As the world moves more online, having your own website becomes all the more critical. Whether you’re a freelancer, have a small business, or just have a great idea you want to explore, a website will put it out into the world for people to discover. But where do you start? Read on to find out.
- Get a good web host
There are a plethora of great web hosts out there. One that immediately springs to mind is Namecheap, but you should do your own research in terms of what services and prices work for you. But what is a web host, you ask? Well, it’s the place where your website lives. Having your own personal server likely isn’t worth it unless you’re heading an enterprise or a tech whizz. So a good web host provides the service for you while also ensuring all your website’s data is backed up and kept safe.
- Choose a CMS that works for you
Not every website is built and managed using a Content Management System (CMS), but it sure makes life a lot easier, particularly if you’re not someone with a lot of tech know-how. A CMS not only simplifies the process of creating a website but also updating it, and adding and editing content. They often come with various easy-to-use plugins, making it easy to add things like security capabilities and automation to your site. WordPress is one of the most popular CMS, but other options include Drupal and Joomla.
- Take basic security precautions
It’s amazing how taking some basic steps can go a long way, even regarding website security. If you choose a good web host and some good security plugins, many of your basic web security needs should already be taken care of, but there’s still more you can do. One major web security element is an SSL certificate. An SSL encrypts the connection to and from your site and is all but mandatory today. Most web browsers expect websites to have an SSL these days, and if they don’t, they will likely flag it to visitors as not secure. Protect your site while ensuring your website loads for everyone by installing an SSL.
Conclusion
Creating a website is not rocket science but can seem intimidating from the outset. Fortunately, there are many guides to make your life easier. And by choosing a good web host, CMS, and taking into account security, you should be off to a great start.
