Greetings, I’m Martin Mbucho, the mind behind Mwash Cyber and Fahari Duka websites. Let me tell you, diving into website creation initially felt like scaling a mountain. But once you grasp the ropes, it’s the ultimate liberation because it’s a marketable skill.

A brief Story on My Website Designing Journey

Back in September 2021, pondering over financial freedom, I stumbled upon a plethora of tweets on the promising future of web designing, blogging, and dropshipping. Intrigued, I embarked on learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Acquiring my first domain, peacockclassichome.fun, was a pivotal step in my learning journey, though time constraints limited my progress.

Realizing the potential of platforms like Google Blogger, I acquired another domain, izzlalife.online, primarily for blogging. If you’re interested in the simplicity of Google Blogger, let me know below in the comments, and I’ll delve into it further in another discussion, including a comparison with WordPress.

After a couple of months with Google Blogger, I craved something more substantial. None of my articles made it to featured snippets, so I explored content management systems (CMS) and settled on Hubspot, with izzlamagazine.com as my domain. However, the high costs of Hubspot led me to Wix, which also unfortunately didn’t meet my expectations.

Seeking alternatives, I experimented with Zoho Sites, running my domain, mwashcyber.co.ke. While Zoho Sites offered incentives like trial credits, the high monthly costs didn’t align with my goal of a profitable website.

Simultaneously, I launched Fahari Duka with Shopify, leveraging its free trial. Sales surged initially, particularly with parents purchasing CBC charts. However, the allure of WooCommerce’s cost-effectiveness, coupled with its flexibility, prompted me to make the switch to WordPress.

Why I switched to WordPress

WordPress reigns supreme in website creation for its free features, robust e-commerce capabilities, and extensive plugin options. Unlike platforms where you pay hefty fees, with WordPress, you only incur expenses for hosting and installation. In this article, you will learn;

1. All about WordPress Websites
2. The basics of a Domain Name and How to Buy a Domain name in Kenya.
3. All about Hosting
4. Get Hosting for almost Free with Mwash Cyber
5. How to Connect a Domain With a Host in this Case Mwash Cyber Hosting

Lets Dive In:

All You need to Know about WordPress Websites

What is a WordPress Website?

Think of a WordPress website as akin to a book published by a reputable publishing house. Much like a book comprises pages filled with interconnected content and is recognized by its title, a WordPress website is a compilation of web pages hosted through WordPress on a domain name. In this analogy, WordPress functions as the publishing house, equipping users with tools and resources to structure and present their content effectively. This encompasses the addition of various elements such as images, text, explanations, quotes, layouts, and patterns, enabling the creation of dynamic and visually appealing websites. Essentially, a WordPress website is one that is crafted and maintained using the WordPress platform.

WordPress.Org Vs WordPress.com

When considering WordPress, most people immediately think of WordPress.com, a product of WordPress that is simpler to start with compared to WordPress.org. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye, as there are numerous differences between the two platforms, which will be elucidated in the following table.

What are the benefits of Creating a WordPress Website?

Creating with WordPress, whether through WordPress.com or WordPress.org, offers an array of advantages for web design, blogging, and content creation. You can opt for WordPress.com, though pricing considerations apply, or WordPress.org if you seek to avoid recurring high costs.

However, when comparing WordPress to other website designers, the advantages are numerous. Here are just a few:

1. Seamless Theme Installation and Updates: Unlike Google Blogger, where themes must be downloaded from external sites in XML format, WordPress features built-in theme installation, customization, and updating capabilities. With over 100 themes to choose from, customization is a breeze.
2. Improved Speed Compared to Wix: Wix websites often suffer from sluggish performance, crucial for capitalizing on web presence. With WordPress, you needn’t fret over slow site speeds, ensuring optimal performance.
3. Enhanced SEO with WordPress Plugins: WordPress boasts a wide array of SEO plugins, unlike Google Blogger or Hubspot, offering limited or no plugin support. Unlike Wix, whose plugins may slow down a website, WordPress plugins enhance site performance, particularly in terms of SEO.
4. Unlimited Pages: WordPress eliminates page limits, a stark contrast to Zoho Sites, where page expansion requires plan upgrades.
5. AI Integration: WordPress allows for the installation of AI plugins, saving time on content creation and enhancing site functionality.
6. Robust Content Editor: The WordPress content editor stands out as a powerful tool for bloggers and content creators, offering unmatched versatility and ease of use.
7. E-commerce Capabilities with WooCommerce: WordPress’s WooCommerce plugin transforms your site into a fully functional e-commerce store, akin to Shopify but without the associated costs. Fahari Duka, for instance, leverages WooCommerce to sell CBC homework downloadables.

