Web Design / Web Hosting advice needed

[James M 1975]

Hi all,
I'm currently in the process of setting up my own leadership coaching business. I'm at the stage where I'm ready to begin putting together a website, however I'm a little stuck on where to begin. Firstly, the big question is do I attempt to create one myself, or do I spend a little and get a more experienced company to do it for me. If the latter, then it would have to be on a fairly tight budget. I have had some experience in the past creating my own basic sites but nothing too complex. That being said, the website I require would be fairly simple.
Also, I'm confused about whether I can buy a domain name from one place (123reg, one etc) and then build it with a separate hosting site? or is that just pointless?
My main requirements for a website are that I can have dedicated emails (eg James @ businessname co uk), display images and videos, links to social media, ability to add my own content (videos etc) from time to time, multiple pages (no direct selling on site required).
If anyone can help point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it and if anyone can recommend any decent website hosting companies that tick the boxes I need then that would be really helpful.
Many thanks in advance.
James

 

[intheTRADE]

Definitely get a company to create one for you. Will save you money and a lot of time in the long

 

[fisicx]

I'm at the stage where I'm ready to begin putting together a website, however I'm a little stuck on where to begin.

Begin with a marketing plan. Use this to guide the content. Write the words and gather the images. Organise everything so it all flows, decide on your calls to action and trustmarks. Really just build a website on paper. Post-its on the back of a door are good for this.

I'd use wordpress for this. It's free and most hosts have it built into their plans. Avoid and site builder (like wix, weebly, 1and!, godaddy etc). With a bit of help you can do most of it yourself. For the bits you can't do there are thousands of support sites and tutorials.

Try these for hosting: https://www.hihosting.co.uk/bloghosting.html Dan is a member here and all round good guy.

My main requirements for a website are that I can have dedicated emails (eg James @ businessname co uk), display images and videos, links to social media, ability to add my own content (videos etc) from time to time, multiple pages (no direct selling on site required).

You can do most of that with wordpress. Except the video bit, upload the videos to youtube/vimeo and embed the links on the page. The email address is provided by your host.

...links to social media

Don't do this. You want people to come from SM site not go to SM sites.

 

[James M 1975]

Begin with a marketing plan. Use this to guide the content. Write the words and gather the images. Organise everything so it all flows, decide on your calls to action and trustmarks. Really just build a website on paper. Post-its on the back of a door are good for this.

This makes a lot of sense. I will definitely opt for this approach. Thanks.

I'd use wordpress for this. It's free and most hosts have it built into their plans. Avoid and site builder (like wix, weebly, 1and!, godaddy etc). With a bit of help you can do most of it yourself. For the bits you can't do there are thousands of support sites and tutorials.

Are you able to buy the domain from wordpress too? Why would you avoid using a site builder? I was going to sign up with one com (as they appear to offer everything I need and I can also use Wordpress through them) but I'm having second thoughts now.

Don't do this. You want people to come from SM site not go to SM sites.

Would I not want it to go both ways? SM to website and website to SM?

Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it.
James

 

[fisicx]

Would I not want it to go both ways? SM to website and website to SM?

If they are on your website it’s because they want whatever it is you are offering. Why would you want them to go to Facebook? If they do that you have lost the sale.

 

[fisicx]

Are you able to buy the domain from wordpress too?

You register the domain with a registrar. I use 123reg.co.uk for this. You then get some hosting and tell your registrar the name of the host. The whole process takes under and hour. There are loads of people here who will help you do this if you want.

Why would you avoid using a site builder?

Because they are all without exception rubbish. OK if you want a hobby site to express your love of hamsters. But of no use at all for a business site.

I was going to sign up with one com (as they appear to offer everything I need and I can also use Wordpress through them) but I'm having second thoughts now.

Try to avoid these big corporate hosts. You will be dumped on a shared server and left to fend for yourself.

 

[James M 1975]

If they are on your website it’s because they want whatever it is you are offering. Why would you want them to go to Facebook? If they do that you have lost the sale.

Very true, thanks for that. Did you see my other questions? I'm currently looking in to the Wordpress options. I'm looking at the business plan for £20 p/m, however in order to have my own custom business email, it suggests I would need to use Gsuite, which is an additional £8.28 p/m per user. Does this all seem a bit expensive? Or is that standard? One com offer unlimited email, domain and use Wordpress all for less than £50 for a year. What am I missing?
Thanks again.

 

[fisicx]

I'm looking at the business plan for £20 p/m, however in order to have my own custom business email, it suggests I would need to use Gsuite, which is an additional £8.28 p/m per user.

