Running a business is stressful enough, but in the information age, a website is not optional. Many business owners feel overwhelmed by technical jargon and unnecessary complexity, which is why at Small Fry we focus on helping small businesses navigate the process with clarity. In this post, I’ll cover the basic requirements to get a website up and running, as well as the technical terms you need to understand to make informed decisions.
Key Terms and What They Mean
Before diving into the details, let’s define the core terminology. Understanding these concepts makes the entire process far less intimidating.
Domain Name – This is the user-friendly name people type into their web browser to find your website (ex: Smallfryhosting.com is our domain name).
Domain Name Service (DNS) – This is a network protocol that uses publicly accessible records to map your domain name to a server. You don’t need to understand the mechanics, only that DNS tells the internet where your website lives.
Server – A server is a computer specialized in storing and serving data in response to requests. It has a public IP address, which functions like a telephone number that allows other devices to locate and communicate with it.
A Record – A DNS record that maps a domain name directly to an IP address.
CNAME Record – A DNS record that maps one domain name to another domain name (commonly used for www domains or subdomains).
TXT Record – An informational DNS record often used for domain verification and email security.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and SSL Certificate – SSL (technically TLS, but still commonly referred to as SSL) is an encryption protocol that secures web traffic in transit. When data is sent between a user and a server, it can theoretically be intercepted. Encryption ensures that only the server and the user can read that data. This is enabled by installing an SSL certificate on your server. Certificates must be issued by a certificate authority.
The Core Components of a Business Website
Before you can get a website live, you need three things: a hosting provider, a domain name, and the website itself.
It’s important to understand how these pieces fit together. Your domain registrar manages your domain registration, DNS directs internet traffic for that domain, and your hosting provider stores and serves your website files. Many companies bundle these services together, but they serve distinct technical roles.
Domains can be purchased from registrars such as GoDaddy, Squarespace, AWS, Azure, and many others. In most cases, any reputable registrar will work. Pricing is typically straightforward, with standard domains costing around $12 USD per year. If a domain is significantly more expensive, it is usually because it is considered premium or in demand. Unless a specific name is critical to your brand, choosing a practical and affordable alternative is often the smarter business decision.
Next, you need a website. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer no-code builders that allow you to assemble a site using prebuilt components or off-the-shelf themes. While these tools are accessible, they often produce bloated code and can make migration difficult later on. You are ultimately limited by the platform’s ecosystem and export capabilities.
If budget is a concern, inexpensive WordPress hosting paired with a quality theme is often a reasonable starting point. However, custom development remains the most flexible and scalable option. The advantage today is access — skilled developers are available globally through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer, as well as locally. When evaluating developers, compare portfolios, technical depth, and communication style — not just price.
Last but not least, you need a server to host your website and connect it to your domain. A simple Google search will produce hosting providers such as GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Network Solutions, Wix, Squarespace, and others. Many of these services are functional, though usability and support quality vary widely.
Outside of Small Fry’s hosting service, the only company I confidently recommend is Pair.com. Their pricing is competitive, and their technical support consistently demonstrates real expertise.
Most hosting providers offer tools to install a blank WordPress instance or deploy a static site. If you work with a developer, they should guide you through deployment. Once deployed, you will update your DNS to point to your hosting provider’s IP address.
After updating DNS, changes are not always immediate. DNS updates can take anywhere from a few minutes to up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet. During that window, some visitors may see the old version of your site while others see the new one.
Setting up SSL encryption is not optional in practice. Modern browsers actively warn users about non-secure websites. Most managed hosting providers offer built-in SSL solutions. You can purchase certificates through your host or use free certificates such as Let’s Encrypt.
Many managed hosting providers automatically issue and renew Let’s Encrypt certificates, eliminating the need to manually track expiration dates. These certificates are considered entry-level, but they provide the same encryption strength as paid certificates for the vast majority of business websites.
You should also confirm that your hosting provider includes automated backups. Websites can fail due to updates, user error, or security vulnerabilities. Reliable backups — and a clear restoration process — protect your business from preventable downtime.
While getting online is not complicated, the early decisions you make impact your flexibility, security, and long-term costs. Poor infrastructure choices often lead to expensive migrations and avoidable technical debt.
There you have the fundamentals for getting your business online. If you need clarity around your specific situation, reach out for a free consultation. Small Fry’s goal is to be a full-service, one-stop solution for navigating this process — even if that means helping you choose another provider. Our priority is empowering small businesses to build reliable digital foundations.