These advantages merely scratch the surface of what WordPress offers. As someone who has explored numerous website builders, I can attest to the myriad benefits of using WordPress for site development.

How does One Create a WordPress website?

Using our “Book” analogy to explain what a website is, think of a website as a literary creation, akin to writing a book. Just as writing a book entails learning, reading, and following specific steps, crafting a website involves a similar process, albeit with fewer steps:

1. Selecting a Preferred Niche: Similar to choosing a genre or topic for your book, selecting a niche determines the focus and content of your website.
2. Buying a Domain Name: Much like selecting a title for your book, acquiring a domain name establishes the identity and address of your website on the internet.
3. Choosing a Web Hosting Partner: Just as a publisher provides the platform for your book to reach readers, a web hosting partner provides the server space and infrastructure for your website to be accessible online.
4. Pointing Your Website to Your Hosting Partner’s Server: This step involves connecting your domain name to your hosting provider’s server, ensuring that your website is properly hosted and accessible to visitors.
5. Designing Your Site: Similarly to designing the layout and structure of your book, designing your website involves creating the visual appearance and user interface that best represents your content and brand.
6. Connecting Your Site to Google Analytics: Just as an author tracks book sales and reader demographics, connecting your website to Google Analytics allows you to monitor traffic, user behavior, and other valuable insights.
7. Submitting Your WordPress Site to Search Engines: This step involves ensuring that your website is indexed by search engines like Google, increasing its visibility and discoverability to potential visitors.
8. Maintaining Your Site: Like maintaining a book’s relevance through updates and revisions, maintaining your website involves regular upkeep, content updates, security measures, and troubleshooting to ensure optimal performance and user experience.

While the process of creating a website shares similarities with writing a book, it involves fewer steps and focuses on establishing an online presence through content creation, design, and maintenance.

The basics of a Domain Name

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name serves as a text-based identifier linked to specific IP addresses. An exemplary domain name, such as mwashcyber.co.ke, demonstrates this mapping.

How do domain names work?

A domain is essentially the address of your website on the internet. When you type a domain name into your browser’s address bar, your computer sends a request to a global network of servers known as the Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS translates the domain name into an IP address, which is the numerical address of the server where the website is hosted. This allows your computer to connect to the website’s server and retrieve the web page you requested.

Different Levels of a Domain

1. Top-Level Domain (TLD): This is the highest level of the domain hierarchy and is usually the last part of a domain name. Examples include .com, .org, .net, .edu, .gov, and country code TLDs like .uk, .jp, .ca, .ke etc.
2. Second-Level Domain (SLD): This is the part of the domain name that comes before the TLD. For example, in the domain name “example.com,” “example” is the second-level domain.
3. Subdomain: A subdomain is a part of a larger domain and is used to organize and navigate to different sections of a website. For example, in “blog.example.com,” “blog” is a subdomain.

How to Choose a Domain Name:

• Keep it Simple: Choose a domain name that is easy to remember, spell, and pronounce.
• Make it Relevant: Your domain name should reflect the content or purpose of your website.
• Consider Keywords: Including relevant keywords in your domain name can improve your website’s search engine visibility.
• Avoid Hyphens and Numbers: Hyphens and numbers can make a domain name harder to remember and type.
• Check Availability: Use domain name search tools to ensure that your desired domain name is available.

Domain Registrars you Can Use In Kenya:

1. GoDaddy: One of the largest domain registrars, offering a wide range of domain name extensions and additional services like web hosting and website builders.
2. Namecheap: Known for its competitive pricing and user-friendly interface, Namecheap offers domain registration, web hosting, and other online services.
3. Kenyawebexperts: Kenya Website experts are the registrars of Mwash Cyber and Fahari Duka and they also host for famous Kenyan brands such as Red Cross, Golden Fry, Posta.
4. Google Domains: Google Domains provides domain registration services with transparent pricing, easy domain management tools, and integration with other Google services.

How Registrars Work:

Domain registrars are accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to sell domain names to the public. When you register a domain name with a registrar, you are essentially leasing the rights to use that domain name for a specific period, usually one year. Registrars manage the technical details of domain registration, including DNS settings, WHOIS information, and renewal reminders. They also offer additional services such as web hosting, email hosting, and website builders to complement domain registration.

How to Buy a .com, .net .org .site .shop Domain name in Kenya

Purchasing a domain name in Kenya is as straightforward as any online transaction. For excellent deals on domains like .com, .site, .org, .shop, and more, Namecheap and GoDaddy stand out as top choices. Previously, acquiring a domain was more complex, often requiring a bank account. However, today, you can conveniently purchase a domain without needing a bank account or card. Thanks to Safaricom’s M-Pesa Virtual Card, which facilitates global payments, acquiring a domain is hassle-free.

How to buy a Domain Name Using Mpesa (Global Pay)

1. Download the M-Pesa App from the Play Store or App Store.
2. Upon installation, open the app using mobile data on your Safaricom SIM card.
3. Register (usually automatic) and navigate to the app’s menu.
4. Locate and register for Global Pay within the app. Take note of the card number and CVV, typically valid for thirty minutes.
5. With Global Pay registration complete, visit GoDaddy or Namecheap. Register with the site, select a suitable domain, and proceed with the purchase.

With this process, acquiring a domain becomes accessible to anyone, regardless of banking arrangements, offering convenience and flexibility for aspiring website owners.

How to Buy a .ke or .co.ke Domain in Kenya

For establishing dominance in Kenya, opting for a .ke or .co.ke domain is ideal. When it comes to registering a domain in Kenya, Kenya Web Experts is my top recommendation. The process is straightforward: simply visit their website by clicking the link provided, register using your Google account, and proceed with your transaction. You can pay via Mpesa without the need of a Global Pay Card. With Kenya Web Experts, acquiring the perfect domain for your Kenyan ventures is both seamless and efficient.

Prices of a Domain

Domain prices vary depending on factors such as keyword relevance and domain name strength. While Godaddy and Namecheap offer competitive prices, costs may increase when considering powerful keywords and domain name potential.

For .co.ke and .ke domains, prices typically start at Kes 999 for .co.ke domains.

All About Web Hosting

What is web Hosting?

Web hosting refers to the service that enables individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible via the World Wide Web. In simpler terms, web hosting providers allocate space on servers, which are powerful computers connected to the internet. These servers store the files and data that make up a website, such as HTML documents, images, videos, and other content. When someone types a website’s domain name into their web browser, the browser sends a request to the hosting server, which then delivers the requested web pages to the user’s device, allowing them to view the website. Essentially, web hosting allows websites to be published and accessible on the internet.

How to Host Your Website in Kenya

Web hosting in Kenya is typically facilitated by domain registrars, with prices sometimes reaching up to 10,000 Kenyan Shillings annually. However, there’s a more cost-effective option available: Mwash Cyber. At Mwash Cyber, we offer web hosting services at a rate of 2500 Kenyan Shillings annually or 200 Kenyan Shillings monthly. Additionally, we charge a one-time fee of 500 Kenyan Shillings for installing a WordPress website designer on your domain.

Getting started with WordPress on your domain in Kenya is straightforward. All you need is a valid domain name, and a payment of 2500 annually or Kes 700 for Monthly package (500 for WordPress Installation and 200 for first month hosting) and then you can easily link our server to your domain. You can do it by filling the form Below;

With Mwash Cyber, affordable and reliable web hosting solutions are within reach, allowing you to establish a robust online presence with ease.