There is no shortage of companies that will take your money and provide you with a website. But what if you don't have any idea about how to get one done right? What if you're not sure whether it's the best way to market yourself as an entrepreneur? Or maybe you just need a simple, elegant solution to communicate your message.
Whatever your reasons may be, there are ways to craft websites without needing much technical knowledge. Here are ten tips that can help anyone who lacks experience building their own website -- or needs to refresh their skillset before going into production mode.
First, let's look at why someone might choose to go this route instead of hiring a pro designer. It could simply be because they lack time (or money) to find a good fit. Or perhaps they already know exactly what kind of thing they'd like to put up but aren't quite sure where to start. Either way, these basic principles should apply regardless of which type of project we're talking about.
The first step towards designing a website is figuring out what you actually want to say. This isn't necessarily something that can easily be answered off the top of your head. The goal is to think critically about what you've been doing so far to figure out what changes would work best for you. For example, if you run a restaurant, then you probably won't want to list every dish you serve on your menu. Instead, focus on listing three dishes that each person can order that will highlight your strengths while also giving people enough variety to keep them coming back. If you sell t-shirts, then you'll likely want to include at least five different designs. And if you sell books, then you might want to consider adding a blog section to your page.
Once you understand what you want to achieve with your website, you must decide how to present those ideas visually. How does your audience respond when they visit your pages? Do you prefer clean lines or colorful graphics? Will you give visitors a choice between several different layouts? Maybe you want to highlight certain parts of your company through photos and other content that draws attention away from others. All of these questions point us toward the kinds of things you should consider when putting together your website.
Next, remember that everything on your site has to be searchable. That means all text and images alike. If you write something down somewhere on paper only to forget it later, you're setting yourself up for failure. So make it easy for Google to index your information by using keywords throughout your entire site. You can do this manually, but most modern sites offer a number of tools that allow you to set up automatic keyword tags and even automatically generate sitemaps based upon your data structure. These features are especially helpful when working on smaller projects since they save you the trouble of rewiring your whole site whenever you add new elements.
Finally, remember that SEO doesn't stop once you publish your site. To ensure that your efforts pay off over the long term, you'll want to spend extra time optimizing your site after its completion. A common mistake among inexperienced designers is thinking that "published" equals finished product. In reality, there are still plenty of ways to improve your chances of ranking well in search results. One such tactic is utilizing schema markup. Schema markup allows you to define important aspects of your site that will influence search engines' perception of your website. Another option is taking advantage of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. They both offer unique opportunities for marketing and promotion, and many businesses use them to boost visibility.
Now that you have a better understanding of what makes a great website, you can begin planning your next move. First, you'll want to determine what platform you're going to use for hosting. There are dozens of options available today, ranging anywhere from free services like WordPress.com to paid solutions like GoDaddy Hosting. Each offers slightly different functionality, so ask around to see what works best for you. Once you have a plan, sign up for whichever service you deem appropriate.
After signing up for your host, you'll want to pick a domain name. Most hosts will help you register your domain name for free. Afterward, you'll need to purchase a SSL certificate. An SSL certificate encrypts traffic passing across your server, making browsing safe and secure. While the process varies depending on your chosen provider, typically you'll either buy a single certificate or bundle multiple certificates together to reduce costs. Finally, you'll need to install your chosen theme onto your server. Your host will walk you through every part of this process, including providing assistance with choosing a template. Many themes come preinstalled with popular CMS systems like Wordpress. However, if yours doesn't, you can always download a copy from your chosen theme store.
That's pretty much all there is to it! Of course, there are hundreds of additional details that you'll need to consider -- particularly if you have specific requirements. But hopefully this outline will get you pointed in the right direction. Now that you have a clearer picture of what goes into creating a successful website, you can feel confident that you're ready to tackle anything else that comes along. Good luck!
While there are certainly thousands of programs available for home users to create beautiful websites, most professionals stick with tried-and-true methods. Some of the most popular choices include Dreamweaver, Frontpage, Expression Web, and Microsoft Visual Studio. Although there are plenty of other options available, these four are often considered industry standards due to their popularity and usability.
Dreamweaver remains the gold standard for HTML editors thanks to a robust feature library and intuitive interface. Its powerful code editor makes creating HTML documents quick and painless, while templates provide a convenient starting place for novice users. At the same time, Dreamweaver includes advanced CSS editing capabilities that allow developers to quickly style their pages.
FrontPage was originally designed to enable non-technical individuals to edit HTML files. As a result, its core functionality is focused entirely on layout management. This makes it perfect for creating static sites, but less useful for creating dynamic ones. As a result, many experts recommend against using FrontPage unless you are very comfortable with HTML.
