Launching a new business website might seem a little daunting if you have no web experience, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. While large websites will often need the support of an experienced web professional, there are some basics you can start with that can help you start a smaller, more basic website.
Web Hosting
Web hosting is almost like having to pay rent for your site’s place on the internet. It is the place to store your pages, content, images and more. It is then accessible to users via a web server. So, you can build a user-friendly website on your computer, but your audience will not be able to access it without web hosting.
While there are free web hosting options available, you must be cautious when opting for those services, as they may offer a low server space, require you to run ads and they may come with a bandwidth limit. Always read the small print and consider paying for an affordable monthly hosting fee. There are many web hosting provider so compare web hosting plans before making the final decision and this list for Canada
Register a Domain Name
Your domain name is the URL internet users will type into a browser to visit your website. It is, therefore, an essential part of your brand, so you must pick a name that reflects your company, content, products and services. Keep it simple and ensure it is easy to remember for visitors. You can often register a domain name and web hosting from the same provider within one account.
Website Planning
Think carefully about the type of website you want to create. Is it an e-commerce website, informational or entertainment site or a non-profit, charitable website? The content will determine the design, content and user experience.
You must also consider the navigation design carefully, as this will determine how easy it is for visitors to use the website. How they move across the site will impact the information architecture and the overall user experience. We, therefore, suggest planning your pages in advance, before creating a sitemap and a navigational structure.
It is also recommended you have a clear content strategy in place before you create any pages or start the designing process. This will play an integral role in the success of your website, as it can drive traffic, increase your brand awareness and improve online engagement with your brand.
Web Design
Web design can be a complex task if you lack the knowledge and skills to build a user-friendly, aesthetically-pleasing site. You can take advantage of the many free website themes online, but we suggest learning HTML (HyperText Markup Language), which will allow you to enjoy greater flexibility and design control. You can also change the visual appearance of a theme by learning CSS. Also, consult with app developers while design the website because nowadays you can also convert your website to app.
Promote Your Website
Once you have built and designed your website, the next step is to start promoting it online with search engine optimisation, which allows your site to be easily found in the search engine results pages. Other marketing tactics to use to promote your site include social media, email marketing, traditional advertising and, of course, word of mouth. If in doubt, we suggest consulting a Durham website design service, who have the knowledge and skills to create your ideal website.
