Before you begin building a website, it’s important to understand the basic materials, services, and ongoing responsibilities required. A strong foundation not only gets your site off the ground faster — it ensures your investment stays secure and continues working for you long-term.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
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Domain Name
This is your web address (like yourbusiness.com). You’ll need to purchase one through a registrar like Namecheap or Porkbun.
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Hosting Plan
Hosting is the service that stores and delivers your website to visitors. Look for secure, reliable hosts like SiteGround, Bluehost, or Cloudways — and be sure it fits your traffic needs.
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Website Platform or CMS
WordPress is one of the most flexible and widely supported platforms. Others include Shopify (for eCommerce) or Squarespace (for simple DIY sites, though limited).
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SSL Certificate
An SSL keeps your site secure — it’s what gives you the little padlock icon in the browser. Most hosts offer this for free or as part of their plans.
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Professional Email Address
This adds legitimacy and keeps communication professional. Most domain registrars or hosting providers offer email setup services.
Don’t forget about ongoing maintenance: Even the best websites need care. Software updates, plugin checks, backups, and performance monitoring should happen at least monthly, ideally weekly. Ignoring this can lead to slow load times, broken features, or security risks.
Fortunately, many agencies offer affordable maintenance plans — so you don’t have to handle updates or tech issues on your own.