Starting my Website Journey
You may have already read my About page.
But what you won’t know is that I’ve always been interested in technology and computers, and intrigued with the idea of creating my website and starting my website journey.
That’s been my passion-from-afar.
For many years, I couldn’t see how I, Mrs P – a wife, mother and office worker – could learn how to create a website. After all, I’m not your typical geek, nor do I know any programming language.
My dream seemed impossible to achieve.
Then, one day …
Someone asked me to organise a domain name, select a web host, and set up their website. Oh wow! I didn’t know the first thing about domains, web hosts or websites, but at last I was going to step on the first rung of the “website ladder” and start my website journey.
I wrote a post about my challenge to find a reliable web host, which lists the criteria I was looking for and the web hosts that I came across.
I was happy to see that the web host (which at that stage, was FastComet) provided lots of tutorials and their LiveChat was really quick and helpful. Great, perfect for a total beginner. I obviously had no clue what to do from start to finish but was able to find answers on the internet by Googling my questions, or by asking FastComet.
Even though I only got as far as the WordPress basic set up and finding the ideal theme, I was totally hooked. And best of all, this website world didn’t appear to be as difficult as I thought it would be.
Unfortunately for me, the person I was helping then decided to put their website on hold.
Too late. Now that I’d dipped my toe in the website water, there was no going back.
Well, I could have chosen to stop, but I didn’t want to. I was 100% besotted with this website journey and wanted to carry on learning.
But how?
Going it alone
I decided to go it alone and start my own website as a beginner. That meant I’d have to decide the domain name and give it a purpose.
I knew straightaway that its purpose would be to:
- share information about the good value products I’d researched for my family; and
- blog about my website journey
I’d often thought “there must be loads of other people with product choices similar to mine, and yet we’re all spending hours and hours researching for the same answers. If only there was one go-to website to help find the ideal product choice quickly”. That’s what I wanted my website to be. I knew my product choices wouldn’t suit everyone, so I’d list alternative options too.
Likewise, if like me you’re new to blogging and setting up a website – hopefully you’ll find my Website Journey of use too.
The domain name took a bit longer to choose.
After much thought, I decided to use PeasOnToast.co.uk; the plan was for my website to eventually have lots of product reviews and information all in one place (like peas on one piece of toast). It was also a play on the sound of “Mrs P”.
The next step
I needed to find another cheap and reliable web host. I wanted it to be separate from FastComet as this website would be mine and I wanted everything (including the web host) to be fresh and new to me – even though I’d recommend FastComet again as they were brilliant with my many questions.
Eventually, I came across Falcoda Internet which, like FastComet, took me by the hand and answered all my beginner questions and provided all the website facilities needed.
Why’s it last minute?
This is all very “last minute” as I waited so long to start my website journey.
I realise now that I could’ve started learning about websites years ago. I guess I was too afraid to step out and try something new and unknown.
Still, it’s better late than never, and I’m loving it.
I’ve called this blog my Website Journey to share what it’s like (tips, tricks, successes and failures) to start a website without any previous experience. Why? Because beginners like me, need a helping hand and sometimes it’s quicker to learn from others’ mistakes.
Be encouraged
I hope my story inspires you to take hold of your dreams.
Don’t be afraid to step out; there’s so much information on the internet to help you succeed in whatever niche you choose.
Can you relate to my story? Let me know if you’ve ever put off doing something because you assumed you couldn’t do it. I’d love to read your comments.
Note: this blog post is intended to be a general resource only.
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