How to start your first website and market it [Tutorial for any beginners]

So I've been making sites for a while, I might as well share the basic information of how to start a website from scratch and hopefully make money off it.

This is a bare bones guide, nothing too in-depth, if you want that you should research each individual step.

1) Buying a domain name

It's probably the most important part, because once you have bought one, that's it, you can't change it unless you buy a new one.

Basic keys for picking a good domain name:

If no one is searching for it, there's not a whole lot of point having it.

You want to get a domain name that people are already typing into the search engines. You can find this out by using the Google adwords tools. Sign up for a google account and sign in to adwords.google.com . Here use tools and "Keyword estimator" and type in a phrase. Remember to look at "Exact" match, not broad match (exact means how many times that exact string has been typed into Google.)

A general rule is that 1000 exact matches or more and a CPC (cost per click, the price you'll get for clicks on your ads) at $1.00. But you can still profit nicely from less then that if you get a steady flow of traffic.

If you are set on bringing people to a domain name that is not being searched for (For example a pronouncable word like loopa.com) then you will need to market manually.

You can buy your domain name from several sources. Here on digital point there are threads for namecheap and godaddy coupons, sometimes you can find cheap $2 or $3 .com coupons. Once you are ready, register your domain name.

Every year you need to pay a renewal fee for you domain. This is usually about $12 but with the use of some coupons (check the coupons section here on Digital Point) you can get it for about $6.

Alternative: IF you cannot find the domain name you want, you can buy one off the "Aftermarket". This just means domain names that are already owned by someone, but are for sale. You can also buy "drops" which just means a domain name that is expiring and will go to public auction before it expires. These are more expensive so you wont get many $2 deals, but the quality of names might be better in some cases. OUtlets for this include sedo.com, auctions.godaddy.com and namejet.com and even hear on the DP forums Buy and Sell section.

Once you have your domain name, you simply click "launch" and type in your hosting's name servers. When you get hosting, you will be given name servers.. once these are pointed at your hosting, and you add your domain to your hosting, the site will be live in an hour or two.

2) Hosting- Once you have your domian name, you need hosting. Hosting is simply server space (like a computer) where your website files are stored. When people type in your domain name, it points to your server space.

I have used a few hosts but my favorite is Hostgator- it's very newbie-friendly but has all the bells and whistles you need. Most of all, they don't place many restrictions on what you can do. They also let you host as many domain names as you want under the one account which is handy.

Another good thing about Host Gator is their "1 click install" selection.. Basically you can select software and install it on your domain with 1 click.. This included installing such things as:

-Wordpress (For blogs, shops, portfolios, business sites, the whole shabang)
- Forums (One click and a forum is installed on your domain, and you recieve the admin username and password)
- Ecommerce store
- Wiki site

Hosting costs about $6-8 per month, however you can use coupons to get it for even 1 CENT for the month, to try it out and see how you like it. If you want to use Hostgator for only 1 cent, use this coupon when signing up: SUPASECRET

Use that coupon and the first month will be only 1 cent. You can opt out before the next month if you don't like it. This is a great way to get a feel of the host and see how you like it, and try installing different things on your website.

3) Monetizing the site:

There are many ways to do this, here are some of the basics you will be interested in:
Adsense- adsense.google.com
Sign up for an adsense account and create some ads. Paste the code into the html of your site (if you are on wordpress, just go to "widgets" and choose "text" and past the code.

Over time, if you selected a domain that has people flowing into it through the search engines, and if they are looking for solutions to a problem, they will click your ads.

Adsense income will start very slow but you can build it up nicely over time.

Flipping the site- One way to profit is to sell your site once it has been built up. The more traffic and revenue you have, the more the site will go for. Sites generally sell at around 10-to-20 times it's monthly profit, depending on other factors.

Selling products- Most people have a skill which they know very well. If this skill would be valuable to someone else, you can make an ebook or a video series and sell it off your website. People have made thousands doing this- you'd be surprised how many people would pay for the knowledge that you have in your head! You can also sell other people's products and earn a commision for each one you sell (See clickbank).

Anyway, good luck with your website creating and monetizing!

 

Oh and also, if you want to sign up for adsense you will need a website in the first place. But if you don't want to make one before you know if you can get adsense, you can start a free blog on Wordpress.com or Blogger and you can use that blog to apply for adsense, then once your account is approved you can put your ads on any website that follows the TOS and you will not need further approval.

 

Good tips for beginner to get started online marketing.

 

Very, very nice read! Thank - you!

 

Good info shared for newbies!!

 

This is a helpful post. I am sure lots of newbies would appreciate it. Thanks very much.

Ruth

 

I've had some success with using Dreamweaver as a template. Have you guys tried out Dreamweaver? It takes a little bit more on design side but it also comes with a lot more as far as customization and flexibility.

 

Great info. for newbies

 

Really good post to help newbies. I create my sites on Wordpress and promote it using PPC and social media. It usually works well and I get free targeted traffic in just a couple of days. Then the sales come in!

 

flippa is the main source of flipping websites. check it out...flippa.com

 

Good read for the total newbies.

 

I've bookmarked this - it'll help newbies a lot!

 

Very informative!

 

Excellent. Thanks, just what a "Newbie" needs, a thread that's helpful, and informative.Good job.

 

good info... will definitely help newbies.