Why build a website in 2024?

In our digital age, a website has become as important as a business card was 20 years ago. Whether you’re a business owner, a freelancer or have a personal interest, a website lets you reach a bigger audience and present your message exactly the way you want.

A well-built website gives you several advantages:

A platform that works for you around the clock: Your website is available 24 hours a day and can handle enquiries, sales or information searches, even while you sleep.

Credibility in the digital world: Today, it’s often your website that gives the first impression of you or your business. A professional website signals reliability and commitment.

Direct contact with your audience: You can communicate directly with your visitors through text, images and other media, without middlemen or distracting ads.

What can you expect to learn?

In this guide, we go through every aspect of building a website. We start with the basics and gradually build up your knowledge. You’ll learn:

• How to plan your website from the ground up
• Which technical choices you need to make (and why)
• How to create a user-friendly design
• How to secure your website and maintain it

We’ve designed the guide so you can follow along whatever your technical level. Each section builds on the previous one, and we explain every technical term as we introduce it.

Before we start

The most important advice we can give you is to take your time over the planning phase. A well-planned website is much easier to build and maintain than one that grows at random. Think of it like building a house: a solid foundation and a good drawing are crucial for the end result.

In the next section, we dive into the planning phase, where we help you define the purpose of your website and lay down a solid strategy for the project.

The planning phase

A successful website starts with thorough planning. Just as an architect doesn’t start building without drawings, you need a clear plan before you begin the technical work.

Define the purpose of your website

The first and most important step is to define the exact purpose of your website. It guides every later decision about design, functionality and content.

Think carefully about these questions:

What is the main purpose of your website? It could be:

• To sell products or services
• To share information or knowledge
• To raise awareness of a cause
• To present yourself or your business
• To entertain and engage visitors

For example, a restaurant website will have very different needs from a photographer’s portfolio site. The restaurant needs a menu, table booking and contact details as core features, while the photographer has to focus on image galleries and showcasing previous work.

Know your audience

Your audience affects both the technical setup and your content. A young, tech-savvy audience has different expectations from older users with less digital experience.

Consider these aspects of your audience:

• Age and technical skills
• How they usually go online (mobile/computer)
• What they’re looking for on your website
• When they’re most likely to visit the site

For example: if your audience is mainly older people, you should focus on:

• Larger font sizes
• Clear navigation
• A simple structure
• Good color contrast

Content planning

Now it’s time to plan your content. Start by making a list of all the pages you need. A typical structure could include:

Home page: Your shop window to the world. This is where you present the most important things first.

About us: Tell your story and build trust.

Products/Services: Detailed information about what you offer.

Contact: Make it easy for visitors to reach you.

Tips for content planning:

1. Start with the most important content first
2. Organize the content into logical categories
3. Plan your site menu around those categories
4. Consider how the pages should link to each other

Budget and timeline

A realistic budget and timeline are crucial for the project’s success. These are the main costs to consider:

Fixed costs:

• Domain name (typically DKK 80–150 a year)
• Web hosting (from DKK 200 a year to several thousand, depending on your needs)
• Any paid templates or plugins

Optional costs:

• Professional design
• Development of special features
• Content production (text and images)
• SEO and marketing

Your timeline should include:

• Planning and research: 1–2 weeks
• Design and build: 2–4 weeks
• Content production: 2–4 weeks
• Testing and bug fixing: 1–2 weeks

Remember to set aside time for unforeseen challenges and feedback from others.

Technical foundations

Before we can start building your website, we need to get the technical foundation in place. Think of it as buying a plot and preparing it before you build your house. In this section, we guide you through the most important technical decisions.

Domain and web hosting

A domain name is your address on the internet. It’s the name people type into their browser to visit your website. Web hosting, on the other hand, is where your website’s files are physically stored; think of it as a rented plot for your digital home.

Choosing a domain name

Your domain name matters for several reasons. It should be:

• Easy to remember
• Easy to spell
• Relevant to your purpose
• Available (not already bought by someone else)

For example: if your business is called “Hansen Plumbing”, “hansenplumbing.com” is a good choice. It’s short, precise and clearly says what the site is about. Avoid special characters and hyphens if possible, as they’re harder to remember and to share out loud.

Once you’ve found a good domain name, you can buy it from a domain registrar. In Denmark, some of the most reliable are:

• DK Hostmaster (.dk domains only)
• One.com
• Simply.com
• Dandomain

Choosing web hosting

Your choice of web hosting affects your website’s speed, uptime and security. These are the main factors to consider:

Server location: For Danish websites, we recommend web hosting with servers in Denmark or Northern Europe. That gives the best speed for Danish visitors; in general, choose servers close to your audience.

