Do you like to create your own website? Are you scared and thinking that its a complex process that involves a lot of complex IT stuff? Well here is good news for you-website creation has been made easy for non IT professionals.
When we created the first ZBIN website that was specific to poultry business, we paid a huge sum of $400 to this developer who did a shoddy job and later on removed the website under unclear circumstances-so our investment went down the drain just like that?
So we decided to create our own website and visited YouTube for guidance. Below are the following easy steps you can take in the creation of your own website;
- Visit www.hostgator.com and select -webhosting
- Choose the plan that you like-there are 3 options
- Choose domain name- you will find out whether the name is available or not.
- If your name is available, then complete the rest of the boxes and find out how much you need to pay
- Settle amount -visa cards from Zimbabwe are not accepted and this is why I had to seek help from one of the forum founders, Chamu based in USA. The rest of Southern Africa countries should work.
- Congrats if you have done this part and wait for 24 hours before your website name is registered and an account created.
You will receive registration details notifications and passwords. Please make sure that you keep your password secure and never share it with anyone.
The next stage is building your site and this should not take you time. You can use the expert advice from the video (Make a website step by step) which is found on YouTube.
Time expected to make your first website is approximately 6 hours and you can do this during weekends. If you use the tutorial from the YouTube, then you will never go wrong.
Do expect to pay extra charges for some plugins but this should not be more than $100 depending on what is on your wallet. Do not pay for the whole year, I recommend 2-3 months subscriptions. During this time you can assess whether website creation is for you or not.
So its not as complicated as it seems, iam still learning and am trying to find how to insert the Facebook link on the website-last week I learnt about how to create a newsletter which I will be sending to members to registered members at the end of the day.
Benefits of the process
1.You can become a professional website developer and earn money through designing websites for companies and individuals, you will be able to use your website as reference
2. You can earn money through hosting adverts: One easy way is AdSense adverts from Google-they normally approve your application after the website has been in existence for 6months or so, that’s why we have no Google adverts on the website.
3. You can make money through E-Commerce, selling your products and services online.
There are a lot of benefits from creating your own website just make sure you use the platform responsibly. Just find your passion, which areas are you good at? Is it business, tourism, fashion, religion? Once you have established your area, then go for it- visit other website for inspiration.
As for ZBIN, the website is still far from perfect, we still need a discussion forum, the menu needs to be adjusted, we need a ZBIN professional email address-there is no contact details on the menu etc.
So get your website this festive season and if you run into problems then contact me on vicmunemo@yahoo.com. If you are a first time developer I suggest you do it during Sunday afternoons, do contact me for free advice.
In next article, I will give you more advice on how to drive traffic to your website and more information on E-Commerce.
Wishing you a blessed Sunday
Thanks very much Mr Munemo