Domain Name
The first thing you're going to need is a domain name. A domain name should describe your business. You should probably use your business name, if it is available.
The best place, in our opinion, to register your domain name is at Namecheap.com.
Web Hosting
We host our websites with HostPapa.
Set Up Your Website
WordPress is a content management platform. It makes it super easy to create and maintain a website. You can install this very easily inside your HostPapa control panel.
Thrive Themes has an awesome WordPress theme builder. It's more than just a theme. With most WordPress themes, you are stuck with the look and layout of the theme. With Thrive Theme Builder you can make your website look exactly the way you want it to. It's the only theme you will ever need, or want!
Email Autoresponders
The most important thing you can do for your online business presence is build an email list of subscribers.
We use a WordPress membership plugin for our email autoresponders called Digital Access Pass. This plugin has all the functionality we need to communicate with our subscribers. However, if you do not need the additional functionality of a membership plugin, you can use autoresponder services like Aweber or GetResponse. We have used both services in the past, and we can recommend both with confidence in their service.
WordPress Plugins
Here are some additional WordPress plugins you might find helpful and want to use. We will link to their websites, but if you want to use them, you should simply search for them from within WordPress on your website. Just go to the plugins section, click "add new", and type in their name. That's the quickest and easiest way to install them on your website. All of these plugins are free, however, most of them have paid upgrade options. The free versions will probably work just fine for you, but the upgrades are there if you need the additional functionality. Here's the list...
Other Helpful Software and Plugins
Digital Access Pass - Membership Plugin
Camtasia - Screen Recorder and Video Editor
Snagit - Screen Capture