The numbers don’t lie: more and more people are looking to take their products and services online. Having a website means increasing visibility, credibility, and, consequently, sales.
Creating a website may seem complicated – the complexity is directly related to the type of website you want to create – but with the right tools and a little dedication, you can build a professional and effective website.
In this article, we will guide you through the essential steps – the process – so that you can successfully create a website. It’s crucial to have an online presence, and building a website could be the first step to consolidating your brand or business. Ready to take that first step?
Understanding the Different Types of Websites and Their Purposes
Before you begin, it’s important to know that there are several types of websites, each with a specific purpose. Namely:
Corporate Website: the most common type of website, ideal for presenting information about your company, products, and services, and building credibility with potential or existing customers. To simplify, we can say it’s your ‘digital business card.
Blogs: blogs are excellent platforms for sharing regular content, interacting with your audience, and positioning yourself as an authority in your niche. In fact, we believe that all types of websites should have a ‘blog’ section. For example, we call ours ‘Articles’ – and it features the regular publication of relevant articles for you (the one you’re reading is one of them).
Landing Page: a Landing Page is focused on conversion. It is a single page designed to convert visitors into customers – usually used in marketing campaigns – and is employed to promote a specific product, service, or event.
e-Commerce (Online Store): e-commerce websites are designed to sell products online. Specifically, for those with a physical store, it’s easy to understand: e-commerce is a virtual store – a reflection of your traditional store – where you can sell your products or services online. An e-commerce site should provide customers with an easy and secure shopping experience.”
The Importance of Other Aspects. It’s Not Just About Creating a Website!
Creating a website goes far beyond choosing a template and adding some content and photos/videos. It’s important to have a clear understanding of this aspect. To succeed, a bit more effort is essential.
Know Your Audience: First and foremost, it’s essential to study your market segment to understand the competition and consumer needs. Understanding who your customers are and what they are looking for is the first step in building a successful website.”
Prioritize Security: You must ensure that both your information and that of your website visitors are secure, in order to avoid larger issues – such as with hackers. It’s essential to guarantee the security of the data you collect from users – for example, through forms – and maintain its integrity.
Track Results: Monitoring and analyzing metrics is vital to understanding your website’s performance and continuously optimizing it. Remember to connect your site to Google Analytics, and try using tools like Google Looker Studio to measure your website’s performance.”
Invest in SEO: Oh, this one’s an oldie! Yes, but equally important. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential for increasing your website’s visibility and attracting organic traffic. Follow the best practices and tips we’ve shared with you, and make sure you optimize your site for search engines like Google.
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Website from Scratch?
Well, here we go with what you truly came for! I hope this guide helps you understand the process of creating a website from scratch and leads you to create your first website. If you have any questions or need more details, don’t hesitate to ask for our help! Good luck.
Step #1: Define the Goal
What is the purpose of your website? To sell products, share knowledge, or simply have an online portfolio? Before you start building a website, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of its main goal.
As we discussed earlier, each type of website has a clear objective. Defining this purpose will guide all your design and content decisions.
Example:
Imagine you’re a professional photographer. You’ve decided that creating a website is a great opportunity to showcase your work and attract new clients. In this case, your main objectives could be:
Generate leads: capture potential client data through a contact form or newsletter.
Sell services: offer photo packages and allow clients to book sessions directly through the website.
Build a brand: showcase your portfolio, share photography tips, and create a strong visual identity
Step #2: Hire a Hosting Service
Think of this step as ‘the land where you build a house.’ In other words, hosting is the space where your website’s files will be stored. You should choose a reliable service to ensure that your website is accessible 24/7. There are various hosting options, from shared plans to dedicated servers.
It’s important to choose the one that best fits your website’s needs and your budget. Try taking a look here: https://www.amen.pt/hosting/ – it’s a suggestion and a great place to start.”
Step #3: Register a Domain
You’ve got the land, now you need an address! To keep it simple, your website’s domain is its address on the web – your online identity. Choose a unique and easy-to-remember domain name.
Ideally, it should be related to your company’s name or your website’s theme. Registering your own domain will give you a professional image and establish a strong online presence. You can register your domain here: https://www.dominios.pt/, or here: https://www.amen.pt/domains/ – typically, if you register a ‘.pt’ domain, the first year is free or costs a symbolic €1 + VAT.
