Website development

[gomes766]

I am creating my first website. I was told to

1. Buy the domain
2. Host
3. Install Wordpress.org

I am a newbie with this, have no coding experience, and diving into the unknown kind of feeling. What is the best domain site? Or does it not matter as long as it's cheap? I am planning to use Paypal business for my transactions- what is the best widget to use? I am assuming any Paypal widget will be just fine.

 

[Onism]

Okay, so first off: Coding.

While you can attempt to code a website yourself.. it's gonna take some time, including learning it. But, if you're completely overwhelmed by the idea of coding like I was when I needed to create a site for a university module, there are multiple website builders that you could use, if you don't want to try coding. For example, wordpress, wix, godaddy, squarespace etc etc-

All of these site builders have various paid plans, and I assume they also have free ones. The more you pay = the more functions you get, so it's with exploring what comes with each tier with each builder.

To my knowledge, most of these builders offer a way for you to choose a custom url/domain through them, so it's worth exploring to see what packages they offer etc.
For example, I've only used the free version of wix for a university project and mainly used a website template with a little editing to make it more my own tastes. And even then, using the free account, the URL is pretty custom: https://yourwixaccountusername.wixsite.com/yourchosensitename

As an example, I've not paid for anything, and this is my university project site that I had to create to showcase myself as a writer. Hopefully it serves as an example that you can create a site while knowing nothing about coding. And bare in mind that was created while paying absolutely nothing. If you are able to/want to get a paid plan then you will get various advantages to help get what you're after.

You did mention wordpress, so i'm not sure if there's been some confusion there. Wordpress is a builder, and I think they specialise in blogs a bit too. I'm not sure if you're talking about 'installing Wordpress' as in adding a blog on your website? If you are, I assume that most other builders allow this feature.

I haven't used them all myself, so I can't give you feedback on which is best, but to my knowledge they are all decent and you shouldn't have issues with, and usually have customer help areas if you do.

I'm not that experienced with building websites and know next to nothing about coding, but hopefully this helps you point in the right direction a bit. I recommend browsing a few different builders and seeing what they can do. Obviously due to only using wix myself I can only show/give examples of that, but i'm sure there are 'which are the best website builders to use'' type posts about if you search for them.

If you are using a builder, generally you don't have to do any coding. It's more 'click, drag&drop' various website aspects onto your site. I've taken an image from google that showcases an example of this that's from wix.

Spoiler

Hope this helps!

 

[WhiteW]

Like Onism said, to make a website you can just turn to wix, weebly, 000webhost or some other free service, unless you REALLY need the resources a Shared Hosting service gives you (database, changing php version, blablah).

Actuall, Wordpress.org is a blog builder yes, on the web version where they host it, but it also comes as CMS for Shared Hosting and is one of the best out there, with LOADS of themes and - like RPG Maker - plugins to add more functionality, all without any single coding skills and it doesn't only make blogs, it makes pretty much anything, and personally, it is my favourite CMS out there.
Of course, you could go with Joomla or something. But Wordpress still best.

In fact, if you go with paid shared hosting, there's a high chance that it comes with cPanel and Softaculous which is like 3-click install any CMS and script (such as Wordpress!)

It really depends on what you need or want to do.

Need lots of space, specific PHP version, bunch of databases, tons of scripts to play with, subdomains, yourownemails@yourdomain.bla and whatnot? Go with paid shared hosting (it's ultra cheap anyway)

Don't care about any of the above? Go wix. Or weebly. Or freewebs. Or something, dunno. On the downside, you'll have something somewhere saying it's made with XXXXXXX service & the URL is an ugly subdomain.

Also, GoDaddy sells .com for $1 first year!
And hey, if you don't mind me shilling, here's a promotional code for 10% off at Lunmea.com: FISHNCHIPS

 

[joombo]

Luckily, there are many tutorials about website development on the Internet. But if you want to create a website with a high traffic and modern design to attract more visitors, it's better to turn to professionals. Not so long ago, I cooperated with BreakThru website development and design company that offers custom solution services on a local and national levels. Their specialists did all work at the highest level, and I got my website done in a few weeks. If it fits your budget, it's the easiest way.