// Building your online presence

Let's get your
business online.

From "I have an idea" to a live site with your domain, email, and hosting — here's everything you need, laid out step by step.

// Step 1

Start with your domain name.

Your domain is your address on the internet — yourbusiness.com. Check if the name you're thinking of is available right now.

🔍 Check Your Domain

Type the name you want (without .com) and hit Search. We'll open Namecheap so you can grab it if it's available.

// Searches via Namecheap · Typical .com domains start at $10–$14/yr · You own it; we just help you find it.

// What to look for

Short & memorable

Aim for under 15 characters. Avoid hyphens and numbers. Say it out loud — if you have to spell it out every time, it's too complicated.

// .com vs others

.com is still king

People default to .com when guessing a web address. If your .com is taken, try .co or .us before going to unusual extensions — unless you're a tech startup (.io, .ai).

// Already taken?

Try variations

Add your city: "acmeplumbingkc.com". Add a descriptor: "getacmeplumbing.com". Or come back to us — we'll brainstorm with you.

// Step 2

You'll need hosting.

Hosting is where your website actually lives — the server that delivers your pages to visitors. We manage GoDaddy hosting for all our clients so you never have to think about it.

// STARTER
$7/mo
1 site · 10GB storage · Free SSL · Perfect for a simple service or portfolio site.
// BUSINESS
$25/mo
Unlimited sites · 50GB storage · Free SSL · Daily backups · For businesses with multiple web properties.

Hosting is separate from your domain. You'll pay for both — but your domain is ~$12/yr and hosting is monthly. We handle setup, SSL certificates, and ongoing maintenance.

See Full Hosting Plans →
// Step 3

Get a professional email.

nothing@gmail.com doesn't cut it. Your email should match your domain — you@yourbusiness.com. It takes 15 minutes to set up and makes you look like you mean business.

// Step 4

Do you need AI tools?

AI isn't just a buzzword anymore — it's the leverage that lets a one-person business compete with teams three times your size. Here's where to start.

🤖

Claude — for thinking and writing

Drafts, emails, website copy, customer responses. Claude by Anthropic is what we use to build everything. Start free.

claude.ai →
🔍

Perplexity — for research

AI-powered search that cites sources. Replaces hours of manual research. Use it to understand your market, competitors, pricing.

perplexity.ai →

Zapier — for automation

Connect your apps so they talk to each other without you. Form submission → email → spreadsheet → Slack. All automatic.

zapier.com →
📚

Want to go deeper?

Our one-day Bootcamp covers every tool, hands-on — you leave with your AI stack actually working. Not a lecture. Real work.

See the Bootcamp →
Full AI Learning Guide →
// For artists & creatives

Are you a starving artist?

We built a program specifically for artists, photographers, fiber artists, and other creatives who need a beautiful online presence but not a tech degree to manage it.

✦ Firstlight — Built for Artists

Your portfolio, your story, your store — all in one place. We handle the tech so you can focus on the work. Gallery, lightbox, stripe-connected sales, and a look that actually matches your aesthetic. Starting at $29/mo after a simple setup fee.

// Try it now

See what your site
could look like.

Tell us about your business and our AI will generate a sample page in about 10 seconds. It's a starting point — not the final product. When you're ready, Michael takes it from here and builds the real thing.

⚡ AI Site Preview

Fill in a few details and hit Generate. The AI builds a complete HTML page just for your business — no login, no commitment.

// AI-generated preview — your real site will look even better

// This is an AI-generated starting point using your real business info. No Lorem Ipsum. Michael reviews every real project before a single line of code is written on the actual site.

Ready to make it real?

You've got a domain in mind, you know what hosting you need, and you've seen what's possible. The next step is a quick conversation with Michael to scope out your project.

Talk to Michael →