How To Build A Website

How To Build A Website

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

An essential guide for entrepreneurs and small business owners covering website composition, platform selection, design elements, and more. Discover the secrets to creating a successful online presence.

Building a website can seem like a daunting task, but with a little bit of understanding of the basics, it can be a straightforward process. 

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF WEBSITE BUILDING

The difference between a website and a web page

The first thing to understand is the difference between a website and a web page. 

A website is a collection of web pages that are linked together and can be accessed via a single domain name.

A web page is a single document that can be viewed in a web browser, and it is a part of a website.

The 3 core technologies that make up a website

The three core technologies that make up a website are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

1. HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, is used to create the structure and content of a web page. 

2. CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is used to control the layout and design of a web page. 

3. JavaScript is a programming language that can be used to create interactive elements on a web page, such as forms, buttons, and other dynamic elements.

How Website Hosting Works

It's also important to understand how website hosting works. 

When you build a website, you need to find a place for it to live on the internet, this is where hosting comes in. 

When you sign up for a hosting account, you're essentially renting space on a server where your website files will be stored and served to users who visit your website.

Reminder: Make sure the hosting service you decide on can handle the traffic you're expecting as well as provide daily backups of your work.

CHOOSING A WEBSITE PLATFORM

When it comes to building a website, there are a variety of options to choose from. 

One popular option is to use a website builder, which is a tool that allows you to create a website without needing to know how to code.

Website builders are typically easy to use, and they come with a variety of pre-made templates that you can use as a starting point. Some examples of website builders are Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, Shopify, etc.

However, it's important to keep in mind that choosing a website builder may come with extra or hidden costs. Many website builders offer a free plan with basic features, but if you want to add more functionality or remove branding from the website builder, you'll likely have to upgrade to a paid plan.

Additionally, website builders may charge extra fees for things like using a custom domain name, special features, or increasing the amount of storage space you have for your website.

Note: Some website builders are meant for experienced designers or developers, and some are intended for beginners. Make sure you do your research or try a few free versions out before you buy.

REGISTERING A DOMAIN NAME

Registering a domain name is an important step in building your website. A domain name is the address that people will use to find your website on the internet, such as www.kellygrimesdigital.com for example.

When you register a domain name, you are essentially reserving that name for your exclusive use, and it becomes your unique identity on the internet.

Domain Registrars

There are several domain name registrars available that allow you to search for and register domain names. Some popular options include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Network Solutions. 

When choosing a domain name, it's important to:

  1.  Choose something that is easy to remember and that accurately reflects the content of your website. 
  2. Consider the extension of your domain name, such as .com, .net, .org, etc.

Issues when registering a domain

Even though registering a domain name may seem simple, there are issues you might run into. 

Domain Unavailable
One of the most common issues is that the domain name you want may already be taken. Be ready to use a backup domain name in case your first choice is not available.

Domain Cybersquatting
Another issue you might encounter is cybersquatting. Cybersquatting is when someone registers a domain name with the intent of profiting from the goodwill associated with someone else's trademark. It's important to check that the domain name you want to register is not similar to any registered trademarks or copyrighted material.

Domain Renewals
It's also important to keep in mind that registering a domain name is a yearly process, and you'll need to renew your registration annually. If you fail to renew your registration, your domain name will expire, and someone else may be able to register it.

IMPORTANT!
It's vital that you renew your domain name each year or set it to auto-renew to maintain your line presence. Losing access to your domain can be a complete loss or may take you months or even years to recover from it.
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CHOOSING A HOSTING PROVIDER

Once you've registered your domain name, the next step in building your website is to choose a hosting provider. 

What is a hosting provider?

A hosting provider is a company that provides the servers and technology that your website will be stored on, allowing it to be accessible on the internet.

Types of website hosting

There are a variety of hosting options to choose from, including shared hosting, virtual private servers (VPS), and dedicated servers. 

Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is the most affordable option, where your website shares a server with other websites. 

