Let’s Start at the Very Beginning
I began Tina Captures Photography in 2016. This prompted a desire to build my own website.
- Free social media platforms (e.g. Instagram, Facebook, etc.) are great, but at the end of the day, you are not the owner.
- It is easy to allocate all our time to curating a beautiful Instagram feed. Eventually we may have nothing to show for all that hard work.
- Profiles get hacked. Followers can be lost overnight. Social media platforms and trends come and go.
I’m thankful I took the time to build my own website: www.tinacaptures.com
I spent hours Googling “How To…” articles, watching videos and listening to podcasts (ProBlogger was my favorite). My free time was filled with absorbing information.
My unspoken expectation for myself was to learn the “right way” to build a website.
And guess what?
I had never built a website before! I’d like to give a shout out to my fellow perfectionists.
My Decision Making Process
I signed up for a free Wix website. I was drawn to how easy it was to make things look the way I wanted them to look (no code needed).
As soon as I signed up for my Wix account, I could begin creating content and customizing the site. The drawback is that you do not own the domain. I was getting closer to my goal of owning my own platform.
When a Wix site is published, it receives a “free domain” or URL with the name Wix in it. The format of the free Wix site URL is accountname.wixsite.com/siteaddress.
“About Domains” Wix, https://support.wix.com/en/article/about-domains. Accessed 23 Sept. 2021.
FYI WordPress.com is essentially the same concept as Wix. This is a great option if you are not interested in creating your own domain and finding a hosting provider. They have done all the heavy lifting for you.
Why WordPress.org?
It didn’t take long for me to decided to build a WordPress.org website. I wanted the ability to grow into my website. I didn’t know anything about WordPress at the time and I still only have a basic understanding. You’re able to make it your own.
As I’m writing this blog I am not surprised that I’m currently learning Software Engineering at Flatiron School. I love learning how software and websites work. I had a desire to make my website the way I wanted it to be.
Does anyone else read release notes?
If you don’t I’d recommend you start with YNAB’s.
Setting Everything Up
Once I made a WordPress account, I chose to get my domain name (www.tinacaptures.com) and hosting set up through Bluehost. There are lots of options out there. Bluehost kept coming up in my research so I decided to go with them. I can always change it up if needed as I learn more about what is best for me and my website needs.
I also use Sitelock to help keep my website secure. I believe Sitelock has a partnership with Bluehost so it might be easier to get them working together if you go this route.
Once everything was up and running, the fun can begin.
Designing my Website
The fun part is figuring out how you want your website to look. There are a few options when it comes to website design:
Free Templates
It is up to you how much money you’re able and willing to spend on a website.
Using a free template allows you to spend money on other priorities. They can be a great option when you’re first starting to learn your target market and design preferences.
Paid Templates
Professional website designers and your next door neighbor might have templates up for sale.
You can purchase a template today and have a solid starting point for your website. However, the website will not be “move in ready.” You are responsible to fill in all the website copy and visuals.
Design your own Website
There are countless tutorials and user friendly website building platforms on the internet. Besides WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and Showit are a few popular options.
Learning software engineering is another option. Understanding how to code will open up opportunities
Outsource the Design of your Website
There are brilliant web designers who can give you a tailored experience in a relatively short amount of time.
A custom designed website is not cheap. It is an opportunity to build a full brand for your specific needs. I’d love to have this experience one day.
Done is Good Enough
I’ve been using a free WordPress template for five years now and it has served me well.
Start today!
What can you work on in the next 15 minutes to get you one step closer to where you want to be?