You know you need a website, but you're not sure what that entails. There is lots of information out there, but it can be quite confusing. What's a host? What's a domain name? Do I need an SSL?
Let's start from the top - the domain name. This is the url of your website - what shows at the top of your browser. This may or may not include www. For example, udesignewecode.com is our domain name.
The first thing you do when creating a website is to decide on a domain name. This is usually based on your business name, but the exact business name you use may already be taken, so it's good to think of a few options. You can include your location in the domain, add words like 'the' or 'best', or abbreviate/lengthen some of the words. If your business name is ABC Inc., possible domain names could include abcinc.com, abcincnj.com, theabcinc.com, and abcincorporated.com.
Once you have your list of domain names, it's time to choose your hosting provider. When someone goes to your url in their browser, the website files will be loaded from your hosting provider. Most of the hosting providers have similar features, like cheap hosting plans for simple websites, a free domain name with your hosting plan, and support. Some highly recommended hosting providers include HostGator, BlueHost and Hostinger. For most simple websites, the cheapest plans from these providers are perfect.
An SSL is a security measure that is highly recommended for all sites. It is used to encrypt the data that goes from the browser to your server and back. It is a simple thing to install and set up, and most hosting providers will have either a free or paid option to make installation as simple as possible.
Now that you have the basics down, let's get to work!
