When it comes to connecting with both existing and prospective clients, having a business website is a must. While there are many companies out there that can create a business website for you, they can be overly expensive. Fortunately, you can create your very own website by following the six steps that we’re going to go over below.
Decide on a Domain Name
The very first and most important step that you’ll want to take is deciding on your domain name. You want to choose something that is relatively easy for others to remember and represents your company well. For example, if your business’s name is Smith’s Woodworking, then consider a domain name like smithswoodworking.com. You can register for a domain name at a number of online websites. Just remember to continue to renew your domain each year so that your website continues to function effortlessly.
Establish Hosting for Your Site
Next up, you’ll need to set up a hosting account where your website is going to live. Think of a hosting account as a file folder where all the information that you put on your website is safely stored and accessed. Depending on where you purchase your domain name from, you may be able to simply purchase a hosting package at the same place. If not, you’ll need to update the nameservers at your domain registrar with the ones supplied by your hosting provider.
Install WordPress
One of the most popular platforms for creating a website is WordPress. It’s very easy to use, even for newbies, and offers a plethora of site design options and additional plugins. They even have real-time support to help you along your website construction journey. You can install WordPress through the c-panel that your hosting provider gave you.
Decide What to Include
Once you get WordPress installed, it’s time to start determining what you want to put on your website. You’ll need to decide what pages you’ll need to make, whether or not you’re going to have a blog roll, and what specific information will be going on those pages. Starting with a basic three-page site that includes a home page with your services, a contact us page, and an about us page is a great place to start.
Choose a Theme
Now, it’s time to really get into designing your website. You’ll want to start the design process by determining which theme best fits your business. You can search the WordPress theme offerings for those related to your business field. For example, if you’re a dentist, you can search dentist in the themes search box. It will return a multitude of website designs that are specifically made for dental professionals.
However, it’s important to note that you can choose any design that you would like. Remember that your website will likely be the first place the new clients try and connect with your business, so you want to ensure that it proposes an accurate representation of your business. Once you decide on the perfect WordPress theme for your website, it’s time to hit the install button.
Add Some Content
Once your site design is installed, it’s time to start adding content. It’s easiest to start adding information to your headers and footers. This usually includes your business, name, address, and phone number. You want to ensure that visitors have access to this data no matter what page they’re visiting on your site. You always want them to be able to pick up the phone and get in contact with you when the moment strikes them.
As you work your way through adding content, you may find that you need to include multiple pages. Just make sure that you also include an easy-to-navigate menu so that your visitors can quickly find the information that they’re looking for. If you’re finding it overly challenging to set up your WordPress site, consider finding WordPress training locations near you to get better instructions on how to use this popular website builder tool.
Final Thoughts
Creating your own website doesn’t have to be a challenge. By following the steps mentioned above, you can create your very own website this afternoon and enjoy connecting with new clients right away.