Step One: Create an account and select a template
Create a free account with Strikingly and choose from our growing collection of modern and mobile responsive website templates depending on the type of website you intend to build. Preview the templates you find interesting and click ‘Start Editing’ to choose the design you want.
Pro tip:
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you have hundreds of beautiful template options in front of you. Strikingly’s template collection is divided into categories to make it easier for you to streamline your search. Start your search according to the type of website you want to create: business, blog, personal, ecommerce, etc. Pay attention to the look and feel of each template and envision how your content would fit in each one.
Step Two: Choose a Site Name
The next step on how to build a website is to choose a domain name that is easy to remember and that describes what your site is about. When you create a free account with Strikingly, you get a mystrikingly.com URL that you can customize according to your chosen site name. You can create a custom website name so that your URL will become yoursitename.mystrikingly.com. You can also register a customized domain through Strikingly to make your website address more personalized.
Pro tip:
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a domain name:
1. Keep your name short and punchy. Long names are hard to remember.
2. Make it easy to remember. Don’t make your audience struggle every time they want to go to your website. Choose a name that will stick to their brain easily.
3. Make it easy to type. A memorable website name should also be easy to spell. It’s poor form to add numbers or special characters to your website name especially if they don’t have anything to do with your brand.
4. Choose a unique website name. Don’t choose a name that’s too close to an existing website or you’ll risk getting visitors directed to that site.
Step Three: Choose Your Website Features
Adding plugins to your website adds functionality to your page. It extends its purpose to something that is more than just a repository of text content. Plugins help fulfill your site’s objectives by enabling users to perform certain tasks on your website. Use Strikingly’s integrated app store to add features such as custom forms (so users can contact you), playlists (so your followers know what kind of music you’re into) or social share capabilities (to get your content to go viral).
Pro tip:
There are thousands of great features and plugins that you can add to your Strikingly website. However, adding too many apps can also cause your site to slow down. Keep it simple and pare down your selection to the most essential features that let your visitors do the tasks that you expect them to fulfil.
Step Four: Build Website Content
When it comes to building an online presence, content is king. Learning how to build website content is part of creating an online space that people will want to keep coming back to. Engage your visitors with high quality images and videos. Take time to write website copy that will entice users to take action. Talk to your customers directly by sharing information about your brand and its story. Strikingly’s intuitive website editor lets you add content to every section of your site. Play around with different layout options and explore different ways of presenting information to your users.
Pro tip:
Don’t leave your visitors wondering what to do next. Add attractive calls to action in strategic areas on your website.
Step Five: Promote Your Website
Finally, you’re ready to publish. The next step on how to build a website is to make sure people know that your site is live and ready to welcome visitors. Promote your website through various channels and work on increasing web traffic.
Here are a few methods you can use to promote your website:
Social Media
Create social media pages of your brand and share links to your website on your pages. If you have established a following on these networks, this is a good way to direct traffic into your new site. Every time you create new website content, make sure to keep your social media followers posted by sharing the links.
Guest Posting
People are drawn to quality information. Promote yourself as an authority in your niche industry by reaching out to similar sites and exploring guest posting opportunities. Article-share sites, news sites and bookmarking sites are great places to start.
Engage your audience
Constantly respond to comments on your social media pages and on your website whenever you receive feedback from users. Connect with readers by answering their queries in a timely manner. Being responsive on your site helps build relationships with your guests and creates loyal customers.
Check out our blog for more tips on how to build your own website.
