You need four things to get a website on the Internet.   A domain name, a hosting account, web files that makeup the website and some money.  Let’s discuss each of these subjects.

Imagine the Internet as a massive library.  Each website is like a different book, and the domain name is like the book’s title.

When you want to find a specific book in the library, you look for it’s title.  Similarly, when you want to visit a website, you use it’s domain name.  For example, “google.com” is the title of Google’s website and it is also the domain name.

In technical terms, a domain name is a human-readable address that points to the numerical IP address of the website’s server.  It’s like a shortcut that makes it easier for us to find and remember websites without having to memorize long strings of numbers.

You need to find the domain you want for your website at a place like HostGator. HostGator is the company that I use for all of my Internet businesses.  Click here to search for your domain name. Just type the domain that your would like to buy and the site will let your know if it is available. If it isn’t available the site will try to offer other suggestions to you.

A hosting account is where you place your files for the website.  This can be also purchased at HostGator.  This page will show some hosting comparisons. Usually you will pay yearly for your hosting account (I recommend the Baby Plan at HostGator).  This will require your credit card to be posted in your account.

Wireframing is the process of creating the entire website in a digital file.  This file resides on my PC and is only for reference for the prospective owner (which is you) and me the developer.  Click here to see an example.   You will receive a copy of your website in a PDF file when the wireframing is done.

There are a few purposes for this wireframing.  One purpose is to make sure that everyone knows exactly when is going to be created as the website. The other purpose is so that I can see how much work it is going to take to create the website.  After the wireframing is done you will receive the price tag of your website.

There is usually a fee charged in order to complete the wireframing.  This cost must be paid before the wireframing can start.  The cost will be subtracted from the final amount for the website. In other words, the wireframing is free if you buy your website.  If you don't buy the website you are paying to have the wireframing done.

In this step I will use the wireframing diagram that we produced and make the actual web files (HTML and CSS files) that will comprise your new website.  I will construct it on my hosting site. You will be able to view it before we install it to your hosting account.  At the end of the devlopment phase the final payment amount will be due.

This involves moving (FTPing) the web files from my PC to your hosting account.  Once this is done then the project is over.

I'm sure that this topic will be very important to you.  So I've created a slideshow to explain everything for you.  Please use your arrow keys in the slideshow to move from slide to slide.