7 Things You Need Before Building Your Website
Whether you’re dreaming up your perfect website or giving an existing one a glow-up, it can feel daunting and overwhelming, as well as exciting.
BUT… I’m here to help. Hello *waves* I’m Freya, MD here at Freya Helps Me Ltd, and today, we’re going calmly walk you through everything you need to get set for a successful start. If you’ve already planned your website and are ready to start building it, then you may wish to check out our other blog entitled ‘A Beginner’s Guide: 9 Steps to Building a Website from Scratch’ – you can find it here.
If you haven’t made a website plan yet – no worries! Grab a cuppa, sit down and let’s look through the seven things you’ll likely need before building your website.
1. Creativity, Coffee, and a Clear Vision
Start with a big dose of inspiration! Take a moment to picture your dream website – what do you want visitors to feel when they land there? Is it warm and welcoming or sleek and professional?
Whatever your vision, having it clear in your mind is essential, as it’ll be the guide for everything that follows. Look at other websites, note what you do and don’t like – it’ll help you create your vision.
Now, sorry to burst the bubble… but that dream website… is it what the people visiting would want or actually use? As uncomfortable as it is to hear, your website isn’t for you, it’s for the people who visit it, and if they don’t like it… they won’t use it.
I once had to explain to a new client that whilst they hated the colour pink and wanted loads of pictures everywhere, our research found that their customers resonated with pink, found it friendly and soothing, but also found all the pictures confusing and realllllly slow to load – so they didn’t use it and went to a competitor… A few tweaks later and sales were dramatically up.
2. Gather Your Website Dream Team
Building a website is more fun (and efficient!) when you’ve got the right folks on board. Think web designers, coding experts, designers and content creators. Don’t worry if that sounds overwhelming – Freya Helps Me Ltd has all the experts you need to make your vision come to life, seamlessly.
Teamwork really does make the dream work!
Yes, you could spend hours learning HTML, CSS and JavaScript etc… but what is your time worth? Sometimes, it’s just easier (and cheaper) to outsource.
3. Pick the Perfect Home for Your Website
Choosing the right hosting service is like finding the perfect plot of land for your new house. It should be reliable, fast, and suited to your specific needs. Trust me, nobody enjoys a slow-loading site (we all know how it feels waiting for a page that’s taking its sweet time!).
Platforms like Bluehost, SiteGround, and Hostinger provide convenient, ready-to-use solutions, although their pricing and features differ. A good hosting service ensures your visitors have a smooth and pleasant experience, increasing the likelihood of them staying on your website longer, and potentially becoming customers.
Need a recommendation though… we can help – we’ve got a few trusted hosting partners we use – we recommend them for their skills and capabilities (and no, we don’t get a referral fee, we do it because they’re actually good).
4. Get Your Content Ready to Shine
Content is what makes your website come alive! From engaging blog posts to compelling copy, make sure it’s informative, aligned with your brand’s voice, and brimming with personality.
This is where our team love to step in to sprinkle that special touch – we write content that captivates, connects and tells a story, resulting in whatever outcome you want e.g converting sales, finding new visitors and providing information!
But content doesn’t just mean words, have a think and start collecting any images you might want to use – you may not use them all, but having a bank to choose from makes life a lot easier when it comes to using them.
5. Learn to Dance with SEO
Search Engine Optimisation, is the process of optimising your website to rank higher in search engine results, making it easier for people to find you online. Good SEO enhances user experience with fast load times, mobile-friendly design, and relevant content, making it an effective, long-term strategy to attract visitors and help your site thrive in the digital world.
SEO might sound intimidating but think of it as learning a simple routine. Mastering it means your website can stand out and attract more visitors. And guess what? We’re here to show you the ropes and will make sure your website is waltzing up those search rankings in no time!
If you’re getting us to write the content for you, rest assured, we’ll write it depending on your audience, but always with SEO in mind – if you’re going to do a job, do it right.
6. Don’t Forget to Share the Love on Social Media
Once your website is live, make sure the world knows it! Link it to your social media platforms, share regular updates, and keep your audience engaged. Social media is a powerful tool that can amplify your website’s reach, drive traffic, and help your business grow.
Make your website the centrepiece of your digital presence and use social media to showcase its value and engage with your audience.
7. Stay on Top of Tech Trends and Plugin Updates
The digital world moves fast, but don’t worry – we can ensure you keep ahead of the game. Keeping up with the latest tech trends ensures your site stays modern, secure, and user-friendly. It’s all about giving your visitors the best experience possible.
And if you build your website with plugins, remember to stay up to date with them and keep your website secure. These updates are usually to patch a vulnerability, and you don’t want and unsecure website.
Ready to start your website adventure? Excited to bring your vision to life? Whether you need full-on guidance or just a touch of help here and there, Freya Helps Me Ltd is here to make your website journey smooth and enjoyable. Let’s turn your dream into a beautiful, functional reality!
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out our other blog posts for more tips and insights. And if you’re looking for personalised guidance or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re a friendly bunch and I’d love to help you every step of the way!