- Procuring a domain name
- Hosting your website
- Designing your website
- Creating your content
- Maintaining and Updating Your content
Your Domain Name
The domain name is your foundation. Take the time to choose a creative URL to represent your organization. You can purchase a domain name through services such as Go Daddy, Hover, or even through your own web hosting provider. We highly recommend Hover.com. Hover makes it easy with reliable, friendly customer service, low, consistent pricing and easy to use system. If you do decide to build a website and choose your own name, please be sure that whomever you go with, that you actually have control over your domain name. It is also best practice to have a shorter, more memorable domain name if possible.
Hosting Your Website
There are many options available these days to host your website. Essentially, hosting means that you are outsourcing your files to be managed on a server somewhere. Beware of those who host on “basement servers.” While it can be done, it is not appropriate for modern business websites. If you are a DYI, there are some inexpensive hosting options available to you, that actually include some great features. Bluehost and Hostgator are a couple options that we have used in the past for hosting online content. Both even include scripts for installing popular content management systems such as Drupal and WordPress.
Designing Your Website
When it comes to designing a website, you have options available. If you decide to use a content management system, such as Drupal, WordPress, Joomla, etc, These systems come with templates that are included with the install scripts and many available templates and custom premium templates are available online. So, if you are just starting out or require a inexpensive solution, be sure to do some research and look into the wide variety of template options available to you. If you decide to do a custom design or one that closely matches your branding initiatives, you may consider hiring a designer. Custom designs can run from $3000 on up, depending on the amount of customization and features that are involved with the project.
Managing Website Content
Content is king. Smart, strategic content can not only describe your products and services, but also create a sales funnel for you products and services. Smart well placed content can be used to attract eyes and create a prominent position for you on the major search engines, such as Google, Yahoo, Bing. If your business changes, so should your content. The great thing about Content Management Systems (CMS), these web systems easily enable you to log into the site and change your content to fit your current message. Every website we create is done via a CMS system.
If you are not a Wordsmith, or do not have the time to create content, there are many quality writers in our area that are willing to work with you.
This is a very basic overview of the website design process. Of course every situation is different for every unique situation and end goal. If you have any questions regarding your website, please feel free to call.
Central Ohio IT is located in Columbus, Ohio. We serve central Ohio and the surrounding counties. If you have any questions regarding services or availability, please contact us at info@centralohioit.com or call 614.915.5906.
We pride ourselves on superb customer service and customer satisfaction.