Expression Web takes a similar approach to FrontPage by focusing solely on managing dynamic pages. Like FrontPage, however, Expressions Web still requires significant coding expertise to properly utilize its toolset. On the plus side, Expression Web provides a solid foundation for beginners who wish to learn more about programming languages.
Microsoft Visual Studio is another popular HTML editor. Unlike the aforementioned products, VS is primarily used for developing ASP.NET applications rather than static sites. Still, its rich feature set gives programmers access to nearly all types of technologies. Additionally, its extensible architecture enables developers to customize almost any aspect of the UI.
At the end of the day, though, none of these software packages matter unless you know how to use them correctly. Thankfully, learning how to navigate through each program is relatively straightforward. Just follow the instructions provided by your host and you'll soon be able to produce impressive webpages.
Still, there are two areas that require special consideration for designers. First, image optimization plays a major role in determining how fast a webpage loads. Optimizing images involves removing unnecessary bytes from graphic files, reducing file sizes, and applying compression techniques to minimize bandwidth usage. Unfortunately, many amateur designers overlook these basics, causing slow loading times and frustrating visitors. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available that explain how to optimize images within each respective program.
Another area that requires careful attention is cross-browser compatibility. With so many browsers now competing for user share, ensuring that your website looks good on everyone's computer becomes increasingly difficult. Luckily, browser support issues are usually fairly straightforward to fix.
In addition to these challenges, there are a few other factors worth considering. For instance, it's essential to test your site thoroughly prior to publishing it publicly. Otherwise, you risk losing customers to competitors who haven't taken the necessary precautions. Likewise, a poorly coded site is bound to suffer catastrophic failures under heavy load. Therefore, it's wise to hire a programmer to review your work before submitting it to the public eye. Lastly, it's important to regularly check your analytics reports to figure out what sort of improvements you can make. By following these suggestions, you'll never have to worry about being left behind again.
As you can tell, the world of web development is constantly changing and becoming easier to navigate. If you ever run into problems along the way, remember that the Internet is filled with countless forums dedicated to solving various issues. No doubt, you'll eventually meet someone who knows precisely how to solve your problem. Until then, though, here's hoping you enjoyed our guide to creating a website. Feel free to leave comments below if there are any topics you'd like to discuss further.
For many people, thinking about creating a website can be confusing. There’s so much information out there that it may feel like too much to sort through. I wanted to share some simple tips with you to help get you going when building a website for your company.
In this article we will talk about what exactly a ‘commercial website’ is as well as why you would need one. We’ll also go over some examples of companies who have created their own websites along with their pros and cons. Finally, we'll cover the top 10 things you should consider before designing your first website.
A commercial website is basically any website designed specifically for a business - not just an individual. For example, if you run a restaurant, you might choose to use GoDaddy to host your website instead of WordPress because they know how to optimize sites for restaurants (and other types of businesses).
You don't necessarily need a professional web designer though. If all you're doing is running a blog then GoDaddy works fine! But if you plan to sell products or offer services, you may prefer something else. And even if you aren't selling anything yet, you still need a way to collect contact info from visitors and track leads. That's where Google Analytics comes into play.
Also, keep in mind that every word counts. When you choose your domain name, think carefully about keywords that could drive traffic to your website. You won't always have complete control over your domain name, but you can at least pick one that makes sense semantically.
Websites built using platforms like Wix or SquareSpace tend to focus on aesthetics rather than functionality. They may look nice on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., but these sites probably wouldn't work very well for someone trying to convert a lead right now.
On the flip side, platforms like Shopify and Weebly are great for startups with limited budgets. It's easy to set up a store front without needing technical knowledge, which means anyone can start making sales quickly -- no coding required. However, they lack customization options and SEO features.
So, while both approaches have their place, neither are ideal for everyone. The best approach depends on whether you're planning to sell physical items or digital downloads, or if you've got a specific niche market in mind.
Here are some examples of companies who have used different hosting providers and/or software platforms to create their own websites:
1) Honeywell International
2) P&G
3) Liz Claiborne Incorporated
4) Nike
5) Frito-Lay
6) Walgreens
7) Target Corporation
8) McDonald’s
9) Taco Bell
10) Whole Foods Market
The list above covers several industries and sizes of companies. Keep in mind that not every industry requires a separate website. Many big retailers already have large websites, and smaller ones often have only a few pages. Also, don't forget that many of these companies are owned by huge corporations whose main goal is to maximize profits. So, they may be able to afford high-end tech solutions, whereas you may not.
