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Websites 101- The Basics
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Websites 101 - The Basics and How To Get Started Fast

So you would like to have a website and you would like to build it yourself. Well, you've come to the right place. Building your own website can be fun and can even earn you some money. If you're just starting out, have a bit of experience or want to try going pro this article is for you.  Read on to Learn More.
 -*Disclosure- Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No worries, as I mentioned this doesn't affect any of the prices outlined its just a way the company says thanks to writers for promoting their services, then again I've been promoting these businesses for free for years now so now I get a bit of a thank you for doing so. Woot.
Udemy

The basics - Terminology

There are 3 parts you will need to start your website. The Domain, the Host and the Builder. Most companies such as BlueHost, Webflow and Wix offer packages for all three making it easy to manage in one simple location. 

Domain

Your Domain is the address you type into the address bar to get to a specific site. Think of it as a mailing address. It should be simple and related to your website.

Example Domain: Websitecrunch.com
​
You can purchase a domain for around $10-20 / year for a simple domain which can be purchased from sites such as *GoDaddy and *BlueHost.

Host

All websites are stored on a computer somewhere called a server. These servers are also known as Hosts. Where the Domain is the address of the website the Host is the actual bricks and mortar of the website. This is where all the words, pictures, buttons etc are stored. 
I always recommend Bluehost for hosting but dont rush to buy hosting just yet. First lets cover how you want to build your website.

​Builder

The Builder is where you finally get to be creative. There are many options for build tools that are excellent for beginners all the way to advanced. I will cover some of the ones I recommend and if you want to learn more visit the Guides page to read more in depth articles about each Website Builder Option. 
If you want to get started now however take a look at Weebly.
(Its what I used to build this very site)

*Quick Start

If you dont want to read more in depth about Domains, Hosting and Builders and you just want to get started building your own website then I suggest getting started quickly with Wordpress and Bluehost. They have a discount right now where you can get started for only $3.95 / month with a 30 day money back guarantee. 

​Section 1- Whats your domain?

Domains

Your domain is your websites calling card. Its the address that people type in to visit you. Its also a great way to get creative and have a bit of fun. It takes a bit of thinking and you may have to settle for the next best idea since cool domains are already taken but if you put in some thought and try out a few variations you'll find a good domain that fits what your'e looking for. ​


​Buying a domain made easy

Steps:

1. Search for the domain name you want
2. Most likely your first couple ideas are taken
​​3. Keep trying, look at the suggestions the search tool offers
4. Fnd a domain that you like that is available
5. Click add to cart and go through the sign up process to secure your domain

Things to remember- .com and .net are known as top level domains. The most common websites around the world use .com or .net. There are many other options available like .edu, .org etc but I highly suggest .com or .net if available.


Section 2- Hosting

Now before I begin I want to say that you dont always need to pursue hosting. Sorry to confuse you but I say this because some Builders like GoCentral and Weebly offer built in hosting as a package deal! However with that said if you plan on using Wordpress or you just want to host your own site then this section is for you.

Bluehost and why I like em. So my main experience with Bluehost is via Wordpress. Now if you dont know what Wordpress is no worries. Its a Builder option that allows you to have way more control and options than you get in your easy to use entry level builders. It takes a bit more learning but I highly suggest using Wordpress if you want to really be in control of your website and if you plan on doing a lot of blogging and articles. Bluehost offers a combo package that is by far the easiest way to get started with Wordpress that Ive experienced. Just visit Bluehost, choose the Wordpress hosting option and go. They do all the work setting things up. What makes things even better is that they offer a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee and a Free Domain.  

​Section 3- Builder, consider your options

 Easy, WordPress or Pro

So now that we understand a bit about the basics lets get into the good stuff. The Builder. There are quite a few options out there but Ive used pretty much all of them and have narrowed them down based on how easy they are to use and how much bang you can get for your buck. First we'll start with the easiest options for beginners.

The Easy to use option
Weebly, GoCentral and Wix

1- Weebly
Via Weebly:
Beautiful themes created by top designers make your website look polished and professional on any device. Every theme is ready to launch immediately and is fully customizable.
2- GoCentral
Via GoCentral:
You’ve got something you want to share with the world. Whether it’s the next big product to hit the shelves or just to announce your wedding, your concept demands an online presence. GoCentral Website Builder is a straightforward and simple way to build a brilliant website and get your idea out there for the world to see.
3- Wix
Via Wix:
​We believe anything is possible with the right website builder. Whether you're about to create a website for the first time or you're a long time pro, we've got you covered. You have two ways to start: Get a free website designed for you with Wix Artificial Design Intelligence or get total design freedom with the Wix Editor. You can always add advanced functionality to your website with Wix Code. It’s time to get your professional website.

The WordPress option 
More options, easy to learn, scaleable and more!

Via Bluehost:
WordPress powers nearly a third of the world’s websites. With tools for everyone from personal bloggers to large corporations, this powerful site builder and content management system aims to make it possible for anyone to create an online presence in minutes. WordPress is flexible, scalable, and always free to use.

WordPress is by far the next level of Builder options. The learning curve is a bit steeper than the Easy Builders mentioned above but with a little study the tool is very easy to use and very rewarding in regards to quality and options. WordPress is an excellent choice for bloggers or for posting lots of articles. There are even templates available to help you get started which are easy to edit and which allow you to have a site up and running in no time. 

The Pro option- Webflow.
Pro level options, amazing sites. 

Webflow is the tool I use for all of my high level pro sites. Private client business sites, high end promotional sites or just sites that really need flair, Webflow has you covered. The learning curve is high but not insane. The options are somewhat overwhelming at first but if you tinker with any of the above easy tools or with Wordpress you'll see that Webflow is just an advanced version that functions at a far more editable level. They offer simple hosting options, CMS, Client portals, Client account management and more. The tool is based around the basic box model and classes and I have to say their animation and mouse options are stunning. Simple, clean and quality. Some of the best features Ive ever worked with in a public build tool hands down. If you really want to get into building websites and want to take the time to really learn and invest in a quality tool I highly suggest you check out Webflow. 

Conclusion

So that's about it for website basics. There's so much more to talk about but I just wanted to give you all the most basic of starting guides. I highly suggest using Udemy and Youtube for tutorials to better learn the ins and outs of the tools mentioned above. You got this, dig in and don't let yourself get overwhelmed or scared. Take your time and dont be afraid to click on stuff. Each site has guides and tutorials. There's plenty of step by step tutorials out there to get you going once you've decided to start working in a tool. I hoped this helped you a bit on your journey to starting your own website. Best of luck and remember to learn lots and have fun. 

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*Disclosure- Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No worries, as I mentioned this doesn't affect any of the prices outlined its just a way the company says thanks to writers for promoting their services, then again I've been promoting these businesses for free for years now so now I get a bit of a thank you for doing so. Woot.