How to Create a Website
The process of creating a website is easier than you think. There are basically
three steps to designing a great website: getting a domain name, choosing a web
host, and creating the actual site.
Steps to create a website:
- Get a domain name
- Choose a web host
- Create the website
- Page Layout
- Design
- Navigation
- SEO
- eCommerce
Getting a Domain Name
The first step in building your new website is to get a domain name. A good rule
of thumb when creating your domain name is to keep it short, easy to spell, and
related to your business. You can buy a domain name from several different companies,
which are called registrars.
Choosing a Web Host
Once you have a good domain name, find a reliable web host that provides good support.
It can be difficult to find a host who addresses your problems quickly, so it’s
a good idea to call a few times or send a couple of e-mail messages to see how fast
the response time is. Of course, since you’re here, we hope you’ll consider Web.com®
first. We’re one of the leading web hosts in the industry and, as our name suggests,
we focus on making the web simple.
Designing a Website
- Layout
Deciding your website’s layout is one of the first steps in designing your site.
While you can start from scratch, there are thousands of customizable, pre-made
templates to choose from online. Templates like those in our Site Builder tool provide
you with a user-friendly starting point and allow you to make changes easily.
Most Internet users are accustomed to conventional layouts, with navigation bars
along the top or down one side. Keeping the layout consistent on all your pages
will help visitors navigate your website with ease and without becoming lost or
frustrated. Your navigation should be set up so that it’s clear to users where they
need to go to find the information they want.
- Design and Navigation
Clarity and simplicity of design are also essential in helping users find their
way around your website. That doesn’t mean your website’s design has to be visually
boring. In fact, an aesthetically-pleasing website can often be just as important
in attracting a customer to your business as the words that describe your products
and business. However, the design should never interfere with the user’s ability
to look around and find information easily. One good design rule is to stay away
from crazy fonts and colors that could be distracting or could quickly tire the
users’ eyes. You also want to avoid slow-loading graphics, as most people aren’t
going to wait for them to come up before moving on to something else.
- SEO
To make sure your website is being seen by people using search engines like Google™
and Yahoo!®, it needs to be search engine optimized. Search engine optimization
(SEO) can generate quality traffic to your website by making it clear to search
engines what your site is about. Once it has that information, a search engine will
then rank your site and determine its place on the results page. Basic SEO consists
of keyword insertion and link building.
- eCommerce
If you’re going to start an eCommerce website, it needs to include some additional
features apart from good layout, navigation, design, and SEO. The two major things
that you’re going to want to add are a shopping cart and a method of payment for
customers. Credit cards are the most typical form of payment accepted on eCommerce
sites. You’ll also want to make sure that your site is a secure place for people
to shop and submit their personal information.
Building your own website can save you money, but if you don't have the time, a
website designer can create a custom site for you. To learn more about making a
successful website, visit our
website design blog. If you're considering
using Web.com’s services, you can also read
testimonials from our customers.