Getting Started
Helpful information to make planning, building, and launching your website as smooth as possible.
Every website project is unique, but a little preparation before development begins can save time, reduce unnecessary revisions, and produce a better long-term result. The information below explains how I typically approach new website projects and what helps the process move efficiently.
Domain Name & Web Hosting
If you’re launching your first website, the first step is registering a domain name and selecting a web hosting provider.
I recommend researching several reputable hosting companies and selecting the service that best fits your needs and budget. Your website and domain are important business assets, and I strongly recommend that you own both personally or through your business rather than having them registered by a third party.
I do not sell web hosting. Instead, I provide consulting, setup assistance, and ongoing website management when requested. This approach allows you to retain complete ownership and control while benefiting from professional guidance.
If appropriate, most hosting providers allow you to grant limited administrative access, making collaboration both secure and convenient.
WordPress
For most small business websites I recommend WordPress because it is mature, flexible, widely supported, and built around open web standards. It provides long-term ownership, thousands of quality extensions, and allows your website to continue growing without depending on proprietary platforms.
If another platform is a better fit for your project, I’m happy to discuss those options as well.
Information That Helps Me Build Your Website
The more I understand your business before development begins, the more accurately your website can represent it.
Helpful information includes:
- Business name, contact information, and service area
- A description of your products and services
- Existing website information (if applicable)
- Logos, photographs, videos, or branding materials
- Existing brochures, PDFs, or printed marketing materials
- Page content, if already written
- Social media profiles
- Access to existing website or hosting accounts, when appropriate
If you already have a website, that’s often an advantage. Existing websites usually contain valuable information, search history, and content that can often be improved rather than recreated from scratch.
Ownership Matters
Whenever possible, I recommend that clients create and own their own online accounts, including domain registration, web hosting, Google Business Profile, social media accounts, and other business services.
Rather than transferring ownership, you simply grant the access necessary for collaboration. This keeps your business in control of its digital assets while making ongoing management straightforward.
Website Launch Services
Depending on the project, a website launch may include connecting services such as:
- Google Business Profile
- Google Search Console
- Google Analytics (when appropriate)
- Cloudflare
- Website backups and security
- Performance optimization
Every project is different, so only the services appropriate for your website are recommended.
Policies & Project Information
Additional information is available on the following pages:
Helpful Resources
If you’d like to learn more before beginning a project, you may find these resources helpful:
Photograph by Mary.
This page isn’t intended as a checklist of requirements. It’s simply an overview of the way I typically work and the information that helps website projects begin on a solid foundation. Every business is different, and every project starts with a conversation.