Just like packing for a vacation to a new place, how do you know what features and tool you will actually use for your very first website?

  • Will you waste time and money on creating a website with tools and features you won’t end up using?
  • Will you spend hard earned money on a custom website design and advanced features, and only to find out later that they don’t work for your target audience?
  • Will you end up re-designing your website because your custom design didn’t work, only to pray that the new design will give you better results?

If you want a website where you are not accepting any payments online (not an online store), don’t need the capability for people to book appointments online, or managing paid members, you will find the bare basics below are often enough for you to build a good, functional website to get you started.

Things You Need To Start a Website

#1 – Domain Name

A domain name is the first thing you need when starting a website. It is your digital address that people will use to get connected to your website.

For example, the domain name for this website is www.magicwebdesigns.co.za

#2 – Business Email Address

I am a believer of business email address for anyone who is serious about building a business.

Why?

There is nothing more effective in crushing your website’s or your business’ credibility with emails like “abc@aol.com” or “abc@gmail.com”.

The first question that pops into mind is – “wow, they can’t even afford R35 a month on a business email? This doesn’t look very professional. Is their service or product even reliable?

I know that sounds harsh and judgmental, but that’s how people think!

It’s not easy to build trust and gain credibility on the internet. When I see businesses using free email accounts for their business website, it really makes me question how robust and trustworthy the business is.

This creates unnecessary doubt what you really don’t need – especially if you are starting a new business.

#3 – Website Building Software

A website builder software is what you use to build your website.

One popular web builder that you might have heard of is KWIKWAP

Why?

Because it is just so mind-blowingly easy!

Why give myself more work when I can take a short cut and still create a very professional website?

#4 – Website Hosting

A host is the storage unit where your website content and emails lives online.

Whenever someone enters your domain name in a web browser, the browser will fetch your website content from your website host.

#5 – Website Template Design

A website template is a pre-made website design that allows you to have a professional-looking website without the need of hiring a website designer.

It gives you a quick, easy and economical way to create your website design.

#6 – Logo Design

Using a Logo is a great way to help create a brand for your business and website.

#7 – High-Quality Images for Website

There is a secret to creating a professional-looking website.

Can you guess what it is?

It’s using high quality, unique images! Not rocket science, right?

#8 – Image Editors

An image editor is one of the most useful (and basic, must have) tools any website owner can have

#9 – (SEO) Search engine optimisation

The process of increasing the quality and quantity of website traffic by increasing the visibility of a website or a web page to users of a web search engine.

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