5 things to consider when you want a website

There are over 1.7 billion websites live today. In contrast, we have seen only 0.001% or 17,000 of these websites are Tanzanian. 

W.co.tz is invested in helping small and medium Tanzanian businesses with their websites, and believe this low number of websites in Tanzania is due to a lack of awareness. We find that there is no confidence in knowing what a website is, how it helps, and where to create one. 

To assist, we outline 5 key considerations below for anyone thinking about creating a website. 

1. Purpose

Why do you want a website? Imagine your website as a physical location where people gather. What will all of you do when they arrive?

Websites can have a variety of purposes. News websites disseminate information. Forums create discussion. E-commerce sites drive sales. Company websites showcase work. The clearer you are on your purpose, the easier it will be to create the website. 

2. Domain and hosting

How will your visitors access your website? Think of a domain like your postal box number and hosting as the box. The domain will be the address typed into a browser, and the host will be the place from which the website will be shown.

Domains are issued by licensed companies. Hosting space is issued by any company that has virtual hosting capabilities. Domain and hosting can be provided by the same company, but does not have to be. Rates vary depending on your provider. 

3. User experience

What are the steps your visitors will take in order to find what they are looking for? Recall that your website has a purpose, and this should be what the visitor has arrived for.

For us, user experience influences website design. Your design should make visitors feel happy and eager to continue exploring it, regardless whether they are using it on a big screen or small. Consider these templates for different purposes. If your visitor is not fulfilling your purpose, you need to reconsider either your purpose or your design. 

4. Development

How will you turn your design into a functioning website? Think of a car that has two faces: The outside and the inside. Website developers call these “front-end” and “back-end”.

Front-end is what your visitors will see, including colors, fonts, and layouts. Back-end is how the website works, including links, functions, and contact forms.

Keep in mind the purpose and design, and develop around these. Websites have many capabilities today; the trick is to select what is best for you and your visitors. 

5. Maintenance

What happens after your website is live? How do you keep it relevant to rapidly changing contexts? 

Websites are living documents. It does not make sense for you to make a website about something you never plan to change, like a book or a statue. So when you plan to build a website, think about the long term upkeep of the website as well, including domain and hosting fees. 

If you are in Tanzania and want a website, we believe in you! Hopefully this post helps you plan better. Consider where you stand on the above 5 aspects – will you be able to do all 5, or some, or none? And if some or none, then who will be taking care of those for you? 

At w.co.tz, we do it all for you for an affordable subscription. We listen to your needs and suggest a purpose, secure domain and hosting, propose a design, implement it, and take care of your front and back-ends on your behalf on a monthly basis. Give us a try!