This is a step-by-step guide to setting up your own easy-to-maintain website on your own domain (web address, like “example.com”).
Before you even read this, read “Do I Really Want A Website?“
[DDDD] Keep your eyes on the prize! Be goal-oriented. The goal is to build your business, not to build a website.
Find your domain name
Every word in the dictionary is taken. Someone even wanted “syphillis-dot-com”. But you can still find a collection of words and a domain extension (the bit at the end) that will describe what you have to offer, help people to find it, and fit on a printed business card.
Find a hosting service
[DDDD] There are many many cheap and reliable hosting companies. Sadly, they often get bought by expensive and unreliable ones. Here are some that have yet to be:
Install web software—a Content Management System (“CMS”)
[DDDD] No one makes websites in raw HTML any more. You want to create webpages like you would write with a wordprocessor. A “content management system” makes this possible. It’s also essential to being found by Google.
Make a homepage
[JJJJ] Ironically, very few first visits to websites come via their front pages, but every website needs a front page—including yours. Here’s how to make it:
Make a contact page
[JJJJ] The No.1 reason that people visit a business’s website is to find that business’s contact details.
Add more content
[DDDD/JJJJ] Even if you do need your own website, a front page and a contact page will often be enough to achieve what you want to achieve. Often they won’t be enough, especially if you want to be seen by Google. Here are some ideas for additional pages you might create.
Set up your site to be found by search engines (SEO configuration)
[DDDD] We don’t want to use the deadly word “SEO”, because the best way to do SEO is not to do SEO.
Start a blog
[DDDD] If you aren’t a big company and you don’t have a big online shop, then the best way to be seen by Google is to have your own blog.