Complete Website & Online Business Setup Guide
A comprehensive, step-by-step checklist for building and launching professional websites and online businesses. Navigate through each section to understand requirements, costs, and implementation steps.
🔐 Security Best Practices for Client-Developer Collaboration
Protecting sensitive information while maintaining efficient workflows is crucial for successful web development projects.
Golden Rules: Never share master passwords or full credit card details. Always use secure, auditable methods for credential sharing.
🔒 Password & Credential Management
| Method | Security Level | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Password Manager Sharing 1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass |
★★★★★ | Ongoing access | Encrypted, revocable, audit trail | Requires subscription |
| Limited User Accounts Create developer-specific accounts |
★★★★★ | Platform access | Granular permissions, easy removal | Not available on all platforms |
| One-Time Secret Links onetimesecret.com, privatebin.net |
★★★★☆ | Initial setup | Self-destructing, no storage | Single use only |
| Screen Sharing + Guided Input Zoom, Google Meet |
★★★☆☆ | Sensitive initial configs | No credential exposure | Time-consuming, scheduling required |
💳 Payment Information Handling
Client Direct Input Only: Clients must always enter credit card details directly into service provider portals. Developers should never request or handle this information.
- Credit Card Details: Client inputs directly into hosting, domain, and service provider portals
- API Keys: Different from credit cards - these are designed for developer integration (Stripe keys, PayPal API, etc.)
- PCI DSS Compliance: Using secure payment gateways ensures compliance without developer liability
Developer Tip: Guide clients through payment setup via screen sharing, but never ask them to share payment details directly.
📊 Website Complexity Levels
Understanding project complexity helps estimate costs, timelines, and technical requirements for your digital project.
L1: Basic/Brochure Website
Perfect for establishing an online presence with essential information and basic functionality.
- 5-10 static pages (Home, About, Services, Contact)
- Responsive design for mobile/tablet
- Basic contact forms
- Image galleries and portfolios
- Social media integration
- Google Maps integration
- Basic SEO optimization
- SSL certificate and hosting setup
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Cost: €500-€2,000
Maintenance: Minimal, content updates as needed
Cost: €500-€2,000
Maintenance: Minimal, content updates as needed
Perfect for:
Personal portfolios, small service businesses, restaurants, consultants, artists, local shops
L2: Small Business Website
Professional websites with content management and interactive features for growing businesses.
- Content Management System (WordPress/custom)
- 10-25+ pages with easy content editing
- Advanced contact forms with validation
- Newsletter signup and email marketing
- Basic booking/appointment system
- Blog functionality
- Customer testimonials system
- Basic analytics and tracking
- Search functionality
- Multi-language support (optional)
Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Cost: €2,000-€8,000
Maintenance: Monthly updates, security patches
Cost: €2,000-€8,000
Maintenance: Monthly updates, security patches
Perfect for:
Professional services, healthcare practices, real estate agents, fitness studios, educational institutions
L3: E-commerce/Dynamic Website
Full-featured online stores and dynamic applications with user interactions and transactions.
- Complete e-commerce functionality
- Product catalog with search/filters
- Shopping cart and checkout process
- Payment gateway integration (Stripe, PayPal)
- User accounts and order history
- Inventory management system
- Customer reviews and ratings
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Email notifications and confirmations
- Admin dashboard for management
- Security and PCI compliance
Timeline: 1-3 months
Cost: €8,000-€25,000
Maintenance: Regular updates, security monitoring, backup management
Cost: €8,000-€25,000
Maintenance: Regular updates, security monitoring, backup management
Perfect for:
Online retailers, membership sites, booking platforms, course platforms, marketplace businesses
L4: Advanced Web Application
Custom software solutions with complex functionality, integrations, and scalable architecture.
