If you asked my husband what I do for a living, he wouldn't be able to tell you. 😆
"Uhhh, I know you do marketing things and build websites, but that's about it?"
When I try to explain to him the ins and outs of the process of designing, building and launching a website, I can see his eyes glaze over and him politely nodding his head in agreement.
For someone who has spent his entire career in construction and building, one night as I waffled on about pixels and blocks, and domains and JPEGS, all of a sudden the penny dropped and he sat up straight on the couch with a breakthrough glimmer in his eye.
"Ohhhhh... it's literally just like building a house!!" he exclaimed with excitement.
From that moment on, he's understood what I do, and his analogy for web design was brilliantly simple.
When I try to explain to him the ins and outs of the process of designing, building and launching a website, I can see his eyes glaze over and him politely nodding his head in agreement.
For someone who has spent his entire career in construction and building, one night as I waffled on about pixels and blocks, and domains and JPEGS, all of a sudden the penny dropped and he sat up straight on the couch with a breakthrough glimmer in his eye.
"Ohhhhh... it's literally just like building a house!!" he exclaimed with excitement.
From that moment on, he's understood what I do, and his analogy for web design was brilliantly simple.
If you're new to the world of websites, and whether you're looking to build your own or hire some help, my husband's House AnalogyTM may provide you some comfort and clarity.
But first, *hold my coffee...
Tech can feel overwhelming and a bit scary if it's something that you don't use day in and day out.
It saddens me to witness on more than one occasion, clients bring up invoices from other hosting companies and developers and not know what they are being charged for, and even more so what makes me mad, is businesses that prey on people that don't have an understanding of how websites work 😠
In one experience recently, a client had been paying for a domain registration to a company that had seen her domain had expired and instead of reminding her to renew it, purchased it and sold it back to her at an exploitative and exhorbitant cost. I could not believe it! 😢 (and for the record — in 2024, you should never pay more than about $20-75AU for domain registration, and this is something you can do yourself very simply, no tech experience necessary!)
So, without further ado, let's break down how to build a website like you would a house, so you can equip yourself with all of the information you need to make informed decisions.
It saddens me to witness on more than one occasion, clients bring up invoices from other hosting companies and developers and not know what they are being charged for, and even more so what makes me mad, is businesses that prey on people that don't have an understanding of how websites work 😠
In one experience recently, a client had been paying for a domain registration to a company that had seen her domain had expired and instead of reminding her to renew it, purchased it and sold it back to her at an exploitative and exhorbitant cost. I could not believe it! 😢 (and for the record — in 2024, you should never pay more than about $20-75AU for domain registration, and this is something you can do yourself very simply, no tech experience necessary!)
So, without further ado, let's break down how to build a website like you would a house, so you can equip yourself with all of the information you need to make informed decisions.
Let's build a website...
First, you might need to do some research around exactly what your 'house' website needs. You may need to look into what style, size and features your house will need. Does it need a walk-in pantry, brass tapware and marble floors? Or, do you need something a little more basic? How many rooms does your house need? Think of rooms as site pages. How many pages will you need and what are their functions?
Your budget — American Oak floors or laminate?
When selecting your website, you will need to know what you need your site for and what features you will need. Do you want animated features? Custom branding? Completely unique and original design? Or would you be happy to "purchase off a plan" as you would with a house — aka would you be happy to have a pre-designed template customised for you?
You can still create beautiful finishes on a budget and choose areas that you want to spend more on, and where you want to save. Like building a house, you will need to assess what your budget is and what you are willing to pay. For a more complex and sophisticated website with more rooms (pages) and features, the price will be higher.
For a semi-custom website on the more foundational side, you can be paying between $1,000-3,000. For more custom designs, you may be paying between $5,000-$10,000+.
You can still create beautiful finishes on a budget and choose areas that you want to spend more on, and where you want to save. Like building a house, you will need to assess what your budget is and what you are willing to pay. For a more complex and sophisticated website with more rooms (pages) and features, the price will be higher.
For a semi-custom website on the more foundational side, you can be paying between $1,000-3,000. For more custom designs, you may be paying between $5,000-$10,000+.
Hire your builder — Do I get the professionals in or try and do it myself?
When building a house, you can spend months, or years, learning carpentry, getting your builders license, trying to source reliable trades to get the job done and fumbling your way forward through trial and error (which, can be costly). The process becomes long, complicated, more expensive and frustrating.
The same goes for websites. It's often cheaper in the long run and more efficient to hire someone to oversee the process.
The same goes for websites. It's often cheaper in the long run and more efficient to hire someone to oversee the process.
Picking the perfect street to live on — Domain registration
Think of your domain name as your address in the bustling city of the internet. It's your unique identifier, guiding visitors to your doorstep. Just as street names help people to find your house on Google maps, your domain should reflect your brand's identity and be easy to remember so people can find you without getting lost along the way. And, alas! Just like council rates, you will need to pay a fee to keep your street name. You will generally pay a domain fee every year to secure your spot in the neighbourhood!
You can register domains simply at GoDaddy, Crazy Domains and Google Domains.
You can register domains simply at GoDaddy, Crazy Domains and Google Domains.
What's a domain? A domain is the address of your site which is displayed in the URL which directs people to your site. For example, it is what you type in to get to a website — eg. www.yoursitename.com
Hosting — secure your block of land
Web hosting is like purchasing a block of land. Without it, your website has nowhere to live. Choosing your host is akin to selecting the perfect plot—location, stability, and space are key. The right hosting service ensures your website has a strong foundation, just like a solid piece of land ensures your house stands tall and sturdy.
And, just like a block of land, you will need to purchase rights to that land. Common hosting sites include Squarespace, Wordpress, Wix and Envato. Some companies offer both hosting and domain registration, such as GoDaddy and Crazy Domains.
And, just like a block of land, you will need to purchase rights to that land. Common hosting sites include Squarespace, Wordpress, Wix and Envato. Some companies offer both hosting and domain registration, such as GoDaddy and Crazy Domains.
Web designers — the architects of your site
Web designers are the creative minds behind the construction of your website who draft the blueprints for your dream website. They focus on aesthetics, functionality and ease of navigation, ensuring your site looks and feels just right, from the sleek lines of your homepage to the cosy corners of your contact page. Much like architects that create the plans for your house, they balance form and function, creating a space that's both beautiful and practical. They're the ones who make sure your virtual home isn't just a cookie-cutter copy of everyone else's on the block.
Some web designers also offer development services which include both the design and build components of the site.
Some web designers also offer development services which include both the design and build components of the site.
Web developers — the builders of your house
Once the blueprints are ready, it’s time for the builders to step in. Web developers are the skilled craftspeople who transform designs into reality. They lay the bricks, wire the circuits, and ensure that every door and window (or, in our case, link and button) works perfectly. Just as builders follow architectural plans to construct a house, developers follow the designer's vision to build a functional, responsive, and robust website.
It's time to move in! Let's have a housewarming
Finally, after all the hard work, it’s time for the big reveal. You open your digital doors, welcoming visitors to explore and engage. Your website is your home on the web—make it inviting, functional, and a true reflection of you. You might want to host a launch party, and share your new home on the internet with your family, friends and prospective customers.
Furnishing and maintenance
After construction, just like a house, occasionally a pipe might leak, or you want to add a fresh paint of coat to the kitchen. Similarly with a website, although the bulk and most costly part of the house construction has been done, there will be things that come up that require ongoing maintenance. This includes everything from adding engaging content to regular updates and tweaks. Just like you would paint your walls, choose furniture, and fix the leaky taps, you'll fill your website with blog posts, images, and new features while ensuring it remains secure and up-to-date.
