DIY Website Introduction

If you have questions about building your own website or ranking in Google (or other search engines), I would be happy to answer your questions as best I can. If you are interested check out some of the answers I have given on the Google Webmaster Help Forums here - http://bizuns.com/webdesign/help

Looking to build your own website for a business or blog? This is a brief introduction to the process and list of what you will need to get started.

Before you Start Ask Yourself, "Who Am I Building this Website for?"

Before you start creating a website it is essential that you think about who you are building it for. Assuming it is for a business you need to consider whether you are primarily looking to serve existing clients or generate new customers. This seemingly simple question will help steer your project in the right direction.

What Do I need to build a website?


DIY Website CheckList

  • Domain Name ($15-$30/year) - Purchased from any "domain registrar".
  • Web Hosting ($100+/year for decent hosting) - This is where your website files will be stored/accessed.
  • Filezilla (Free) - This is how you will upload your website.
  • Website Software (CMS) - Software used to create an interactive site (i.e. Drupal, Wordpress, Joomla, etc..)
  • Other stuff includes; Google Webmaster Account (Free), GIMP (free) or Photoshop, Bing Webmaster Account, Notepad++

Essential Information

This may seem obvious but it is incredible how many websites I come across that do not have one or more of the following;

  • Purpose - Something that conveys what it is you do the second someone arrives on your website. This can be a picture or slogan that is clearly visible and eye catching that tells the visitor what you are offering.
  • Location - Clearly Identify the area you serve and where your business is located. This is a signal for Google and other search engines to determine that you have a legitimate business and help your target audience find you.
  • Images, images, and more images - Photos will make or break most websites. Beautiful, crisp images will communicate to the visitor what your company is about and keep them captivated as they browse your website.