While it is true that more options exist today to make creating your own website easier than it has ever been, there are still many things to consider before you get started. Here is our #1 shortcut to getting going on your own site.
Start with a website platform
There are many options for building a site without any understanding of coding or the inner workings of web design. Many DIY website serves offer point and click templates that allow you to drag and drop your way to a new site in minutes. Some of the more popular options being:
These are sites that include hosting and templates with their service fee and eliminate the need for any third party applications. You simply signup, pick your plan, get a domain, select a template (including dummy content) and begin to customize your pages to your liking.
While these are a great option for basic portfolio sites that do little more than paint the digital face of your professional image, they can be a bit stifling when it comes to customization and unique functionality. Typically, we recommend these as a temporary option when the need to have something QUICK is crucial to your business. If however, you need a site that offers more flexibility (and you have the time) we recommend a platform more suited to the task of offering ALL the benefits the internet has to offer. Some of the most trusted are:
WordPress is an open source platform that holds about 60+% marketshare, is optimized for google, and grows everyday in its features, functions, and design. It’s secure, user-friendly, infinitely customizable and our goto platform for all our clients at BMUSED Imaging. The learning curve is a little longer than Squarespace or Wix, but in our opinion the payoff is far greater in the end.
Shopify is similar to WordPress in many ways, but as the name implies has some added benefits to those of you that may need a commerce focused site.
It’s important to note that with WordPress you will also need a host (like Godaddy, Bluehost, or Justbmused). WordPress is free unless you choose to use 3rd party themes or plugins for your site, but hosting plans vary in price by provider and specific plans. Your host is where your website, domain, and usually email will live. While this adds another layer to the complexity of your site, more and more hosts are offering WordPress dedicated hosting that have one click user functionality to get started with your site dashboards designed to make your experience a breeze.
Next time we’ll walk you through setting up a simple site.