Episode 173 - How to Order (or Build) Your Website

Custom Apparel Startups

Having a website for your business can be very important. We aren't saying every business needs a website, but most will.

So how do you go about getting a website made for you? Should you make it yourself?

These questions are answered by going through the list below. Once you have gone through all of this you will be in the right position to either get one made for you, or do it yourself.

Its VERY important to not call a website company or start building one yourself until you listen to this podcast and answer the below questions / understand the below statements.

Understand that websites are complicated.

• Getting a website up and running can go from EASY to HARD very fast. There are things like DNS Records, and Site Security and Privacy and setting up your email to go under your domain.
• Take some time to research the basics of the anatomy of a website. You can do this by looking through training videos on places like Wix or Shopify, watching Youtube videos or even taking an online course.

Why do you need a website?

• Your answer should be very clear. Examples might be:
  • To show I am a legitimate business
  • To have customers order online
  • To communicate what i offer
  • As a sales tool to share links
  • To be found online
  • To have a place to send online ads
• It's very important to know WHY and the more "WHYs" you have, the more expensive the site

Is there anything interesting or special your website will do?

• If it's just to "show words and pictures" that is the simplest site. But is there anything else?
  • Customers can order products online
  • Customer can upload art files
  • Connect to your accounting or CRM software
  • Be able to create mini-stores for your customers

What do you want it to look like?

• The easiest solution for this to start searching for sites you like and note them
• Also consider keywords and feelings you want the site to have:
  • Modern
  • Fresh
  • Professional
  • Feminine
  • Masculine
  • Urban
  • Country
  • Patriotic
  • Religious
  • etc
• What pages do you want?
  • Home
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • FAQs
  • Testimonials
• Use other websites to make a "wish board" of the look and feel of your website.

Consider a platform you want it to be on

• Do you want an e-comm store? Search those platforms and create a short list. Get demos.
• Do you want very heavy custom coding and complexity?
• Do you want the most economical and be able to DIY?
• Platforms you might choose may be:
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • GoDaddy
  • Drupal
  • Shopify
  • BigCommerce
  • SquareSpace
  • OpenCart

Start Shopping for the cost

• Get price quotes
• What does the CMS cost?
• What are 1 time set up costs?
• How will you get art / graphics?
• Who will write the website? How much to have someone write the content for you?
• Any 'hidden' fees or add-ons

What are the other costs involved?

• Site Security -SSL
• Maintenance / updates
• Domain
• Custom email
• Alternate domains
• Hosting
• Back ups of the site

Once you have gone through this exercise you should know a few things:

• Do you still want to build a website now?
• Have your plans or ideas changed?
• Do you want to DIY or pay someone?

Knowing all of this will help your website project be a great experience at a fair price.