A web site is a digital business card of you and your business. Whether you write a blog, run a successful company or organize local events, the information you offer on your real website and the way it is presented will attract (or not) the visitors to continue following you and decide to cooperate with you.
Creating a website is not a small task. But if you know what you are doing, you will have no problem in realizing what you have imagined. Find out what you need to think about when you need to create a website and how to convert your idea into action.
1. Finding your theme and formulating your topic
Before you start doing anything, you need to plan exactly how you want your site to look. Do you need a site with photos or text content? Which sections should it contain and do you want one page site or many pages site?
Once you have defined all this, you can start searching for right theme for your site. There are a handful of free themes on the Internet. Keep in mind that with the use of some plugins you can customize the chosen website theme. You should also check from the users impressions how they are accepting a certain theme after the modifications.
2. Defining your Real Website Address
To place your site in the Internet world, it is necessary to choose the address which the visitors will be able to find it. First you need to find the right provider for buying the domain and hosting. And check if your desired web address is available.
Then choose the domain of your site. Depending on whether it is educational, intended for the domestic or international market. Thus, the extension of .edu is recognizable for educational institutions. .co is reserved for legal entities only, and among the top-level domains are .com, .net, .org, .biz and .info.
3. Design Vs. Functionality
When choosing a theme for your site, think about your target audience. Are your site visitors preferring short forms? Are more interested in seeing photos and watching a short video? Or they want more detailed descriptions, more text with personal point of view, etc…
Also, make sure that you distribute your content, so that the visitor is not confused by the amount of information. The site can be viewed and that he can easily find what he wants. If you need to choose between the site layout and site functionality it is better to choose the functionality. It is so because the visitor will leave even the most beautiful website if he cannot find what he is looking for.
4. Inevitable SEO for your Real Website
In order your site to be visible on the Internet, you need to optimize it. This means that when creating a content for your site, you need to use some of the SEO rules and available SEO tools. Use keywords, write original content. Then target your audience according to the wanted location, follow the analytics.
SEO means that the visitors who search on the Internet for a product or service like yours, they are getting your site among the other search results. Without optimization, your site will not be visible in the search engine. Then all your previous efforts will be in vain.
5. Site maintenance
Once you make a site, it doesn’t mean you finished your job. The site is an interactive thing, so it is necessary to work on its maintenance. In order for visitors to return to your site, it is important that they have positive experience, as well as you are updating the content.
You also need to take care of the plugins. You need to check if some of them need an update. Whether all the links on your site are working. Whether you have been overwhelmed by spam comments, etc… Before installing new plugins, check their functionality. So if they burden your site, it is better to not use them. If all this seems too complicated for you, then it may be best to hire a professional web designer or become one of them.