First things First

As a web producer and content manager, I help clients who need websites but do not know where to begin. The following is my guide to setting up a new website.

1. Choose Your Domain Name

What is a domain name?

A domain name is the main part of the URL (the site address in your browser’s search bar) that identifies a web page — in this case your website. For example, my site’s domain name is mikikosmado.com.

Make your domain name unique and relevant

A domain name is one of the main ways a site presents itself to the internet, so make it count. Here are a few rules of thumb when choosing a domain name.

• Make it relevant. This sounds obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Make sure the domain matches what visitors see when they visit your site.
• Keep it short, or at least memorable. If you want people to remember your site, pick a short domain and to the point.
• Avoid numbers. It’s generally best to avoid numbers in domain names. It (generally) looks unprofessional and adds another element for people to remember.
• Keep business expansion in mind. You might want to create a domain name that grows with your business.
• Make sure the selected domain name is available. Check by entering your prospective domain name on a Domain Name Search site here.

2. Register Your Domain Name

Once you have decided on a domain name, simply register it as part of the signup process with your chosen website builder. Some of the leaner plans will require an annual renewal fee of around $12, though with premium plans it’s usually included.

You can register them separately at sites like this one, but some hosting companies offer to do it for you when you sign up with them. Most provide it for free (for a term of the initial hosting contract), while a handful charge a few extra bucks.

3. Select your hosting plan.

Why You Need Hosting for Your Website

To keep your website up and running on the internet, you need a website hosting service.

Most website hosting companies offer a diverse set of services for business owners of any skill set. There are comprehensive hosting providers that offer everything a newbie might need to build a site from scratch: domain name purchases, website-building tools, content creation tools, and web hosting services.

Then there are sites designed specifically for web hosting, perfect for site owners who can build and add to their site but still need a “plot of land” for their site to live.

Types of Web Hosting Services

Website hosting services are not one size fits all. While looking for a company to host your site, see which services match your needs.

These are the most common services offered:

• Shared – Often the least expensive option, a shared hosting service will split one service among various customers. This option is best for smaller websites that aren’t designed to grow, such as a portfolio website.
• VPS – Virtual Private Servers offer customers access to a shared server with private features (private storage, private processing power, and more). VPS hosting is perfect for a small website that needs to keep information secure and private, such as an online retail store.
• Dedicated – At the highest rung is a dedicated web hosting service, in which you, as a customer, have complete administrative control over your server. This option is best for tech-savvy companies who will make use of advanced back-end customization.
• WordPress – As a good chunk of the existing websites is built using WordPress code and website technology, WordPress hosting is designed to host these sites specifically. If your site is built on WordPress, consider this option.
• Cloud – Cloud hosting allows you to upload your website and its server to the cloud. With unlimited storage capacity, cloud hosting is best for businesses that rely on growing their websites’ content, such as a news company.

What to Look for in a Web Hosting Service

How do you choose the right web hosting service for you? Compare these crucial features, which will vary from service to service:

• Uptime – Uptime measures how consistently your website stays live on the internet. If a web hoster’s uptimes are lower than 99%, you might be barking up the wrong tree.
• Security – Security measures are an important part of any website, especially if you plan to complete online transactions or host an e-store. Consider security features such as SSL, encrypted transactions, and more.
• Customer Service – Building a site can be hard: ensure you have someone to reach out to for help.
• Scalability/Storage – If you want your site to grow—meaning you’d like to add more content and more sub-pages—you’ll need lots of storage. Consider aligning your website goals with a company’s storage allowances.
• Domain Registration – Before your site can take off, it needs a namesake for users to find it. If you don’t already own a domain, consider registering one with a website hosting service.

4. Choose a Content Management system.

I covered this subject in another blog post ‘Choosing Your Content Management System (CMS).‘

5. Budgeting and Paying the Upfront Cost

Many factors determine the initial cost of starting a website. The average upfront cost of developing a website is around $200, with ongoing maintenance costs of around $20 ~ 50 per month depending on the services you subscribe. 

Conclusion

These five steps are critical to the success of your website. If you are starting a new site, Mikiko is happy to assist you with any of these steps.