In the present time, it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t have some online presence. But a Facebook page, an Instagram account, and a LinkedIn profile will only get you so far.
More and more people are stepping up their online presence by creating their websites.
Are you ready to build your website but not sure where to start?
Creating your site is much easier than you may think.
There’s no need to hire an expensive web designer. Likewise, you don’t need to know how to code.
You need to follow a few basic steps.
Ready to get started? Here’s our step-by-step playbook for building your website.
1. Get a Domain Name
The first step in creating a website is to select a domain name and register it.
You can register your domain name with the same provider you choose to host your site. Of course, you can also choose to register it separately, but it’s much easier to do it all at once. For example, sites like Tumblr and WordPress make the process a breeze with a full-service registry, hosting, and web building.
To get started, choose a domain name for your site.
If you intend to showcase your resume or portfolio on your site, it’s usually best to keep your domain name simple. Your first name, followed by your last name, is usually best.
If you’re building a blog or creating your site for something other than professional purposes, feel free to come up with any name you want!
In addition to choosing a name for your page, you’ll need to determine if you want to have your domain or a sub-domain.
Here’s the difference:
Your own domain: myname.com
A subdomain: myname.tumblr.com
Having your own domain always looks more professional.
You’ll also have to decide what domain extension you want to use.
While .com, .org, and .net might be the most recognizable, there are hundreds to choose from.
To choose the right domain extension, you’ll need to think about the purpose of your website, your target audience, and how concerned you are with SEO.
The .com extension is the most widely used, so .com sites tend to get higher rankings in search results.
2. Get Web Hosting For Your Site
If you think of your domain name as your web address, think of web hosting as the road you need to take to reach that address.
Without web hosting, no one will ever be able to reach your site.
Web hosting servers provide a space online for your website to live. If you want anyone to see your site, you’ll need a host.
Some of the most popular web hosting services include DreamHost, HostGator, and SiteGround, but there are many excellent options.
It’s also essential to add an SSL certificate to your site.
An SSL certificate lets people know that your site is secure and safe. It is essential to sell products or ask viewers to input personal information.
An SSL is a security symbol, making it a valuable element regardless of what you intend to use your site for.
Some web hosting providers include an SSL certificate with their hosting services. If you choose to purchase one on your own, there are a variety of safe and secure SSL certificates to choose from.
3. Install a Website Builder
With your domain registered and your host in place, you’re ready to build your website.
Unless you know how to code, you’ll need a website builder to do the hard work.
Website builders make it incredibly easy to create a site that looks good and functions properly.
Wix, SquareSpace, and WordPress are some of the most user-friendly website builders available online. They offer a variety of free templates and themes to make your personal website look exactly how you want it to look. They provide many design options that allow you to create a page that represents your personality and passions. For that reason, they are one of the best website builders for artists.
In addition, many website builders offer hosting plans and the option to register your domain.
Choose a web builder that offers an all-in-one package, and building your site will be a piece of cake!
4. Choose a Theme
Once you choose a website builder, you’ll need to select your favorite theme and template. Select one that reflects your personal style or represents what you’re all about.
After you pick your theme, you’ll be ready to start setting up pages, adding photos, and including personal information. And here’s where you can decide exactly how you want your page to look and how you want to present yourself to the world!
5. Optimize Your Website
Now that you’ve created an excellent personal website, you’ll want people to see it!
That’s where optimization comes into play.
For your page to rank high in search results, you’ll need to employ a few basic SEO techniques to get you noticed. The more you focus on SEO, the better your chances are of ranking high in results.
Here’s why that’s important:
Think of the last few Google searches you did. There’s a good chance you found what you were looking for within the first few listed results on the first Google page. You probably didn’t even need to click to page 2 to find what you were searching for.
And that’s because the sites that appeared on Google’s first page of results know a thing or two about SEO.
SEO is a bit complicated, but the basics are easy to learn.
Building your website is a lot easier than you may think.
Here’s a recap of the steps in a nutshell:
- Register your domain name
- Select a web host
- Choose a website builder
- Pick a theme
- Customize by adding pages, photos, and unique content
And don’t forget to use proper SEO techniques so you can drive traffic to your site!
In just a few hours, your brand new website can be live and ready for the entire world to view!
