Where Do You Start If You Want a Website?

Thinking about getting a website for your business, idea or project? Good move. But knowing you want a website is one thing – figuring out where to begin is something else entirely. At Eldo, we speak to people at all stages of the journey. Some already have a site and want a refresh. Others have nothing at all, no domain name, no idea where to start. And that’s totally fine. This post is for the latter.

We speak to a lot of people who apologise for not knowing the technical bits. They do not need to. That is our job. A good website process should guide you through the decisions without making you feel silly for asking questions.

Let’s break it down into simple steps so you can move from “we need a website” to “right, we know what happens next”.

You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured Out

First things first, you don’t need all the answers before you talk to us. We can guide you through every stage, explain your options in plain English, and help you make informed decisions.

But if you’re the kind of person who likes to do a bit of groundwork first, here’s where to start.

1. Do You Have a Domain Name?

A domain name is your website address, your “www”. If you already have one, great. If not, have a think about what you want it to be. Something short, clear, and easy to remember is always a winner.

If you’re unsure or need help buying one, we can guide you but the sooner you get it secured, the better.

2. Have You Got Hosting?

Hosting is where your website lives. Without it, your domain has nowhere to point to. If you’re not sure what hosting you need, or don’t want to worry about it at all, we offer fully managed UK-based hosting that’s fast, secure and backed up daily. We’ll take care of the tech stuff so you don’t have to.

3. What Will Your Website Do?

Think about what you actually need from your website. Is it just a digital brochure to showcase your business? Will it need a blog or news section? Are you selling products or taking bookings?

You don’t need all the answers now, just an idea of what you want your site to achieve. This will help shape the structure, design and functionality.

4. What Do You Want it to Say?

Your content (text, images, video etc.) is one of the most important parts of your site. If you’ve already got it, great. If not, don’t panic. We offer content creation services and access to professional image libraries, so we can help fill in the blanks.

5. Have You Got a Logo or Branding?

If you’ve got an established brand look, we’ll work with it. If you need help creating something new, we also offer logo design and visual identity services. It all starts with who you are and what you stand for, and we’ll build from there.

6. Know Your Audience

It helps to have a rough idea of who your website is for. Are your users young and tech-savvy? Are they local customers looking for a quick contact? The better we understand your audience, the better we can tailor your site’s layout, content, and features.

7. Think About SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

A great website also needs to be found. We build every site with SEO in mind from the ground up, but it’s worth thinking about what kind of searches you want to appear for. Local services? Industry-specific terms? We can help you identify key opportunities.

8. Choose the Right Team

You don’t need to figure everything out alone. When you work with Eldo, you get a partner who will guide you through each step, remove the jargon, and keep things moving. We’ve built hundreds of websites, and no two are the same, because no two clients are.

Starting a website project can feel overwhelming, but it really doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just unsure what to do next, we’re here to help. Just give us a shout!