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

WEBYOGI : www.webyogi.co.ukE [email protected] | T : 01273 411756

Digital Marketing DIY Toolkits

A simple guide on how to get a websiteThis 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 1


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? Do you need e-commerce (a shop)? Do you plan on publishing a blog or e-newsletters?

Don’t make me thinkA great book on web usability!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don't_Make_Me_Think

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Make_Me_Think




Step 2 – Get a website domain name

Takeaway Tip:

Think about what people will type into search engines when they look for your services? Try domain Samurai to find good names.

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 target to attract people to your site. If you can get a ‘keyword rich’ domain name e.g one that includes the ‘topic’ of your website.

What’s a browser?A browser is a program on your computer that helps you visit websites. Examples include Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.


http://www.google.com/chrome

http://www.google.com/chrome

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/products/ie-9/home

http://www.uk2.net/

http://www.123-reg.co.uk/

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1and1&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGLL_en

http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrants

http://www.nominet.org.uk/

http://www.domainsamurai.com/

http://www.domainsamurai.com/




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.


http://www.thetop10bestwebhosting.com/uk


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


https://posterous.com/

http://www.tumblr.com/

http://www.blogger.com/

http://wordpress.org/

http://wordpress.com/

http://technorati.com/

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=google+blogs&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGLL_en


Step 6 – Website options - DIYDIYYou 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/.


http://www.weebly.com/

http://www.names.co.uk/blog.xml

http://www.squarespace.com/


Step 7 – Website options – Get someone to build itHand 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 You’ll need to learn how to edit yourself or get trained You may need branding & logo design You will need to update content once the site is set up You need a budget!

We design and build SEO friendly websites using state of the art

publishing tools like Wordpress!www.webyogi.co.uk


http://www.webyogi.co.uk/


Step 8 – A Wordpress websiteI’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’.


http://wordpress.org/


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!

Google Webmaster Tools provides you with detailed reports about how visible your web pages are.

The “Google SEO Starter Guide” e-book is available as a free download without stepping through any registration, from Google in PDF format: search-engine-optimization-starter-guide.pdf


http://www.google.com/webmasters/docs/search-engine-optimization-starter-guide.pdf



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Webmaster_Tools

https://adwords.google.com/o/Targeting/Explorer?__u=1000000000&__c=1000000000&ideaRequestType=KEYWORD_IDEAS


Step 10 – Social MediaSocial 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


http://www.flickr.com/

http://www.youtube.com/create_account

https://www.linkedin.com/reg/join

http://www.facebook.com/r.php

https://twitter.com/signup?commit=Join!


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…

I wrote this ebook to help you get online and find out about online marketing.

I’d love to hear how you use this ebook and how it helped you get online.

Please get in touch if you found it useful and I’ll write some more!

Yours 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.

Webyogi runs online marketing training courses and workshops for small businesses, social enterprises and individuals who want to learn more about effective online marketing. You can learn about a wide range of marketing topics that can help you grow your business online.

Find us online:Website: www.webyogi.co.ukFollow on Twitter: webyogi Learn digital marketing. Grow online.


http://twitter.com/webyogi

http://www.webyogi.co.uk/



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