Welcome to R-ad Designs! I’m so glad you’re here. Building your website is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming if it’s your first time. That’s why I’ve created this guide — to walk you through everything you need to get started, step by step.
From choosing a domain to picking the right platform, creating your branding and logo, and maintaining your site long-term, this guide will help you feel confident and prepared.
Step 1: Branding and Logo
Your brand is more than just a logo — it’s how people perceive your business. Strong branding helps your website feel cohesive, professional, and memorable.
Key branding elements:
- Logo: Your visual identity; simple, recognizable, and versatile
- Colour palette: Consistent colours that reflect your brand personality
- Typography: Fonts that match your style and are easy to read online
- Tone & messaging: The way your brand speaks to your audience
R-ad Designs can create a custom logo and branding package for your business, so your website feels professional and cohesive from the start.
Step 2: Choose Your Domain
Your domain is your website’s address on the internet — like yourbusiness.com. It’s how customers will find you online.
Tips for choosing a domain:
- Keep it short, simple, and memorable
- Use your business name if possible
- Choose the right extension: .com, .ca, or .org
- Avoid symbols or complicated spellings
Once you have your domain, you’ll need to connect it to your hosting plan.
Step 3: Set Up Your Hosting ( if working with a WordPress or template site)
Hosting is where your website lives. It stores all your website files and ensures people can visit your site online.
Popular hosting options I work with include:
- Godaddy
- Rebel
- Squarespace
- Shopify
Hosting setup steps:
- Choose a hosting provider and plan
- Connect your domain to your hosting account
- Create your account and complete payment
- Send me temporary login details so I can start building your site
I will handle hosting setup for you — so you don’t have to worry about the technical details.
Step 4: Choose Your Platform
At R-ad Designs, I work with three leading platforms: Shopify, Squarespace, and WordPress.
Shopify: Perfect for selling products online. Easy to use, secure, and built for e-commerce.
Squarespace: Great for service-based businesses or creatives. Simple drag-and-drop builder with beautiful templates.
WordPress: Ideal if you want flexibility and scalability. Perfect for content-heavy sites, blogs, or complex features.
We’ll discuss your business goals during onboarding to find the best platform for your needs.
Step 5: Prepare Your Content
Before design begins, gather everything you want on your site:
- Logo and branding assets
- Photos and graphics
- Copy for pages (About, Services, Contact, etc.)
- Any products or services details (if applicable)
Having content ready helps your website launch faster and ensures the design fits your brand.
Step 6: Design and Launch
Once hosting, platform, branding, and content are ready, I will:
- Install your website on your hosting platform
- Customize your chosen template or theme
- Apply your branding and logo across the site
- Add your content and images
- Test the site for speed, responsiveness, and functionality
After your review, we launch your website for the world to see!
Step 7: Maintain Your Site
Keeping your website updated and secure is essential for long-term success. Maintenance tasks vary by platform:
Shopify: Product updates, app checks, performance monitoring.
Squarespace: Content updates, SEO tweaks, visual updates.
WordPress: Core, plugin, and theme updates, backups, and security monitoring. Please read the blog on my site called Maintain or Break https://r-addesigns.com/maintain-or-break/
I offer flexible maintenance packages for all platforms so you can focus on running your business while your site stays healthy and professional.
Final Thoughts
Getting your website up and running doesn’t have to be confusing. By following these steps — branding & logo, domain, hosting, platform choice, content preparation, launch, and maintenance — you’ll set yourself up for success.
At R-ad Designs, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. From branding and technical setup to design and ongoing support, my goal is to make the process simple, enjoyable, and stress-free.
Ready to get started?
Contact R-ad Designs today, and let’s bring your brand online!
