For those who need a modern website but are unsure of where to start, you’re in luck! This is the first article of our “Your Website” series, where we break down web design into three stages: basics, intermediate, and advanced. The goal of this article is to introduce the basics of website design and development. We want you to feel comfortable with the subject and provide a look into our approach. As such, we’ve broken down the basics of a website.
Website Domain – It’s How People Find Your
Before you start web design, you’ll need to address your web domain. Your web domain is the address (example.com) or .com of your website and is accessible to customers. It’s important because it’s the first thing that people will see and read when they want to learn more about your business. There are a number of domains to choose from, and sometimes, your domain may have already been taken. A simple workaround might be to switch from example.com to example.io or example.co. Or it could be a slight tweak like adding an “s” at the end, like examples.com.
Your domain can be purchased through providers such as AWS, GoDaddy, and Bluehost. They’ll have tools for identifying whether a domain is available and even provide alternative domains if not. Keep in mind that domains are permanent, and each domain provider has their advantages, so make sure you’re using one that matches your needs.
Website Hosting for Web Design – It Keeps Your Website On
Once you’ve purchased your domain, the next thing you’ll need to do is set up the hosting environment to get started with web design. For most modern websites, hosting is done on the cloud. By pointing your domain to your website, customers who access your domain will land on your website. When they type in example.com and hit return, they’ll see your website in their browser.
Just like selecting a domain provider, you’ll need to choose a hosting provider that fits your needs. AWS, GoDaddy, and Blue Host are also popular hosting providers.
Website Security – It Protects Your Customer’s Data
Now that you’ve got your domain and hosting working together, it’s time to secure your website. The industry standard for websites is through SSL implementation. It’s usually a simple installation that protects your customer’s data and prevents search engines from penalizing your site, placing your website lower on the search results pages.
To identify whether your site is secure or not, browsers display the “This site is not secure” message on your site. There are automated and manual ways to secure it, so consult with your web designer about both options to determine what’s best for your website.
Content Management System Built for Web Design – It’s What Customers See
You can’t have a website without content. So, how do you add content to your website? You could have a web designer build a site for you using custom code. Or you could take the simplest approach and implement a content management system (CMS).
A CMS is built for non-tech-savvy users and manages your content through a cookie-cutter approach to designing and building your website. That could be through a drag-and-drop builder (Webflow and Divi or Elementor for WordPress). There are limitations of CMS but for the majority of websites, they are more than enough to build a kick-ass site.
Social Media – It’s One Way Customers Will Find YOu
One of the quickest ways to improve your website’s digital presence is to set up all your relevant social media channels. Make sure to choose a channel that your customer engages with. Whether that’s LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram, don’t forget to link your social media pages with your website. Additionally, you’ll need to create a Google Business Profile, which will improve your digital presence during Google searches.
Without any social media presence, we’ve noticed that your site may face issues displaying in the search engine results pages (SERPS), such as Google or Bing search results. Creating your social media profiles is quick and easy, so don’t skip this step!
The Bottom Line / TLDR
Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll feel that a website isn’t too complicated. A basic site requires a domain and hosting provider, security, content, and social media. It’s really that simple! Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to graduate to the intermediate and advanced-level websites. Connect with our web design team today to start building your website!
