Featured article by Bernadine Racoma, Content Manager of eTranslation Services
When it comes to the idea of creating a website it can send some people into a cold sweat. A lack of technical knowledge and skills may feel like a stumbling factor when it comes to building your own blog. Well the good news for those wishing to build a website is, it’s not the daunting technical feat it once was. The days of needing to hire an expensive developer to create your website are long gone.
In today’s technological age a functional website is a gateway to the world, providing a sense of credibility in further establishing your blog. A website allows you the opportunity to build a long-lasting online relationship with clients, giving them reassurance to trust your brand.
Here are 5 easy steps to help you build a website:
Step 1:Plan Your SiteÂ
Planning is the first and most important step, determine your focus, target audience, site goals and understand the reasons for the website. In understanding your audience, it will aid the design and content required for your site, leading to long term growth, and overall success of the site.
Step 2:Build Your Site
The best way to create a website is through a website building platform, these are tools which allow you build your website without any manual code editing. They provide excellent support with how-to-videos, help files and guides, making it straight forward when building a website.
These online proprietary tools include content management systems which help users manage the creation and modification of digital content and are a common tool in creating your blog. One of the most popular is WordPress, this free to use platform offers thousands of unique themes allowing users choose from site designs to suit their specific niche. It can be hosted through a provider and setup with a simple one-click install.
Step 3:Pick a Web Host
A web hosting service provider is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for your website to be viewed on the internet. All blogs must have a host company to store all your blog files, delivering them to users when they type in your site name. They also provide appropriate technical support to keep your site up and running, making sure your site loads quickly and completely.
You will find hundreds of web hosting providers online to choose from and traditional web hosting fees start from $10 a month. A premium host will offer superior support, unlimited domain names and bandwidth and have a one-click WordPress installation built in.
Step 4:Choose a Domain Name
Next step in creating a website, you need to choose your website domain name. The domain name is the URL which will be associated with your site and brand. So, the name you give your website should be descriptive and detail what your blog is about for potential readers and clients. If you are creating a personal blog, it is recommended to use your ‘name’, if your name is already registered you can use initials or a middle name.
Once a name is chosen, you must next choose a domain extension, the .com extension is the most preferred. However, you can also select .net or .org; typically, a domain name costs between $10-20 per year and is on an annual renewal basis. Domains are also linked to your web hosting service and they communicate allowing your domain to link to the database your site is hosted on and ultimately appear to the World on the Internet.
Step 5:Publish Your Content
Now you have completed the steps above you are now ready to publish your first piece of content on your site. It is recommended you ensure everything is in place prior to publishing, including content, media, links etc. In managing your website correctly it can attract traffic and boost sales, remember static content on a website is one of the worst offences, so once created keep your site fresh and flowing.
Bernadine Racoma is the Content Manager of eTranslation Services. Her long experience in an international development institution and extensive travels have provided her a wealth of knowledge and insights into cultural diversity. She writes to inform, engage, and share the idea of the Internet being a useful platform for communicating, knowledge sharing, educating, and entertaining. You can find Bernadine Racoma at Google Plus, on Facebook and Twitter.
