Launching Your Own Personal Website - Setup Guide
Have you ever wondered about starting your own website? Want to make your own blog, personal website, or even if you are bold enough your own store? Want to have some control over your online presence?
This post is meant to be a simple guide for you to reference in order to setup your own website.
In my previous post, I explained, even briefly, about the technology: Websites 101
Reasons to have your own website
There are many reasons to start your own website. I personally started my website for a few reasons. One of the reasons I wanted to do this, is to build my credibility in order to improve my professional life & prospects. Another reason I wanted to do this is to improve my writing & communication skills.
Common reasons to start a website:
- It helps you build credibility
- It helps you develop your own ideas
- It helps improve your writing and communication skills
- It helps your professional life - People will search you up, this could be something they find/ puts your best foot forward
- It helps you develop connections (networking)
- You expose yourself to new & interesting opportunities
- You can have a lot more impact on people, communities, & causes
- It helps you develop your own business & brand
You might start your own website for the reasons I provided or for one reason or another. The most important thing is that you know why you are starting a website.
What You Need To Know
The good news about setting up a website is that, businesses over the years have made the process of getting a website online incredibly easy. There are only a few things that you need in order to get your website up:- Domain Registrars- Web Hosting- Content Management Systems
Of the three things you should be paying for the domain of your website & it's hosting.
Domain Registrar
The domain registrars are businesses that sell domains to you. This is the name of your website that people enter in the URL. Some of the most common & popular domain registrar are:
- GoDaddy
- BlueHost
- Namecheap
- Hostgator
Web Hosting
Web hosting is a service that allows you to host your website. Most if not all domain registrars now also provide web hosting services, but you can have a separate web hosting service from your domain registrar. Here are the common services for Web Hosting & Cloud Hosting:
Web Hosting
- Shared Hosting
- Virtual Private Server
- Dedicated Hosting
Cloud Hosting
- Amazon Web Services
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform
Content Management Systems
Unless you have a technical knowledge to deliver your own content, you should consider using a content management system in order to deliver your content. When it comes to your options for there are free and paid for options. The paid for options are also web hosting.
Free Open Source Software
Paid-Options
How To Set Up A Website
I am going to keep this setup simple, we are going with a domain registrar that also has web hosting services.
1. Figure out why you want to host a website
This will be personal to you & why you want to start a website, but having it written out somewhere either publicly or privately will do you good for you.
2. Go to Bluehost
While I personally don't have my website on Bluehost, I would recommend it for someone starting out since the pricing isn't hefty and they are also a domain registrar.
3. Choose a WordPress plan
To make your process simple and have a content management system to include with your plan is to go with a WordPress plan. If you are unsure or strapped for cash go for the basic plan, if you got some more to give go for the "Choice Plus" plan.
4. Pick your domain name
Your domain address is what people type into the search bar to get to your website. Enter the domain you want to go with, the domain might get taken it and Bluehost will say that the domain is not available. Keep trying until you find a domain that works for you. Here are some simple tips for your domain:
- Don't make it complicated
- Make it something people will remember
- Try your best to get it to end with .com
5. Enter your account information
Once you found your domain you will you setup your account. Go through the account setup process for Bluehost. After this you will get to design your website.
6. Design your Website
Since this a WordPress site you are going to need to do a few things to make this site your own.
- Choose a Theme
Thousands upon thousands of themes are available, ranging from absolutely free to upwards of hundreds of dollars. When selecting your theme, try to ensure that it makes sense for both the topic of your site and the layout and content you plan to publish.
Themes are the main guidelines for your websites appearance.
- Install Plugins
A WordPress plugin is a piece of software that “plugs into” your WordPress site. Plugins can add new functionality or extend existing functionality on your site, allowing you to create virtually any kind of website, from ecommerce stores to portfolios to directory sites.
Plugins can make small tweaks on your site or massive changes, depending on their features. Add the plugins that best fit the kind of website your are going for.
- Customize Your Theme/Site
Now that you have your theme for your appearance & plugins for your functions it's now time to make your site personal. You will want to change the text, images, colors, forms, & pages. This may seem like a lot, but once you do this it will be the website that you want to do.
GREAT! You have your own website now!
From here on out you still need to do things to bring traffic to your website such as SEO. You will also need to keep your website up to date as much as possible.
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