Building Your First Website – The Essentials
If you think having your own website is a great idea, you’re absolutely right. However, many creators and budding entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed by the myriad of options available these days. This shouldn’t stop you from your website building journey. Let it be a learning opportunity.
How do you even start? Where do you start?
Let this be your no-fluff website building instruction manual.
But first, which platform should you use for your first website?
I would say by far, WordPress is the best platform to start your first website on. You get many features and capabilities upfront without having to shed a pot of gold. Unlike other platforms such as Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix, WordPress has a huge developer community. Meaning, it is well-supported and documented.
Not that it’s perfect. No single software is perfect. Even big company platforms have their own user caveats and I will break it all down for you too.
✔️ Pros of using WordPress for your first website
- It's FREE - comes with most hosting plans.
- Easy to use once you learn the basics.
- Lots of plugins you can use depending on your needs.
- Website expansion capabilities.
- Has been around since 2003.
- It's one of the most utilized CMS tech.
- Big and famous companies trust WordPress.
- It is open source - lots of support from the developer community.
- Multisite feature enables you to host different websites in one domain.
❌ Cons of using WordPress for your first website
- Security vulnerabilities because of its popularity.
- Needs careful maintenance and updates.
- Theme and plugin incompatibilities.
- Customer support is through the community.
- Option fatigue from the many choices of plugins and themes to choose from.
For a more detailed breakdown and explanation, check out the pros and cons of using WordPress for your website.
So, how/where do you even get WordPress?
For the most part, when you buy your web hosting, you get it included if you picked the right option. Most web hosting companies allow you to install this in a majority of web hosting plans. Keyword, most. If you do not have web hosting just yet, then check out the five most affordable web hosting providers I recommend for first-time website owners.
Here's five crucial elements you need on your website
What do you even put on your website? It depends on what you do (or will be doing). If you are trying to build your personal brand or your business, there are five things you need and I will explain why they are important.
1. Homepage
2. About You Page
3. Contact Page
4. Service List Page or Work With Me Page
5. Blog/Article Page
1. Homepage
The homepage is where everyone lands. It usually is the first page visitors land on when they type your domain name in the address bar at the browser. This is why it’s an important part of your website.
When you create your homepage, you need to consider your audience. Remember, this is about them – not you. You are building this to attract and repel visitors. The main objective is to attract who you want to serve or ideate with.
Questions to ask when evaluating the homepage:
1️⃣ Do I have a Call-to-Action (CTA)?
2️⃣ Do I have a well laid-out primary menu?
3️⃣ Do I have an appropriate Footer?
4️⃣ Is my headline enticing?
5️⃣ Is my header attention-grabbing?
6️⃣ Are my images and graphics aligned with my branding?
Again, homepages will vary depending on your unique circumstance. Some factors that will cause variety in layout and presentation (and even content) are:
▪️ whether you’re creating a blog for personal use or a business website
▪️ whether you’re creating a personal brand or a creator/influencer brand
▪️ whether your purpose is to create an e-commerce business or a service-based business
Regardless, always keep in mind that this is where you make a first impression; And you know what they say – first impressions last. The same goes for your homepage.
2. About Page
Your About Page is the perfect chance to gain rapport with your kind of people. This is also where you get to introduce who you are (as a personal brand or business) and sell your personality. Don’t forget that it’s still about them which brings me to a few key points to consider when writing the copy for your About Page.
1️⃣ Tell them what you do and how you can serve or help them. This tells what’s in it for them.
2️⃣ Tell them what they can expect with you around their radar. This tells them what to expect.
3️⃣ Add in social proof, testimonials, or your professional creds if you have it. This earns trust.
4️⃣ Tell your story and tailor it around your people’s experiences. This makes them feel seen.
5️⃣ Make them envision what’s possible with you around. This should be a subtle plug of your services or products and your chance to make them say, “Yes, this is what I need!”
If you’re planning to launch a lifestyle blog as a creator, then this might look a bit different. Obviously, you want to speak more about yourself because that’s how you attract people. People follow you for your content.
Tailor your copy according to your dream client.
3. Contact Page
In order to get clients or even get your business moving, you need a way for people to reach you. Never make it hard for potential customers to reach out. This is a great way to lose them! Which brings me to the next crucial element of a website – the contact page.
It can be as simple as filling out a form and hitting submit, or as complex such as adding your social media links or even a map (if you have a brick-and-mortar presence). Be creative as much as you like but don’t forget the important one: the contact form.
4. Service List or Work With Me Page
This is the showcase of everything you have to offer (that is paid). If you are straightforward, adding in the prices makes it easy for you and for potential clients to see if what you do is within their budget. Or, you can simply outline with brief descriptions and let them reach out as needed.
Whatever your marketing strategy is, the service page or work with me page lets visitors know what you provide or sell.
5. Blog or Article Page
A great way to boost your online presence is through the use of blogs or article pages. Almost all websites have this and it only makes sense to do so – it’s a search engine optimization strategy.
If you’re a blogger, then yes – you need this. Otherwise, it’s optional but highly recommended. Make sure to utilize keywords that are relevant, high intent, and reliable. Remember, links are queen but content is king.
If you are new to building your first website and want to save money while learning to navigate online business building on your own, I invite you to come and host your virtual estate with me!
