In today’s era of rising mobile internet usage and global internet penetration, a business without a website is virtually invisible. For little business owners with limited technical skills, making a website from scratch can seem daunting. While seeking professional help is an option, it can quickly become expensive.
If you’re on a tight budget and just beginning out, the good news is that creating a website on your own is entirely feasible, provided you’re willing to put in the effort. This manual will step you through how to create a business website on your own, highlight key considerations, offer digital marketing tips, and introduce various website builders and CMS software tools to help you get started.
Step 1: Choose a domain name
A professional name is the internet address users join in their browsers to access your website. It can have a variety of letters and numbers along with a domain extension, such as .com, .net, .org, .co, or .us.
Once you’ve decided on your website’s name, the next step is to register it. Registration reserves your chosen name for exclusive use over a specific period, typically one year. The fee for the first year usually ranges from $10 to $12, but it can vary depending on the domain extension.
Step 2: Choose a Hosting Package
To create your website available to your target audience online, you need a web hosting provider, which stores your website on servers.
Step 3: Determine How to Build Your Website
The form you choose to build your website will depend largely on your skill level:
- Beginner: If you’ve been searching for “how to build a website” and feel a bit apprehensive about the process, consider using beginner-friendly website builders like Wix or Squarespace.
- Intermediate: If you have adequate web skills and some coding experience, you might opt to create a WordPress website or use other intermediate-level CMS software like Drupal or Joomla.
- Advanced: If your coding skills are advanced, you can code a website from scratch.
Step 4: Set Up Website
With your domain name registered, a web host selected, and a method chosen to build your website, you’re ready to start.
Remember that some website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify offer integrated hosting solutions, eliminating the need for a separate hosting provider. These platforms also allow you to register a domain name, providing a comprehensive website-building solution. See the basic steps if you want to learn how to create a business website yourself.
General Steps to Build a Website:
- Create an account.
- Choose a hosting plan.
- Register your domain name if you haven’t already done so.
- Select a customizable template.
- Remove and drop features to customize your site.
- Pick your add-ons.
- Add content.
- Publish your website.
For WordPress Users:
- Install WordPress. Most hosting providers include a one-click WordPress installation feature, and some even have it pre-installed.
- Familiarize yourself with the dashboard, where you’ll upload images, create and edit pages and blog posts, manage comments, customize the site’s appearance, and add plugins or widgets.
- Install a WordPress theme.
- Install essential plugins such as Yoast for SEO optimization, WPForms for creating contact forms, MonsterInsights or Google Analytics for web data analysis, and Mailchimp for building an email list.
- Add content, including pages and blog posts.
- Publish your website.
Step 5: Update Your Content
Making a website is not a “set it and forget it” task. As mentioned, your website should be consistently updated with relevant, helpful content to achieve goals related to SEO, brand building, sales generation, authority building, and list nurturing.
How to create a business website from scratch
Producing a company website may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and a step-by-step approach, it becomes significantly more manageable. From selecting a domain name and selecting a hosting package to building and customizing your website, this manual has equipped you with the essential knowledge to get started. Remember to keep your content up-to-date and leverage digital commerce methods to reach and engage your audience effectively.
A well-maintained website not only improves your online presence but also drives business growth and establishes your brand’s credibility. With commitment and consistency, your business website can become a powerful asset in today’s digital landscape.
