September 10, 2024

Building a Website: Domain, Hosting, and Essentials Explained for Beginners

Article Outline

One thing I’ve noticed in my discovery calls is that clients often feel puzzled about what a website actually entails. Terms like domain, hosting, and CMS can sound confusing. So, here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to know before diving into your website project. By the end, you’ll feel confident about what you’re asking for and understand exactly what each piece does.

What is a Website?

A website is basically your personal space on the internet. It has a purpose—whether it’s providing information, selling products, or offering services.

  • Service-Based Businesses: You’ll likely need a brochure website—a site where clients can find information about your services before they hire you. Some sites may also have added functionality like appointment booking or contact forms.
  • Product-Based Businesses: If you’re selling goods, you’ll need an e-commerce website—a site with a storefront, product pages, and checkout functionality.

What Do You Need to Build a Website?

There are four key components to building and running a website:

1. Domain

  • What is it?
    A domain is the unique address of your website (like example.com or example.ca). It’s what people type into their browsers to find your site.
  • How to get one
    You can purchase a domain from a registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap. Once you have it, you’ll connect it to your website host (more on that below).
  • Pro Tip
    I recommend buying both the .com and .ca versions (if you’re in Canada) to cover your bases. If you have extra budget, grab similar names or typos to prevent confusion.
  • Cost
    Domains typically start around $13 CAD per year but can be more expensive depending on the popularity of the name.
  • DNS
    You’ll use your domain registrar’s DNS (Domain Name System) settings to point your domain to your website’s hosting server, ensuring your website is accessible.

2. Website Hosting

  • What is it?
    Hosting is where your website physically lives on the internet. Your domain points to this location, and the host stores all your website’s files.
  • Types of Hosting
    • Shared Hosting: You share server space with other websites, making it more affordable, but slower if the server gets overloaded.
    • Managed Hosting: The host handles backups, updates, and security for you, which is great if you want less hands-on maintenance.
    • Self-Hosting: You manage everything yourself, giving you more control, but requiring more technical know-how.
  • All-in-One Solutions
    Some platforms like Squarespace or Wix include hosting and website-building tools in one package. While convenient, they usually come with a higher monthly cost.
  • Examples of Hosting Providers
    ✹ Bluehost
    ✹ SiteGround
    ✹ Digital Ocean
  • Security + Backups
    Make sure your hosting provider includes regular backups and security measures, so your site stays protected.

3. Website Builder

  • What is it?
    A website builder allows you to create and design your website without needing to code. Some builders are drag-and-drop, while others offer more customization options.
  • My Recommendation
    I prefer using Bricks Builder for building WordPress websites. It offers full customization, and my clients like it because there’s no monthly fee involved after setup.
  • Other Website Builders
    Wix: Simple drag-and-drop interface
    Squarespace: Great for beginners, all-in-one solution
    WordPress: More customizable, but requires some setup
    Webflow: Design flexibility for professionals

4. Content Management System (CMS)

  • What is it?
    A CMS is software that helps you manage your website’s content—think blog posts, product listings, or service descriptions—without needing to dive into the code.
  • My Recommendation
    I love WordPress for most businesses, because of the flexibility and price (psst… it’s free). Learn more about why WordPress is still my go-to CMS for websites.
  • Popular CMS Platforms
    WordPress: Most widely used CMS, highly customizable
    Shopify: Perfect for e-commerce websites
    Squarespace: Easy-to-use for beginners
    Wix: Drag-and-drop CMS with integrated hosting

Connecting It All Together

Bringing all of these components together—domain, hosting, website builder, and CMS—can be tricky. This is where hiring a web designer and developer comes in handy. They’ll ensure everything is set up properly, so your site is live, functional, and ready for your visitors.

Building a website doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially once you understand the essential components. Whether you’re creating a simple brochure site for your services or a full e-commerce store, knowing the basics of domain names, hosting, website builders, and CMS platforms will help you make informed decisions. And remember, if it gets too tricky, I’m always here to help!