If you don’t have a website and would like to know where to start, here’s how to start a website.
1. Domain name
First, you need a domain name for your website. This is just like registering a name for the internet. For example ‘www.yourbusinessname.com.au’. To register an Australian domain name for your business, you need to have a business name or company registered. If you have selected a website development company, then they should be able to organise this for you.
2. Website hosting
The next step is to host your website on a server. There are various types of hosting. If you are starting-off with a basic static website without any database, content management system or dynamic functionalities, then just a basic hosting package will suit you. It is important however that you select the right package upfront.
3. Email addresses and setup
You’ll need to setup email addresses associated with your business. This may include general email addresses such as info@yourbusiness.com.au or specific names such as firstname.lastname@yourbusiness.com.au.
4. ‘Coming soon’ page
Put up a ‘coming soon’ page online with your contact information including newly setup email addresses. This one page will be a holding page until your website is ready to launch. Don’t stop yourself from advertising your website just because it has a ‘coming soon’ page.
5. Search engine listing
Don’t delay in listing your website on various search engines. You or your website developer can either manually list your website on major search engines such as ‘Google’, or get a SEO professional to have it listed on a variety of search engines. It may take up to 90 days on some search engines to display your website. So, the earlier you list, the sooner search engines can display your website on their results.
6. Website design and development
Regardless of whether you are building a basic website or a dynamic website with loads of functionalities, it is important to get your design and branding right. Carefully review all the elements prior to launching your brand new website.
A well designed and developed website reflects your business’s credibility so take time to build a website that has impact and drives business to your door.