HOW TO MAKE A WEBSITE

Step 1: Choose your website platform

Before starting to think about templates, color schemes, domain names and web hosting, you have to decide what platform you're going to use to build your website.

Some years ago, most sites were build using these programming languages:

• HTML

• CSS

• PHP

They are not that hard to learn but if does take time to master them.

That's where using content management systems(CMS) comes in. Nowadays, most people use them to build and manage their websites.

So, What is "Content Management System"?

Let's start with a good news: CMS are free!!

Content Management System, in simple words, is a user-friendly platform for building websites and managing your website content.

The advantage of using CMS are:

• It allows you to copy/paste into a page and then update when you need to make changes.

• You don't need to hire someone to fill a web maintenance role.

• There's no need to buy expensive software to build the pages.

Which CMS platform should you use?

According to recent research, these are the most popular website building platforms in 2017:

1. WordPress (FREE, 50.07%)

2. Drupal (FREE, 17.07%)

3. Joomla (FREE, 6.44%)

As you can see, the graph shows that more than 50% of the top 10 million websites are using WordPress.

If you want more details, you can read my other blog, What website builder to use?

If I were you, I'd use WordPress. Why, you ask?

Because, there is no netter and easier way to build a website at this point.

1. WordPress is Free!

WordPress doesn’t cost a dime to download or install (though it’s being updated each month), and there’s a huge community who help/guide people for free.

2. WordPress is VERY flexible

If you know how to use Microsoft Word, you already know how add your own content. WordPress can be expanded with free plugins to handle just about any site you can imagine. There’s more than 2000 free themes to choose from.

3. No need to know how to code

Since WordPress acts as a “website editor”, you don’t need to learn all the coding skills just to add one single image or line of text

.

4. There's a huge developer network

Vast majority of web designers and developers use WordPress. This means you can get help quite quickly.

5. It is great for small and large sites

From websites to online stores, WordPress can handle just about any kind of website. WordPress is also used by eBay, Mozilla, Reuters, CNN, Google Ventures and even NASA.

STEP #2: Get a Domain Name and Host

• A DOMAIN NAME - A web address like YourSiteName.com)

Domain name is an important aspect of your website, because that’s how people are going to find your website on the Internet. Domain name costs around $10/year, but I’ll show you to get one for free.

• WEB HOSTING - A service that puts your website up on the Internet

Web hosting is kind of like renting office space – but instead it’s on the web. It stores all your website files and displays them to your site visitors. Hosting provider will also make sure that you website loads quickly and won’t go down for hours at a time (pretty important for everyone who visits your pages.)

Without one or another, your website is not complete and you’re unable to setup/create a website.

The WordPress platform itself is FREE, but a domain name and hosting will cost you around $3 – $5/mo. However it costs less than a coffee, so it won’t break the bank and is important investment for your website.

Where do I get a domain name and hosting?

I’ve mostly used HostGator as web hosting and domain registrar for my clients. They are affordable, reliable and offer 1-click-installation for WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. Once you have your domain and web hosting, your acount gets activated on the spot, meaning you can start you website right away.

Of course you can try other web hosting providers and even try to host your site by yourself, but it’s a very complicated process and often wouldn’t be capable of serving your website visitors.

When you get a domain name (and hosting), you’ll also get a personal email account(s) through your web hosting account: You@YourSite.com – way more professional than a generic Gmail or Yahoo address.

STEP #3: Let’s Set Up and Tweak Your Website

Once you’ve bought your domain name and set up your hosting, you’re well on your way!

Now it’s time to get your website up and running. The first thing you’ll need to do is install WordPress to your domain.

Installing WordPress

Almost every reliable and well-established hosting company has integrated 1-click-installation for WordPress, which makes getting going a snap.

If you signed up with Bluehost or any other similar hosting company, you should find your “1-click-installation” in your account control panel.

Here are the steps you should follow (should be similar/same on all the major web hosting companies):

1. Log in to your hosting account.

2. Go to your control panel.

3. Look for the “WordPress” or “Website” icon.

4. Choose the domain where you want to install your website.

5. Click the “Install Now” button and you will get access to your new WordPress website.

Congratulations – you’re ready to start you website!