Website Platforms From IONOS

Yes! We offer solutions for professional web developers if your requirements go beyond those provided by IONOS MyWebsite. Sometimes, even advanced users want to get more out of their CMS. Here’s how to set up your self-hosted website and how to get started:

1. Get hosting

Professionals can set up a private web server that is self-managed. Beginners are better off using web hosting offers, because security and server updates are maintained by the providers. When it comes to web hosting, you can choose from a wide range of packages. Whether you set up and use a server yourself or opt for a web hosting solution, always ensure that the storage and server performance are sufficient for your project. Good to know: Some web hosts offer managed hosting and one-click installation which are specialized hosting packages for popular content management systems that are tailored to the requirements of the applications.

2. Choose a domain

To register a domain, contact a domain registrar. You can also save your new website address via IONOS. Use the domain checker to find out whether your desired domain is still available. If your favorite internet address is already taken, you should check whether you can secure the same second-level domain (website name) with another top-level domain. For example, if it’s not possible to register www.example.com, there are plenty of alternatives (.org, .net, .web, .online, etc.). If you cannot find a suitable alternative, you can try to buy the web address from the domain owner.

3. Install CMS

Once you have decided on a CMS, install the system on the web server. You can access your storage via an FTP program and upload and install everything you need there. Alternatively, many web hosts offer one-click installation for setting up content management systems. The installation is simple — the provider does it for you.

4. Select your design

Once your CMS is set up, it’s time to decide on the best layout for your website. Ideally, you’ve already thought about some of its basic features. If not, now is the time to think about who your target audience is, which categories you want to focus on, what’s a suitable layout and structure for your website, and what content you’d like to include.

It’s worth paying particular attention to the usability (user-friendliness) and the design of your website. Good usability is achieved when you focus on a simple structure that’s easy to follow and consistent across your web pages. When visitors can easily and intuitively navigate your website, it’s a testament to your site being user-friendly. A sophisticated design concept not only determines the look of a website, but also how user-friendly it is.

If you need some inspiration for your web design, take a look at successful internet services and current web design trends. Most content management systems will provide design templates or themes to help you make your vision a reality. System providers that boast a large community of users usually offer many free templates to use. That means you can test a few different ones to find the perfect one for you. One of the most important criteria is that templates support responsive web design. Responsive websites adjust automatically to the display size of a device (desktop PC, laptop, tablet, and smartphone).

5. Create website content

The content of your website depends on the audience you’re trying to reach. You need a keen sense of this in order to best align the content with your target group. A precise analysis of your audience in advance can be helpful. If you’re trying to drive sales, an evaluation of buyer personas is a good idea. Content marketing methods are great tools to advertise web content or products in an online shop.

It’s important to regularly update your online content. Publishing articles and blog posts is essential for websites. Above all, pay attention to the quality of the content — this is the most important differentiator between what you have to offer and what your competitors have to offer. Images are another important part of articles (especially long-form copy), as they attract attention and loosen up posts. Photos can be useful to illustrate and structure articles. If you do not have any photographs or illustrations available, image databases provide many suitable photos free of charge.