4 Easy Steps to Get Your Website Started

 

1. Decide on a domain name If you have read "Your Website, Your Purpose," then perhaps you are ready to get to work and get the website started.  Your decisions outlined in that post have been written down on paper or typed up in a document.  So now you wish to get the website up and running instead of being just an idea in your mind.  I understand. You are ready so let's get proactive. Your domain name is your choice.  It should be easy to remember, easy to "spell" for the sake of those trying to type it in a browser window, and easy to say out loud.  It may be the name of your business, the product you provide, or a name you have derived that is catchy and happens to be available as a URL for purchase. With some ideas on paper, now it is time to see if indeed they are available for purchase.  You can choose any of the domain purchase websites to do your search, from godaddy.com to Bluehost.com or possibly google domains.  Run your list of names through that site of your choice and get prices available for each domain name, if they haven't already been purchased.  You don't have to purchase from that site, you are simply wanting to know if your choice of a domain name - is even available to purchase. Make your final choice, and purchase your domain name or contact me and let me purchase it on your behalf and get it setup as a secure website account. 2. Choose an outline/layout leading to your final action step. With a domain name chosen or some options being considered, now it's time to map out what you wish to say on your website.  Your homepage can be drawn out on paper to decide where items will be placed. These will include your purpose statement, the most important thing you need to convey, which should be prominent "above the fold" and then a means to push your viewers to an action.  This action could be signing up for a newsletter or filling out a contact form to get more info on a service. But how are you going to lead them to this next step?  How can you convince them they need to "sign up" for what you have to offer?  Convince them you are the expert.  Share your "story" your "brand" your "purpose" with confidence.  Convey the fact they need "this" (whatever "this" is) with confidence.  You are in control here.  This is where you let your imagination and your passion lead you.  Share what you have to say and keep it simple and easy to follow through with your action step. 3. Put together a list of content pages you would like to include. With your outline completed and the layout of your homepage "mapped" out in front of you, what other pages do you need to include as a part of this homepage network to keep the information clearly visible? Put yourself in the shoes of your readers.  Consider the best way to navigate through the site so they can find the content they need quickly and easily.  What questions will they be asking when they find your website?  How will they be answered with your information/services you have to offer them? Are their answers easy to find? Answer these questions as you set up how the "Index" of your menu system for all the pages of your website.  Start with a draft and continue to tweak it as you go.  You can continue to make changes as you derive better ways for the design of your website to work.  Show your readers where they need to go next.   Is your website about a step-by-step process?  Show the steps in easy to follow images and buttons or text leading them from step to the next.  This "step-by-step" setup may be so important, that you have it highlighted on your homepage.  You decide what is most important based on the action step you have chosen as the primary goal. 4. Go Live and Show the World what you know. You have your purpose in hand, the outline drawn, your content written for each page.  Now it is time to look at it all together as one theme, one presentation.  Double check all your work.  Make sure you have used plenty of keywords in your content of those pages to beef up your SEO.  This will help people to find you and your website. It all looks great!  So it is now time to take the leap, go live and let the world see what you have to offer them.  You have found a "Need" and it is your time to show them how you (the expert) can "Fill" it. Now that you have your website live on the world wide web, you can also promote your website on social media sites.  Get out there and show it off!