There can be several technical pieces that a website designer will need to access when designing and developing a website. Usually these are accounts that clients set up (for payment purposes) and then share account access with the designer. Many accounts now offer “collaborator” access if you feel weird sharing full access. I guess I would argue that you should trust your creative partner enough that you feel comfortable letting them log in to accounts. Though I know this may not be feasible for larger companies or corporations.
Website Domain(s) and Domain Registrars
A domain registrar is a business that sells domain names. This is where you buy the domain name or web address for your business (IE yourbusiness.com). You’ll need to create an account, find and purchase one or more domains for your business. I would recommend searching for available domains as you choose a business/organization name.
If possible, choose a domain that matches or most closely matches your organization name. Doing so is best for cohesive branding, reduces confusion, and helps ensure a competitor doesn’t snatch it up. It’s best to leave special characters out of it. Keep your domain to a single string of lowercase letters. If you’re really struggling, consider adding a location, service or product phrase to the domain (IE yourorgcityname.com).
You can purchase more than one domain for your business. You can forward all or some of them to your website. Or you can just buy and reserve them if/when you’re ready to use them.
Ok, stick with me. This is when eyes start glazing over.
Your domain registrar account is extremely important because it includes your Domain Name System (DNS). This typically looks like a table with rows and columns. This is how your domain name is translated into an IP address (the location of your website hosting). You are saying “ I want mydomain.com to point to ###.####.###”. Think of this process like moving to a new home. “I’m moving to 1234 Center St so send all my mail to that street address” = “My website is hosted at ####.####.#### so send all my domainname.com website traffic over there”
Email Providers and MX Records
Most businesses opt for an email address that matches their domain name (for example, [email protected] matches katiekassel.com). This reinforces that the address is connected to the same organization. Depending on where you buy your domain, you will have the option to connect your domain to your email account. Some providers have a simple step-by-step process requiring a little copying and pasting here and there. Sometimes you’ll need to copy a string of code from one platform to another.
For example, you could choose a Gsuite email account for your team, then connect to your GoDaddy domain account.
Website Hosting
A website hosting service is a business that offers storage for your website. Hard to believe but behind the curtain, your website is a bunch of files and folders that, when organized correctly, make up your website. Thus you are renting server space to store those folders and files so the world can see your website. There are many reputable hosting providers, though I try to opt for hosts that specialize in WordPress. They are aware of any WordPress specific issues and updates. Your hosting account will connect to your domain registrar account. I am personally fond of Flywheel (really the best customer dashboard and support), with Siteground and WP Engine as close seconds.
Some domain and hosting platforms have proprietary ecosystems – you buy a domain, hosting, website building tools, email, everything, in one platform. Pros: Everything is in one place! Less hassle. Cons: Limited and locked in to whatever that platform offers. Less freedom and flexibility. As a developer and consumer, I love how slick Shopify makes the ecommerce process.
Email Marketing or CRM Platforms
You’ll want to share login credentials to your CRM platform with your website designer. This is especially helpful if your organization collects leads or sends email newsletters. Anything like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Zoho, etc, offer code snippets (embed codes) or API keys (long strings of letters and numbers) to paste into your website. This helps your website “talk” and send information to those platforms.
Clients can share login credentials or email embed codes or API keys.
My Process Using These Accounts & Platforms
- Typically, the client buys the domain(s).
- I develop the new website on a private staging site–this does not affect your current website in any way. If we are working on a website redesign project, the current website stays as-is. It is live and untouched while the new version is built on the staging site.
- I build everything and send a link for the Client to review the overall look and function of the new site.
- When the client gives their final stamp of approval and the final invoice is paid, I connect the domain to hosting for the big launch.
- Finally, I transfer the hosting account to the client as the new owner on or transfer the whole website to the client’s hosting platform of choice.
TL;DR
Send me logins or add me to your accounts for your domain, hosting, email and/or CRM logins.
I find there is a fine line between using the correct terms (though jargon-y) so you know what to look for and trying to keep the process as simple and stress-free as possible. Hopefully this helps bridge the gap between nitty-gritty tech-speak and understanding the important pieces needed to run a website.