Performance:

• Disk space (how much data you can store)
• Bandwidth (how much traffic the site can handle)
• Processor and memory (how fast the site can work)

For an ordinary website, a basic hosting plan is often enough to start with. You can usually upgrade later if you need to.

Recommended specifications for a new website:

• At least 10 GB of disk space
• Unlimited traffic
• SSL certificate (for a secure connection)
• Daily backups
• Support in your own language

Choosing a platform

Now we come to one of the most important choices: which platform should you build your website on? These are the most common options:

Website builders

Platforms like Wix or Squarespace are good for:

• Small websites
• People without technical experience
• Quick setup
• Simple needs

Advantages:

• Easy to get started
• All-in-one solution
• Drag-and-drop editing

Disadvantages:

• Limited flexibility
• Can get expensive over time
• Harder to move to another platform

Content management systems (CMS)

Systems like WordPress are ideal for:

• Medium-sized to large websites
• Regularly updated content
• More complex needs

Advantages:

• Very flexible
• A large selection of plugins and themes
• A strong community and support

Disadvantages:

• Requires more technical understanding
• Has to be actively maintained
• Can be vulnerable to hacking if not maintained

Design and usability

Good design isn’t just about looks; it’s about creating a website that’s both inviting and easy to use. In this section, we look at how to create a website that doesn’t just look good, but also works well for your visitors.

Basic design principles

Good web design follows some basic principles that help visitors navigate and understand your content. Let’s go through the most important ones:

Hierarchy and reading direction

People typically read websites in an F-pattern, where the eyes first scan horizontally across the top of the page, then a little further down and horizontally again, and finally vertically down the left side. That means you should place the most important content at the top and along the left side of your website.

Think of your home page as a newspaper: the headline has to catch attention, the lead gives the core message, and the details follow. In the same way, your website should present information in a logical order, from most to least important.

Colors and contrast

Colors are more than decoration; they affect readability and the user experience. A good rule of thumb is to follow the 60-30-10 rule:

• 60% primary color (typically a neutral background)
• 30% secondary color (for main elements)
• 10% accent color (for buttons and important elements)

For example, a professional color scheme could be:

• White background (60%)
• Dark gray text and headings (30%)
• Blue buttons and highlights (10%)

Typography and readability

Fonts should be readable and suit your website’s purpose. For body text, we recommend:

• Font size: at least 16px
• Line height: 1.5 times the font size
• Maximum line length: 65–75 characters

Use no more than two different fonts:

• One for headings
• One for body text

Mobile optimization

Today, most people visit websites from their mobile phone. That’s why it’s crucial that your website works well on every screen size.

Responsive design

Responsive design means your website automatically adapts to different screen sizes. These are the main considerations:

Buttons and links:

• Big enough to hit with a finger (at least 44×44 pixels)
• Enough space between clickable elements
• A clear sign that something is clickable

Images:

• Should scale correctly on every screen
• Mustn’t lose important details on small screens
• Should load at the right size to save data

Navigation:

• Should be easy to use on small screens
• Usually with a hamburger menu on mobile
• Fewer menu items than on desktop

Putting the design into practice

Let’s look at how to turn the design principles into practice. Good implementation is about finding the right balance between looks and function, so your website doesn’t just look good but also serves its purpose well.

Page structure and layout

Your website’s structure should be logical and easy to follow. Think of it like laying out a physical store, where you want to guide customers naturally through the shop. In the same way, your website should guide visitors through your content.

The header area

The header area is the first thing your visitors see, so it deserves particular thought. An effective header typically contains:

A clear identity:

• Your logo in the top left corner
• A tagline that briefly says what you offer
• Consistent colors that match your visual identity

Main navigation:

• The most important menu items placed where they’re visible
• A clear hierarchical structure
• Clear marking of the active page

Contact options:

• Phone number or email placed where it’s visible (if relevant)
• Links to social media
• Possibly a search function

The content area

The content area is the core of the website, and a few important principles apply here:

Whitespace (breathing room around elements):

• Gives the eyes room to focus on the content
• Creates natural separation between sections
• Improves readability considerably

For example, you can:

• Keep paragraphs short and airy
• Use margins between elements (typically 1.5–2 times the font size)
• Create clear contrast between different content sections

Call to action (CTA)

