These days, it's hard to find a company that doesn't have a website because it's one of the most efficient ways to reach out to potential customers and connect with existing ones. It's also great for showcasing a company's products, services, and brand identity. However, designing a website is easier said than done because it requires design knowledge and a bit of technical know-how.

Web design is an extensive process that includes the site's layout, content, and overall look and feel. A well-designed website is vital because it helps create an excellent first impression for visitors and makes your company stand out from the competition. Of course, you don't just throw a bunch of elements together because a website must be designed aesthetically and functionally. For this reason, we'll guide you on how to design a website. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Decide on Your Domain Name

The first step in creating a website is to choose a domain name. This is the address that people will type into their browser to access your site. You should choose a domain name that is short, easy to remember, and relevant to the topic of your website.

Once you've chosen a domain name, you'll need to register it with a domain registrar. This is an organisation that manages the availability of domain names. After registering your domain name, you'll need to set up DNS (Domain Name System) records. DNS tells computers where your website is located on the Internet.

Step 2: Choose a Web Hosting Service

A web hosting service is crucial because it provides the platform on which your website will be built. There are many web hosting services to choose from, so you have to narrow down your choices. Once you've signed up for a web hosting account, you'll need to point your domain name to the web host. This can usually be done by logging into your domain name registrar's account and updating the DNS settings.

‍Step 3: Choose a Platform to Build Your Website

There are many different platforms that you can use to build your website. Some of the most popular platforms include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the right platform is essential.

Alternatively, you can use a drag-and-drop website builder because it's much easier than traditional methods. However, you'll be limited in customisation options and might have to pay more for certain features.

Step 4: Install WordPress

WordPress is considered the leading content management system (CMS) today. Millions of people worldwide use it to create and manage their websites. WordPress is free, open-source software installed on any web server.

Most website-building platforms automatically install WordPress. If your chosen platform doesn't, you need to do so manually.

‍Step 5: Add in Your Design Elements

Your design elements will matter for your website because they can make it look more professional and trustworthy. Elements like colours, fonts, and images can all help to convey the right message about your business, so you must choose wisely.

Other Important Things to Remember

Once your website is done, you must ensure it's free of 404 errors. 404s are errors when a user tries to access a page that doesn't exist. This can happen if you delete a page or change its URL without redirecting the old URL to the new one. 404 errors will hurt your website's search engine optimisation (SEO) and give users a bad experience.

Additionally, you should also ensure that your website is secure. This means adding an SSL certificate to your site so that all data is encrypted. This will help keep your site safe from hackers and protect visitors' information. You should also keep your website up-to-date with security patches and updates. Doing this can help prevent hackers from exploiting your site's code vulnerabilities.

‍Conclusion

Building a website isn't easy, but many tools and resources are available to help you get started. Once you understand the process, creating a website that looks great and is easy to use will be much easier. All that matters is building an aesthetically pleasing and functional website to ensure your website's visitors are accommodated.

Distinctive MS provides top-quality Calgary web design services. We understand the needs of businesses, so our professional web designers develop websites according to your specific needs. Call 403-852-7408 today and allow us to build your strategy!