc.  We have chose GoDaddy as our preferred vendor for domains due to their unmatched customer service as well as their product/service menu. Please keep in mind that your domain should be consistent with your company name.  It should be easy for your future clients to remember and find you.  (Additional Fees will apply: Approx. $25 per year)

​

GoDaddy Account | Website | Domain

• Visit www.godaddy.com

• Enter in your desired domain name here:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

• If your domain name is available, follow the prompts to pay for your domain name.

• Remember to write down your customer number, user name and password (We will need it later)

 

 

step 2 | Secure Your Email Account:

 

 Sign Up for a Google Account

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

*Signing up for a Google Account gives you access to Google Voice and other solutions.

​

• Visit www.gmail.com to secure your new email address.

• You will want to create a Gmail Account for your business.  This email address should be consistent with the domain name and social media handles.  (Ex: primandproperink@gmail.com, IG: @primandproperink, FB: @primandproperink, website: www.primandproperink.com)

• Please create a generic password so that our team can navigate in and out of this account for correspondence purposes.  Once we are complete with the project, you should change your password.

 

 

 

Step 3 | Secure Your Google Voice Number

​​​

• Visit www.google.com/voice

• All Google Voice numbers are attached to a Google account. If you don’t already have login credentials for services like Gmail, YouTube, or Google Docs, then you will have to create a Google Account. To our knowledge personal accounts are completely free of charge. Go to Gmail's sign up page and enter  basic information about yourself to make an account.

​

Sign In & Read the Terms & Conditions

• Once you have created your Google account, you are ready to continue the Google Voice sign up process. Visit voice.google.com  and sign in with your account (if you didn’t close your web browser, you may already be signed in with your new Google account). Enter your password and click “Next” to continue.

• Sign in to your Google account to get started with the service.

• You will have to read through and accept Google Voice’s Terms of Service. This is mostly standard legal copy. However, Google specifically bans phone practices like using your Google Voice number to send automated solicitation calls. You are also prohibited from selling any data from your Google Voice activity. Violators are subject to losing their access to Google Voice. This is something to keep in mind for those who want to do phone-based marketing.

• Once you have agreed to the terms of service, you are all set to start the Google Voice sign-up process. You should be taken to the next screen where you can finally choose your area code, pick a number, and connect it to your mobile, landline, and desktop devices.

​

Enter Your Local Area Code

• After you agree to the Terms of Service, Google Voice will ask you to enter a three-digit local area code or city. If you have location services enabled on your computer, it will suggest taking on the area code and three-digit line prefix of nearby cities.

• You can search for numbers either by city or area code.

• Most users will want a number that reflects their actual location. However, the fact that Google Voice lets you choose any area code in the U.S. has an interesting advantage. 

• You may only choose a local number for your city if available.

​

Choose a Phone Number & Click “Verify”

• Choose your area code or city, and Google will provide you with a list of available numbers for that prefix. Click the “Show More” button to reveal even more choices. Pick a number that you like and you think would be memorable for your customers and associates. 

• Suggested phone numbers offered through Google Voice.

• Once you’ve found a number that you like, click the “Select” button next to that number. Google Voice will then claim that number for you, and it is then yours to keep indefinitely. Once this step is complete, you officially have a business phone number. Next, you will have to verify your existing phone number to get started using Google Voice.

​

Link Your Existing Phone Number

• Because it is a virtual number, every Google Voice number needs to be linked to an existing phone number. It cannot provide you with your own traditional number like a mobile carrier or VoIP provider. This can either be a mobile number or a landline.

• Phone number linking through Google Voice.

• Once you’ve entered a phone number, there are two ways to connect the service. On a mobile phone, you will receive a text message with a unique six-digit code to enter into your browser window. Otherwise, you can have Google call your landline and tell you the code over the phone. Once you’ve entered your code, simply click the “Verify” button, and you are ready to start using Google Voice on your desktop or landline device.

​

Download the Google Voice Mobile App

• If you want to use your Google Voice number on your smartphone, then you will have to download the Google Voice app on your iOS or Android device. Simply go to the App Store or Google Play app and search for “Google Voice.”

• Google Voice is available for iOS and Android devices.

• Once the app is downloaded, open it up. You will be asked to sign in with your Google account. When you are logged in, the setup process will be complete. You will be ready to start calling and texting with your Google Voice number immediately.

 

 

step 4 | Secure your IG handle

• First think of a social media handle that would be consistent with the Gmail account that you created.

• Second see if it is available

• Create a Business IG Account

​

Set Up a Professional Account on Instagram

On Instagram, you can convert your personal profile to a professional account to access features that can help you grow your business.

​

To switch your profile to a professional account:

1. Go to your profile and tap the three lines  in the upper right corner.

2. Tap Settings.

3. Tap Account (Tap Add Account if you do not want to convert your personal page and follow the prompts)

4. Tap Switch to Professional Account.

5. Tap Business.

6. If you'd like, you can follow the steps to connect your professional account to a Facebook Page associated with your business. This step is optional, and will make it easier to use all of the features available for businesses across the Facebook family of apps. At this time, only one Facebook Page can be connected to your professional account.

7. Add details, like your business category and contact information.

8. Tap Done.

​

With a professional account, you'll be able to access business features and Instagram Insights. These tools can help you understand who is engaging with your business on Instagram.

You also have the option to display or hide your business category and contact information on your profile.

 

After setting up, go to your profile and tap Edit Profile. Go to Profile Display under Public Business Information to choose whether you want to hide or display your category label and contact info. Then, tap Done.

​

​