Building a website

12 Step Checklist For Building a Website

Creating a website can be daunting and you may feel like you don’t know where to start. The good news is, with the right help and the right tools, building a website is a very manageable process.

It all starts with a good plan. The following website checklist will help guide you:

  1. Purpose and goals: Determine the purpose of your website. Is it an e-Commerce site designed to sell items online? Is it mainly an informational brochure for your business? Is it a blog that you intend to update regularly with posts? This will be your starting point.
  1. Domain name: Choose and register a domain name for your web address.
  1. Priorities: Determine what is critical for your website today. Can you start with a simple site and add more bells and whistles later? Write down what you need now, versus later.
  1. Site pages and features: Develop a list of your website requirements. For example:
    • Number of pages
    • Amount of storage (images and videos mean more storage space)
    • Tools such as online forms, blogs, customer reviews, maps, slideshows
    • Links to or integration with social media
    • Video and/or audio players
    • Shopping cart
    • Tech support
    • Mobile device optimization (so your website looks good on mobile devices)
    • Easy way to make content updates
  1. DIY versus professional service: Decide if you want to create a website yourself or if you want to outsource the development and design to an expert. Most DIY website building tools are now made with small business owners in mind, and do not require coding or design skills. Non-technical people can achieve a professional-looking result just by following the online instructions included with a good DIY tool.
  1. Website builder: Choose a website builder. This can be either a do-it-yourself tool, or a professional service that sets up your website for you according to your specifications.

Also on StartupNation.com: How to Leverage Your Facebook Business Page


  1. Hosting: Your site will need to be stored on a computer accessible over the internet in order for visitors to reach it online. For that, you’ll need a web hosting company. Some website builder tools include hosting; just use the tool, follow the instructions and it will automatically get the site online for you. Another approach is to choose a hosting company first (such as the one where you bought your domain name), choosing one that offers a website building tool or service.
  1. Connect your domain name to your website: If you choose to use a website builder tool that places your website online on the builder’s domain name instead of yours, redirect (also known as web forwarding) your domain name to where your website is located. That way, you will have a web address that’s easy to remember, so you can build up your brand and make marketing easier and more effective.
  1. Plan and develop content: Determine what website content is essential and create it. What information will your visitors find valuable? At a minimum, make sure your website shows your business’ contact information such as your company branded email and phone number, as well as any required information your line of business may require such as a state license number. Note: your domain name can be used to create a company branded email. Check with your hosting company or the company you bought your domain name from.
  1. Promote your website: Think about how your visitors will find your website. Put your web address everywhere possible, including business cards, social media, advertising and online business directories. Experiment with paid search advertisements to attract pay-per-click traffic to your website.
  1. Track performance: Understand how your website is performing and who is coming to your site. Website analytics can yield great insights into what you need to do more of, or what you need to change. You can install an external analytics program, or use one provided by your website builder tool or hosting company.
  1. Keep up a cycle of continual improvement: Continually optimize your site and develop useful content to your visitors based on what’s working.

Building your website is an important accomplishment! Want to know what to do next? Read the First Five Things To Do After Getting Your Business Online!

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