How to : 10 easy steps on how to get a website

WEBYOGI : www.webyogi.co.uk
E info@webyogi.co.uk | T : 01273 411756

Digital Marketing DIY Toolkits

A simple guide on how to get a website
This guide is for people who want a website or blog but are not sure
how to get one. It guides you through some of the basic things you
need to consider to get online.

Don't worry if you rarely turn your computer on, don’t know a 'dotcom'
from a ‘tweet’ or are not 'tech savvy’. This guide has been written to
keep things really simple with you in mind.

Sections:-

• Think, think, think
• Get a domain name
• Get a’ host’
• Content Management
• Blog
• Web design options
• Wordpress
• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
• Social Media
• Website Checklist

WEBYOGI : www.webyogi.co.uk 2


Step 1 – First things first - Why do you need a website?
Before you start out plan what you want to achieve. Ask yourself the following
questions:

1. Why do I need a website?
2. What is the purpose of the website?
3. Who is it aimed at? What do I want to achieve?

You need to think about the answers to these questions to make sure you get
the website you need. Some other questions to think about…

• Do you have a business or marketing plan?
• What are the goals, how does the website fit into all this?
• Do you need to collect customer information?
• How will you manage content?
• How will this site grow over time? Don’t make me think
• Do you need e-commerce (a shop)? A great book on web usability!
• Do you plan on publishing a blog or e-newsletters?



Step 2 – Get a website domain name
What is a domain name?
“A 'home address' for your website so people can
find you online”

A ‘domain names looks like this
www.yourbusiness.co.uk'. It directs people to where
the site is online. They type the 'domain name' (or
address) into their web ‘browser’. Nominet the
regulator of domain names ending in .uk has a list of
registrants. Or you can use one of the many UK
internet domain providers like 1&1, 123reg or
UK2.net. Decide on the ‘keywords’ that you want to
Takeaway Tip: target to attract people to your site. If you can get a
‘keyword rich’ domain name e.g one that includes
Think about what people will the ‘topic’ of your website.
type into search engines
when they look for your
services? Try domain Samurai What’s a browser?
to find good names. A browser is a program on your computer that helps
you visit websites. Examples include Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.



Step 3 – Get some hosting…
You’ll need to find a company that will ‘host’ your website’s content – this could
be the same company you bought your domain name from.

To find a host for your website, simply Google "web site host" for a free or paid
host. If you want to host a domain you must purchase the name from a Registrar
such as 123reg and then you can do a google search for "domain host." Many
hosts allow you to purchase the hosting and domain registration at once.

Pick your package carefully; find testimonials from other companies or friends or
see www.webhostingtalk.com for tips. It’s important to find a web host with
servers in the UK if your businesss is in the UK so you can be found in search
engines.

Here are some web host reviews for UK based web hosting providers.



Step 4 – What’s a Content Management system?
A 'Content Management System' or ‘CMS’ is a bit of
software that enables you to change content on your
website. If you don't have a 'content management system'
you usually have to ask the people that made your
website to make any changes. If your website is small and
will not need updating regularly this might be fine.

But…. if you have a website that's updated often you will
definitely need a content management system.

These range from being basic to very complicated. If you
are planning to edit your website you will probably need
training on how to use the CMS. A CMS enables you to :-

• Create content
• Manage the content
• Publish web pages
• Have control the way the website looks



Step 5 – Do I need a blog?
The short answer is yes! (If you want to rank highly in search engines!). A“Blog” is
a “weblog”. It refers to web sites that have regularly updated information. A bit
like a journal or diary but online.

A blog often contains comments and links to articles on other web sites that
relate to the blog itself. Usually the entries (called “posts”) are listed
chronologically within the blog page. You can “search” blogs and topics that
interest you on Google blogs or Technorati. There are blogs on every topic you
can think of. They range from the personal to specialist, and can focus on one
subject or a whole range of subjects. Many blogs focus on a particular topic.

There are many free places where you can set up a blog including:-

• Wordpress.com
• Self hosted blog on WordPress.org
• Blogger
• Tumblr
• Posterous



Step 6 – Website options - DIY
DIY
You will possibly need to learn how to code HTML, using software like
Macromedia Dreamweaver or images with a graphics editing tool like Adobe
Photoshop.

