How to Start a Website (Plus a Launch Checklist)
Launching a website is exciting, a little nerve-wracking, and definitely a milestone to celebrate! But there’s a lot to do to get ready for launch day. If you’re wondering how to start a website you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into the steps that’ll take you from “idea” to “live and thriving!”
1) Pre-Launch Checklist: Hosting, Domain, Platform & Purpose
Let’s kick things off by breaking down the essentials for starting a website. Before you dive into design and content, your first step is to have three key pieces: a domain, website hosting, and a website builder. Here’s how each one plays a unique role in getting your website live:
- Domain: Your domain is your website’s address on the web—think of it as the “street address” where people will find you, like MacaronsandMimosas.com. It’s the unique URL visitors will use to reach your site, so choose something easy, memorable and on-brand.
- Hosting: Think of hosting as the “land” your website lives on. Hosting providers like HostGator, WP Engine, or GoDaddy offer this space to store your website’s files.
- Website Builder: The magic tool that brings your site to life! Some hosts, such as Shopify or Squarespace, come with built-in builders, while others let you install the builder of your choice, such as Elementor on WordPress.
If you choose to go with Shopify, SquareSpace, or even Wix the hosting and website builder come together as a package deal with your plan. If you choose to go with WordPress you will need to purchase hosting and simply install the free website builder.
Starting a website begins by choosing these essential components, just like creating a new home. Imagine it as if you’re creating a new home. You wouldn’t start decorating before you owned the place, right?
Pro-tip: Before you fall in love with a particular domain name, do a quick search to make sure it’s available! Nothing is more disappointing than finding out your dream name is already taken.
Now, a few helpful tips to get you started:
- Domain and Hosting Together or Separate: You can buy your domain and hosting from the same provider (like Shopify), which can be convenient. However, it’s often more flexible in the long run to buy your domain separately through a provider like HostGator or Godaddy. This way you can switch platforms down the road if you need to without losing control of your domain.
- Control Over Your Domain: Always purchase your domain yourself and keep the login info handy! Even if you’re working with a designer or agency, ensure the domain is in your name. This way, you retain total control, and if you ever part ways with your designer, you won’t risk losing access to your website. (Trust us—this happens more than you’d think!)
When choosing a platform to start a website, pick one that aligns with your business goals:
- Shopify: An excellent choice if you’re primarily an e-commerce business selling products, whether physical or digital.
- WordPress:: Ideal for those who want flexibility, customizability, and a platform that can grow with them. WordPress offers endless plugin options and themes, though it has a bit of a learning curve for DIYers.
- Wix: Offers quick setups with drag-and-drop ease. However, it limits customization and scalability, making it better for small projects than robust online stores.
- Squarespace: Great for quick sites, but limited in customization, SEO, and page speed. Its online store and payment options are basic, and it lacks autosave, making it less reliable for growing businesses.
2) Set Up a “Coming Soon” Page
Creating a little intrigue goes a long way, so start building excitement for your launch! A “coming soon” page is a fantastic way to let visitors know that something amazing is on the way as you prepare to launch your site. Most website builders make it easy to set up this page.
Include a brief message about your upcoming site to spark curiosity and add an email sign-up form so visitors can be notified when you’re live. You can also incorporate links to your social media profiles for those eager to follow your journey. A countdown timer can really ramp up the anticipation—after all, who doesn’t love a good countdown?
3) Create Your Email Marketing Account
Email is a powerful tool and one of the most reliable forms of marketing because you own your subscriber list, unlike your social media accounts, which can change overnight. So, how will you connect with your audience if the unexpected happens?
The best part is you don’t have to wait until your website is up and running to start building your email list! In fact, we recommend that before you start your website, adding a sign-up form on your coming soon page. This way, you can kickstart your audience growth and have a ready-made list to announce your official launch. By the time your site goes live, you’ll already have an engaged audience eager for the big reveal.
When it comes to email marketing platforms, you have plenty of options, but we recommend Flodesk for its exceptional design capabilities, list-building features, automation, and competitive pricing. With Flodesk, you can begin nurturing leads and growing your audience long before your website is even finished.
4) Plan, Write, and Organize Your Content
Your content is the heartbeat of your website and sets the vibe for how visitors experience your brand. It’s not just about catchy slogans or gorgeous photos – every word and image matters! If you’re starting a website, it’s important to make sure you plan out those essential pages like Home, About, Contact, and, if it fits, your Blog, to keep your audience intrigued.
Start with a simple content outline or sitemap to map out all the must-have pages and the content you want to showcase. This little prep work will make designing a breeze and help you figure out how to lay everything out to best share your message.
As you gather your content, remember that each page should have its own special mission. Keep your writing focused, and sprinkle in at least one call-to-action to guide your visitors on their journey through your site.
And don’t forget to keep things fresh and exciting! If you have a blog, aim to launch with a few posts ready to roll. If you’re selling products, showcase new arrivals and best sellers. Engaging and up-to-date content is what keeps visitors coming back for more fun!
5) Design Your Website and User Experience
This is where your creative flair comes to life! Using a template can streamline your design process, giving you a stunning foundation without the hassle of starting from scratch. And don’t worry about it looking too similar to others – templates are super customizable, so you can whip up something that’s totally you!
If you’re looking to start a website on a template, check out Macarons and Mimosas templates – they are a cinch to personalize and will elevate your brand in no time. Just remember to keep your website’s content fresh and lively, so your visitors always have a reason to come back for more fun!
6) Optimize Your Website for SEO
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is your secret weapon for getting noticed on Google and other search engines! If you’re starting a website for the first time, SEO might feel overwhelming, but it’s easier than it sounds. Here are some straightforward steps you can tackle before your website launch to help you climb those search rankings:
Don’t skip the keywords!
Keywords are your best friends when it comes to SEO! For example, let’s say you’re focusing on the phrase “how to launch a website.” This keyword should be included in your page title, meta description, and headings, just like we’ve done with our main keywords, in this blog post and throughout our website. Remember, keyword stuffing is a big no-no—it can hurt your site’s performance. Instead, aim to use your primary keyword strategically and sprinkle in some related secondary keywords to show that you have a solid grasp of your topic.
Get your titles and meta descriptions on point:
Craft catchy and descriptive titles and meta descriptions for each page. This is what will grab attention in search results!
Use headings to your advantage:
Organize your content with H1, H2, and H3 headings. Every page should have a standout H1 heading—that’s your main title! The supporting headings help break things up and provide context, making it easier for both readers and search engines to navigate your content.
Don’t forget the ALT text for your images:
Whenever you add an image, make sure to include descriptive ALT text. This isn’t just for SEO; it helps visually impaired visitors understand your content too. And remember, keep the ALT text relevant to the image—no keyword stuffing here!
Link it up:
Think of your website as a web of connections—linking to other pages or blog posts is crucial. This not only keeps your visitors engaged and on your site longer but also helps search engines understand how your content relates to one another. As your site grows, keep adding links to keep that web strong!
By nailing these simple steps, you’ll make it easier for search engines (and potential customers) to find you, paving the way for a successful website launch!
7) Set Up Google Analytics & Tracking
Tracking your website’s performance is crucial, especially when starting a website from scratch, as it helps you learn what’s working and what may need a little TLC. Before you launch, set up Google Analytics—it’s quick, free, and a game-changer for understanding visitor behavior!
Whether you’re showcasing products or sharing your favorite recipes, Google Analytics helps you keep tabs on key metrics, including:
- User Behavior: Discover which pages are popular, how long visitors are sticking around, and the paths they take to explore your site.
- User Acquisition: Learn how people are finding your website—whether it’s through social media, search engines, email campaigns, or direct visits.
- User Conversions: Track conversion rates on specific pages, like how many visitors fill out a contact form or make a purchase, and see the URL paths that lead to these actions.
This is just a glimpse of the valuable insights Google Analytics can provide. If you want to dive deeper, consider checking out Google’s free GA courses to get the most out of your data!
8) Add Essential Pages and Legal Information
You don’t want to just launch a website, you want to build trust it’s super important! One easy way to do this is by adding key legal pages like a Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and Contact Page. These little nuggets of information show your visitors that you’re all about being transparent and keeping their online safety in mind.
If you’re diving into the world of website creation for your business or brand, don’t skip these essential pages—they’re like the secret sauce for your site! Here’s the scoop on what you need:
- Cookie Policy: If your website uses cookies (the digital kind, not the delicious ones!), you’ll need a cookie policy. These are small text files that help save browsing info. You’ve probably seen those cookie banners pop up on other sites, asking you to click “allow” or “not allow.” If you hit “allow,” you’re giving the green light for the website to gather and store some of your personal info.
- Privacy Policy: Got user data? Then you need a privacy policy! This should explain how your site collects, processes, and protects your visitors’ data. Whether it’s from contact forms, blog comments, or newsletter sign-ups, it’s all about making sure your visitors know their info is safe with you.
- Terms & Conditions: While not every business needs a Terms & Conditions page, it’s a good idea to have one! This page can cover your policies and any disclaimers specific to your industry. Think of it as your website’s rulebook!
When whipping up these legal pages, keep it simple and clear—no need to stress over fancy designs! Tools like Termly can help you generate the right wording to make sure you’re on the legal up-and-up.
9) Test Website Functionality
Before you hit that launch button and show off your shiny new website, it’s time to put your site to the ultimate test. Think of it as the dress rehearsal before the big show! Click every link, submit every form, and check every button. If you’re running an e-commerce site, be sure to glide through the checkout process to make sure everything flows smoothly and error-free. After all, the last thing you want on launch day is for visitors to trip over a broken link or a wonky form!
You probably remember your teachers hammering in the importance of proofreading, right? Well, guess what? That lesson applies to your website, too! Your first draft isn’t going to be perfect, and that’s totally okay. What’s not okay? Letting those sneaky typos or broken links hang around. So, give everything a good once-over!
Testing your website before you launch is like giving it a big hug—it shows that you care! Check that all your links are working, your email pop-ups are snagging those eager new subscribers, and every button is doing its job.
So, take a deep breath, test everything, and get ready to shine as you get ready to launch your dream website that wows your visitors!
10) Pre-Launch Marketing and Promotion
Now that we’ve crossed our t’s and dotted our i’s, it’s time to spread the word and let the world know you’re ready to shine! Here are some creative ideas to kick off your launch in style:
- Social Media Teasers: Share sneak peeks and countdowns to build excitement. Think of it as your own mini reality show leading up to the big reveal!
- Email Launch Announcement: Use Flodesk to let your subscribers know your site is live! It’s like sending out the party invitations—only this time, everyone gets to join in on the fun.
- Launch Day Giveaways: Offer a fun giveaway for people who share your site on social media. Or one for the first (50) purchases. Who doesn’t love free stuff? It’s a great way to encourage buzz!
- Early Access Perks: Give a select group of your loyal fans early access to your site. It’s like letting them in on a secret before anyone else!
- Social Media Ads: Run a few low-cost ads to boost visibility. Think of it as your launch’s personal cheerleading squad, shouting from the digital rooftops!
- Collaborations: Team up with influencers or brands that complement yours for some cross-promotion magic. It’s like a buddy system for your launch!
- Launch Countdown Challenge: Create a countdown challenge leading up to your launch. Each day, post a fun challenge related to your brand and encourage followers to participate for a chance to win prizes.
- Interactive Quizzes or Polls: Create quizzes related to your products or services and encourage people to share their results. This can drive engagement and excitement leading up to the launch.
- Influencer Takeover: Invite an influencer in your niche to take over your social media for a day. They can showcase your products and share their excitement about your launch.
These ideas can help build momentum and excitement for your website launch while creating lasting connections with your audience.
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