I already mentioned in one of my past articles that it is so easy to create a website these days. Given the right tools and guidance you too can make your own website in no time. In this article, I’m going to show you the process on how to have your website up and running.
But before we proceed, let me just be clear that it is not my intention to fool into thinking that you can create a website like Facebook and eventually compete with them. There are a lot of companies out there that are trying to do that, with their million-dollar backing, but just could not make it. And Google Search, as simple as it may appear on the surface, actually follows a set of very complicated Mathematical algorithms — the kind that would make your head spin.
The website that we are trying to build here is one that would become useful in getting the word out about your business. It’s your online Marketing Tool. Think about an online brochure.
So prepare your credit card or, if you already have a PayPal account, that’s even better. You are going to buy two essential resources: a domain name, and a hosting account.
Let’s start.
Step 1: Play With Words — Brainstorm Your Awesome Domain Name
Simply stated, a domain name is the name of your website. People will type this name ( yourcompany.com ) into the address bar of a browser to be able to access your website.
The following pointers will help you:
- Make sure the name is easy to remember.
- Make sure it is easy to pronounce.
- As much as possible limit the name to a combination of 3 words, maximum.
- Try to get the .com domain.
The domain name must be available. You can check the availability using this tool.
So play around until you can come up with the good domain name for your website.
(See also: How To Name Your Business.)
Step 2: Buy A Domain Name
You buy a domain name from a company called domain registrar. I’m recommending the following companies:
- NameCheap.com — Don’t be deceived by the name. We normally associate cheap with mediocre service. Not this company. Their support has been very excellent, I’ve stick with them for a couple of years now.
- GoDaddy.com — This is perhaps the most popular domain name registrar around. Some people love them, some hate them. Personally, I think I am in the middle of this love-hate affair with GoDaddy. One thing to note is that, when you buy, expect a lot of upsell offers from them.
GoDaddy Deals
Check out the link below for promo GoDaddy is currently running:
Step 3: Get A Web Hosting Account
This is the company that will keep the files, scripts and databases necessary for you to serve the contents of your website. Essentially, they store (or host) your files, text, images, videos and other related resources.
There are a lot of hosting companies out there. And I’ve tried a number of them. The one which I’m recommending highly for starters is the company named FatCow for one reason: Simplicity.
You don’t have to choose from a variety of hosting plans, because they offer only one simple web hosting. But for most purposes, this one plan is already more than enough. With Fatcow, you get unlimited everything – well, almost. Just consider:
- Unlimited Web Space
- Unlimited Bandwith
- Unlimited MySQL Databases
- Unlimited Ad-on Domains
Well, go check their latest offer of unlimited stuff by clicking here.
Note: Though getting a web hosting account with FatCow already comes with a free domain name, I don’t recommend that you do it. Remember what they say in Mutual Fund investment? Right, spread your eggs in different baskets. Suffice it to say, that the same advice applies here, too.
Step 4: Point The Domain Name to Your Hosting Account
Take note that your domain registrar and your web hosting company are two different companies. Their computer servers don’t know each other, too. For your website to be properly setup and become visible to the world, you must tell the domain registrar that your web server is located someplace else.
Technically, you do this by changing the Name Server settings from your domain name control panel so that it points to the name servers provided by your hosting company.
Luckily this one is easy to do.
Step 5: Install WordPress
Trust me, setting up WordPress from Fatcow is as easy as clicking a mouse. It should just take 5 minutes, maximum to get your WordPress based up and running.
Watch this video to know what I mean.
Easy WordPress Installation with FatCow
In conclusion
Easy, right? If you are serious about having your own website for fun, profit or whatever, you should at least try doing what I’ve just shown you.
Again here are the companies I’m recommending:
- Fatcow — The affordable web hosting company that’s perfect for your starter website.
- Namecheap — The also provide FREE Whois Guard protection, which you have to pay from other domain registrars.
- GoDaddy — For Premium domains. They run promos every now and then.
I’ve actually done business with all of these companies so I can attest to their respective credibility.
And in case you run into some problems following the steps outlined above, feel free to contact me. I’ll be glad to extend a helping hand.
Update: NegosyoBuilder.com is now offering a web hosting and domain registration for locally based businesses in the Philippines. Get an Unlimited Shared Webhosting Account for as little as USD 5 per month. Contact us for details.