free webite design, build your own website, build a website for your business

1. Simple Tips To Help You Build Your Own Website
As a business owner, you should already know the importance of having a website for your
business. If you don't. You better figure things out quick because you are already late to the party!
If you are trying to figure out a way to design a website for your business.. This document aims to
be an essential guide to, both, creating one yourself - or - having someone else design it for you.
The best choice for you out of the two options, strictly depends on your personal preferences.
Definitely consider getting professional help if you are not able to spend time building your own
website. If you research thoroughly enough, you will even find free website design options so you
can focus on growing your business.
If you have a lot of free time that you are able to invest in learning proper website design
techniques. You can try building your own website. Do keep in mind though, that in addition to
website design. You will also need to stay on top of regularly changing guidelines for website
promotion and optimization.
If time is not an problem and you want to create your own website. Then lets get to work. Shall
we?
Objective:
We will try to accomplish the following objectives while designing our website:
- accessible at it's own domain name.
- hosted by a proper web hosting provider. No free hosts as we want a reliable provider.
- easily update-able. Preferably through a CMS (content management system).
- professionally put together.
We will individually deal with each item on this list. Starting with the first:
Domain Registration:
A domain name signifies the unique address where your website is accessible. Think of a domain
name as the Internet version of your business address. Any visitor that types your domain in their
browser will end up at your virtual door-step.
Contrary to what is often believed. Registering a domain name is a very simple task. All you need,
is to submit a request through a domain registrar. If the name you want is available, you can
register and then use it for your business.
Since we already know of a good place to register domains, lets save you the research. Head on
over to NameCheap.com and register for a user account. Once you have successfully signed up

2. for a NameCheap account, you would then register your domain. On the home page, you will find
a domain search box that you can use to search for your domain. If the domain you want is
available, you can then proceed and register it. While going through the registration process. You
will eventually reach the "Settings" page where you will be presented with a few options. Electing
to activate "domain privacy", also referred to as "Whoisguard" is the only setting you will change
on this page. There are a few other settings on this page, but for now, we will leave everything as
is and complete the registration.
Currently, you are able to register a domain for up-to 10 years. If the domain you are registering is
important for your business. It is usually a good idea to register it for as long as possible.
Website Hosting:
With the domain registration taken care of, the next thing we will tackle is the web hosting. Finding
a reliable host that is also affordable is not as easy as it may initially seem. We have had hosting
with multiple web hosting providers over the years. HostGator is one that we have consistently had
positive experiences with. We recommend that you host your website with them. Their "Baby Plan"
has the best balance of features and flexibility. So select that as your plan by clicking the "Order
now" button and sign-up for a web hosting account.
During the first step of your registration, you will be asked to enter your domain name. Enter the
domain you had previously registered with NameCheap here. There is also an option to enter a
coupon code on this page. You can use "HostGatorPromoPrice" which will reduce the cost of your
first month's hosting to just 1 cent. The rest of the registration process is just filling in your account
and billing details.
Installing A CMS:
If your website is going to be updated often, a content management system will simplify the
process. WordPress is one of the most popular CMS on the Internet. There is two ways to install it
in your hosting account. The simplest utilizes a tool that most web hosts have included with their
hosting packages. On HostGator, once you have logged into your control panel. You should have
access to "QuickInstall" which is listed under "Software/Services". Clicking on this link will bring
you to an auto-installer. Choose "WordPress" which should be under "Blog Software" and then
click the continue button.
The last step in installing WordPress is selecting where you want to the software to be installed.
And then finally configuring some administration details. Once done, WordPress should be setup
and working on the domain you chose.
Giving Your Website a Professional Look and Feel:
By default, WordPress comes with a minimalistic design. You may find the default theme sufficient
for your needs without any modifications. But if you would like to update the look of your website.

3. You can easily do so by selecting a different theme. Just browse through the available themes at
wordpress.org/extend/themes. Once you find a theme you like. Log-in to your website's
administration panel.and navigate to the "Themes" link which is located under the "Appearance"
tab. You can install your theme using the "Install Themes" function. Although we are just beginning
to scratch the surface, you can see the power of your CMS software when you can change the
whole design in a few easy steps.
If you have made it this far. Congratulations, you just build your very own website. Add some
details about your business and you can start promoting it.