Now let's take a look at some real world examples of commercial websites. Each company has its own unique story, but most follow similar trends:
1) Shopify
Shopify offers ecommerce tools for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Their platform allows them to customize shopping carts, add payment methods, manage shipping & returns, promote their brand, and accept credit cards securely.
They also provide analytics tools and SEO optimization support. This helps ensure customers find their product easily once they arrive on your page.
2) Squarespace
Like Shopify, Squarespace gives users access to everything needed to launch and maintain an online storefront. Users can edit templates, upload images, change fonts, adjust colors, and add custom code snippets.
Their interface isn't quite as user friendly as Shopify, but the ability to fully customize your website is priceless if you want to stand out among competitors.
3) Strikingly
This service lets you turn your website into a beautiful brochure. Think of it like a "mini" version of Dropbox or Evernote. Once you fill out the form, Strikingly creates an image gallery and PDF document based off your data. Then, you download the file and insert it wherever you'd like.
It doesn't require any specialized skills to operate and can be done virtually anywhere via desktop computer. Plus, it's completely free!
4) WordPress
Although it doesn't come preinstalled on Windows computers anymore, WordPress remains a popular choice for bloggers and content creators due to its simplicity and flexibility. Its open source nature ensures that it's constantly evolving, meaning new updates are released frequently.
Many themes and plugins allow you to personalize your site further. Some premium versions include additional security measures such as SSL encryption.
5) Google Apps
Do you have employees working remotely? Or maybe you hire seasonal workers during busy seasons. Either way, having a reliable email system can increase productivity and save money.
That's where Google Apps fits in. With Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Hangouts, and Forms, Google provides enterprise grade cloud computing technology straight to your inboxes.
6) Weebly
As mentioned earlier, Weebly focuses on ease of use. Whether you're starting your first website or redesigning an existing one, Weebly is perfect for beginners.
Just signup for a free account, select a template, enter your details, and publish your website. Once published, you can tweak the HTML code however you see fit.
There are tons of tutorials available online to walk you through setting up shop on Weebly. Just search for 'how to set up a website' and you'll find plenty of resources.
7) Hostgator
Hostgator specializes in affordable shared servers and managed VPS accounts. In addition to offering unlimited bandwidth and disk space, Hostgator hosts hundreds of thousands of domains across dozens of countries.
And unlike other hosting providers, they don't charge extra fees for certain tasks like managing multiple emails addresses. Instead, it's included with each package.
8) GoDaddy
If you're ready to jump ship from your current provider, GoDaddy is probably the easiest option. One major benefit is that they offer unlimited storage and transfer speeds. Even better, you can pay per month or year to avoid upfront costs.
However, their customer service leaves a lot to be desired. According to ConsumerAffairs.com, they rank last among hosting providers in terms of value and reliability.
9) Bluehost
Bluehost is another good option if you're interested in switching hosts. Like GoDaddy, Bluehost offers unlimited bandwidth and storage. Additionally, they offer 24/7 phone support, free backups, and 99% uptime guarantee.
But their prices are slightly higher than GoDaddy's and they don't offer as many extras including dedicated IP address.
10) Namecheap
Finally, NameCheap offers reliable performance and excellent customer support. It's important to note that they don't specialize in any particular type of hosting. Thus far, they haven't received bad reviews either.
With all the choices available today, it's hard to decide which hosting platform is best for you. But since we're focusing on commercial websites, I'm assuming you don't have time to devote to learning advanced programming languages.
So, after reading this guide, hopefully you're feeling confident enough to move forward. Now let's discuss the top ten ways you can improve your website's conversion rate.
When deciding between two competing sites, you must ask yourself three questions:
These factors alone may determine your decision regarding which company to trust with your business. Of course, price matters too. But remember, you're paying for convenience. So, unless you absolutely hate dealing with customer service, try to weigh those issues against each other.
Starting up a new business or making changes to your existing one may require some rethinking about what kind of web presence you need. In today's world, where digital marketing plays such a large role, it makes sense that businesses should have their own website. But if you're not sure exactly what all this means, there are several ways you can get started designing sites without having to pay thousands of dollars. Here are ten tips to help you out with creating a successful website.
There really isn't a "right" way to make a website. You don’t necessarily need to know HTML code to build something useful and functional. For instance, WordPress has a huge community which provides great tutorials and resources to get you going quickly. There are also plenty of drag-and-drop builders available, including GoDaddy, Squarespace, Shopify, and others. However, these services tend to be expensive, so they aren’t always ideal for smaller projects. If you already know HTML (or even better CSS), then you might find yourself using those skills as opposed to learning another platform. It’s important to remember that you don’t necessarily have to learn everything at once—you can start by just building simple pages and see if you enjoy working with them before diving into anything else. Even though each service offers different features, tools, and functionality, most platforms allow users to customize themes based off of popular templates and designs. This gives you the ability to easily change things around and add unique elements to your page.