- Custom web application development
- Advanced user management and permissions
- Third-party API integrations
- Real-time features (chat, notifications)
- Advanced data analytics and reporting
- Multi-tenant architecture
- Advanced security features
- Performance optimization and caching
- Custom admin panels and dashboards
- Automated workflows and processes
- Scalable cloud infrastructure
Timeline: 3-12+ months
Cost: €25,000+
Maintenance: Ongoing development, monitoring, scaling, feature updates
Cost: €25,000+
Maintenance: Ongoing development, monitoring, scaling, feature updates
Perfect for:
SaaS platforms, enterprise software, fintech applications, healthcare systems, custom CRMs
Quick Comparison Guide
| Feature | L1 Basic | L2 Business | L3 E-commerce | L4 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Management | Static/Manual | ✓ CMS | ✓ Advanced CMS | ✓ Custom System |
| User Accounts | ✗ | Basic | ✓ Full Features | ✓ Advanced Roles |
| Payment Processing | ✗ | Simple | ✓ Full E-commerce | ✓ Custom Solutions |
| Database Integration | ✗ | Basic | ✓ Complex | ✓ Enterprise Level |
| API Integrations | Basic | Limited | ✓ Multiple | ✓ Extensive |
| Custom Functionality | ✗ | Limited | ✓ Moderate | ✓ Unlimited |
⚙️ Technical Infrastructure Setup
Complete breakdown of technical requirements, costs, and setup procedures.
| Service | Purpose | Cost | Setup Location | Payment Method | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Registration | Website address (yoursite.com) | €10-€15/year | Blacknight, Namecheap | Credit Card | L1+ |
| Web Hosting | Server space and resources | €5-€50/month | Hosting provider | Credit Card | L1+ |
| SSL Certificate | HTTPS security | Free-€90/year | Let's Encrypt/Hosting panel | Free or Card | L1+ |
| Email Hosting | Professional email (@yoursite.com) | €3-€12/month/user | Google Workspace, Titan | Credit Card | L1+ |
| CDN (Cloudflare) | Speed optimization, security | Free-€20/month | cloudflare.com | Optional payment | L2+ |
| Backup Solutions | Data protection | €5-€25/month | Various providers | Credit Card | L2+ |
| Monitoring & Analytics | Performance tracking | Free-€15/month | Google Analytics, UptimeRobot | Free or Card | L1+ |
Cost Estimation: Basic setup (L1) typically costs €200-€500 in first year including setup. E-commerce sites (L3) may require €500-€1,500 annually in infrastructure costs.
🔑 API Keys & Integration Tokens
Essential API keys and access tokens required for various integrations and services.
| Service | Purpose | Free Tier | Setup Location | Required For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics (GA4) | Website traffic tracking | ✅ Yes | analytics.google.com | L1+ (Essential) |
| Google Search Console | SEO monitoring | ✅ Yes | search.google.com/search-console | L1+ (Essential) |
| Google reCAPTCHA | Form spam protection | ✅ Yes | recaptcha.google.com | L1+ (Forms) |
| Stripe API | Payment processing | ✅ Yes (dev mode) | stripe.com/dashboard | L3+ (E-commerce) |
| Mailchimp API | Email marketing | ✅ 2,000 contacts | mailchimp.com | L2+ (Marketing) |
| Meta Pixel | Facebook/Instagram ads tracking | ✅ Yes | business.facebook.com | L2+ (Social ads) |
| Google Maps API | Map displays, geocoding | ✅ $200/month credit | console.cloud.google.com | L2+ (Location) |
| Cloudflare API | DNS, CDN automation | ✅ Yes | cloudflare.com | L2+ (Advanced) |
| SendGrid/Mailgun | Transactional emails | ✅ Limited | Respective dashboards | L2+ (Automated emails) |
Security Note: API keys are not passwords - they're designed for developer use. However, treat them securely and regenerate if compromised.
👤 Required Personal & Business Information
Information clients need to provide for various service registrations and compliance.
