Wix Website Templates

  Here, you’ll decide the main objective of your website. Maybe you provide a service, like consulting, and want to encourage users to reach out via a contact form. Perhaps you plan to sell products in an online store and need an e-commerce platform that allows users to view specific product pages. Or maybe your objective is to educate and create readership. Take some time to think about how your website can best serve your business and keep this function in mind as you begin to build. For example, suppose you’re a photographer and need to showcase your skill set. In this case, the main function of your website would be to display your work. On the other hand, if you run a communications agency, the main objective of your website would be the specific services you provide (public relations, content development and marketing, etc.). Join the world's work marketplace Find Talent

  Design It’s important to have an idea about what you want your website to look like. Perhaps you’re looking to create conversations by showing users a portfolio of work. In that case, you might want a grid-like layout with templates that are easily repeatable to showcase new work. You might decide on-brand colors, logos, and specific imagery that ties into the overall look you’re hoping to achieve. Whatever web design you choose, make sure it’s flexible enough to serve your function and simple enough to maintain. It should also align with your brand’s personality. ‍ Content‍ What type of content will you need to live on your new website? Creating a quick sitemap of the pages that you’re hoping to create and what needs to be on each is a great way to get organized. You can easily do this in Google Sheets or Excel. Once you’ve chosen your pages (for example, “Home,” “Blog,” “Testimonials,” “Portfolio,” and “Contact”), decide what information you want to put on each page. If it needs to be created, make that a priority. If you already have content, start compiling it.

  Browse Project Catalog for more web development services. ‍ Purchase a domain name Next, decide on a domain name for your website. A domain name is the address visitors use to find your website. For example, if your business is “Sydney’s Catering,” pick a custom domain that easily describes your business. You can choose your business name, but you’ll need to do a quick domain search to determine if the name is available. It’s best to compile a list of possible domains before running a search. Domain registrars are accredited companies designed to help you buy and register a domain name for your website. While there are many domain name registrars, a few are Domain.com, Bluehost and GoDaddy. To see if the domain you’re hoping to use is free, run a search on a domain name registrar site. If the name you want is available, great! If not, keep trying until you find one that’s not already taken. Once you find a domain name, the registrar usually makes it easy to purchase it online, giving you access to your domain in minutes. Domain names typically cost somewhere between $10 and $15 annually. However, there are free domain name options available, usually included as a special offer to new users by the registrars listed above. Looking to set up a Website but not sure how much money it will take? Try the Free Website Cost Calculator tool to estimate costs associated with setting up a website.

  Choose a hosting provider Now that you have a domain name, it’s time to find a hosting company for your website. Choosing a hosting provider is important, especially if you plan on conducting business primarily through your website. Websites need storage space for files, images and content. Where is it stored? Web hosting provides a physical location for your website content. For this reason, it’s important to look for a hosting provider that offers enough bandwidth for the site traffic you anticipate receiving. If you plan on starting small, look for a plan with upgraded options that you can select at any time to boost your bandwidth. Security is also a concern when choosing a web host. If you want to keep your site secure and handle minimal updates on your own, select a hosting service that handles routine web maintenance and offers security features like an SSL certificate, which will ensure users are protected when accessing your business website. It’s important to research web hosting providers, as your website’s needs might be unique. When choosing a hosting provider, consider the amount of storage you need, the guaranteed uptime and budget.

  While there are many web hosting companies, here are some popular hosting providers: HostGator: Easy, moderately priced and unmetered bandwidth with the option to use their website building tools Bluehost: Fast, reliable hosting solutions with advanced security add-on options GoDaddy: Offers a variety of hosting solutions for as low as $1 Hostinger: Fast and scalable hosting options starting at less than $2 a month DreamHost: Affordable, customizable hosting solutions ‍ Pick a website builder Now, you’re ready to select a website builder. There are many user-friendly platforms, so you’ll need to keep your function and website design concepts in mind when choosing a platform. Here are a few attributes to consider when selecting a website builder: Customization options: If you like to change your design often, you’ll need a website builder that is easy to change and customize. Finding a website builder with a lot of templates can help you redo the look and feel of your site without much overhaul. The good news is that you don’t have to know a thing about front-end development for different platforms—you can find a skilled web designer or web developer on a platform like .

Squarespace website templates

  Features: If you’re building a blog or portfolio site, make sure you find a website platform that offers easy-to-use portfolio and blog post options or widgets. If you’ll be adding videos to your website, find a web builder that makes it easy to add video code to your site. Lastly, if you want to sell products, pick a site that makes it easy to conduct online sales, like WooCommerce or Shopify. Usability: No matter your experience with website platforms, make sure you find a website builder that’s easy to use and update. Many builders offer free trials, so you can poke around and begin building, allowing you to find the most intuitive interface. SEO practices: Making a website is only half the battle—you also need to draw traffic to your site. It’s important to find a site that makes it easy to incorporate SEO tools, from meta descriptions and titles to keywords and tags. Price: Luckily, most website platforms are similarly priced or have free trial options, but remember to keep the monthly or yearly cost in mind when selecting a platform. Knowing the basics about website builders is a good start, but how do you choose one for your new website? Determine your goals. For example, if you’re a designer wanting to display your projects, choosing a website builder that is customizable might be your best option. On the other hand, if you run a jewelry business, you may want to look into a site with good e-commerce options and one-click shopping. Here’s a quick glance at popular website builders: Wix: Wix is a website builder designed for those who crave freedom. They offer a free website option with add-ons or other paid options. With the help of an automatic website creator, it’s much easier to use than other options. If you use Wix, you’ll need to take a more hands-on approach, though, as the platform is less structured than other options. Whether you’re into blogging, social media or design, Wix provides the perfect space to share your work.

  Squarespace: Although not as intuitive as other website builders, Squarespace offers several add-ons, templates and tools. Plus, your website will always be optimized for mobile devices. This website builder is best for e-commerce and small businesses with lower transaction rates. Weebly: For those wanting an easy-to-use website editor, Weebly might be the perfect option. However, it might be limiting to those wanting to heavily personalize their website since they have fewer add-on and customization options. WordPress: We’re referring to WordPress.com, which is easier to use than WordPress.org, which is an open-source software, which can take some time to learn. A WordPress site is best for bloggers and writers, as the website editor is more limited in terms of design but can be very easy to start using. Shopify: This user-friendly website builder option is best for e-commerce stores. The platform was designed with product and sales descriptions in mind. Because of this, Shopify’s website set up process helps ensure you don’t miss any essential e-commerce-related steps. Select a website theme Now, it’s time to consider your website’s theme. This process can feel a bit overwhelming since many web platforms offer so many options. Here are some key components to keep in mind when choosing a theme: