Yes you read that right – we’re going to tell you how to build a website! And we’re going to share some cute industry secrets as well to help you along the way! Why are we writing this? Because we cannot service everyone. There are some clients that like to be hands-on and understand more but don’t have the time to do it themselves so they hire TILT. But there are many who want to have their own website, but cannot afford to hire any company. Many startups are in this position, so we’d like to give them a helping hand so that they can make their idea a reality and when they grow, we hope they remember where they learned it all!
We’re going to assume that you already have a domain name, and have an idea of what you want your website to look like. If you don’t we’d suggest starting there and developing a website plan. You need to know what you want your website to do, and how you want it to serve you and your target market or audience.
Clear the air
First things first: let’s clear up some misconceptions. Websites are not rocket science, and lots of people without a technical background can build them, but they are no walk in the park, and the problems arise when you’ve broken something and don’t have the experience to know how to fix it. This is much more common than you think, so you before you start building your own website, you have to accept that you will encounter an issue that you will need to troubleshoot, so be prepared for that. Now that you understand what is required on a basic level, let’s get into it.
It all starts with a server
You need a good server to host with. Think of your server like your desktop computer; it’s where your website’s files live and the database and code is what brings it all to life. Having a good, stable hosting service is important. If you’re going to DIY, we highly recommend not cheaping-out and getting something reliable with good customer service to help you. GoDaddy is good for this.
To WordPress or not to WordPress, that is the question
WordPress, especially if you’re new to this developing world. But like all things free, it comes with a cost. Because WordPress is such a popular service, it is targeted so you have to keep it updated. But it’s one of the best content management systems one can use. Easy to use, quick to install and pretty straightforward are some of the reasons why we love WordPress so much. The flexibility of the platform never ceases to surprise us, and there’s literally a plugin for everything.
And stop, hammer time 🔨
Now that you’ve got a host and installed WordPress, it’s time to get that design knocked out of the park! WordPress comes with a host of free to use themes that get the job done and look great too. This is where you start adding in the plugins you need to allow the website to do what you need it to. If you’re looking into e-commerce, we highly recommend using WooCommerce. It works with WordPress and it’s very stable and easy to use. Fantastic for those now getting their feet wet.
Maintenance! Maintenance! Maintenance!
So you’ve put your website up – what next? Maintenance. It’s such a key role in building a website, and it’s not something that you can skip out on. Log in weekly and hit that update button when you see updates coming in. You will find developers will update their plugins frequently to secure them from known vulnerabilities in the platform, so it’s important that you update and maintain your WordPress website!
Why hire a professional?
We have made this whole website stuff sound super easy, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to hosting a commercial website, and especially so if you’re running an e-commerce site, we always recommend having someone on retainer who is constantly monitoring and updating your website. Something always breaks along the way and for some companies, a broken website is bad for business. There are also loads of things that professionals do to speed your website up and protect it against malware and cyber attacks; we can’t give it all away but we can share the basics if you’re a new company and need something up to start with.
TILT’s website service offers a 1-2 week turnaround, and a year of hosting, monitoring and updates. We make sure that your website is always running smoothly, so that online, your business can put its best foot forward.
About TILT Creative Agency
TILT Creative is a UK based creative agency specialising in content creation and managed solutions for blogging, websites, branding and design. Désiré, the chief writer, artist and strategist behind TILT Creative Agency, has worked with a variety of clients (from startups to luxury brands) across all kinds of industries (such as automotive, beverage, construction, oil and gas, tourism, and health and safety) all over the world, including the United Kingdom, Dubai, Africa, America and the Caribbean.
TILT Creative’s core philosophy is to change the perspective, or ‘tilt’ it. How can you TILT your business? Could it be a brand refresh, a better experience on your website, or perhaps a stronger blog strategy? Maybe writing a book on your expertise could skyrocket your company’s credibility and revenue?
Désiré’s work quality stems from her ability to infuse your brand’s story with the essence of abstract creativity, and disseminate a unique experience that stimulates the senses to your customers on an individual level, while meeting your business’ objectives. Her comprehensive research process, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection embellishes every piece of her work: writing and design. The results are always favourable.
Ready to TILT your business? Find out more at www.TILTcreative.agency or send an email to [email protected].