When it comes to building a website, it can feel like a task can be difficult for some. There are many people who struggle with understanding the concept of building a website and what it takes to do it. There are different types of websites out there and you must determine what purpose your website will serve. There are basic needs to start a website, especially if you are wanting to build a simple functioning website.
Those that have no experience with web design and web building may feel like this is something out of their league, but it isn't as difficult to do if you have the right tools and understanding of the process. Professionals are there if you need extra assistance or if you want to build a more complex website. Regardless, you must go through the right steps to create a well-functioning website, from creating business emails and logo designs to website hosting and software. Here are the necessary steps to get your website up and running.
1. Choose and register a domain name.
The first step of creating a website is to figure out a domain name. A domain name is the website URL to your website. You want to make sure you have a domain name that stands out and is memorable. Focus on the type of website you want to have to help you decide on a domain name. Domain names add value to your brand and help viewers remember your website.
This is one of the most important steps you must take to get your site up and running properly. You want to make sure that your web address relates back to your brand in some way. Some choose a domain name that represents the topic of their website, others may choose one that represents what their website stands for. Make it personalized to help you stand out from others.
Registering a domain name is quite easy these days. There are many sites online that will be beneficial o finding and registering your own domain name. Some hosting services may give you the option for a free domain name but it will be with your hosting account. They come at a small cost but it is well worth it in the end.
2. Host your website.
Hosting a website is necessary for every website created. Once you’ve found a unique domain name and have it registered, look for a hosting service to begin hosting your website. There are many options out there available for those that need to host their web pages. You must do your research to understand what hosting service fits your website the best. You should always choose a hosting service that has high speeds and is reliable. Having the ability to access the back-end of your website is an ideal feature for a good hosting service, as well.
3. Plan your website type.
Think about what kind of website you want and what purpose you want it to serve. Are you building a blog or are you wanting to start a business? There are many different types of websites, including:
- Business website
- Non-profit
- Ecommerce
- Informational
- Personal blog
- Cause-driven
- And more
Determine what type of website you want to put out to help you choose and create the right content to fit your brand. You also want to focus on the website type to help you decide how your visitors will navigate your website. The architecture of your website includes many parts, from text and images to design and logos.
4. Design and configure your website.
Designing a website can be the fun part of building your own website. Regardless of the purpose of your site, you must have a design that is pleasing to the eye and interesting to look at. You want people to remember your site by not only your domain name but the design of your website as well.
You also want to make sure to configure your website to fit its purpose. For example, you want to make sure your visitors can easily maneuver through your site’s tabs and options. Making sure that your website is configured properly is crucial to the workings of your website and can affect how often your site is visited as well. People enjoy things they don’t have to work too hard to understand and use. Make sure your website is useful.
5. Add content.
Your content is the next thing you should focus on. I’m sure before you created the website you had an idea of what you wanted your website to say, whether it be through words or images. The content of your website is the main event of your brand. It is how your visitors will see you and what ideas they should associate with your brand. You want to be personable on your website along with original. You want to appeal to your desired audience properly and to do that you have to focus on putting out the right content.
6. Publish your website.
Once you’ve registered your domain name, figured a theme and design, and gathered the type of content you want to put out, you can begin the process to publish your website. Publishing a website is a simple process of getting the web pages you have already created to your hosting service provider. You have tools within their service that will allow you to publish your content. Though you can either go through your hosting service or use a standard file transfer protocol software. Depending on your service provider, the support for file transfer protocol may vary.
Publishing your website through hosting sites like Wordpress is as easy as pressing a button. Website builders are known for making the website creation process simple and easy for those who aren’t as skilled in web design and production.
7. Promote and maintain your website.
To get traffic to your website and for people to see your content you want to make sure that you promote your website and maintain it. Promoting your brand is necessary for growth and building a reputable website. Many people decide to use marketing methods to get more traffic to their sites and have seen great results.
You want to maintain your website by keeping it updated and staying on top of your host fees. You want your visitors to use your website with ease without coming across technical issues. Stay up to date on technology and your configurations to make sure that your site is always up and running smoothly. Also, pay attention to visitor feedback on your website to improve in the areas that need to be better.
