Starting a website can seem overwhelming — especially if it's your first time. However, with the right questions and a solid plan, it's far easier than most people expect. Whether you're building something for your small business, personal brand, or a community project, asking the right questions upfront can save you time, money, and stress.
This is a surprisingly useful place to begin. Not every person or business needs a website. If you rely entirely on WhatsApp, in-person referrals, or a Facebook page, a full website might not offer much more. However, if you want people to find you online, build trust, or expand into new areas, a website becomes an important asset.
Even a basic one-page site with your contact details and a short description can help build credibility and create opportunities.
Every website should have a job. Ask yourself what you want it to do. Do you want to sell something? Share updates? Build a portfolio? Attract new clients?
Your answer affects everything — from layout to platform to the type of content you write. For example, a personal blog needs simplicity, while an online store needs product listings, checkout tools, and security.
Here’s where many people go off course. Your website isn’t for you. It’s for your customers, visitors, and audience. Think about what they need — not just what you want to show.
Write down the top five questions people ask you in real life. These should be answered clearly on your site, ideally on the homepage or an FAQ.
Your goal determines how your site is built. Selling products means you need eCommerce tools. Sharing ideas means you need a clean layout with strong readability.
If you're unsure how your goal affects your setup, we can help guide you. Our Shared Hosting is ideal for content-driven sites. On the other hand, Custom Hosting is better suited to dynamic stores or advanced features.
Content is everything. Before choosing colours or templates, write the actual words. Start with your About page, a description of your services, and your contact details.
In addition, collect good quality images — especially ones that show your work or products. Don’t add "Coming Soon" pages unless you plan to update them quickly. Google notices outdated content and ranks it lower.
Some people love the DIY route. WordPress, drag-and-drop builders, and YouTube tutorials make it possible. If you have time to learn and troubleshoot, it’s a good option.
However, if you prefer to focus on your business or avoid frustration, we offer setup support and guided hosting to help you build with confidence.
Web hosting is where your site lives. Choosing the wrong host can slow you down or create security risks. On the other hand, good hosting makes your site faster, safer, and more reliable.
At IDS Hosting, we provide high performance Hosting for speed and stability. It's perfect for South African sites and comes with tools like email, backups, and free SSL.
You don’t have to spend a lot. A domain, basic hosting, and a simple WordPress site can cost less than R70/month. What you spend beyond that depends on how much support, design, and functionality you want.
In our experience, small business owners benefit most from fast, helpful support and a solid foundation. That’s exactly what we offer.
This is where strategy matters. Building a website is only the first step. Now you need visitors.
Search engines like Google rely on content structure, backlinks, and speed. Our guide to building backlinks is a great place to start. Also, connect your site to your WhatsApp, social media, and Google Business Profile if you have a physical presence.
Once your site is live, you’ll want to know how it’s performing. Google Analytics and Search Console are free tools that show how people find and use your site.
This feedback helps you grow, make better decisions, and invest in what works.
Starting a website doesn’t mean you need all the bells and whistles from day one. Instead, launch something simple and clean. Improve as you go. Keep your content relevant, your message clear, and your audience in mind.
If you need help, we’re right here. Contact IDS Hosting for help with domains, setup, hosting, and more.
Fast. Friendly. Local. That’s how we host South Africa.