Your calls to action should be clear and inviting. An effective CTA:

• Stands out from the rest of the design
• Uses active verbs (“Buy now”, “Contact us”, “Read more”)
• Is placed strategically next to relevant content

Usability in practice

Good usability is about making it easy for visitors to achieve their goals on your website. Here are some practical tips:

Navigation

Your navigation should be intuitive. Imagine showing a visitor around your home: you’d naturally guide them through the rooms in a logical order. In the same way, your website’s navigation should:

• Have clear, descriptive menu items
• Use recognizable patterns (menu at the top or on the left)
• Show clearly where on the website you are
• Offer a way back to the home page from every subpage

Forms and interaction

If your website has forms, they should be easy to fill in:

• Use clear labels above or to the left of input fields
• Mark clearly which fields are required
• Give immediate feedback on errors
• Confirm when an action has been completed successfully

Content and search engine optimization

To create a successful website, it isn’t enough for it to look good; it also needs valuable content that’s easy to find for both visitors and search engines. Let’s dive into how to create and optimize your content.

Text that works

Good web copy is different from copy for print. Online, people often scan the text instead of reading every word. That’s why your content needs to be adapted to the screen.

Writing tips for the web

Think of your text as an inverted pyramid: start with the conclusion, then expand with more detail. That lets readers quickly judge whether the content is relevant to them.

This is how to write effectively for the web:

Structure your text in small chunks:

• Use short paragraphs (2–3 lines)
• Highlight keywords in bold
• Use subheadings to break up the text

For example, if you’re writing about a service, the structure could be:

1. A short description of the service (what does the customer get?)
2. The benefits of the service (why is it valuable?)
3. How the service works (what’s the process?)
4. A call to action (how does the customer get started?)

Headings that grab attention

Your headings have two jobs: they have to catch the reader’s attention and tell search engines what your content is about. A good heading:

• Describes exactly what the section is about
• Contains relevant search terms
• Uses the language your readers use
• Is between 40 and 60 characters long (the optimal length for search engines)

SEO basics

Search engine optimization is about making your website visible in search results. It’s like putting up signs on the highway that lead people to your store.

Technical SEO

The technical part of SEO makes sure search engines can read and understand your website:

Site speed:

• Compress images before uploading
• Use caching where possible
• Keep the number of plugins down
• Choose fast web hosting

URL structure:

• Use descriptive URLs (example.com/products/garden-furniture instead of example.com/p123)
• Keep URLs short and relevant
• Use hyphens between words
• Avoid special characters and accented letters

Content SEO

Your content should be optimized for both people and search engines:

Keywords:

• Place important search terms early in the text
• Use synonyms and related words naturally in the text
• Avoid “keyword stuffing” (overusing search terms)

Metadata:

• Write unique meta descriptions for every page
• Use descriptive alt text on images
• Give files meaningful names before uploading

Security and maintenance

A website is like a house: it needs regular maintenance and security measures to stay in good shape. Let’s go through how to protect your investment and keep your website secure and working well.

Basic security measures

Security on the internet is about protecting both you and your visitors. Think of it as an alarm system for your digital home, where each layer of security adds extra protection.

Secure access

The first line of defense is strong passwords. A strong password is like a complex key that’s hard to copy. It should contain:

A good password is at least 12 characters long and combines upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. For example, “MyWebsite123!” isn’t a particularly strong password, while “C0ffee&Cake#2024” is considerably better. Even better is to use a sentence as your password, for example “ILoveEatingIceCream#2024”: it’s both long and easy to remember.

For extra security, you should set up two-factor authentication. It works like an extra lock, where besides your password you have to confirm your identity through your phone, for example. It’s like having both a key and a code for your front door.

Backup strategy

Having backups of your website is like having insurance: you hope you’ll never need it, but you’re glad to have it if something goes wrong. A good backup strategy includes:

Daily automatic backups of:

• All the content on the website
• The database (if you use one)
• Configuration files
• The media library

Always store your backups in several different places. It’s like not keeping all your valuables in the same room. Have at least:

• A local copy on your computer
• A copy with your web host
• A copy in the cloud (for example Google Drive or Dropbox)

Updates and maintenance

Regular updates are crucial for security. It’s like keeping your immune system strong by:

Updating:

• System software
• Plugins and extensions
• Themes and templates

Maintenance should follow a fixed routine:

Weekly:

• Check for updates
• Review security logs
• Check the website’s speed

Monthly:

• A full security review
• Testing backups
• Cleaning out unnecessary files and data

GDPR and cookie rules

Data protection isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s also good business practice. You need to make sure your website complies with GDPR by:

Having a clear privacy policy that explains:

• What data you collect
• Why you collect it
• How you use it
• How visitors can control their data

Your cookie policy should be transparent and let visitors:

• Choose which cookies they accept
• Change their cookie preferences
• Understand the consequences of their choices

Testing and launch

Before you open the doors to your new online presence, it’s crucial to carry out thorough quality assurance. Think of it as a dress rehearsal before opening night: this is your chance to catch and fix any problems before your visitors run into them.

