How to Build a Website Yourself

Build your own website

Sometimes it’s out of your budget to hire a professional website designer. Sometimes you need to take a shot at building your own website. Here is my general advice about how you can build a professional looking website yourself.

Recommended website platforms

Steps for writing website content

Identify your target audience: Before you start writing, determine who your target audience is. This will help you tailor your content to their needs and interests.

Define the purpose of the content: Decide what you want your content to achieve. Is it to inform, persuade, educate, or entertain?

Use your answers in your branding questionnaire to get started.

Use a clear and concise writing style: Write in short, simple sentences and use language that is easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not be familiar with.

Use headings and subheadings: Use headings and subheadings to break up your content into smaller, more manageable sections. This makes it easier for readers to scan and find the information they are looking for.

Use bullet points and numbered lists: Bullet points and numbered lists are great for presenting information in a clear and concise way.

Use images and videos: Use images and videos to break up your text and make your content more visually appealing.

Write for search engines: Consider using keywords in your content that will help search engines find your website. However, do not stuff your content with too many keywords, as this can actually hurt your search engine rankings.

Edit and proofread your content: Finally, be sure to edit and proofread your content before publishing it on your website. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure your content is well-organized and easy to read.

By following these guidelines, you can create effective text content for your website that engages your audience and helps achieve your website’s goals.

What are the parts of a website?

Header

The top section of a website that typically includes the website’s logo, navigation menu, and sometimes a search bar.

Body

The main section of a website where the content is displayed. This section can include text, images, videos, and other media.

Sidebar

A narrow column on the side of a website that can be used to display additional information or navigation links.

Content

The main focus of a website, which can include text, images, videos, and other media.

Call-to-action (CTA)

A button or link that encourages users to take a specific action, such as signing up for a newsletter or purchasing a product.

Forms

A section on a website that allows users to input information, such as a contact form or a sign-up form.

Social media icons

Icons that link to the website’s social media profiles.

Search bar

A feature that allows users to search for specific content on the website.

What pages might I need for my website?

Home page

The main landing page that introduces the website and its purpose.

About page

Provides information about the company or organization behind the website.

Contact page

Includes contact information such as phone number, email address, and physical address.

Products or services page

Showcases the products or services offered by the website.

Testimonials Page

Displays feedback from customers or clients about the website’s offerings.

Blog page

Features articles or posts on topics related to the website’s niche.

FAQ page

Answers frequently asked questions about the website, its products or services, and other related information.

Privacy policies page

Outlines how the website collects, uses, and protects user data.

Terms and conditions page

Sets out the legal terms governing the use of the website and its services.

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Your Online presence

Website Design

Vision to reality

Create your perfect project with me

Website design is crucial to the success of any business or personal project. Without a well-designed website, customers and clients won’t be able to find you on Google or behave how you want them to once they find your website.

Having a solid digital marketing strategy is great, but if you get traffic to your website and your audience doesn’t like what they see, those advertising dollars and efforts will be wasted.

I have been designing websites since 2006. I started with a blog on WordPress to showcase my garden online. Through the years I have honed my website building skills as a small business owner, a SEO marketer for a multi-million dollar ecommerce company, and as a marketing consultant. For the past seven years I have been consulting on website design for hundreds of clients through America’s Small Business Development Center program.

modern solutions

Mobile responsive and search engine optimized

The websites I design are all mobile-responsive, meaning they look great on any device from a desktop computer to a tiny mobile phone. With the majority of internet users moving to mobile devices for browsing, this is crucial for engaging your audiences.

I also provide search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is the process of optimizing your website for the keywords you want your customers to find you with while searching Google. SEO gives your business a leg up on the competition by making sure your customers can find you ranking in the top search results on Google.