What to do? |
| 1 |
Think of a domain name |
Carefully think of a selection of suitable website domain names that will reflect the nature of your work/requirements. A suitable domain name not only on the Short Term, but also on the Long Term. Domain names generally have a set format – example format: www.yourname.co.uk or www.yourname.com |
| 2 |
Check domain name availability |
Check that the domain names that you would like are available. There are many websites that will allow you to do this - example: www.easily.com |
| 3 |
Purchase a domain name |
You need to purchase a domain name license from 1 to 5 years. Many ISP’s (Internet Service Provides) give you the ability to purchase domain name licence - example: www.easily.com, www.UK2.net Once you have purchased a domain name license, you have 1st option to extend the license period, so please do not worry about loosing your domain name. All UK names are registered with NOMINET. www.nic.uk |
| 4 |
Purchase Webspace |
You need to decide which ISP to Host your website. Once you have to purchased Webspace from an ISP they will issue you with a User Name and Password, plus details of how to publish your website. It generally takes around 48 hours to activate your website hosting space once you can purchased your webspace with an ISP. |
| 5 |
Create a Website |
You need to create a website either on your own computer or use a web creation service. You can purchase various software that will help you create your own website such as: Dreamweaver or Microsoft Front Page. |
| 6 |
Publish your Website |
Once you have created your website it needs to be published onto the ISP service that is going to Host your website. Generally this is carried out using a FTP (file transfer software) either built into your web creation software or a separate package - example: www.wsftp.com |
| 7 |
Appoint a Webmaster |
It is important that only one person/company updates and maintains your website, so best appoint a Webmaster to control your website, otherwise you can get yourself into a problems with more than one party maintains your website. Often the person or company creating your website will act a your Webmaster. |
What does it cost? |
| 8 |
Domain Name |
The cost varies depending on the type you select. For example a .COM name is generally a higher cost than a .CO.UK name. The cost per year start from around £2.99 per year to £19.99 per year. |
| 9 |
Webspace |
Does vary a lot, but general works out from £50 to £100 per year, which can be paid with some ISP’s monthly. The cost will vary depending on the speed you need and also whether your website is Windows or Lynx (Unix) based, plus what type of security level you need.
It is better to initial create your website on your local computer before purchasing webspace as it could take a few weeks/months to finalise your website design. This will save the cost of the website hosting while you are developing your website. |
| 10 |
Email |
If you also need a matching Email service to your domain name – example john.smith@yourname.co.uk then this cost often is extra. Cost varies, generally around £25.00 per year and can sometimes be limited to just 4 email names. |
| 11 |
FTP Software |
Vary in price. Ipswitch do good range of FTP software from £25.00. Your Webmaster will generally have this software/functionality, so no need generally to worry about this. |
Tips of creating your website |
| 12 |
Home page |
Avoid have too much information on your Home page. Most people surfing the web will only spend a matter of a few seconds, rather than minutes deciding whether you not to use your website, so keep the information to a minimum. |
| 13 |
Your Market |
Clearer define the market that you are aiming your website at. This will help you decide that type of website design and functionality. |
| 14 |
Your Image |
It is important that your website reflects the Image that you wish to project, so think carefully of the design, colours, layouts etc. Often best to try and find a similar looking website that you like to use as a template. |
| 15 |
Navigation |
Keep you webpage navigation simple to use as possible. |
| 16 |
Pictures |
Ensure that your pictures on your website are reduced in size to match the display area, rather than having large pictures which are resized on the pages. The speed of display information is very important to hold the users attention and large pictures take up more bandwidth. Pictures should only be used to enhance your website and not to distract. |
| 17 |
Try not to be too clearer |
Avoid trying to be too clear with your functionality and keep it very simple. Often websites are annoying to the visitors with unnecessary functionality appearing on the screen, which looses the visitors interest in the purpose of the website. |
| 18 |
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) |
It is important to make your website optimised for the search engines (e.g. Google), otherwise your website will not be found. When you create your website you need to bear this in mind. The search engines look for metadata (keywords) and matching words within your webpages on your subject matter. This is a very specialized area, which you may need to seek professional advice. |
| 19 |
Google sitemap |
For Google, create a Google Sitemap so that Google crawler knows when to visit your website. This is formatted file (e.g. XML format) that needs to be updated and published when you launch or change your website. |
| 20 |
Title |
Decide on a Title for each webpage - this is what will appear on search engines searches, Search Engines such as Google |
| 21 |
Description |
Decide on a Description for each webpage - this is what will appear on search engines seaches under the Title. |
Glossary of Terms |
| 22 |
Crawler |
Search Engine software that searches the Web for new or update websites. |
| 23 |
Domain Name |
Website name – example www.yourname.co.uk |
| 24 |
FTP |
File Transfer Protocol – protocol or software to transfer files. |
| 25 |
HOSTING |
The ISP service that stores your website for public use. |
| 26 |
ISP |
Internet Service Provider |
| 26 |
Keywords |
A list of words used by search engines (e.g. Google) to find your website |
| 28 |
Metadata or Metatags |
Keywords for search engine index |
| 29 |
Title |
Title of your webpages to appear on search engines (e.g. Google) |
| 30 |
Webmaster |
Person or Company who looks after the maintain and control of websites |
| 31 |
Webspace |
The purchase area where your website of stored |