Fifteen years ago, it wouldn’t have been possible to create a fully functioning, portable responsive and aesthetically pleasing site with no knowledge of HTML or coding. Nowadays, this is not merely possible, it’s easy and cheap. In this guide, we’ll cover how to create a site. Specifically we will focus on how to make sites from the following categories:
- Business Website
- Website
- Ecommerce Store
- Real Estate Website
In most cases, we advocate using WordPress to make your site. But if you are less technologically advanced or require a platform with a particular functionality, another platform may be a better fit for you. If you go with a WordPress website, you’ll have to pay for hosting. Bluehost offers web hosting for as low as $2.95 a month. Click here to check it out.
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For each class, we will include instructions about how best to make a website using WordPress, plus a manual for making a website with a more class specific platform.
Why We Typically Recommend Using WordPress
Not only is WordPress the material management system which we use here in Fit Small Business, WordPress powers over 20 percent of sites today.
There is a reason WordPress is so popular:
- It is free. This is a huge one, since everybody likes free items. The only cost associated with a WordPress site is the cost of hosting, which is as low as $2.95 in the event that you purchase a plan with Bluehost.
- It’s Simple to Use. If you are aware of how to browse Microsoft Word, then you will have the ability to add articles to WordPress. Though it gets trickier to manage if you need more customized alternatives, in case you’re searching for a basic website, you should be able to comprehend how to use WordPress using little to no training.
- It’s infinitely customizable. With WordPress you can add plugins, which boost the functionality of your website. Developers are constantly working to make new and improved plugins, and frequently they are free or very inexpensive.
- It is mobile responsive. Mobile is taking more and it is more important than ever that your website looks equally as great on a telephone as it does on a computer. WordPress offers many mobile responsive topics, in order for your website automatically adjusts to mobile screens with no additional coding.
- It comes with a massive support network. If you get stuck along with your website, there are a lot of folks who are advanced at WordPress. It’s possible to hire a freelancer to help you out, or read one of the thousands of posts that bloggers have written about solving WordPress issues.
The Way To Consider Alternative to WordPress
Although WordPress has the perfect balance of customizability and ease of use for most people, some are looking to get a much simpler solution or an option with specific functionality. The following are a few reasons to consider a WordPress Alternate for your company category:
- Less technologically savvy — You will find website builders out there that are so instinctive that nearly anyone can create a web site in under half an hour.
- Want niche performance — should you need an ecommerce shop or capacity to create separate pages to your property listings, then it might make sense for you to choose a builder that comes with all the performance you need in 1 place.
- Website not for professional use — If you are utilizing the website for blogging functions, as an example, you might benefit from making use of a platform using a built in network (for instance, Medium).
How To Create a Website: Breakdown By Category
We’ve created step by step guides for various categories. Choose the type of site that you are interested in making to find out more:
- Business Website
- Website
- Ecommerce Store
- Real Estate Website
How to Create a Business Website
The majority of people will research a company online before making a purchasing decision. Therefore, even in case you’ve got an offline business, it is vital to have an online presence for your business.
Learn how to create a professional site using one of these choices below, and ensure your site gives off a positive impression:
Option #1 — WordPress
Inside this guide, we’ll show you how you can setup your WordPress site in 5 steps. We walk you through the procedure when setting up our own site for a fictional bakery. This is the right guide for you whether you’re looking to make a 5-10 page website for your business with the following types of pages: home, about us, products, pricing, and contact usetc.. The only cost associated with a WordPress site is the cost of hosting (as low as $2.95 per month utilizing Bluehost), plus the possibilities for a WordPress website are unlimited.
If you only wish to create a one-page site for your forthcoming event or new product launching, view this manual.
Choice #2 — Weebly
If you’d like an outside of the box option which you can setup with minimal education, then consider using the website builder, Weebly. Establishing a site using Weebly is fairly intuitive, but if you would like advice, read our instructions for establishing a Weebly site. While Weebly is a superb alternative for the technical newcomer, it is more expensive ($12/month for our recommended plan) rather than as customizable as WordPress.
How to Create a Blog
Starting a blog is a fun way to share your experience on a specific subject with others. If done correctly, it may also be a significant side or perhaps full time enterprise.
Option #1 — WordPress
Since WordPress was made as a blogging system, it is a fantastic option for making your blog. In our guide, we’ll show you initial setup steps, and tips on how best to advertise your blog once it is up and running.
Option #2 — Medium
Even though you will not have your own site with Medium, it is sometimes a fantastic alternative if you would like to be immediately connected to a community of other bloggers. People will be able to followalong with share and enjoy your articles within the platform.
How to Create an Ecommerce Store
If having an internet store is essential to your website, you will definitely want to bear in mind the needs of an e-commerce store whilst creating your website. While WordPress has plugins for processing payments and managing purchases, Shopify is an all-in-one e-commerce solution. Consequently, if the principal purpose of your site would be to get an online shop, contemplate Shopify. If you want to sell products through your site, but you also have other goals for your site, WordPress is the more flexible choice.
Choice #1 — WordPress
Inside this guidewe cover the many ways in which you are able to sell products on a WordPress ecommerce website, from incorporating simple”Buy” buttons in articles, to building shop segments on blogs, to launch full-featured storefronts. We will also cover ways you may use WordPress to keep your entire ecommerce performance running smoothly.
Option #2 — Shopify
Using a dedicated ecommerce platform such as Shopify is a fantastic option for creating an online store. Shopify’s all-in-one multichannel selling alternative includes a full suite of web store, marketplace, societal, and in-person selling tools. Store management is all around, also. From tracking stock to processing orders to printing shipping labels, you can do it all over Shopify’s intuitive dashboard. View our comparison guide on three best committed ecommerce platforms to learn more. The downside to Shopify over WordPress is that it’s more expensive, using their lowest priced plan costing $29 a month.
Real Estate Website
Should you need to understand how to make a website where you can post listings, incorporate your MLS, and promote yourself as an agent, then one of these choices below should work for you.
Option #1 — WordPress
WordPress is a superb option for real estate agents. It is possible to download a technical real estate motif, or use plugins to get even more performance, like a plugin to make attractive property pages or a plugin to permit visitors to search your local MLS for properties. You can even integrate your MLS with IDX. Learn how to set this all up and more with our step by step guide.
Option #2 — Zillow Websites
For an all-in-one property site builder solution, try Zillow websites. With this builder, you can capture prospects, include particular MLS listings wherever you want, add calculators, place walk scores, plus even more. Additionally, it’s simple to use and is fairly low price at $10 a month (free for Zillow premier brokers ). Though you can get the majority of the same features with WordPress, using a real estate site builder, all this functionality comes pre-packaged. Read what else a real estate site builder offers in our buyer’s guide of three top options.
Bottom Line
At Fit Small Business, we have you covered. Whether you desire a fully working e-commerce shop, or a blog to chronicle your own insights, we’ve got the guide on how to make a website for you.
Now that you have your website squared off, it’s time to market your service or product. Learn more in the advertising section of our website.