How to Get Your First Website Online

You've decided you'd like a website. Now what?

Or, you can have a website (or blog) custom-designed for you, using your own domain name (yourname.com).

Which should you choose? Let's explore the options.

Free websites

Another alternative is to start a blog. Blogger, Blogstream, and Wordpress are some places where you can blog for free.

The advantages to a free website are that there's no cost, and some sort of "site builder" which helps you create your own webpages is usually included. (With a blog, you choose a template & use a form to add your posts.) This is a risk-free way to get your feet wet & see if you enjoy having a website of your own.

However, there are also drawbacks to having this sort of site.

disadvantages to free websites

• They often include banners or other advertising - whatever the company hosting your site wants to put there - that detracts from your site's presentation.
• The "site builder" - if one is included - usually creates fairly generic or amateurish-looking pages. Or, you may not like the choice of templates.
• Your web address will probably be hard to remember. (something like www.yourisp.com/web/~yourname)
• If you ever decide you want to move to your own domain name (or if you change ISPs), you will have to change your web address (letting everyone know about the change, & asking them to update their links to your site). Gathering & moving your website's pages can be a hassle, too.
• The amount of space allotted, is often quite limited, which may become a problem as your website grows.
• Search engines and web directories - the primary ways people find websites - don't take free websites very seriously. It can be difficult to get indexed / listed. If you are serious about promoting your site, you'll need your own domain name.
• If you have questions you're (mostly) on your own. Free webhosts usually offer very limited support.
• Less credibility. If you are running a business or are serious about growing & promoting your site and your work, this is a real problem. People like to buy from sites that inspire confidence.

about do it yourself websites

The money you save with a homemade website may not be much compared to what you lose in lost positive impressions, sales & opportunities. So, give it some careful thought.

Learn about some of the things that do-it-yourself websites tend to lack:

• 4 steps to a successful website
• Common webdesign mistakes
• and...more info on what's involved in making an effective site

Remember that a professional web designer has spent years learning how to build a website that works effectively and will do what you want it to do. You will need to invest that same great amount of time & experimentation in order to figure out what they already know. Or you can just hire a designer who will get it right the first time. That will free you to do what you do best - create.

a word on MySpace

Having your own website will allow you much more freedom of expression, and room to stretch out. You'll be able to convey your message in a more personal way, without the distraction of slow-downloading pages, advertisements & the constraints of the MySpace page layout.

Having your own site will also make you stand out from the crowd, showing that you're serious about your work & creating a positive image.

You can link from your MySpace page to your website, and from your website to MySpace, too. The two sites can complement each other as part of your overall promotion and fan-base-building strategy.

A website custom-designed by a professional

advantages to professionally-designed websites

• Your site will be custom-designed by someone who does it for a living. They will take your needs, desires and preferences into consideration. Your site won't be like any other; it will be a reflection of you and your work.
• Your site will be more attractive and better designed than a free site would, conveying a positive impression.
• You won't spend hours trying to figure out how to do it yourself, freeing you to concentrate on what you do best (writing, performing, creating your art, or running your business).
• There's no advertising!
• You will have your own domain name, which will be easy to remember and specific only to you. And, your web address (and email address) will be unaffected should you change ISPs or webhosts. Your site is very portable and your webdesigner can move it to another webhost without any interruption, if you should ever decide to do so.
• You can get as much storage space for your site as necessary; you need not ever run out of room for your pages, and other files.
• You will have a webdesigner who can answer your questions and address your needs.
• Your website will be designed to be friendly to your visitors, and the search engines, too.
• Your webdesigner can promote your website so it will be well-ranked and easily findable on Google & other search engines.
• Your webdesigner can update the website whenever you'd like, so you don't need to bother with it. Alternatively, it can be designed so you can update it yourself. It's your choice.
• You'll have your own email address: you@yourdomain.com.
• Your webhost will provide detailed site statistics, showing how many people visited, how they found your website, & what they looked at.
• A professionally-designed website will give you added credibility and will cast you & your work in a much more flattering, and professional light. This is crucial for a business. It shows you take your work seriously and that you want to convey a professional image.

The only real disadvantage to a custom-designed website, is that it's not free. (But it can be very affordable! Read on for details.)

3 steps to getting a professional, custom-designed site

1. The web designer is the person who will custom design your website just for you, taking into consideration your needs & preferences, and the site's content. Cost varies, depending on the designer and your particular needs. (See below.)
2. A domain name is inexpensive - about $10-15/year - and easy to obtain. You can get one yourself with a registrar such as GoDaddy.com. Or, your webdesigner can probably do it for you. (I offer that service.)
3. A webhosting account may be provided by your web designer may also be able to provide webhosting for you. (That's the case here at Quanta Webdesign.) If not, there are many webhosts out there who offer reliable hosting for as little as $35-40/year.

cost of custom-designed websites

Since 2000 I've designed a number of websites for small businesses, artists, musicians, writers, and the literary community. I offer a 7-page informational website for about $550. That includes free internet promotion as well. Additional pages are available, too, as are extras like a shopping cart, mp3 player, custom-designed forum, etc.

Would you like more information?
Want to get started?

Or, feel free to drop me a line with any questions about websites - free or custom. I'm always glad to help, and consultations & advice about anything internet-related are always free.

cheers ~
Denise