I Have No Idea About Websites!

If the phrase “I have no idea about websites!” sounds like something you’ve said (or shouted) recently, you’re in good company. Many of my clients tell me that building a website feels like stepping into a foreign country—complete with a new language, strange customs, and unexpected costs.

And if you’re not particularly tech-savvy to begin with? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you’ve even picked a domain name.

That’s exactly why I’m writing this post: to give you a simple, stress-free overview of what to expect when starting your website journey—and what you’ll need along the way.

Whether you're the kind of person who wants to be hands-on and make your own edits, or you're more the hands-off type who'd rather hand it all over to a designer, this short guide is for you.

What Do I Need When I’m Ready to Start a Website for My Business?

Good question. Here’s a simple checklist to help you get started:

1. Understand Why You Need a Website

Before anything else, get clear on why you want a website. Is it to showcase your services? Sell products? Build trust with potential clients? Collect leads? Knowing your purpose will help shape everything else, from the design to the content—and even which platform or features you’ll need.

2. Know What It Will Cost

Let’s talk fees. Website expenses usually fall into a few categories:

• Domain Name: This is your website’s address (like www.yourbusiness.com). It usually costs around $15–$25 per year.

• Hosting: Think of this as renting space on the internet to “store” your website. Hosting fees vary, but a basic plan is often $10–$20/month.

• Website Creation: Hiring a designer or developer comes with its own costs, depending on the complexity of your site. You can have a designer build a custom website for you, or start with an inexpensive pre-designed template that are offered in the platform of your choice.

• Ongoing Edits or Maintenance: Some clients want to make updates themselves, while others prefer to hire someone for changes as needed. Factor this into your budget either way.

3. Write Your Website Content

Start typing! Even before you hire a designer, begin gathering and writing the content that will go on your site. This includes:

• Your About page

• Descriptions of your products or services

• Any testimonials, FAQs, or contact info

• Photos or visuals you want to include

You don’t need to have it perfect, but having content ready will save time (and back-and-forth emails) later.

4. Hire a Website Designer—and Ask the Right Questions

When you're ready, hire someone who understands both the tech side and your business goals. Here are a few good questions to ask before committing:

• What platform do you build on (Wix, WordPress, Shopify, etc.)?

• Will I be able to make my own edits after the site is live?

• Are revisions included in the price?

• What kind of support is offered after launch?

Whether you're DIY-ing parts of the process or handing it all over to a pro, the most important thing is to stay curious, ask questions, and give yourself permission not to know everything right away.

5. Consider a Pre-Designed Website Template

If you're the more hands-on type and like to figure things out yourself, a pre-designed website template could be a perfect fit. These templates are made for DIYers who feel comfortable navigating online tools and want to save money by customizing their own site.

You can often find beautiful, professionally designed templates for many platforms. I personally have designed a bunch of templates on the Wix platform here.

The best part? Most templates come with helpful guides, tutorials, and videos that walk you through how to make edits, update images, change colors, and launch your site. Templates are a great middle-ground between full DIY and hiring a designer from scratch.

Final Thoughts

The world of websites can feel like a maze at first—but you don’t have to walk through it alone, and you can figure it out one step at a time. This is your business, and your website is a powerful tool to support it.

So even if you still feel like saying “I have no idea about websites!”—you’re now one step closer to changing that.