So you want to build a website, whether it’s for your new business, a passion project, or simply to share photos of your family. Let me tell you, a simple website is easier to build than you think! With the right guidance, you can have your very own corner of the internet in no time. In this article, we’ll walk you through the three simple steps required to bring your website vision to life. For those looking for professional help, PCP Web Design offers comprehensive web design services that can get you up and running smoothly
What Will It Cost?
First things first: let’s talk about what it will cost to create your website. You can have a working website, like www.yourname.com, for just £10 – £20 a month—basically the cost of a meal at McDonalds. And yes, this is affordable for most people. There are even some options for creating a free site while still using your desired domain name, but we’ll get to that a bit later.
The Three Components Needed for a Website
To build a personal or custom website, there are three essential components:
- A Domain Name
- A Hosting Account
- Content Written in HTML or Another Web Language
I know, you may be wondering, what even is a domain name? Don’t worry, we’ll break it all down for you!
An Easy Analogy to Understand Websites
Think of it this way:
- Your Home is your website (a collection of individual web pages).
- Your Street Address is like your domain name, e.g., www.yourname.com.
- Your Plot of Land is the hosting account where your website is stored.
- Your Physical House is the content of your website.
To summarise, your domain name is the address people use to find your website, and your hosting account is the plot of virtual land where the content of your website resides.
The 3-Step Process to Build Your Website
Now that you understand the basics, let’s look at how you can get started building your website:
Step 1: Choose Your Address (Domain Name)
The first step is to choose your domain name, the unique address that people will use to find your website. Your domain name should reflect what your website is about. For example, if you’re selling a product, use the product name. For a family or personal site, using your full name can be a good starting point. Keep in mind that after many years of public internet use, some of the best domain names may already be taken, so you need to be a bit creative.
Make a list of about 10 possible domain names that you like in the format www.yourdesiredname.co.uk Once you have your list, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Step 2: Rent Some Space Online (Hosting Account)
Once you have your list of potential domain names, you need to rent space on a computer (called a server) that’s always connected to the internet. This is called hosting, and it’s what will allow your website to be visible online. You can start by searching for “web hosting” online, and you’ll find many companies that are ready to rent you hosting space. Companies like GoDaddy or IONOS are popular options, but there are many others to choose from, we have our own sister company who use the same infrastructure as Google and Amazon, take a look by visiting PCP Web Hosting UKs website. When selecting a host, don’t waste too much time hunting for the cheapest, usually, £10 a month will get you decent hosting for a small website.
Most hosting companies will offer you the option to purchase your domain name as part of the hosting process, which keeps things simple. Use the domain names from your list to see which are available. If your first choice isn’t available, keep trying until you find one that is. Once you have both the domain and hosting, the hosting company will provide instructions on how to access your account.
For those interested in local services, PCP Web Design provides web design services, including hosting solutions to ensure your business has a solid foundation online.
Step 3: Build Your Website
Now that you have your domain name and hosting set up, it’s time to build your actual website. Here are your options:
A – Hire Someone to Build the Website for You
The simplest option is to hire a professional. This is great if you have the budget and want to ensure everything is done correctly from the start. Here at PCP Web Design, we offer web design services that help you bring your ideas to life without any hassle. Hiring a professional also means ongoing support is available whenever you need changes made.
B – Build It Yourself
If you prefer a hands-on approach, you can learn to build a website yourself. There are many free online resources that will walk you through every step. Learning how to build a website can be rewarding, and once you learn how to do it, you’ll always have that skill. Simply search online for “how to build a website” to get started, you’ll find tutorials that cover design, development, and how to upload your content.
C – Use a Free Website Builder
If your needs are simple, you can opt for a free website builder, like a blog. These platforms, such as WordPress or Blogger, offer easy ways to set up a website without any coding required. You can add text, images, and videos using drag-and-drop editors. These websites often provide you with a custom domain name option, which means you can still use the domain you purchased. Just note that customisation options may be limited compared to a professional build.
Final Thoughts
Creating your own website is much more accessible than it used to be. Whether you need a personal site, a blog, or a professional online presence for your business, following these three steps will help you get started quickly. For those who would rather leave it to the professionals, PCP Web Design offers affordable website design and other digital marketing services, making sure your website reflects your vision and is ready to attract visitors.
The internet is a powerful tool to reach people around the world. Whether you are looking to share personal stories or promote your business, having a well-designed website is essential. For more information or to get started on your project, consider PCP Web Design and see how we can help bring your vision to life.
Feel free to explore other online resources for additional tips on web design, or check out our services to see how we can help you grow online. Ready to get started? Let’s build something amazing together!
