How do I make my site live?
While Camden Custom Creations does not offer hosting or domain services, we are familiar with a number of reputable companies that do. We would be happy to offer our suggestions and walk you through the process of purchasing the needed items to make your site live. Once you have purchased a domain name and hosting, we can take care of the rest to get your site live. Simply share the information with us, and we will install your site for you.
What is hosting and domains?
For your site can go live you will need to give it a name (domain) and a place for it to live (hosting). We also recommend getting security (SSL certificate), which is required by many browsers to show your website as safe.
How to Get Started
Choosing a domain
- Keep it short and simple. A shorter domain name is easier to remember and type, which means people are more likely to find you.
- Use relevant keywords. It’s a good idea to include your business name or keyword in your domain name so customers can find you in a search engine.
- Make it memorable. You want your domain name to be memorable so that people will remember it and come back to your website.
- Make it unique. Avoid using domain names that are too similar to other domain names so customers can easily find you.
- Use a .com extension. It is the most popular domain extension, so it’s a good idea to use. However, there are other good domain extensions available, such as .net, .org, and .info.
Is your domain available?
Domains are like fingerprints: no two are alike. This means that you must purchase your own unique domain name if you want to create a website. For example, the domain name “CamdenCustomCreations.com” is unique to our website. If you’re not sure if a domain name is available, you can check its availability on a domain provider’s site, such as HostGator or GoDaddy. Domain names are often included for free or at a discounted price when you purchase a web hosting package. This is a great way to save money on your website setup costs.
Check availability here:
HostGator: https://www.hostgator.com/domains
GoDaddy: https://www.godaddy.com/domains
What hosting do I need?
The type of hosting package you need depends on the needs of your website. If you are purchasing our single-page $100 website design, you will need the most basic hosting that supports WordPress. You may also want to consider a hosting plan that includes email services. Having an email address that matches your domain name can boost customer confidence and make your business look more professional. You can use any hosting company you like, as there are many to choose from. However, we recommend HostGator or GoDaddy based on our experience. We find these sites to be the most user-friendly.
See hosting packages here:
HostGator: https://www.hostgator.com/web-hosting
Do I need an SSL Certificate.
Short answer YES.
SSL certificates encrypt data between your website and visitors’ browsers, protecting their information from hackers. Google and other search engines now favor websites with SSL certificates, which can boost your search ranking. Additionally, Google will show a “dangerous site” warning for websites without SSL certificates, as unencrypted connections are not secure. This means that anyone could see your site visitors information if they visit your website without an SSL certificate. To protect your customers, build trust, and improve your search ranking, it’s important to purchase an SSL certificate.
Many hosting plans include an SSL certificate for the first year. Check your hosting plan options to see if you need to purchase an SSL certificate separately.
See hosting packages here:
HostGator: https://www.hostgator.com/ssl-certificatesGoDaddy: https://www.godaddy.com/web-security/ssl-certificate
What do I do after I purchase Domain and Hosting?
There are two ways to get your website live after you purchase your domain and hosting.
Option 1:
- Provide us with your hosting provider’s login and password. We will then handle the rest. We will install WordPress on your site and begin designing it.
- We will have access to your entire hosting account, including the option to purchase more services. However, we will not do so without your permission. We will not have access to your credit card information, as it is encrypted by your hosting provider.
Option 2:
- Follow your hosting provider’s instructions to install WordPress. Once WordPress is installed, provide us with the username and password you created during the installation process.
- We will only have access to your installed WordPress. We will not have any access to your hosting provider, and we will not be able to assist you with installing WordPress.
Which option is best for you depends on your level of technical expertise. If you are not comfortable with the technical aspects of setting up a website, Option 1 is the best choice. We will handle everything for you, and you can focus on the content of your website. If you are comfortable with the technical aspects, Option 2 is a good choice. You will have more control over the installation process, and you will not have to share your hosting login information with us.
Why is Automatic Renewal important?
We recommend that you set up automatic renewal with your hosting and domain provider. This will ensure that your website remains live and active online. If your site does not renew, the hosting provider will remove your site from the internet. Camden Custom Creations does not keep backups of your website. However, you can download a backup of your website from the WordPress dashboard. We recommend that you save a backup every time you make a change to your website.
Need Help?
Ready to Purchase. Maybe?
We are here to help. If you are unsure that you have selected the correct products or want us to double check, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Go ahead (if you haven’t already) and start an order. No payment is due until we receive all the necessary information from you. Start Your Order Here. Once you submit an order or if you’ve already started an order, you’ll receive an email from one of our team members. You can respond to that email to discuss any questions you have or to schedule a call. We look forward to helping you create the perfect website for your business.
What’s Next?
To begin designing your website, we need you to send us the following information:
- Domain name: The address of your website on the internet. (Don’t have one? Don’t worry you can follow the steps above or contact us for help)
- Hosting information or WordPress login: The login credentials for your hosting account or your WordPress website. (Don’t have hosting plan? Don’t worry you can follow the steps above or contact us for help)
- Content:
- A brief description of your business.
- A short list of products or services you provide.
- Your business address or contact information to include on your site.
- Logo: A high-resolution image of your logo.
- Header image: A high-resolution image for the header of your website.
- Other images: Up to 10 additional images for your website. Images of your products or services.
Once we have received all of this information, we will send you an invoice. Once payment is received, we will begin designing your website. Typically, a website takes about a week or less to design and build.
Once your website is live, you can start marketing it. We recommend adding your website to Google (we can help) and including it in all of your marketing materials. We also offer print design services, so we can help you update those business cards, flyers, brochures, and more.
You can see a list of all the services we offer here: https://camdencustomcreations.com/contact/#other-services
Please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to working with you to create a website that you’ll love!
* Please note that we are not affiliated with any of the companies we have recommended above, and these recommendations are based solely on our own experience. You will need to conduct all business with these companies directly for the services they provide.
We recommend that you set up auto-renewal for your domain name, hosting, and SSL certificate so that your site does not go down. This will ensure that your site remains active and secure. Camden Custom Creations does not save backups of your site. However you can download a backup from your WordPress site dashboard.