Want a Website? Here’s everything you’ll need

Introduction

Thinking about building a website for your business? You’re not alone - and you’re not wrong. A website is one of the most important tools you can have to connect with customers, build trust, and grow your brand.

But before you jump into design or hire a developer, it’s important to understand what goes into it. From domain names to hosting to content and hiring pros - here’s what you need to know.

The essentials you’ll need

Whether you’re building the site yourself or hiring someone to do it, these four components are non-negotiable:

1. Domain name: Your web address (e.g. yourbrand.com);

2. Hosting: The home for your site’s files;

3. Content: The words, images, and media that tell your story;

4. Designer/Developer : Optional, but highly recommended if you want to save time and get it done right.

Let’s break each of these down.

1. Content - the heart of your website

No matter how beautiful a site looks, it won’t work without good content.

This includes:

• Website copy (headlines, paragraphs, calls to action);

• Images and icons;

• Videos or motion graphics.

As the website owner, you’re usually responsible for providing the content. Some designers offer content help, but it’s often an added service. Either way, clear and high-quality content plays a huge role in how users experience your site - and whether they trust you.

2. Domain name – your website’s address

A domain is the digital address where people find you - like google.com or delciodesigns.com. If your website was a house, your domain name would be the address on the mailbox.

What to know:

• Domains are paid annually and need to be renewed;

• Costs range from $0.99 to around $15/year;

• Domain registrars include Squarespace, Hover, GoDaddy and Bluehost.

Tips for choosing a great domain:

• Stick with .com — it’s the most familiar and easy to remember

• Keep it short, simple, and easy to spell

• Avoid hyphens or numbers unless they’re part of your brand

• Stuck? Use a domain name generator for ideas

Watch out for upsells - many registrars add unnecessary extras during checkout.

3. Hosting – where your site lives

If the domain is the address, hosting is the house itself. It’s where your site’s files live and how they’re delivered to users around the world. When someone types your domain into a browser, it connects to a server (provided by your host), which loads your site.

There are three main types of hosting:

1. Shared Hosting: Affordable and beginner-friendly. You share space with other websites. Downsides? Slower performance as traffic grows.

2. Virtual Private Server (VPS): A middle ground. Still shared, but your site has dedicated resources in a “virtual” space.

3. Dedicated Server: Fully yours - fast, private, and powerful. Ideal for big sites with heavy traffic.

Tips for choosing a suitable host:

• Do you need a website builder? Tools like Framer, Webflow, Squarespace, or Wix include hosting. Others (like WordPress.org) need external hosting.

• What are your site’s needs? An eCommerce site has different requirements than a design portfolio.

• Uptime: Look for 99.9%+ uptime.

• Storage & RAM: SSD is faster than HDD. RAM helps with load times.

• Bandwidth: Determines how many users your site can handle at once.

• Security & Support: Choose a host with firewalls, backups, and 24/7 customer service.

• Server location: Closer = faster. Load speed impacts both user experience and SEO.

If your site loads slowly, you risk losing visitors - and potential business.

4. Design & development – do it yourself or hire a pro

Thanks to no-code tools like Framer, Webflow, Wix, and Squarespace, it’s easier than ever to build your own website. But many business owners still choose to hire a designer or developer - and for good reason.

Benefits of hiring a pro include:

• Saves time – Avoid the learning curve and focus on your business;

• Custom design – Stand out with a unique look and feel;

• Cutting-edge tech – Pros use modern tools and techniques;

• Competitive edge – They research your industry and competitors;

• SEO-ready – Built to help you show up in Google;

• Ongoing support – From hosting setup to post-launch tweaks.

Final thoughts

Building a website isn’t always easy - or cheap. But it’s one of the best investments you can make for your brand. Here’s a recap of what you’ll need:

• Content – The core of your message and user experience;

• Domain name – Your web address;

• Hosting – A reliable place for your site to live;

• Designer/Developer – Optional, but recommended for a smooth, strategic build.

If you want a website that feels professional, builds trust, and works across devices, hiring a pro is the way to go. Let them handle the heavy lifting—so you can stay focused on what you do best.