Pros
• Cheap
• You control

Cons
• Big learning curve
• Skills held with person who built it
• Need to know about SEO
• Need to know about website architecture, usability and accessibility

Takeaway Tip:
Web design has changed! Here are some other good affordable web design
building sites squarespace and namesco that you can try. Get a free website
at weebly http://www.weebly.com/.



Step 7 – Website options – Get someone to build it
Hand the whole thing over to someone else to develop and manage but
update yourself.

Pros
• Less hassle

Cons
• You'll still have to come up with content, images We design and build SEO friendly
• You’ll need to learn how to edit yourself or get trained websites using state of the art
• You may need branding & logo design publishing tools like Wordpress!
• You will need to update content once the site is set up www.webyogi.co.uk
• You need a budget!



Step 8 – A Wordpress website
I’d recommend using WordPress publishing platform as a great starting point for
getting online.

WordPress is a website building system originally designed for building web
blogs. WordPress offers many advantages when compared to traditional web
building tools :

• Open Source (free)
• Easy to Use - Ideal for beginners and the not so technically minded
• Built in Easy To Use Visual Editor
• Hundreds of free professional templates
• Templates are easily customised
• Content creation and management done using a web browser
• Look and feel easy to change.
• Easy to add extra bits on like contact forms, sitemaps using ‘plugins’.



Step 9 – Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Nowadays it’s essential to have a basic understanding of search engine
optimisation. Usually shortened to ‘SEO’ this is simply a way of improving your
visibility on the web through search engines. It involves many techniques
including keyword research, link building, directory submission and content
creation. There are two types of SEO: -

‘Natural’ or ‘Organic’ SEO - ‘Natural search engine optimisation works by
improving your web position or ranking’ in search engines. It’s achieved by
making your site more search friendly. To find keywords for your site use
Google’s keyword tool.

Pay Per Click - Pay Per Click is basically advertising or sponsored links on
Google. This is an excellent method of gaining short‐term exposure in search
engines. But it costs! The “Google SEO Starter Guide” e-
book is available as a free
download without stepping
Google Webmaster Tools provides you with detailed reports about how visible through any registration, from
your web pages are. Google in PDF format: search-
engine-optimization-starter-
guide.pdf



Step 10 – Social Media
Social media is now an essential part of online marketing & web design. Did
you know that Facebook has over 750 million active users?

Most businesses have a presence on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter,
Youtube, Linkedin and location based services like Foursquare. Do you? If not
sign up for an account below! It’s FREE!

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Linkedin
• Youtube
• Flickr



Website Checklist…
Use this checklist to make sure you have thought through the steps you need to
take to get online…..

• Think about your website goals and objectives
• Decide on a domain names/business/brand name
• Find a good ‘host’ and buy some hosting for your site
• Decide if you want to do it yourself or employ a professional web designer
• Pull together content, images, video etc
• Think about SEO, identify keywords, set up Google webmaster tools
• Set up Facebook, Twitter & other social networks if relevant to you business
• Think about how you will monitor & measure your online efforts

It’s good to have a plan but don’t worry about these decisions & actions. You
can always change them later!



About webyogi…
Webyogi is a digital marketing consultant with more than 10
years experience in marketing, seo & social media.

When she is not advising people about online marketing, she
spends a lot of time delivering integrated digital marketing
campaigns, building blogs, using social media and trying to
fit in a bit of yoga.
I wrote this ebook to
help Webyogi runs online marketing training courses and
you get online and find workshops for small businesses, social enterprises and
out about online individuals who want to learn more about effective online
marketing. marketing. You can learn about a wide range of marketing
topics that can help you grow your business online.
I’d love to hear how you
use this ebook and how it
helped you get online. Find us online:
Website: www.webyogi.co.uk
Please get in touch if you Follow on Twitter: webyogi
found it useful and I’ll Learn digital marketing. Grow online.
write some more!

Yours webyogi

How to : 10 easy steps on how to get a website

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