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How to Build a Small Business Web Site

Part 1 of 10

Welcome! If you’ve come to this page, you’re probably a small business owner who’s interested in free advice on how to build your own Web site. If so, you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re on the fence over whether you need a Web site, read my post on Why You Need a Small Business Web site.

If you’d like to know more about me and the purpose of this site, visit the Welcome page.

For the rest of you, let’s get started.

Getting Started

There are three things you (or someone you’ll entrust with this project) will need:

  1. Time. The end to end process can take a few hours to a few days. I’d suggest blocking off a good chunk of time that you’re not running your business to do this, or to find a family member or friend with time on their hands to help.
  2. Access to and Familiarity with a Computer. Either Mac or PC will work fine. You should be comfortable with installing software and using a Web browser.
  3. A credit card where you can pay the vendors directly. The initial up-front cost will probably end up being in the $500-800 range for a Web host, a domain name, an SSL certificate, and email. You’ll save some money if you already have one or more of these things. By the way, there’s no charge for the information I give you.

Steps for Building a Web Site

Here are the steps you need to follow. Again, don’t be intimidated by any words that aren’t familiar. I’ll explain what each means as you go through each step.

  1. Choose a Domain Name
    Your “domain name” is what people type into their browser to get to you. I’ll give advice on how to choose one, as well as what vendors to use that I’ve been happy with myself.
  2. Set Up Web Hosting and WordPress
    A “Web hosting provider”, “Web hosting company” or “Web host” is the company who will be storing your Web site files and “serving” them to your Web site visitors. I’ll go into detail how to purchase a Web host.

    There was a time when you had to find someone to build your Web site from scratch. Those days are long gone. Today, there are tools you can use (called “content management systems”) that greatly help the process of designing and maintaining a Web site. The most popular CMS in the world is WordPress, which I’ll walk you through how to install on your Web host.
  3. Purchase and install a WordPress Theme
    There was a time when you had to find someone to design your Web site from scratch. Today you can purchase a complete WordPress site for under $100 that’s been coded by a professional developer and designed by a professional designer. All you need to do is install the theme (also known as a template).
  4. Set Up Your Site
    I’ll talk you through Steps #1-5, but step 6 is all up to you. You need to write great content that tells the world about you. In this step, I’ll give you SEO basics so you can be sure your site will rank on Google organic search.
  5. Choose an SSL Certificate Provider
    An SSL Certificate will encrypt traffic to and from your site so that it can’t be read by someone listening in to your network. It’s a necessary form of security and required by Google if you want to rank in SEO.
  6. Launch Your Site
    Finally, I’ll walk you through tips and tricks to launch your site and keep it maintained.

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