So, you want to build your own website but you don’t know how? DIY website builders exist to allow folks like you—the non-technical, non-professional hoi polloi—to go solo in creating a decent website. But if you’ve never done it before, the prospect and the process can still seem complicated and overwhelming.
I believe in keeping things simple. In fact, that’s exactly why we made Rocketspark in the first place; Rocketspark is a website builder that makes making your own website easy. So, to take the headache out of creating a site, I’ve rounded up prior blog posts—kind of like our greatest hits—and organised them into a step-by-step guide to make building your website remarkably simple.
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Step 1: Create an attention-grabbing home page
How long does it take for a visitor to decide if they (dis)like your website? A measly 0.05 seconds. And it’s usually the home page that determines whether or not they’ll stick around for much longer than that. Nail the home page and you’ll be sure to keep visitors interested in your site and ready to take the next step.
Step 2: Design the journey through your website
If a good home page hooks your visitors, the rest of your website is where you reel them in. You want them to go beyond the home page, visit other pages and essentially “journey” through your site. As you make your site, remember that you’ll need these two things: compelling content and smart navigation.
Step 3: Ensure your website is accessible on mobile devices
These days, users are just as likely to be viewing your website on their smartphone or tablet as they are on a desk- or laptop computer. In fact, more Americans do their online shopping on mobiles than on traditional devices, with NZ and UK users not far behind. Make sure your website works well on mobile.
Step 4: Get found in search engines
Congrats: you’ve built your own website! Now you want to draw users to your site by ranking highly in search engine results, a process known as search engine optimisation (SEO). SEO is a complex, often bamboozling skill. Fortunately, we cover a lot of the fundamentals in plain English to get you on your way.
Step 5: Spread the word about your site
Aside from ranking well in search engines, you can also draw more people to your website simply by promoting it. You can do this through email marketing, where you include snippets of enticing information in a slick email that links to your site. But the best way to spread the word? Social media.
Step 6: Set up your online shop
With its ease of access and low overheads, more and more businesses are finding that online retail is the way to go. You’ve already done the hard part by building the website—now all you need to do is add a shop. And it’s easier than you think.
Step 7: Put the nuts and bolts in place
There are a few other bits and pieces to take care of. Picking a domain name (web address), hosting (your website’s location) and setting up your business email are all utterly essential to having a strong online presence. Make sure you’ve ticked the following boxes:
Epilogue: Choosing the right website builder...
Of course, before you take any of these steps, you’ll want to make sure you choose the right website builder. Naturally, I’m quite a fan of the Rocketspark system but there are other decent ones out there. One of the most popular is Wordpress. It pays to do some research on the best builder for your needs.
You don’t need to be a nerd-level tech expert to build your own website. By using a good website builder, you can make an attractive, informative and effective website for your business. Your initial foray into making a website might leave you feeling like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. But, like eating the proverbial elephant, it only takes one bite at a time. Follow these steps and before you know it, you’ll be the proud owner of a superb website, built by yours truly.
