Creating a Free Ecommerce Web Site
A Hands-on Activity

Create a free Ecommerce Web site in 15 minutes with no expiration date.
This tutorial is online at http://lone-eagles.com/tutorial.htm  

1. Go to http://tripod.com and click on the START NOW button to see your website options. You will see “Tripod Free” in the upper left and click on “Sign Up” for the free website plan with no time limits.   Note: you can also click on “learn more” for details on the free website option.
(A Spanish Language Tripod site is at http://tripod.com.mx )

2. The "username" will be part of your web site address. Example:     http://username.tripod.com  Your username must be one word with just letters or numbers. You should click on the “Check Availability” button to make sure your username isn’t already taken. You must give yourself a Password and enter it a second time to confirm it.

IMPORTANT: Write down your "username" and Password NOW so you can access your site again in the future.

Username____________________   Password_______________________

3. Fill out ALL the blanks - keeping in mind you do not have to give accurate
    private information. 

   Click on the birthdate down arrows to see options. You must enter a birthdate to identify yourself as being older than 18.  (Parental permission is required for those under 18 years of age.)

4. Deselect all boxes preselected with green checks or you will receive
    advertisements. Note you might want to receive their web-building tips.

5. Enter the largest numbers shown in the box at the very bottom of the form page
     into the box labeled “Into This Box” and at the bottom of the page
     select "I Agree." This is simply a security measure to make sure you are a 
     person and not a computer.
    Note: If you are asked to resubmit your form, you’ll have to uncheck the boxes.

6. You should see “Please Wait While We Process Your Account”

7. On the left you’ll see options to Create a Site, Blog and/or Photo Album.
    Note you have links to tutorials with everything you need to know across the
    top of the page.

    Select “Create a Site.” Note that you are now in the “Site Builder” section –
    Select “Start with an Express Site Template”
 

8. Select "About My Business" (Click on the Choose link)  (Page 1 of 3.)

9.  Replace the text “About my business” with the title of YOUR business as this
       will appear at the top of your web page. Enter other information as time
       permits in the other boxes (Optional.)  You can always return to add more
       text later.  Select the NEXT button on the right side of the page. Read the
       simple instructions above the next button. (Page 2 of 3)

10. Continue adding brief bits of information in the next series of boxes.
      Select the NEXT button on the right side of the page. (Page 3 of 3.)

11. Select "Choose from all designs" at the top of bottom of this page, and choose
      a new web page design by clicking on the design you like.
      Then click on "Use this Design"

12. You should now see many editing buttons across the bottom of the page for
      adding text, pictures, links, pages, etc.
      Select PUBLISH NOW and your web page will be instantly published on the
      Internet with the web address “username.tripod.com:

*Note the web address for your Ecommerce site is at the top of the screen - 
   Write It Down Now!   ________________________
     Note also the SITE PROMOTION link at the bottom.

14. Select the EDIT button to continue editing your page - explore the easy
      buttons at the bottom of the screen to continue exploring how to add new web
      pages, new pictures, and new content, including whole new web sites. If errors
     appear, simply try again and explore the options looking for the Edit Page link.

15. Select "log out" when you're finished.
You now have your own free Ecommerce web site which you can edit from anywhere, anytime, as long as you remember your username and password.
You can create many web sites, photo albums, and blogs using your account.

IMPORTANT:      Double check you've written down your "username" and Password so you can return to build your site later. Don't forget to write down the web address for your new web site, in the following format:   "username.tripod.com"

Final Step – Do This NOW!
If you have logged out of your tripod account, it is time to see if you can log in using your username and password. Try it NOW!     

NOTE: If you can’t find your web site once you logged in, select Sitebuilder.

To learn more about Ecommerce and Emarketing lessons go to
http://lone-eagles.com/ecom.htm  More Lone Eagle Resources are at
http://lone-eagles.com/future-proofing.htm