Creating a website is not easy. There are so many aspects that need to be looked after- web design, hosting, domain name, themes, SEO and more! Things become more difficult when you start the entire project (i.e. of creating a website) without a plan. So, here is a checklist consisting of all the important steps involved in creating a website. Setting up your site turns out to be a fairly easy process with the right tools. Read on to find out.
Building a website: A step-by-step guide
What do you need to create a website? A lot of things. Here is a step-by-step guide.
Determine what exactly you are looking for
Even before you start surveying the best tools to create a website, you should first determine what you want from it. Do you want your site to function as an informative brochure for your brand? Or, would you like an e-commerce site meant to sell your products online? Or, is it just a blog which needs to be updated on a regular basis?
Once you’re sure about the exact nature of your website, you can start figuring out whether you can start with a simple website and then add other features to it or not. Jot down what you need now and what you would need later on.
Domain name
Your web address or URL is your domain name. You may like to keep your brand name in your domain or else include relevant keywords in the same. You can either register the domain name all by yourself or get a hosting company on board. Make sure you are selecting a domain name which is short, crisp and most importantly, easy-to-remember. Don’t end up choosing a domain name which is too complicated.
Features and number of web pages
What are the features that you would like to insert in your website? How many web pages do you need to include? It is prudent on your part to make a list of the web requirements including the number of web pages to be created, blogs, online forms, customer reviews, shopping cart, social media links, content updates, audio, video and others.
DIY or Professional services?
Do you want to create the website on your own or outsource the design and development needs to a company? There are several do-it-yourself tools that will help you create the website on your own. Website builders can be treated either as DIY tools or companies that create professional websites as per your requirements.
Hosting
Web hosting entails the storage of your website on a server accessible by the Internet. Your visitors should be able to find you easily on the web once they type your name or web address. You can host the website yourself by using the online hosting tools or get a company on board. Hiring professional services is a prudent decision in this regard, since you will have access to 24/7 tech support to assist you regarding, maintenance, security, bandwidth and other aspects of your site.
There is no dearth of web hosting companies around. Want to know which one is the best? Visit HostingReviewBox.com to find out how the leading hosting sites are rated as per their performance. Get in-depth reviews of premier hosting companies like Blue Host, iPage and eHost among others. Check out their pros and cons and make an informed decision.
Focus on the website
Now that you have a hosting service in place, you can plan and develop your actual website content. Publish your contact details and everything about your business which you would want your audience to find out about you. You can use your domain name to create a branded e-mail id as well.
Other Aspects
Make sure you are optimizing your website for search engine visibility, promoting it on your social networks and tracking its performance as well.
Author Bio: Kat Stanic is a digital media evangelist who loves to explore various aspects of blogging, web hosting, online marketing and Search Engine Optimization in her write-ups. You can find her in-depth reviews of hosting companies at HostingReviewBox.com.