VPS Hosting
A VPS is a step up from shared hosting, providing more control and resources, but also more expensive.

Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is the most expensive option, but it provides the most control, resources and security for your website.

What type of website hosting is good for a small business?

When choosing a hosting provider, it's important to consider the size and needs of your website.

If you're just starting out and you expect your website to have low traffic, shared hosting might be a good option. On the other hand, if you expect your website to have a lot of traffic, a VPS or dedicated server would be more appropriate.

Issues you might run into with your website hosting

Even though choosing a hosting provider may seem simple, there are issues you might run into. 

Downtime
One of the most common issues is that the hosting provider might not be reliable, leading to frequent downtimes, poor website loading times, and data loss. This is why it's important to choose a reputable hosting provider with a good track record of uptime, reliability, and customer support.

Too Much Traffic
Another issue you might encounter is that the hosting provider might not be able to handle the traffic to your website. This can be due to a lack of resources, poor infrastructure or poor optimization. This can lead to slow-loading pages or even crashing of your website.

Hidden Costs
Another thing to keep in mind is the cost, many hosting providers offer low rates but later on, you might need to pay extra for some features that you need for your website, like extra storage, backups, or security features, so make sure you're aware of all the costs before committing to a hosting provider.

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DESIGNING YOUR WEBSITE'S LAYOUT AND AESTHETICS

Designing the layout and aesthetics of your website is an important step in creating a professional and user-friendly site. The layout and design of your website can have a big impact on how visitors perceive your site and can play a big role in converting visitors into customers.

Web designs should enhance the visitors experience

When designing the layout of your website, it's important to keep in mind the visitor's experience and the organization of the information on your site. Below are a 5 areas where to focus on:

Website Layout
The layout should be easy to navigate and allow users to find the information they need quickly and easily. This can be achieved by using a clear hierarchy, consistent design elements, and appropriate use of whitespace.

Web Design Aesthetics
The aesthetics of the website, on the other hand, can be used to create a visual identity and convey the tone and style of your brand. This can be achieved by choosing the appropriate color scheme, typography, and images.

Responsive Web Design
One of the most common issues you might have is that your design might not be responsive, meaning it's not adapted to different screen sizes, this can lead to a poor user experience on mobile devices.

Web Accessibility
Another issue you might encounter is that the design might not be accessible, meaning it's not easy to use by people with disabilities, this can lead to a lack of inclusivity and can limit the potential audience of the website.

Website Performance & Page Speed
Another thing to keep in mind is the performance, using heavy images, videos and large scripts can lead to slow loading pages and poor performance, especially for users on slower internet connections.

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ADDING CONTENT TO YOUR WEBSITE

Adding content to your website is an important step in creating an informative, engaging and valuable website for your audience. 

The content of your website can be divided into different types, like:

  • text, 
  • images, 
  • videos, 
  • audio 
  • and more

Each one of these types of content can be used to serve different purposes and can be used to target different types of audience.

3 things to consider when adding new content

  1. The quality, relevance and value of the information you're providing. 
  2. The organization and structure of the content, making sure that the information is easy to find and navigate.
  3. The content is optimized for search engines, this is known as SEO (Search Engine Optimization) it will help your website to rank better on search engine results page, this way you'll be able to reach more people.

To avoid issues, it's best to create original content, research the information and make sure it's accurate, and regularly update it.

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OPTIMIZING YOUR WEBSITE FOR SEARCH ENGINES

Optimizing your website for search engines, commonly known as SEO (Search Engine Optimization), is an important step in making sure your website is easily found by users on search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. 

Basic SEO techniques for every small business

SEO involves a variety of techniques that help your website rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for keywords related to your website's content.

On-page SEO

On-page SEO techniques include optimizing page titles and descriptions, using header tags, and including keywords in the content of your website. 

Off-page SEO

Off-page SEO techniques include building backlinks from other websites, which can help to increase the authority and credibility of your website.

Technical SEO

It's also important to make sure your website is technically well-optimized. This includes things like improving website speed, mobile-friendliness, and website navigation, all of this can have an impact on your website's visibility on search engines.

