iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Before creating a website, prepare a clear goal, an audience, a realistic budget and schedule, a domain decision, a publishing platform, a page plan, content, the features visitors need, and a plan for testing and maintenance. The exact requirements depend on the site: a portfolio does not need the same setup as an online store or member portal. You can use this checklist to decide what applies before choosing tools.
What do I need to make a website?
You need a plan for what the site should accomplish, a way to publish it, useful content, and the infrastructure and features that fit its purpose. A hosted website builder or cloud content management system (CMS) may combine publishing tools and hosting. With a self-hosted CMS, you arrange hosting separately and take on more setup and maintenance.
A domain name and a website are not the same thing. A domain is a name in the Domain Name System (DNS); hosting or another service makes the site’s content available online. ICANN explains the distinction in its About Domain Names guide. Some hosted platforms include hosting, so buying a separate hosting plan is not always necessary.
Use this nine-item checklist
1. Purpose and goals
Decide what the website needs to do before picking a platform or designing pages. It might explain a business, showcase a portfolio, publish articles, generate leads, sell products, take bookings, or support a community. Connect the website’s goals to the larger personal or business objective so you can prioritize features and judge later whether the site is working.
2. Audience and visitor tasks
Identify the people the site is for and what they should be able to find out or do. List those tasks in priority order: a prospective client may need to understand a service and request a quote, while a shopper needs to evaluate products and complete a purchase. The Australian Government’s Set up a business website guidance recommends planning around the audience and the information or actions visitors need.
3. Budget, timetable, and people
Estimate both the effort to create the site and the work and expense of keeping it current. The scope can change with the number of pages, how often they need updates, branding and design needs, forms, media, translations, databases, training, licenses, and support. Set a realistic launch timetable and identify who will plan, write, design, build, and maintain the site. That might be one person, an in-house team, or outside help.
4. Domain name
Choose a name that is easy to remember, spell, and say aloud, and check whether it is available. A domain gives visitors a recognizable address; registering one does not by itself create or publish a website. ICANN’s domain-name explainer describes domains as names used in DNS. Register through an accredited registrar or reseller, and keep track of renewal and account access.
5. Hosting and publishing platform
Choose how the site will be built and made available online. The main options differ in how much setup, control, and ongoing work they require:
| Route | What it involves | Trade-off to check |
|---|---|---|
| Hosted builder or cloud CMS | Typically combines publishing tools with hosting, templates, and optional features. | Confirm what the selected plan includes, along with support, data export options, and ongoing costs. |
| Self-hosted CMS | You arrange a separate hosting service and may need add-on applications or plugins. | Offers more flexibility and customization, but requires more setup and maintenance. |
| Custom or outsourced build | In-house staff or an external provider plans and builds a tailored site. | Account for staffing, specialist support, timetable, and total creation and upkeep costs. |
There is no route that is best for every project. Compare the work you need to publish, the control you want, your available skills, and who will maintain the site. The Australian Government’s website setup guide discusses platform choices and the different responsibilities involved.
6. Page structure and design
Sketch a sitemap before building. Group related information so visitors can navigate it without guessing. Depending on the site’s purpose, pages might include Home, About, Contact, services or products, a FAQ, a blog, reviews, or terms. Include only pages that serve a visitor need. Make visual choices support clear reading and navigation rather than compete with them.
7. Content and media
Draft the text and gather the images, video, logo, and other visual material you expect to use. Clear language, descriptive headings, and well-organized content make pages easier to understand. Check that you have permission to use images, fonts, music, and other assets; the details depend on the material and where it came from.
Recommended Free Tools
8. Features, accessibility, and security
Choose functionality based on what visitors need to do. A simple informational site may need only navigation and a contact method; a store needs product information and a checkout and payment capability. Other possible features include appointment booking, site search, newsletter signup, or member accounts. Do not add features without a clear purpose, since each can add setup and maintenance work.
Best Value
Plan for mobile use and accessibility as part of the design, not as a last-minute fix. If visitors submit or you store personal information, check the privacy and security obligations that apply to your location and data practices; requirements vary by jurisdiction. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication where available. For a self-hosted CMS, assign someone to install security updates for the CMS and its tools promptly.
9. Testing, launch, and upkeep
Before launch, test the site as a visitor would use it. Check that pages display properly, navigation and links work, content is accurate, and key tasks can be completed across relevant browsers and devices. For a store, test the checkout flow. After launch, tell the intended audience, gather feedback, keep information current, and monitor progress against the goals you set at the start.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to scale the checklist to your site
These nine areas are a starting point, not a universal specification. A portfolio may need strong project pages but no checkout; a blog needs a publishing workflow; a store needs product and payment capabilities; a member portal needs account-related functionality. Appointment booking, multiple languages, and collection of user information also change the planning and maintenance work. Define the visitor tasks first, then include only the infrastructure, content, and features needed to support them.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
For a business site, the Australian Government’s planning guidance is a useful overview from preparation through ongoing maintenance, but it is Australian business guidance rather than jurisdiction-specific legal advice for every reader. The United Nations’ Plan your website page also surfaces planning considerations such as goals, audiences, stakeholders, budget, and timetable. The key is to settle those decisions before committing to a design or build route.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
