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When diving into the world of online entrepreneurship, there’s a lot to think about: where to start, what tools you’ll need, and how much everything will cost. Sure, online business is thrilling, but it also means spending some cash. So, let’s kick things off with the first expense: setting up a website.
What makes a good website and hosting service?
When it comes to your website, you’ll need hosting. But what exactly is hosting, you might wonder? Picture a website as a house on the internet. Hosting is like leasing a piece of land where that house can sit. The hosting company provides the technology and infrastructure to keep your website online. So, hosting is basically renting space on the internet, allowing your website to be up and running for people to visit. My go-to choice for this is Siteground, I personally use it for my own website and often recommend it to my clients too.
24/7 Customer service with your hosting provider
I’m particularly excited about their customer service feature. Not every hosting provider offers round-the-clock support, but they do. You can easily chat with them, find clear explanations online, and there’s a lot of helpful content on YouTube. Plus, it feels like you can reach out to them with even the simplest questions, which is really reassuring, especially in the beginning.
Additionally, they have a Website Installation Wizard for setting up WordPress, making it very user-friendly! They also provide hosting for your professional email address, which is essential for any online entrepreneur. If you’re interested in setting up a site with them, you can click on the banner below or here. And the best part? You’ll only pay $3 per month for the first year! If you send me a personal message I can give you an additional discount.
The website itself
When you first encounter WordPress, you’ll likely come across .com or .org options. Surprisingly, there’s a significant difference between them, and it’s not just the country code. The .org version is known as “open source software,” which means it’s free to use. You or a website builder (or even a virtual assistant) can install it on a hosting platform.
On the flip side, the .com version is a paid service that actually utilizes the .org platform. Despite the .com version offering some conveniences, the .org version is usually preferred. This choice won’t affect your website’s domain extension (.nl/.com/etc.). Opting for the open-source version grants you access to a variety of themes, different builders, and allows for much more flexibility in designing your website.
What kind of builder should I choose?
In WordPress, there are handy tools that let you build and tweak your website without needing loads of technical know-how. These tools are called builders. With them, you can simply click, drag, and rearrange your page layouts, kind of like making a collage. Adding text, popping in images, crafting buttons – you name it – it’s all a breeze without needing to dig into code.
Some popular builders include Gutenberg, Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Divi. They make building websites a whole lot simpler and more enjoyable! Personally, I haven’t settled on a favorite yet; I’ve tried out the block editor of WordPress, Gutenberg, Elementor, and Beaver. They all get the job done, so it really boils down to what you prefer.
If you’re keen on learning more about online entrepreneurship, social media marketing, or snagging tips to work smarter. Or if you’re eyeing a collaboration with me, be sure to dive into my blog about why hiring a social media manager could be a game-changer.
Psst! Heads up: some of the links in this message are affiliate links. What does that mean? Well, if you click on one and decide to use the service, I receive a small commission. But don’t worry, it won’t cost you a penny extra! And rest assured, all the opinions you find here are entirely my own.