How To Make A Website

How to Make a Website with Oncord: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners in New Zealand

Creating a website is essential for businesses, entrepreneurs, or anyone looking to establish a strong online presence in New Zealand. This guide will walk you through the process of building a professional website using Oncord, whether you're tech-savvy or a complete beginner. By the end, you’ll have a fully functional website ready to reach your audience.

Why You Need a Website in New Zealand

In today’s digital age, a website acts as your virtual storefront. Here are some reasons why having a website is crucial:

Reach a Wider Audience: Connect with potential customers beyond your local area.
Build Credibility: A professional website builds trust and shows you’re serious about your business.
Available 24/7: Unlike physical stores, your website is always accessible.

Whether you’re a small business in Auckland or a blogger in Wellington, having a website will enhance your visibility and help you achieve your goals.

Step 1: Choose Your Website’s Purpose

Before diving into the technical steps, define your website’s purpose. Ask yourself:

What is the goal of your website? (e.g., sell products, share information, showcase your portfolio)
Who is your target audience in New Zealand?
What features do you need? (e.g., e-commerce, blog, contact forms)

Clearly identifying your goals will streamline the website-building process.

Step 2: Select a Domain Name and Hosting Service

What Is a Domain Name?

Your domain name is your website’s address, like www.yourbusiness.co.nz. Here are tips for choosing the perfect domain name:

Keep it short and memorable.
Use relevant keywords for better SEO (e.g., "kiwicakes.co.nz" for a bakery in New Zealand).
Opt for a .nz extension to target local users.

Choosing a Hosting Provider

With Oncord, you get an all-in-one platform that includes hosting, domain management, and website building tools. This eliminates the need to manage separate services and ensures your website runs seamlessly.

Step 3: Design Your Website

Use Oncord’s Website Builder

Oncord’s user-friendly website builder makes creating your site easy. Its drag-and-drop features allow you to:

Customize layouts
Add content quickly
Design a website that reflects your brand

Choose a Template

Select one of Oncord’s pre-designed templates tailored for various industries. Ensure the template is:

Mobile-friendly
Optimized for SEO
Easy to customize

Add Branding Elements

To create a cohesive look, include:

Your logo
Consistent color schemes
High-quality images

Step 4: Add Essential Pages

A well-structured website typically includes the following pages:

Home Page

Your homepage is the first thing visitors see. Make it engaging with:

A clear headline
Call-to-action (CTA) buttons (e.g., "Contact Us," "Shop Now")
Highlights of your products or services

About Us Page

Share your story to connect with your audience. Include:

Your mission and values
Background information
Photos of your team or office in New Zealand

Contact Page

Make it easy for visitors to get in touch. Provide:

A contact form
Phone number and email
Physical address and a Google Map for local users

Product or Service Pages

Showcase what you offer with detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and pricing information.

Step 5: Optimize for SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) ensures your website ranks high on Google. Here’s how to optimize:

Use Targeted Keywords

Research relevant keywords that New Zealand users are searching for. For example:

“how to make a website in NZ”
“affordable website hosting New Zealand”
“small business website design Auckland”

Optimize On-Page Elements

Use keywords in titles, meta descriptions, and headings.
Add alt text to images for better accessibility.
Write engaging and informative content.

Improve Website Speed

A fast-loading website enhances user experience and improves SEO rankings. Oncord provides built-in tools to ensure your website loads quickly.

Step 6: Make It Mobile-Friendly

With more people accessing the internet via mobile devices, ensure your website is mobile-responsive. Oncord’s templates are designed to look great on any device. Test your site on different devices to confirm:

Navigation is easy
Text is readable
Images load correctly

Step 7: Test and Launch Your Website

Before going live, double-check:

All links work correctly
Forms and payment systems function properly
Content is error-free

Once satisfied, publish your website and announce it on social media to drive traffic.

Step 8: Regular Maintenance

A website isn’t a one-and-done project. Regularly update content, check for broken links, and improve performance. Oncord’s analytics tools help track your site’s performance and user behavior.