Top 7 (ish) Things You Need to Start a Website in 2021!
Logging into Linkedin on a Saturday morning and cracking the old fingers is the first surefire sign I've hit 30. That and the greys in my hair and recent, devastating inability to digest beer properly.
And I love it!
Linkedin I mean, not the digestion issues.
Well I don't love it necessarily, but I do feel like I'm ready to use the platform properly. Not sitting on the sidelines like a third choice goalkeeper or reserve sous-chef, sharpening his knives whilst his tears drop on the cushions next to him.
I want to build a company that helps people build websites and strive towards financial independence. Which seems odd as I am nowhere near that yet. But I know how to build websites - three so far in my own time and multiple others at work, monetise them and create passive income.
And I'm sure there are lots of you, like me, who want that level of independence.
So what do you need to start a website?
Clearly there are a shitload of things you need - and this isn't all of them - but it's a good starting 7.
1. An Idea
You need an idea. A product, market, theme... whatever you want to call it. You need a niche. A market that's either booming, under-resourced online or something you love.
You can choose to build a brand - typically that's going to take you much longer and require expertise across multiple formats - or a small, but perfectly formed website that targets something like:
- Aquarium supplies
- Campervans
- Fishing equipment
These niche sites are great for building topicality and authority in single markets, but you'll struggle to grow them beyond their original purpose.
2. Time
Whilst you might look at me (well, my Linkedin profile) and think 'obviously I need time, doing literally anything takes times you plum,' I have spent thousands of hours working across multiple sites and promise you it's really time consuming.
It's not a 'get-rich-quick-garage-Lamborghini-self-help-bookcase' scheme. It really does take time.
3. A Name (and Domain)
Now you've got an idea and you've magicked(?) up some time, you need a name. You need something to call your website.
There are some semi-useful domain name generators: Shopify and Domain Wheel are solid, if unspectacular that should help.
Then you need to buy your domain - choosing a .com or location specific version.
4. A Hosting Provider (unless you use a website builder, but that's up next)
Basically you need somewhere to host your website.
Hosting providers have a network of servers, connectivity and associated services so that your website can be accessible online.
The cheaper your hosting provider, the worse your website speed and accessibility will be. I use shared Bluehost hosting as of right now and it's shit. You'd be better off using something like Cloudways - and the price is roughly the same.
5. A CMS or Website Builder
I use Wordpress. I love Wordpress. It's more complicated than a website builder (like Wix or Shopify), but it gives you so much more creative freedom that - if you're serious about it - I think you should spend time learning how to use a CMS.
But you can create great looking websites using website builders, so really who cares. Just getting started is the main thing.
As a sidenote if you use a CMS, then you don't need a hosting provider as Wix or Squarespace are your hosting providers. But you can't change them if you ever feel like you've outgrown them.
6. A Theme
Well, if you use a CMS you need to purchase a theme. Themeforest is a great place to look for premium Wordpress themes, but there's no reason you can't start by using a free theme already integrated with Wordpress.
It'll look basic and - at best - have basic functionality. But it's a start.
And you can always upgrade to a premium theme when you're ready and keep the content you've created.
NB - make sure you choose a theme compatible with the page builder of your choice.
7. A Page Builder
Again, this is only if you use a CMS. Website builders have their own, albeit more limited, page builder.
I use Elementor. Elementor's biggest strength - it's functionality - is, in my opinion, it's biggest weakness.
The array of features it comes with make for a fantastic website. But without some kind of technical expertise it'll load like a Call of Duty expansion pack.
Wrapping up
Honestly if you just had the above you'd be ready to start creating content.
Once you get comfortable using the above you can then move into to slightly more complex plugins, features and improvements. But as I've assumed you aren't a developer and have, at best, basic working knowledge of websites, it makes sense to start slow.
What would you add?