You only need the starter package: https://www.hihosting.co.uk/bloghosting.html

Email is built into the hosting. You don't need gsuite. The starter package lets you have up to 10 email addresses.

 

[James M 1975]

You only need the starter package:

Email is built into the hosting. You don't need gsuite. The starter package lets you have up to 10 email addresses.

This does look interesting. However I'm not sure if it might be a little basic. The Business plan with Wordpress direct ticks a lot more boxes, and also removes all wordpress branding etc and gives me the option to access many more themes. That's a big requirement for me. It's just a shame you can't buy Gmail on its own and need to purchase the whole of Gsuite to get your own custom email.
Thanks so much for your tips and help. I really appreciate any guidance at this stage.

 

[fisicx]

This does look interesting. However I'm not sure if it might be a little basic. The Business plan with Wordpress direct ticks a lot more boxes, and also removes all wordpress branding etc and gives me the option to access many more themes. That's a big requirement for me. It's just a shame you can't buy Gmail on its own and need to purchase the whole of Gsuite to get your own custom email.
Thanks so much for your tips and help. I really appreciate any guidance at this stage.

Woah!

You are looking at the wrong thing. Self hosted means you have access to everything - and all for free. And email and no branding.

Using wordress.com means they host for you but you are limited in what you want do (even with the business plan).

Self hosting means you install wordpress yourself and have free reign to do whatever you want.

You do not need gsuite!

 

[Nick Walsh Studios]

A2 hosting wordpress from £2.95 a month includes email, buy domain name from them, from £10. Use free udemy course or try youtube video

 

[MankindStudio]

Branded email could be created easilly on shared hosting (cpanel). I can recomment interserver - they're brilliant. And site - if you don't need blog or creating new pages in feature go for premium templates but if you do - wordpress (but I would never use again due to security risk and spammin).

 

[James M 1975]

Woah!

You are looking at the wrong thing. Self hosted means you have access to everything - and all for free. And email and no branding.

Using wordress.com means they host for you but you are limited in what you want do (even with the business plan).

Self hosting means you install wordpress yourself and have free reign to do whatever you want.

You do not need gsuite!

I fully appreciate what you’re saying, however seeing as I am pretty much a novice, I believe the support and other extras I would benefit from using a host (such as the Wordpress business plan) will outweigh the potential struggles and delays of self hosting. It’s a really difficult decision to make and I don’t want to be frivolous with my decision. However I do want to opt for whatever is going to make the process simplest for me, while at the same time offering all of the things that I require for my website. Here’s hoping I don’t live to regret the decision I make.

 

[MankindStudio]

jeez, shared hosting cost a like 30-60£ per year, what do you debating on? Is not like life changing decision, I would invest time and money on presenting your business. Just read walkthrough how to create web or use themeforest and their support.

 

[fisicx]

I fully appreciate what you’re saying, however seeing as I am pretty much a novice, I believe the support and other extras I would benefit from using a host (such as the Wordpress business plan) will outweigh the potential struggles and delays of self hosting.

There are no potential struggles or delays to self hosting. Once installed (which only takes a few minutes) the site will be up and running.

With using the WP business plan they host the site for you. But then restrict what you can do. You will soon become frustrated when you try to install a theme or plugin and are prevented from doing so.

If you use the hosting package I suggested there is nothing for you to do. WordPress comes preinstalled so all you need to do is login and start writing.

Here’s hoping I don’t live to regret the decision I make.

I suspect you will. The Wordpress business plan won't give you what you want and will cost more.

 

[gpietersz]

With using the WP business plan they host the site for you. But then restrict what you can do. You will soon become frustrated when you try to install a theme or plugin and are prevented from doing so.

What would be want to do that he needs those themes an plugins for? Everything he says he wants to do can be done on wordpress.com (and even on a cheaper plan). The business plan says it allows installation of custom themes and plugins.

The only exception might be if, with regards to the videos, he wants to host them rather than embedding from Youtube or similar - but in that case he is quite likely to run into problems with shared hosting as well.

Also see: https://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/...uitable-for-a-simple-business-website.407019/

 

[Darren_Ssc]

You will soon become frustrated when you try to install a theme or plugin and are prevented from doing so.

And so he should be.

 

[madeads]

To be honest, if I were you, I would keep things simple and get a few quotes from web designers and see if it would be a viable idea to outsource web development completely, rather than spend weeks figuring out domains, hosting and themes.

Have a look at the marketplace of the forum or even check out Fiverr.

Just remember not to get carried away with your website, because what really matters is having clients, not a pretty website.