Tired of all those TV infomercials about how easy it is to get going on the web?
“For just $499 you will be on Google’s greatest hits list!”
Or how about those $7500 website developer pitches for a 10 page website?
“We have the best designers.”
Developing your first online business website can be exciting and frustrating. There are several steps that need to be accomplished prior to launch, and they need to be done correctly to avoid issues down the road.
Luckily, WordPress and the wide range of no-code development tools, like website plugins have made the site building process fairly easy. In fact, you can have your online business up and running in 30 minutes or less.
Here are 5 simple steps to develop your first website efficiently and correctly. Let’s dive in!
Step One: Brainstorm a Domain Name
Probably the most important element of your online business site is the domain name (URL). Don’t rush this process. If you choose to change it later, the process of migrating to the new domain name can be a giant headache. You want to
Your domain name can literally be anything, as long as it is available. However, it is best to choose a domain that matches your online business name. It should also be relevant to your industry niche in some form.
For example:
If you’re selling men’s health tech products or services, keep it relevant. Take your main keywords (health, tech, men) and search these terms in various domain name registrars. Many domain registrars will give you auto-suggested terms as well (if want you want isn’t available).
And how do you know if your domain is available? The hosting service you choose should have a domain name checker. You can also use Namecheckr to check for domain availability, and if your business name is available across social media channels as well.
There is also the possibility of picking up domains where companies have gone bankrupt or simply never used the domain to begin with. These domains are called ‘dropped domains’. A great resource to pick up previously dropped domains is https://domcop.com
Your domain name should also be without slug words, like “the” or “and” for instance. You should also choose a domain name that is not too lengthy. Keep it concise and without filler.
Step Two: Get Your Online Business Hosted
Once you have a domain name in mind, it’s time to choose a hosting service. This step in developing your site is also very important. There are different WordPress hosting options to choose from, like managed or shared hosting for example.
Ensure the hosting service you choose will fit your online business needs. Top-notch hosting services also provide free domain name registration, unlimited server space, and quality business support.
A few essentials to consider include:
- Speed and server uptime
- Easily accessible customer service
- Storage space
- Back-end management
- User-friendly dashboard
Like your domain name, switching up your hosting provider can prove challenging later on. Do your due diligence and get the best hosting for your business.
Step Three: Connect Your Domain Name, WordPress, and WooCommerce
Depending on your website host, you might be able to skip this step. For example, some hosting services have an all-in-one solution that registers and connects your domain name to WordPress and WooCommerce if your online business is all about e-commerce.
Domain Name
You might need to connect your domain name if you are switching hosting providers as well. To connect your domain name, get your host’s DNS server name and inject it into your domain name user account.
WordPress/WooCommerce
If your site host doesn’t have a single click WordPress or WooCommerce integration option, no problem, since setting them up is pretty easy to do manually. Go to WordPress.org and/or WooCommerce platform to download the software.
Step Four: Choose a Site Theme
Now that you have WordPress set up, you can choose a site theme that is a perfect fit for your online business. There are a number of free website themes you can use, but the freemium is not always the best. It depends on how much site customization is needed.
Themeforest or StudioPress are great places to pick up affordable themes for your site. For instance, a blog theme can be purchased for less than $30, and an e-commerce theme less than $100.
Step Five: Website Configuration
You might be thinking that developing your first website is easy. It really is pretty simple. However, there are a few items that need to be configured before launching your online business to the public.
For example, you need to combine SEO and user experience to help your site rank well in Google while driving customers down your website’s sales funnel. One of the best ways to do this is have quality content that serves up value to your target audience.
You should also choose trusting colors if the site’s main purpose is to net sales. But always put your customer demographics first, like age, locations, gender, device, etc. to serve up the best user experience.
Your online business website also needs to be mobile-friendly. This has become a powerful Google ranking factor and meets the mobile demand of consumers. You can check if your site is mobile-friendly using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Tool.
Are You Ready For Site Launch?
The above will help you develop your first WordPress site fast and the right way. Yes, it is just five easy steps. However, if you are planning to implement more advanced consumer options, you may need to employ a professional developer. What is your top beginner development hack?
