How to Create a Business Website with a Bootstrap Template: Step-by-Step Guide

Amy James -

This tutorial is aimed at teaching you how to create a business website with a Bootstrap template. We will try to keep it as simple as possible so that even a noob found this guide practical.

As far as we understand you want your future Bootstrap site look cool and modern. Ok, no problem.

To get started with a Bootstrap Theme, you need to download it from a reputable resource first, like ThemeRex, for instance. You will also need some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS, and a code editor where you will be able to customize your template.

 

What is Bootstrap?

In simple words, Bootstrap is a template. HTML5 & CSS3 framework of Bootstrap was developed by Twitter. Bootstrap is a toolkit aimed at helping you to create awesome responsive websites and web applications. It comes to you with built-in HTML, CSS, and Javascript which you can customize to your heart’s content.

Actually, lots of providers offer a variety of themes on the internet. You can choose one of them and create an amazing project. Simply take your time to browse them.

 

Download and install a template

  • Get your files

Alliance – Responsive Bootstrap Admin Template

 

Supposing the template above is the one that meets your requirements. Just click Purchase button, then download your brand-new Bootstrap theme.

After you download your template, unzip the file. In most cases, you will see a documentation folder and a theme folder.

The documentation folder will include your assets, CSS, and JS files. The theme folder will contain the HTML page(s) that you can edit to add your unique content. Sometimes there will be multiple HTML pages of various styles. You can choose the style you want to use.

 

Customize your template

Smart SEO – SEO & Marketing HTML Theme

 

This is the point when you are ready to customize your pages. We advise you to make a copy of all files before starting the customization process.

Now open up the copy of the files you are going to work with and choose the code editor you prefer. Here’s where you will need a basic knowledge of HTML and CSS to make changes. If the interactivity of your theme meets your requirements, don’t worry about the JavaScript (.js) files. That also means you don’t need to know it.

Are you a beginner? Then, let’s say a few words about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and put everything in the simplest terms.

  • HTML is your page content.
  • CSS is your page style (i.e. colors, columns, width, font size, etc).
  • Javascript is your page interactivity (i.e. how the user interacts with the page. This could include things like hover effects or animations).

Actually, you will mostly be concerned with changing the page content.

 

Your website goes live

Admin K – Bootstrap Admin Template

Next, to put it simply, you will need to host your site. This is necessary for your website to go live.

Don’t have a web host for your site? Please check out the Top 10 Web Hosting Companies and choose the one that suits your needs the most. Once set up, the hosting company of your choice will have additional instructions for you.

But let’s cover this matter a bit deeper.

Well, you will need two more things in order to set up your Bootstrap site. They are:

  • Domain Name (a web address like looking like this YourSiteName.com)
  • Web Hosting (a service that connects your site to the internet)

You are going to need a web hosting to store your images, content and website files. Your website simply won’t be visible on the Internet without web hosting.

If you want to look more professional on the web, you need to own your domain name rather than have your site on someone else’s domain (like yourbusiness.my-free-website.com). Moreover that it is quite affordable. Most hosting providers offer domains free for one year. If you don’t manage to get your domain name for free it will cost as low as nearly $15 a year.

The takeaway is  – your website won’t exist without a web hosting and a domain name.

 

Where do I register a domain name and get web hosting?

We have already given you a link to the list of 10 most popular hosting companies. Supposing you have chosen (as lots of developers do) Bluehost as a web hosting and domain registrar.

Their introductory price starts from $2.75 per month and they are currently providing you with a domain name for free (we mean for the first year). Do you think they are worth checking? It’s up to you to decide.

It should be mentioned that Bluehost is one of the most popular hosting providers on the market so they can be considered well-established and secure enough to host your website.

Most of their servers are based in the US, however, they can handle a lot of traffic from across the world. And their services are probably cheaper than your local host’s.

If you already have a domain name and hosting just skip this last section of our blog post.

 

How to sign up with a web hosting provider and register a domain name

  1. Go to the website of the hosting provider of your choice.
  2. Choose your website hosting plan.

Once you click “get started now,” you’ll get to a page to select the best hosting plan.

For instance:

  • Basic
  • Plus
  • Choice Plus

If you are tight on a budget, you can use “basic” plan. It fits for smaller sites with low or no traffic.

However, if you are planning to scale or expect more traffic to your website, we recommend choosing their “choice plus” plan because it’s truly unlimited.

Even if you will choose the wrong plan, you can upgrade or downgrade later according to your needs.

  1. Choose a domain name.

If you don’t have a domain name yet, here’s the easiest way to get it:

  • If you’re building a business website, your domain name should match your company name. For example YourCompanyName.com
  • If you’re setting up a website for yourself, then YourName.com can be a great option.

Domain names usually end with .com, .org or .net, but currently, a huge amount of domain extensions (the end part of the web address, like .com) have come out and range from .agency to .pizza.

What is the best advice here? It’s better to avoid the weird extensions and go with .com, .net or .org unless they perfectly describe what you are offering. And even then, try to find a more common name.

Do you already have a domain name? Just enter it in and click “Next” on the “I have a domain name” form.

Still not sure about the domain name? You can do it a bit later choose a domain, during your website setup.

  1. Fill in your account details.

All you need to do to create your account is just enter in your personal information on the “create your account” page.

You’ll need to add the following info: your first name, last name, country, street address, city, zip code, phone number, and email address. Your receipt will be sent to the email address you enter here.

It’s optional to add in your business name within this form. Enter your payment information to continue.

  1. Check your “Package Information” and finish the registration.

The next step in registering for a hosting company account is to select your plan and package.

These are the last steps you need to go through before your account creation is complete, so you are almost done.

Choose the length of your web hosting registration and you’re good to go.

If you chose the “Choice Plus” plan you’ll already have Domain privacy and Codeguard basic included (if we are talking about Bluehost). Otherwise, we recommend getting a domain privacy protection.

What do you need it for? Domain privacy protection keeps your registration information fully hidden from the public. No one will be able to find out that you are the owner of your domain.

  1. Create your password and log into your hosting account.

Once paid and registered, you’ll be able to create your password.

From here you are ready to install CMS and handle your customized Bootstrap theme.

 

That’s it

Tax help – Finance & Accounting Site Template

 

You may pat yourself on the back. Be proud of yourself. You have created an awesome website with an appealing layout. It was really easy, wasn’t it? From now on you can call yourself a webmaster.

Please leave your feedback as to this brief tutorial. Do you consider Bootstrap themes efficient solutions for the quick start on the web? Please share this guide on social networks with your friends going to launch a web project. Let them know how easy it is.