Step #4: Choose a Platform to Build Your Website
There are several website building platforms available, each with its own advantages and specific features. Choose the platform that best suits your needs and technical skills. Some of the most popular platforms include:
WordPress – The most popular platform in the world. It offers enormous flexibility and customization, thanks to thousands of themes and plugins available. WordPress also allows you to create virtually any type of website, from blogs to complex online stores.
Wix – A visual and intuitive platform, perfect for beginners with no website development experience. It features a drag-and-drop editor, allowing you to easily create your professional website.
Squarespace – Known for its elegant and modern templates, Squarespace is a great option for those who value design. The platform also offers various e-commerce and marketing features.
Shopify – Exclusively focused on e-commerce, Shopify is a robust and comprehensive platform for creating online stores, offering numerous tools to manage products, orders, and even your marketing campaigns.
Choosing the ideal platform for your website depends on several factors. Your level of technical knowledge, the goal of the website, your budget, the level of customization you want, and the support provided by the platform are all crucial elements to consider. Here is a comparative analysis to help you make a better decision:
| platform | ideal for | advantages | disadvantages |
| WordPress | Those looking for high customization and flexibility | Extremely customizable, large community, many plugins and themes | Requires more technical knowledge |
| Wix | Beginners and small businesses | Easy to use, beautiful templates, drag-and-drop editor | Fewer options for advanced users |
| Squarespace | Those looking for elegant design and e-commerce | Se precisar de mais alguma tradução ou ajuda, estou à disposição! | Fewer customization options than WordPress |
| Shopify | Online stores | Focus on e-commerce, integrated marketing tools | It can be more expensive for small stores |
Step #5: Choose a Template
The template is like the ‘clothing of your website.’ It defines the look, structure, and the first impression that visitors will have, which will be based on your template. Therefore, choosing the right template is crucial to convey the personality of your brand and ensure a good experience for visitors. These are the most important points when choosing a template for your website:
Visual Style: The template needs to reflect your brand’s visual identity. For example, should it be modern, clean, classic, fun? It all depends on the image you want to project and how it relates to your brand.
Layout and Structure: Analyze the placement of elements on the page. For example, where is the menu, footer, content sections, etc. Check if the structure facilitates visitor navigation.
Responsiveness: The template needs to adapt to different screen sizes (computers, tablets, smartphones). Only then can you ensure that your site looks good on any device. Additionally, this is an important factor for your site’s SEO – always think “mobile first.”
Customization and Features: Is the template easy to customize? Or do you need more advanced features? Check the options offered by the template. Sometimes, you’ll only need to change colors, fonts, add or remove elements, etc. However, there are templates specifically designed for different types of websites – online stores, blogs, portfolios – so make sure the template you choose includes those functionalities.
Step #6: Pages, Sections, and Content
With the platform set up and the template chosen, it’s time to bring your website to life! In this step, you will define the pages and sections your site will have, as well as create the content that will attract and ‘engage’ – I know, that’s a Brazilian Portuguese word, but I haven’t found an equivalent in European Portuguese that conveys the same meaning. The closest one would probably be ‘nurture’! 😉 – visitors. In this step, what we can do to help you is provide an initial structure for you to work with, along with some extra tips.
Essential Pages:
Home Page: The first impression is the one that lasts! Create a homepage that conveys the essence of your website and directs visitors to the most important sections.
About Us: Introduce your company, team, or even yourself. Tell your story and showcase your values.
Services/Products: Provide detailed information about all your products or services, with clear descriptions and high-quality images.
Other Pages / Legal Content:
Portfolio: Showcase your previous work.
FAQ: Answer the most frequently asked questions from your clients.
Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Other Legal Pages: It’s mandatory to define the rules of use for your site and demonstrate transparency and security. Perhaps this article can help you: https://paipelaine.pt/modelos-e-minutas-legais-para-lojas-online/
Here are some extra tips:
Maintain visual consistency: Use the same fonts, colors, and styles throughout the site to create a strong visual identity.
Make navigation easy: Use an intuitive menu and clear links so visitors can easily find what they’re looking for.
Optimize for mobile devices: Most people access the internet through their phones. Make sure your site has a responsive design.
Test the site: Before publishing, test all the site’s features to ensure everything is working correctly
Remember: content is the heart of your website. Invest in well-written texts, high-quality images, and good organization to capture the attention of your website visitors. If you need help, you know what to do… just send us a message.