Domain: This is your www.yourname.com address. You can buy a domain from an endless supply of sources on the internet. There are also many options for choosing a domain extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.) and more are being added all the time. Domains need to be renewed yearly.
Design: You bought your domain...now you need a design! Again, you have several options. Ask your cousin's next door neighbor's ex-wife (we all know someone like this). Buy some software and try and figure it out yourself. Watch hours of YouTube videos. Use an online editor like Weebly or Wix. Hire a professional...you are trying to look professional, right?
Hosting: Once your site is designed, you need a host. Think of this like renting an apartment. You have furniture but you need a place to keep it in order for it to be useful. Hosting prices vary and are normally billed per month or year. Never sign up for hosting without asking someone knowledgeable for advice. One of my clients was paying nearly $500 per year to a well known host. She was presented with so many add-ons at checkout that she was completely overwhelmed and checked yes to everything. Remember, these hosts are trying to make money so everything the offer is going to seem like a necessity.
Design: You bought your domain...now you need a design! Again, you have several options. Ask your cousin's next door neighbor's ex-wife (we all know someone like this). Buy some software and try and figure it out yourself. Watch hours of YouTube videos. Use an online editor like Weebly or Wix. Hire a professional...you are trying to look professional, right?
Hosting: Once your site is designed, you need a host. Think of this like renting an apartment. You have furniture but you need a place to keep it in order for it to be useful. Hosting prices vary and are normally billed per month or year. Never sign up for hosting without asking someone knowledgeable for advice. One of my clients was paying nearly $500 per year to a well known host. She was presented with so many add-ons at checkout that she was completely overwhelmed and checked yes to everything. Remember, these hosts are trying to make money so everything the offer is going to seem like a necessity.
Why I choose to be an iPage Affiliate: I love iPage! I used GoDaddy for years. It seemed like when my renewal date came around each year, the price kept going up and the services kept going down. Bottom line, iPage has been the best option for me. It's a one-stop shop. As of this writing, iPage is offering hosting for just $1.99 per month. That's about the cost of 5 Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks! iPage offers FREE domain registration, a FREE drag and drop builder (Weebly), a FREE online store, a FREE security suite, FREE search engine & marketing credits, UNLIMITED disk space & email addresses, and a 30-Day money back guarantee. In addition to using the drag and drop builder, you have the option of a 1-Click Wordpress installer or the freedom to upload your site with FTP. Again, it's worth repeating…the hosting plan comes with UNLIMITED emails for your domain. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone has a website and are still using google or yahoo for their email accounts.
Disclosure: I am a professional graphic designer who receives compensation from the companies whose products I endorse. I test each company thoroughly and endorse only the very best. I am a sole proprietor and the opinions expressed here are my own.
Disclosure: I am a professional graphic designer who receives compensation from the companies whose products I endorse. I test each company thoroughly and endorse only the very best. I am a sole proprietor and the opinions expressed here are my own.