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How to Design a Website

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This content only applies to those using Gator Website Builder.

Getting started with your website on HostGator website builder is like building blocks. One thing stacks onto another to build a whole creation.
 
In this article we will talk about how to build a website and simplify the process into easy to follow steps:

The simple steps for building a website are as follows: 

Step 1: Create an Account:

Once you have signed up for your acct, you will be taken into the first steps to begin the site. A full walk-through of this can be found by clicking Creating Your Website. Go step by step through this process to get started. Don’t overthink it, these things can be changed later.

Step 2: Add Content such as Images and Text:

Every website has some content on them. The differences are in the type of content you have and the placement of such. Ideally, that is why you have a template to guide you on Where, and What to add to your pages.

By using simple techniques like copy-paste to replace content like the About me or Services list with your own. Swapping the products and gallery images with your own business and products can give your website a dynamically different result than the beginning foundation of the template. You can link a Google map, add videos, change colors and locations or add/remove pages or sections of a page you don’t need.

Pro Tip: It is recommended to make a list or folder containing all your content points for current and future reference. For instance, you may not need to add every social media you can think of just like it may not be necessary to add a fax number or background music. Be sure to research sites similar to yours and determine if there are “trends” or “best practices” to keep in mind.

Step 3: Link or Add a Domain to your Website:

  • If you choose to use a domain name hosted by HostGator, you may need to assign it to the site. After going through the Buy a Domain process, see Change Assigned Website on Domain to assign the domain to your site.
  • If you choose to use a third party domain name, you may need to point your domain to your account with us by following these steps: How To Link A Domain

Step 4: Publishing the Site

Once you are finished with the site and have a domain name set up, you will want to publish your site and make it live. Check out Saving Versus Publishing in the Express Editor

Step 5: Getting Traffic:

Once you have added some cool text about you and what you do as well as some images that explain how you do it, it’s time to get people to check it out. The logic behind how to build a website is Search Engine Optimization or SEO.
 
With proper SEO, this means a series of things, but ultimately you will have all the necessary information, in the right places and readily available to those who are searching for it. Since no one truly has the recipe for the best SEO, there is a list of common best practices and things you can do to increase the likelihood someone will find and use the information on your site.
 
Since there is not only one way around SEO, below is a list of articles that should help even the most novice designer to meet the minimum requirements. For more detailed help, it is best to speak with someone who has advanced knowledge of SEO and marketing online.

Here are some things you can do to increase site traffic: