Hosting & Website Structure: Where to Begin When Building Online
Learn how to choose the right hosting, migrate a domain, configure your CMS and begin structuring your website.
Download Chapter 2 of the W+M White Paper (free).
Hello,
Building a professional website doesn’t start with visuals or catchy slogans. It starts with a solid technical foundation. In Chapter 2 of the W+M White Paper, we explore the first essential steps in building a website: selecting the right hosting solution, migrating your domain, configuring your CMS… and most importantly, starting to build the structure of your site.
In this chapter, you’ll discover:
The key hosting options to consider (shared, VPS, cloud, etc.)
How to transfer a domain or migrate an existing site
How to install and secure your base environment
And most importantly… how to lay the first visual foundations of your website
This article is the Chapter 2 of the first White Paper Book from W+M: Preparing Your First Business Website | White Paper for Entrepreneurs in Quebec. Read the entire publication here.
MusicScore: Access to the W+M playlists via the YouTube channel!
Download this Chapter in PDF for free
Hosting & Website Structure: Where to Begin When Building Online
1. Choosing the Right Type of Hosting
Before anything else, you’ll need to select where your website will live. Shared hosting, VPS, dedicated or cloud: each option has pros and cons depending on your project’s size, growth plan, and budget. Solid hosting is the foundation for performance, security, and reliability.
2. Transferring a Domain or Migrating an Existing Site
Already have a domain or site? This chapter walks you through the proper way to migrate your files, emails, and structure, and how to preserve your SEO with 301 redirects. A poor migration can mean lost traffic or lost credibility.
3. Configuring the Server & Securing the Environment
Before publishing anything, you’ll need to install your CMS, connect your database, and secure your site with an SSL certificate. This section details the technical basics to ensure a safe, stable launch. Well-configured tools give you long-term confidence and stability.
4. Laying the First Foundations of Your Website
This is where the creative side starts. You’ll choose a template, define your first key pages, set up your navigation menu, and make early decisions that shape user experience. A clean, clear structure is the best way to support your content and future growth.
Check out the next appendix for a practical overview of the essential web pages used by Quebec entrepreneurs!
W+M Special Series
Essential Web Pages to Build Your Business Credibility
In 2025, Le Mensuel presented a strategic series of articles dedicated to the foundations of a professional website. Each article explores in depth a key web page essential for building credibility, boosting conversions, and driving business growth.
Here are the 6 parts of the series:
Contact — Why Your Contact Page Is Essential to Your Website's Credibility. How to structure a contact page that inspires trust and encourages conversions.
Homepage — How to Create an Engaging Homepage for Your Business Website. Key strategies to capture attention within seconds and effectively guide your visitors.
About — Why Your About Page Is Crucial for Building Trust with Your Visitors. Tell your story and humanize your brand to create a lasting connection with your clients.
Privacy — Why Your Privacy Policy Matters More Than You Think. Turn transparency into a competitive advantage and strengthen your credibility.
Products — How to Structure Your Product Pages to Better Convert Visitors into Clients. Present your offers clearly, engagingly, and optimized for the customer journey.
Questions — How to Build an Effective FAQ That Reassures and Convinces Your Visitors. Anticipate questions, reassure your visitors, and remove obstacles to conversion.
In an increasingly competitive digital landscape, taking care of every key page on your website has become a critical strategic lever to build trust, boost conversions, and strengthen your online presence.
This series provides a solid foundation for any business aiming to optimize its web performance in 2026 and beyond.
Conclusion
Ready to Start Building? Chapter 2 helps you go from configuration to creation.
You're now equipped to structure your site, plan your pages… and build the foundation for a credible, visible business online.
Thank you for reading.
Jeff Maheux
Cr images: Production Services W+M.
Preparing Your First Business Website | White Paper for Entrepreneurs in Quebec
The mission of putting online a business website in Quebec. The W+M white paper will help you to expand your project with the digital marketing tools.
Websites - creation, management and design
I edit the content of existing sites via CMS in addition to creating sites with WordPress and Squarespace. I have been producing website content as a webmaster since 1998.
I help companies get their first website up and I improve the performance of existing sites.
Yes, I’m Mr. Analytics and my reaction time to new digital marketing is daily, which allows my clients to have optional and trend-cutting tools.
Follow the content of the marketing blog and participate in the articles by commenting, with respect, on the content of the site, intended for Quebec companies operating in the digital market.
Email and corporate domain are investments in how your customers, partners, and prospects will perceive you.