Brand Identity

How to Make a Website: Step-by-Step Guide

This project guide helps two Sky’s the Limit members work together through five meetings as they collaborate to make a website.

Meeting 1: Create a content outline

Before this meeting:

In this meeting:

  • Decide which pages you will need for your website

  • Create an outline or Sitemap. Slickplan offers a free trial for creating a sitemap, which is a visual diagram of your site. 

  • Note what content (words, images, video, etc.) you will need for each page.

After this meeting:

  • Start to gather content in a Google Drive or Dropbox folder.

  • Note any agreed-upon next steps.

 

Meeting 2: Gather and decide on content

Before this meeting:

In this meeting:

  • Write copy for each page and section. Include one main header for each page, and subheaders for any subsections of your outline. 

  • Decide which photos or videos go on which pages and where they will go.

  • Write captions for all photos and videos. 

  • Try Unsplash for free stock photos.

After this meeting:

  • Ask someone you trust to look at your outline and content and give you feedback.

  • Note any agreed-upon next steps.

 

Meeting 3: Review and select a content management system

Before this meeting:

In this meeting:

  • Discuss the pros and cons of each of CMS you are considering. 

  • Decide which will be the best for you based on: 

    • your type of business and needs

    • price and familiarity

After this meeting:

  • Sleep on it! And look for coupon codes. 

  • Note any agreed-upon next steps.

 

Meeting 4: Build your website

Before this meeting:

  • Start a trial or subscription of your chosen CMS and start to play with the features so you know how it works. 

  • Create the pages you’ll need based on your outline.

In this meeting:

  • Share websites and pages you like. Discuss what you like about them and what makes them easy or difficult to use. 

  • Discuss where things should go and how they should look based on a user perspective.

After this meeting:

  • Finish adding your content to your site and designing your pages. 

  • Note any agreed-upon next steps.

 

Meeting 5: Get feedback and revise

Before this meeting:

  • Share your website with your collaborator. Share it with friends, family or anyone you know who is a potential customer and ask for feedback. 

In this meeting:

  • Discuss the feedback you’ve received. 

  • Make any necessary revisions. 

  • Test your site by reviewing every page, clicking on all links, and viewing it on different devices and screen sizes. 

  • Revise as needed.

After this meeting:

  • “Launch” your website by emailing your contacts and promoting on your social channels.

  • Be sure to mark your project complete, update your business tracker, and start a new project!

Want to talk to someone who can help?

Sky’s the Limit members are connected to a community of volunteer business mentors, more free tools and guides like this one, and exclusive funding opportunities.