SEO is a continuous process and a long term strategy. It's important to monitor and adjust your SEO strategies as the search engine algorithms and the user's search behavior change.

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TESTING AND LAUNCHING YOUR SITE

Testing and launching your website is the final step in the website building process. 

Before launching, it's important to thoroughly test your website to ensure that it is functioning correctly and that there are no bugs or errors. This includes testing for things like broken links, compatibility across different browsers, and mobile responsiveness. 

Pre-launch Checklist

A pre-launch checklist can help you ensure that your website is ready to be launched and that it meets your expectations. Here's a 15 point pre-launch checklist to consider:

  1. Test website functionality across different browsers and devices
  2. Check for broken links
  3. Ensure that all forms and buttons are working properly
  4. Test website's load time and optimize it if necessary
  5. Check for any spelling or grammatical errors
  6. Test website's mobile responsiveness
  7. Test website's accessibility for users with disabilities
  8. Ensure that website's content is properly optimized for search engines
  9. Test user acceptance with a group of actual users
  10. Check that website's security is in place
  11. Check that the website is properly configured and ready for hosting
  12. Ensure that all contact information is correct
  13. Ensure that the website's analytics are in place
  14. Ensure that any integrations or external systems are working properly
  15. Check that the website is backed up and ready for launch

With a website that is technically sound, visually appealing, and user-friendly, you'll be able to attract and retain visitors, driving engagement, and ultimately helping you achieve your business goals.

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MANAGING AND MAINTAINING YOUR WEBSITE

Managing and maintaining your website is an ongoing process that is essential for ensuring that your website continues to function correctly and meet the needs of your users. 

This includes tasks such as:

  • Monitoring website traffic
    This will help you understand how users are interacting with your website and identify areas that need improvement.

  • Website Backups
    This will help ensure that you can restore your website in case of a problem.

  • Updating content
    This will help ensure that your website remains relevant and valuable to your users.

  • Domain Renewal
    Make sure that you're renewing your domain registration on time, so you can keep your website online.

  • Software and Security Patches
    Keep your website up to date with the latest software and security patches. This will help ensure that your website is secure and that it continues to function correctly.
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PROMOTE AND DRIVE TRAFFIC TO YOUR WEBSITE

Promoting and driving traffic to your website is crucial for the success of your online presence. 

With the right strategies and techniques, you can attract visitors to your website, increase engagement and ultimately drive conversions. 

There are several ways to promote your website, and some of them don't require spending money.

Here are some ways to promote your website for free:

  • Use social media platforms to share your website and its content
  • Optimize your website for search engines (SEO)
  • Create and share valuable content on your website
  • Use community engagement and outreach
  • Collaborate with other websites and influencers to get exposure
  • Use email marketing campaigns to attract and retain visitors

There are also paid ways to promote and drive traffic to your website. 

Here are some paid ways to promote your website:

  • Google Ads or other pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
  • Social media advertising
  • Influencer marketing
  • Content advertising
  • Email marketing campaigns with a bigger budget
  • Paid promotion on other websites and platforms

Promoting and driving traffic to your website is crucial to its success.

ENLIST FULL-SERVICE HELP WITH BUILDING YOUR WEBSITE

Building a website can be a complex process, involving many different steps and considerations.

Each step requires attention and resources, and if not executed correctly can lead to issues that could negatively impact your website's performance and reputation.

Kelly Grimes Digital can help you navigate all these steps, ensure that all your bases are covered by doing all, or some of it, for you.

I can take care of every aspect of the website building process, from the design and layout of your website to the organization and structure of your content and even the management, hosting and maintenance of your website, this way you can have peace of mind knowing that your website is in good hands and you can focus on running your business.

It's important to me that the digital services I provide (from the cost, to the process, and what's included) are transparent and run as smooth as possible for you.

Check out my web services and packages to see how I can help you build a professional and user-friendly website that meets your business needs and goals this year.

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