In this section, we layout the steps to how to build your website. We want you to understand the process, and while this is most useful if you are building a website yourself, it does provide a concise understanding of the steps to build a website.
If you have already done certain things, you can skip any steps.
a. Choose where to host your website
Hosting is where your actual files and website lives. It is on some computer that is connected and always available to the web. Most people put their website at a web hosting company where large bandwidth (= fast website), security, and keeping the web server up and running with the latest software.
We highly recommend WEC Hosting because you support our mission, but we give your our software if you want to host elsewhere. If you have not chosen a place to host, you can see a comparison here.
b. Choose a domain if you do not have one.
A domain is like www.firstchurch.org. That works if your name is First Church. However, since there are hundreds of First Churches in the world, you likely need to make it easier and more memorable. Most churches base their name on location, i.e. city or town, and sometimes denomination. So if your church is in Atlanta, Georgia, it might be www.firstchurchatlanta.org. A United Methodist church might be www.firstchurchumc.org and a Baptist might be www.firstchurchbaptist.org.
Some keys for selecting a domain name:
- the shorter, the better.
- use whole words. Don't have frstchurchatl.org or firstchatl.org.
- do not use - or _ in between words unless it is very long. The problem with them is that it is hard for people to remember. So first-church-atlanta.org might seem good, but you can use capitalization to make it memorable so it s FirstChurchAtlanta.org.
You need to brainstorm some possibilities for a domain name, but you may find that many domains already exist. You can use our Domain Checker to find out if a domain exists.
c. Setup your domain
Once you decide on a domain name, you have to set it up. WEC can take care of your domain and set it all up, or you can do it yourself. While others can be cheaper, you have to manage it all yourself. You will have to get their DNS and information there, and point it to WEC servers if you host with us. Here is information on setting up DNS to point to us.
Next Step
You need to install and setup the WEC system for your website. If you are choosing the WEC hosting, it is already done for you and you can go here.If you want to find out more about what WEC Hosting offers, please go here.
If you are not hosting with WEC, go and see your next steps 1b. Install the System.