Quality assurance

Quality assurance is about more than checking for errors. It’s about making sure your website delivers the best possible experience for every visitor. Let’s go through the process systematically.

Functional testing

Imagine you’re a visitor coming to your website for the first time. You need to test every feature as if you didn’t know the site. Start with the basic elements:

Navigation and links: Every single link on your website should lead somewhere. A dead link is like a locked door in a store: it creates frustration and mistrust. So test:

• Every menu item in the main navigation
• Links in body text and sidebars
• Buttons and calls to action
• External links to other websites
• Links in the footer

Forms: Think of forms as a conversation with your visitors. They have to work flawlessly and give meaningful feedback. Test that:

• Every field can be filled in correctly
• Error messages are clear and helpful
• Confirmation emails are sent on sign-up
• Data is saved correctly in the database

Compatibility testing

Your website has to work for every visitor, however they access it. It’s like making sure your store is accessible to every customer, whether they arrive on foot, by car or in a wheelchair.

Test on different devices:

• Computers (both Windows and Mac)
• Tablets (different sizes)
• Mobile phones (different brands and sizes)

Test in different browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Safari
• Firefox
• Microsoft Edge

Speed optimization

A slow website is like a store with a long line at the checkout: people get impatient and leave. Aim for your site to load in under 3 seconds. Test and optimize:

Image sizes:

• Compress every image without losing quality
• Use modern image formats like WebP where possible
• Use lazy loading for images

Code and scripts:

• Minify CSS and JavaScript
• Remove unused code
• Optimize the loading order

Launch and marketing

Launching a website is like opening a new store: it takes both careful planning and a good strategy for telling the world you exist. Let’s go through how to make the launch a success and get the first visitors to your new website.

The launch phase

A well-planned launch minimizes the risk of problems and maximizes the chance of success. Think of it as opening a restaurant: everything has to be in place and tested before the first guests arrive.

Pre-launch checklist

Before your website goes live, some critical elements have to be in place. It’s like going through a pilot’s checklist before takeoff: every item matters for a safe journey.

Technical elements: Your website’s technical foundation has to be solid. That means every system has to be tested and ready for use. Check that:

• DNS settings are correct and active
• The SSL certificate is installed and working
• All redirects work correctly
• Backup systems are active and tested
• Monitoring is in place

Content and usability: Your content should be polished and professional. Go carefully through:

• Spelling and grammar in every text
• Image quality and placement
• Contact information and opening hours
• The privacy policy and cookie statement
• The 404 error page (the page shown for dead links)

A soft launch strategy

A soft launch is like a preview night at the theater: a chance to test everything on a smaller scale before the grand opening. It lets you:

• Discover and fix any problems you missed
• Get feedback from a smaller group of users
• Polish content and functionality
• Test server load gradually

Marketing your new website

Now that your website is ready, it’s time to tell the world about it. Good marketing is about reaching the right people with the right message.

Digital marketing

Start with the channels where your audience already is. That could be:

Social media: Choose the platforms that best suit your audience and your content. For example:

• LinkedIn for professional services
• Instagram for visual products
• Facebook for local businesses

Email marketing: If you have an existing customer database, email is an effective way to announce your new website. Remember to:

• Personalize your emails
• Highlight the most important new features
• Include a clear call to action

Measurement and analysis

From day one, you should monitor how your website performs. That lets you:

• Understand how your visitors behave
• Identify room for improvement
• Measure the effect of your marketing
• Adjust your strategy based on data

Set up analytics tools like Google Analytics to track:

• Number of visitors
• The time they spend on the site
• Which pages they visit most
• Where they come from
• Conversion rates

Next steps

Launching a website isn’t the end; it’s the beginning. Plan for ongoing:

• Regular content updates
• Technical improvements based on user data
• New functionality
• Improvements to the user experience

Remember, a successful website is one that keeps evolving and adapting to its users’ needs.