So, you’re ready to dive into the exciting world of website building! You’ve got your domain name locked in, and now it’s time to fill your digital canvas with content that truly represents you or your business. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose and gather content for your website, from images to copy, and even discuss what pages you should include. Plus, we’ll introduce you to a fantastic resource to help you on your website-building journey: the Making Waves Web Solutions beginner WordPress website setup course. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Plan Your Website
Before you start collecting content, it’s crucial to plan your website’s structure. Consider what pages you’ll need. Here are some common ones:
Home Page: The front door to your website, where visitors get their first impression.
About Us: Share your story, mission, and values.
Services/Products: Detail what you offer.
Contact: Provide ways for visitors to reach out.
Blog: If you plan to publish articles or updates.
Portfolio/Projects: Showcase your work or products.
Testimonials: Display reviews from satisfied clients or customers.
FAQ: Answer common questions.
Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: Important for legal compliance.
You definitely don’t need to include all these pages, just what makes sense for your goals. In general, most websites include a home page, about us, services/products, contact, and privacy policy. Depending on your needs, those may be the pages you include, or you may need more or fewer pages. Before adding a page, think about its purpose and what value it will bring to your visitors. If you can’t think of the value a page adds for your audience, then you probably don’t need it. Keep it as simple as possible, that will make it easier for you and your audience.
Step 2: Collect Images
Images might be the most important part of a website. They are what people notice first, and good quality images will make a good impression. They are a powerful way to engage your audience and create a visually appealing website. Here’s how to gather them:
Professional Photography: If you have the budget, hiring a professional photographer can yield excellent results. This is one of the best places to spend money if you can.
Stock Photos: Websites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Shutterstock offer a wide range of free or paid images. There is nothing wrong with using stock images, and if it means better quality images, it’s better to go with stock images over personal photos.
Personal Photos: Use personal photos that relate to your content, such as team photos, product shots, or project images. Make sure your images are good quality, using dark or pixelated images makes a site look unprofessional.
Graphics and Icons: Consider using graphics and icons to illustrate concepts or add visual interest.
Step 3: Create Compelling Copy
Now, let’s talk about the words on your website. This is the reason people come to your website, high quality, interesting images draw them in, but what keeps them engaged is the story you tell through your copy. Here’s how to create compelling copy:
Be Clear and Concise: Write in a way that’s easy to understand. Avoid jargon or overly technical language.
Highlight Benefits: Explain how your products or services benefit your audience. What problems do you solve?
Tell Your Story: Share your journey, values, and what sets you apart.
Use Headings and Bullets: Break up text with headings and bullet points for readability.
Call to Action: Encourage visitors to take action, such as contacting you or making a purchase.
Edit and Proofread: Ensure your copy is free of spelling and grammar errors.
Step 4: Make It User-Friendly
Your website should be user-friendly and easy to navigate. Here’s how to achieve that:
Clear Navigation: Use a simple, organized menu so visitors can find what they’re looking for.
Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure your website looks good and functions well on mobile devices.
Loading Speed: Optimize images and use reliable hosting to keep your site fast.
Contact Information: Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you.
Search Function: If your site has lots of content, consider adding a search bar.
Link to Social Media: Connect your website to your social media profiles.
Step 5: Enroll in the Making Waves Web Solutions WordPress Set-up Course
Ready to put your content to work and start building your website? The Making Waves Web Solutions beginner WordPress website setup course is your ideal companion. This course is designed for beginners, just like you, and covers everything you need to know to set up a stunning website:
Choosing the Best Hosting Plan: So many options! What do you actually need? And what do all these security options do?
Setting Up WordPress: We’ll walk you through the process of installing WordPress on your hosting account.
Choosing a Theme: Learn the difference between themes and templates and how to choose each.
Introduction to Plug-ins: We’ll show you some popular plug-ins and what they do. And we’ll talk about whether it’s necessary to upgrade any plug-ins to paid versions or whether the free version will be enough.
If you’re past the basic set-up phase, our Beginner Website Building Course may be the best option for you. You’ll learn:
Content Creation: Master the art of creating pages, adding images, and writing compelling copy.
Customization: Make your website uniquely yours by customizing its appearance.
Elementor: The ins and outs of making beautiful pages with the drag and drop plug-in Elementor.
Troubleshooting: Learn how to handle common website issues.
Enroll in our Beginner Website Building course at Making Waves Web Solutions, and you’ll have expert guidance as you transform your content into a fully functional website. ENROLL NOW!
Remember, building a website is an exciting journey, and it’s okay to ask for help or seek guidance when needed. The resources and support are out there, and with determination and creativity, you’ll soon have a website you’re proud of.
