"Computing is not about computers anymore. It is about living."
--Nicholas Negroponte,
Greek-American architect and computer scientist
What You Need to Do
1. Get Your Domain Name
The first thing you need to do is to buy a domain name. This is the name you want to give to your website. For example, the domain name of this site is www.joecongo.com. A domain name will cost you about $10. This is an annual fee that you have to pay to a domain registration company for the right to use that name. We recommend that you use this domain registrar. It gives unsurpassed service and renewal fees are the same as the initial fee. Many other registrars will give you a low first-time fee and then charge you $15 to $35 for renewals since they feel they've got you hooked.
Getting a domain name does not get you a website, just the name.
2. Choose a Web Host
Once you have your own domain name, you will need to choose a hosting company , also called a web host. So what is a hosting company? Basically a hosting company is a service that connects your website to the World Wide Web. Every website has a hosting company.
There are thousands of hosting companies. So how do you choose a good one?
When you purchase your domain name, you will also be offered the option of purchasing hosting. You do NOT have to buy hosting from same company you bought your domain from, although some people prefer to do so.
Hosting packages vary in cost as well as quality. Expect to pay less than $15 per month for a good host. Speak to people who have a website and ask them which hosting company they use. We have found that most webmasters recommend HostGator. We use HostGator and Homestead (see Homestead Site Builder below) for most of our sites and we can strongly recommend either.
You can get your domain name wither either hosting service. Creating a hosting account is very easy, just provide a few details online and you will have your own hosting package set up in minutes. You will then receive an email with all your web hosting details.
It contains important information that you will need later to publish your website so make sure you keep this information in a safe place.
Now you are ready to create your own website.
3. Choose a Site Builder or Web Editor
HostGator comes with a website builder. Homestead also includes it's own Site Builder that was used to build this site. It is very easy to use.
There are webmasters that swear by Adobe Dreamweaver and it is considered the absolute top of the line. Our own in-house graphic designer uses Dreamweaver for all her assignments. However, the cost is $399 at present time after a free trial period. Click here if you would like to know more about Dreamweaver.
There are hundreds of good free site builders available. Our recommendation would be My Free Website Builder or Kompozer.
For free lessons teaching how to build website visit Joe Congo Marketing Academy.
Homestead Site Builder
As mentioned above, this website is built with Homestead Site Builder. It is a fantastic tool that makes life easy for me.
Build your website with Homestead! Use their award-winning web design software to create websites in minutes. Web hosting, domain and email included.
Homestead is perfect for small businesses and professionals who want an online presence but do not want to learn programming. Packages start at $9.99 per month.
Homestead helps small businesses reach new customers online, so when people search Google and other search engines, they can find you. With their combination of easy-to-use free website building software, affordable web hosting and toll-free customer support, Homestead makes it easy for you to build a website. And once you've created your website, to help your business succeed we can also assist you in increasing your online traffic, sell products and services online and efficiently accept credit card payments.
Anyone can build a website in minutes! Even if you've never tried to make a website before, you'll find Homestead's design tools easy to use. And seasoned website builders, you'll love how powerful Homestead software is. It's straightforward, intuitive, yet powerful: the perfect combination! Homestead's free website building software gives you everything you need to create a website yourself; no programming or HTML skills are needed! Best of all, everything you need to create your own website is included in every Homestead website package for free!
Many people do struggle online. If you are less
successful than you'd like to be, Site Build It! will do
more for you than any other site builder available. You are almost guaranteed to build a highly profitable e-business with the help of Site Build It!
Remember, it's not about getting a site or a blog up "quick and easy." Many people get a site or blog up-and-running in a day. Then they struggle for a year or so before giving up.
We call that...
"Instant Gratification, Delayed Mortification"
Site Build It!, on the other hand, is a relentless
journey to building a real business, one that changes your life forever. There's a BIG difference.
With Site Build It! your site will be search engine optimized from the beginning. Your business will be set up the right way, without the long learning period required without Site Build It!
You Can Own Your Own Web Site
Here’s what you can do:
- Promote your favorite organization
- Create a personal site for family and friends to stay in touch
- Display your wedding photos or new baby photos
- Post your resume or promote your special skills
- Start your own Internet business
- Promote your brick-and-mortar business
