Today, we are going back to basics – website basics! If you’ve never had a website but are looking to launch one and don’t know the first thing about them, then this article was written with you in mind. So keep reading!
Website Basics #1 – A Domain Name
The first thing to consider is a domain name for your website. This is the URL address where people will find your website.
It’s best to come up with a few ideas for your domain name. Here are my tips for selecting a good one:
- It should be easy to remember so customers can find you.
- Pick words that are easy to spell.
- Use keywords that people are searching for – your business name is a great choice!
- Consider the length – the longer it is the harder it is to remember.
- Make it on brand – consistency with your business matters.
- Be cautious of punctuation, numbers, double letters, etc.
- Stick with common domain extensions like .com or .ca
- Don’t pick something too specific. Your domain should encompass your business as it grows.
Once you have a few web addresses you like, look to see if they are available!
Found the perfect domain? Now it’s time to decide how your website will be built.
Website Basics #2 – Content Management System or Website Builder?
Here, you have two options:
- A Content Management System (or CMS for short)
- A Website Builder
There is a lot I could say about the pros & cons of a CMS versus a website builder. Perhaps, it will be a topic for a future post! For now, I’ll list a few pros and cons for each method.
Website Builders
In general, website builders are designed for those looking to DIY a website. Website builders come with everything you need to get a site launched quickly. You don’t need to know any coding therefore, it’s the easier way to build a website.
- No coding required.
- Fast and easy to build.
- Design selection varies depending on which builder you pick.
- Features & capabilities of your site may be limited.
- Integration with other tools may not be possible.
- Customer service will be more readily available.
If you are curious what I recommend, my favourite website builders by far are Showit & Squarespace.
I personally love the ease of use that comes with a website builder but make sure you pick one that provides flexibility in design and integrates well with other tools. Above all, Showit is my go-to for custom web design projects.
Content Management Systems
The most well-known Content Management System for websites is WordPress. Here is a short list of my pros & cons for picking a WordPress website.
- Design options are endless, either through purchased themes or custom coding.
- Does require some technical ability.
- Features & capabilities are practically endless with the installation of plugins.
- Integrates with everything.
- Support is not as readily available.
- Coding familiarity recommended.
- Manual website updates. You’ll have to manually upgrade plugins & WordPress as new versions are released.
WordPress is now running over 30% of the internet and continues to be the go-to for building a website because of its versatility and limitless options.
Website Basics #3 – A Hosting Provider
If you opt to use a website builder, their fees include the hosting cost of your website. Plus, they may even include domain registration.
Otherwise, to set your website up using a CMS like WordPress you’ll need to find a company to host your site on their servers. There are many website hosting options to choose from.
For my WordPress websites, I’ve always used Bluehost and have been happy with their service and level of technical support. Heads up this is an affiliate link which means I do receive a commision if you sign up for hosting. So, thanks for supporting me if you do!
Also, Bluehost offers a very simple one-click Wordpress install process which makes it very easy to get started.
So, what do you need to consider when picking out a hosting package for your website? Here are my recommended must-haves:
- Reliable, 24-hour technical support.
- SSL certificate included.
- Easy WordPress Install.
On top of these, also consider if the following are important to you:
- Website size restrictions.
- Do you want an email address @yourdomain.
- Security features.
- Website backups.
To wrap things up, there are 3 website basics you need to launch your site:
- A domain name.
- A content management system (WordPress) or a website builder (such as Showit or Squarespace).
- A hosting provider (Will be the same as your website builder if you choose to use one).
Whether you decide to build your own website or hire a designer to build it for you, it’s important to understand your options.
If you found this article valuable, make sure you sign up for my email list below. I love to break down all things web design and business branding with my subscribers!
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Behind the blog
I’m Vanessa. The Founder & Creative Director of Vanessa Bucceri Creative.
We work with ambitious service professionals who are ready to uplevel their brand identity so they can flourish in their businesses. We show style-minded business owners just like you how to connect with your audience through artful branding & web design - all while truly listening to your vision and intuitively bringing it to life.
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