Google Business Profile Setup
| Information Required | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name | Official trading name | Must match legal registration |
| Business Address | Physical location | No P.O. boxes accepted |
| Phone Number | Primary contact | Will be public |
| Business Category | Primary service type | Affects search visibility |
| Operating Hours | When you're open | Can be updated regularly |
| Verification Method | Postcard, phone, or email | Required for activation |
Payment Platform Registration
| Platform | Required Information | Verification Process |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Full name, business details, tax ID, bank account, address | ID verification, bank verification |
| PayPal Business | Business registration, bank account, tax information | Document upload, micro-deposits |
| Square | Business license, EIN/SSN, bank details | Background check, document review |
Domain & Hosting Registration
- WHOIS Information: Name, address, email, phone (can be privacy-protected)
- .ie Domains: Irish address required + proof of identity/trade connection
- Business Verification: VAT number, Company Registration Number
- Technical Contacts: DNS management permissions
Privacy Tip: Most registrars offer WHOIS privacy protection to keep personal details private while maintaining compliance.
⚖️ Legal Compliance & Requirements
Essential legal requirements for websites and online businesses operating in the EU/Ireland.
🛡️ Data Protection (GDPR)
| Requirement | Applies To | Implementation | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy Policy | All websites | Detailed data usage explanation | L1+ |
| Cookie Consent | Sites using cookies | Consent management platform | L1+ |
| Data Processing Records | 250+ employees or sensitive data | Document all data processing | L2 |
| Data Subject Rights | All data controllers | Access, rectification, erasure procedures | L2 |
| Data Breach Notification | All data controllers | 72-hour reporting system | L2 |
🛡️ Other Legal Essentials
| Requirement | Reason | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy Policy | GDPR | Explain data use, cookies, user rights |
| Terms & Conditions | Contract law | Refunds, usage terms, liabilities |
| Impressum / Legal Disclosure | German/Austrian law | Business identity disclosure on site |
| Accessibility (WCAG 2.1) | EU Accessibility Directive | Required for public & large commercial sites |
| Cookie Consent Manager | GDPR, ePrivacy | Use tools like Cookiebot, CookieYes for opt-in |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from businesses we work with at LaraWeb.
Our pricing depends on your business needs. Starter brochure websites begin from €500. More advanced platforms — such as ecommerce sites or custom Laravel applications — are priced based on functionality, integrations, and content volume. We always provide clear, fixed quotes before starting.
Basic websites typically take 2–3 weeks. More advanced or custom projects may take 4–8 weeks, depending on features, approvals, and content readiness. We provide realistic timelines and keep you updated at every stage.
Yes. All our websites include a user-friendly content management system (CMS) or custom dashboard that allows you to manage text, images, blog posts, products, and more — no coding needed.
Absolutely. Every LaraWeb site is fully responsive and optimized for performance on phones, tablets, and desktops. We test across all modern devices and browsers before launch.
Yes. We set up your site with SEO best practices, connect it to Google Analytics and Search Console, and can help run or manage Facebook and Google Ads campaigns to drive traffic and sales.
No — we offer secure hosting as part of our service or can help you set up your own hosting. We manage everything from domains and SSL to backups and updates if needed.
No problem. We can help you create professional content or use stock imagery where needed. We also offer content planning sessions to make the process easier and more strategic.
Yes — we offer flexible support packages including updates, security monitoring, feature improvements, and quick help when you need it. Many of our clients stay with us long term for peace of mind.
Yes. We specialize in API integrations and can connect your site to third-party tools such as lead forms, CRMs (like HubSpot or Zoho), booking systems, payment processors, or custom dashboards.
We don’t just build websites — we build solutions. At LaraWeb, we sit down with you to understand your business goals, then design and build a digital presence that supports growth, lead generation, and efficiency.
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Phone
+35 (0) 85 8392935
websites.dublin@gmail.com
Harbour view,
Sallins,
Co.Kildare,
Ireland,