When starting any project, it’s tempting to dive right in and try to figure everything out yourself. That said, doing so will likely lead to frustration and wasted time. Instead, consider hiring someone who knows what they’re doing. Professional designers understand how to use certain software programs and workflows efficiently, while beginners often struggle trying to decipher instructions and follow directions properly. Even if you choose to hire people to help out, ensure they are experienced enough to handle tasks beyond basic HTML coding. Hiring someone who specializes in customizing WordPress themes is particularly helpful because you won’t have to worry about figuring out how to put together a layout on your own.
One other thing to keep in mind when hiring someone is that many freelancers charge per hour instead of per task. While hourly rates vary depending on experience level, expertise, and location, it’s still worth asking questions to avoid paying too much money upfront. When searching for freelance workers, ask prospective employees whether they offer milestones or fixed prices. A milestone allows clients to track progress and view deliverables along the way, while a fixed price ensures payment regardless of how long it takes to complete the job. The latter option could potentially save you hundreds of dollars over multiple months.
A lot of people think of “commercial websites” as being only big corporations and brands. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Commercial websites are used by small businesses across industries every day. Small businesses typically utilize Wordpress, Squarespace, Shopify, or another similar platform to launch their brand online. These companies provide easy-to-use interfaces, user-friendly layouts, and powerful options to grow and manage content. They also come equipped with built-in security measures and marketing capabilities. Most importantly, these solutions give small business owners control over pricing, branding, and overall look & feel.
Here are a few examples of commercial websites that have been created through various platforms:
The Home Depot uses Squarespace to power its ecommerce store.
HomeAdvisor utilizes Shopify to run its website.
Dell uses Weebly to host its website.
This question gets a bit tricky since there are many types of websites. Generally speaking, we’ll focus on two categories: personal and corporate. Personal websites include blogs, portfolios, photography galleries, etc. Corporate websites are those owned by larger organizations, usually businesses. Examples include Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Amazon, Walmart, and many other well known names. Both kinds of websites involve complex systems, but generally speaking, corporate ones tend to have far more functionality than personal ones.
You don’t necessarily need to go head first into either category unless you plan on launching a full-blown business. Of course, both will benefit your portfolio and showcase your talents. Still, you probably wouldn’t spend $1,000 on a blog template or design your entire company’s homepage. On the other hand, if you did decide to create a website for business purposes, you would definitely need to invest in a solid theme and some good plugins. Just remember that no matter what type of website you end up creating, you should keep the following principles in mind:
Make it mobile friendly. Designing a responsive website can take some extra effort, but it’s necessary if you hope to reach customers on any device.
Be consistent. Make sure all links within your site link back to the same place. Not only does this increase SEO value, it also helps visitors stay informed about updates and news throughout the year.
Keep it updated. Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your audience engaged.
Do your homework. Research competitors and industry trends regularly. Use tools like Alexa and SEMrush to measure traffic volume and search engine rankings.
In addition to building a website, you'll also want to set up social media profiles, optimize your email list, and improve customer relationships. All of these things contribute to your success as a business owner and ultimately determine whether or not your website succeeds.
1. Research
The first step when building any type of website (or even redesigning an old one) is to research the topic thoroughly. With so many different types of websites available, it would be impossible for anyone to know everything about each category. Instead, focus on learning as much as possible about your intended target audience.
Google Trends - Google Trends allows you to search trends across various topics by using keywords. This will give you an idea of how popular certain terms are within the past year. For instance, you could use the keyword "e-commerce" to see which industries tend to use e-commerce methods most frequently.
Website Traffic Statistics - Website traffic statistics show you the number of visitors who visited your site over time. You can also find information based on location, device used, and other variables. The data provided provides insight into whether people are visiting your site from search engines, social media networks, direct links, and more. By knowing these metrics, you'll eventually gain a better understanding of why people visit your website.
Domain Authority & PageRank - Domain authority shows how well optimized your domain name is in relation to similar domains. It helps determine whether someone searching for your specific product or service has found what they were after through your site. Page rank measures how influential your page is in comparison to others like it. A higher page rank indicates a greater chance of being seen by potential customers.
Keyword Research Tools - Keyword tools allow you to gather information regarding how often users search for particular words related to your products/services. They provide valuable insights into which phrases people actually use when searching for your products. These results enable you to improve your content accordingly, ensuring that it matches up with searchers' needs and expectations.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.