Professional Web Design Checklist in USA and Canada
Sometimes, it’s difficult to know where to start. How do I get a domain name at the best price? Which web hosting is the best value? How do I get my website noticed by the search engines? Who can design this for me?
There are many thing to decide when establishing your company on the web with a professional web presence. But if you cover the most important ones, you’ll start off on the right foot.
1. Domain Name
- Use your company name first (e.g. paulmycroftdesign.com) then if that is already taken, try using initials with what you do (e.g. pmdesign.com).
- If you are having trouble, try BustAName, which will create a name based on the keywords you input.
- In the U.S., we use Go Daddy as they have great prices, good customer service and a flexible Control Panel.
- In Canada, we use NamesPro as they also have good prices, service and controls.
COST: US$10/yr (Go Daddy) or CAN$12.88/yr (NamesPro)
2. Website Hosting
- In the U.S., we have found that 1&1 provide excellent value for money and functional Control Panel.
- In Canada, Hostpapa only have one plan (Unix) but it’s very flexible and a good price.
COST: US$4/mo (1&1) or CAN$5.95/mo (Hostpapa)
3. Google
Essential. If you don’t sign up for their free Webmaster Tools, you are missing out.
COST: free
4. Yahoo! and MSN
Also important to tap into their free tools.
- Yahoo!
- Live Search (MSN)
COST: free
5. Inbound Links
If your site is brand new, you need patience to get into the search engines, sometimes 2 or 3 months. Don’t expect it to magically appear the day after launch but there are some things you can do to speed things along.
You’ll need an inbound link (link to your website) to get your site indexed, especially from a website that is already indexed by the search engines and preferably, related to your site and an authority in your field.
COST: free (with some effort)
6. WordPress
If you want to be able to update your own website and save $$ on paying someone, consider installing WordPress. It’s a highly effective way for you to to add pages (e.g. About Us) to your site, which can attract more targeted visitors, as well as post articles (e.g. How to Design a Website) that your customers may find useful.
You can download a free WordPress theme, many of which are beautifully-designed, and don’t forget to install the important plugins that take WordPress to the next level.
COST: free (if you know how to install it using the famous 5-minute install)
7. Stock Photography
Many people are not photographers or do not have suitable imagery for their designs. Consider using alternatives such as iStockphoto, which has many cool and affordable images.
COST: from $1
8. Professional Web Design
Do we have to spell this one out?
COST: that’s up to you.
Contact us today to get your own professional website!
