In this (long) video I go into some detail all that goes into building a website. From scratch.
The topics I cover in this video include the different options you have to build a website. Some you probably already have heard of. But maybe there's one on there you haven't.
Some have free options and I go into detail how you can get your website for free. Keep in mind, there really is no such thing as free so you have to weighs the pros and cons of getting your site for free.
The first site I built for myself, I went with the free option. At the time it was the right choice. But as I learned more and grew, the free site wasn't going to work for me. Might be the same for you too.
Other topics covered, for one, is a domain. What it is, how it works and where to buy it. Be prepared, if you want a premium domain, it could cost into the thousands of dollars! Don't get scared because most domains can be had for under $10.
After domains, I talk about hosting, where your website lives. In some cases, such as with Wix, Shopify and Squarespace, hosting is taken care of by them. One-stop-shop. You could even get your domain with them. Might be appealing, but keep in mind, you can not take your website off their servers. So, if for example, they change their terms of service and you no longer want to use them, you can not take your site with you.
Next I cover emails. Could be tricky, could be super simple - as with a lot of questions I get about websites, the answer is almost always - It Depends! If you choose one of the one-stop-shops it is pretty simple. Depending on your needs, that may be all you need. If you're doing email marketing you might need to go another way.
What's SEO? I tell you that too. One thing I'll say here is your site, not matter how you go, needs some level of SEO.
Google my business: What is it, do you need it and is it worth the effort? I'll tell you want I think. Hint, it's worth it, especially for local, brick and mortar shops.
Google Analytics give you insight on how your site is performing. But it can be pretty confusing if you don't know what you're looking for. A lot can get lost in the massive amount of data GA collects.
Once you do have your site up and running, is that it? Well, it depends! Yes and no. If it's a simple brochure site, it could be, especially if you go with one of the hosted options like Wix.
But keep in mind, there is a lot going on in the background that you never see. If you go with a self-hosted option like WordPress, you will have to take care of that yourself. Or hire someone to do it for you. Either way, all websites need to be looked after.
If you just want to cut to the chase and skip the video, you can get access to the check list I made and use on every site I work on. It's a Google Sheet and you can get access here. You'll have to make a copy and save it to your drive.
Other wise, check out the video and let me know what you think. Reach out if you have any questions too.
Thanks.