Setting up a Website
Are you starting a new business and need to get a website set up? Here are the five main things you need to know before getting started.
1. Domain Name
You'll need to register a domain name. A domain name is the address that people use to visit your website. Domain names are rented on a yearly basis by paying the yearly subscription fee, which is around $33 NZD. They are generally purchased from the same provider as your web host (see below).
2. Web Hosting
Web Hosting is the place where your website's files are stored. Web Hosting is rented on a monthly or yearly based subscription. Prices vary, but web hosts in NZ generally charge around $150-$200 per year. It's best to choose a host in New Zealand or Australia for optimum website speed - as if a host's servers are located further away from NZ, the website will take longer to load. We recommend 1stdomains.nz who have been around a long time, and provide excellent service.
3. SSL/TLS
SSL/TLS is a certificate that establishes encryption between browser connections. This is important both for security, and for the credibility of your website. Some Web Host providers include this in your Hosting fee, while others charge it as an additional add-on.
4. Content
Your website page content, and all the files for the design, will need to be uploaded to your web hosting, which your website designer/developer would do. If you are going the route of a DIY website builder, then you would login to your provider's system and add the content from there. However, you may like to read our other article on Wix Website Development on why using DIY web builders such as WIX are probably not your best option.
5. Email
If you would like a business email address, this will also need to be set up. Some Web Hosts include email in their Web Hosting package, while others will require it to be purchased separately.