Websites are an essential part of any business or organization. They provide a way for customers and clients to learn about your company, find out what you have to offer, and make contact with you. But designing and building a website can be daunting, especially if you’re new to the process.
This guide will walk you through the basics of how to build a website easily with website design and construction, from choosing a web host to adding content to your site. So whether you’re starting from scratch or just looking to update an existing website, read on for all the information you need to get started.
Simplify Success: Build a Website Easily with Our Step-by-Step Guide
Why do you need to build a website?
One of the main reasons to make a website is to increase the company’s credibility. In most cases, several businesses in the market offer products or services similar to yours.
An attractive, professional website is the best way to stand out from the competition. In addition, an effective website helps build a solid online presence and helps communicate quality information to your consumers.
Not having a website may raise a question about its legitimacy. However, customers expect legitimate, trustworthy businesses to have websites and social media accounts. A website can be the face of your small business. It helps create a solid first impression and builds trust and credibility in the minds of the consumers.
A website can also be an online store or an eCommerce website for your business. It provides a convenient way for customers to purchase your products or services without having to visit your brick-and-mortar store.
Another reason to build a website is that it gives you control of the narrative around your brand. You can use your website to share information about your company, its history, and its mission. You can also use it to share blog posts, articles, and other content that helps promote your business and attract new customers.
Building a website is also a great way to boost your SEO efforts. A well-designed website with quality content can help improve your ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs), making it easier for potential customers to find you.
All businesses, big or small, need a website. It is one of the best investments you can make in your business. If you don’t have one, now is the time to build a website.
What are the parts of a website?
There are essential parts to every website:
Domain Name
A domain name is a unique name that appears after the @ sign-in email addresses and after www. in web addresses. For instance, the domain name example.com might translate to the physical address 198.102. 434.8. Other examples of domain names are google.com and wikipedia.org.
Web Hosting
Hosting (also known as website hosting, Web hosting, and Webhosting) is the business of housing, serving, and maintaining files for one or more Web sites. More important, a Web host is a company that provides the technologies and services needed for the website or webpage to be viewed on the Internet. Websites are hosted or stored, on special computers called servers.
Content Management System (CMS)
CMS is a software application or set of related programs that are used to create and manage digital content.
CMSs are often used to store, control, version, and publish content, images, video, audio files, etc.
In simpler language, it is a tool that helps you build a website without needing to write all the code from scratch (or even know how to code at all).
Website Files
The files that make up a website include HTML documents, image files, style sheets, JavaScript code, and other media types. It contains a pinned site shortcut created by Internet Explorer (IE), a web browser for Windows. It stores a web address reference (a URL) and an icon file, which references the website’s favicon.
Steps for Creating a Website
Choose a web hosting site
A web host is a company that provides the technologies and services needed for a website people view on the internet. When you build a website, you must choose a web hosting service, so your site has a place to live on the internet.
- Figure out your website needs. The first step in web hosting is determining your website needs. Do you want to create a simple site with a few pages or a more complex site with e-commerce features and blog posts? Once you know your website needs, you can start looking for a web hosting site that meets those needs. Some offer a basic web hosting plan, while others offer more robust plans with additional features.
- Evaluate features. Once you know your website needs, you can start comparing the characteristics of different web hosting sites. Some features to look for include the ability to create multiple email accounts, support for multimedia content, and e-commerce features.
- Check reviews. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, take some time to read online reviews of different web hosts. This will help you better understand the quality of each web host’s services.
- Sign up for a web hosting account. Once you’ve selected a hosting provider, you can sign up for a web hosting account. Most web hosts will offer multiple service tiers, so you can choose the hosting service that best meets your needs. Others will provide you with a free domain name when you sign up for a web hosting account.
Register a domain name
Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It’s what people will type in to find your business website, so it’s essential to choose a domain name that is easy to remember and brandable. But to instantly look more professional online, get a custom domain name. Here are the steps to register a domain name:
- Find a domain name registrar. Some of the most popular domain registrars include GoDaddy, Bluehost, and Domain.com, although there are many more to choose from. Be sure to carefully consider pricing and policies for each one before choosing your domain registrar, as it will be managing your domain name.
- Search for your domain name’s availability. Once you have found the right domain registrar, you’ll need to search for your domain name using the registrar’s search bar. Millions of domain names are out there, with thousands more added daily.
- Finalize your domain name choice. Once you’ve brainstormed several domain options, consider which ones are available and choose the one that fits your brand best and will also be easy for users to find.
- Choose a domain name suffix, such as .com or .net. After settling on the domain name, consider the suffix. The most popular suffix is .com, although .net and .org are also popular. Website builders consider these top-level domains or the highest-level domain suffixes in the domain naming system.
- Purchase the domain name. When you have settled on the domain name and a suffix, you will pay to register the domain name with the domain registrar. Typically, you will pay to own the domain name for one year, after which you can renew your registration for a fee. You can expect a registration fee of about $10 to $15.
- Add domain ID protection. When registering a domain name with ICANN, you must provide your contact information, including your name, phone number, physical address, and email address. As soon as your domain name is registered, this contact information becomes available to the public unless you pay for domain privacy through your domain registrar. This domain privacy will shield your information from view, keeping your information safe from spammers or identity thieves.
Choose a website builder
A website builder is software that helps you build a website without coding or designing it yourself. Once you’ve chosen a web host and registered a domain name, you can use a website builder to set up a website.
Before comparing the top website builders, we recommend you write down what you want to do with your website. For example, what are your goals, and what features would you like to see on your website? Do you like having a blog posts section, photo gallery, online store (eCommerce website), reservation system, contact forms, SEO features, social media features, etc?
If you are still deciding what you want, check out your competitors or other websites for inspiration.
Most website builders offer an intuitive drag-and-drop user interface to make a website. In addition, you can take advantage of the free trial accounts (free trial plans) or the generous money-back guarantee to test drive before you make your final decision.
Next, you need to consider your growth options. Will you be adding regular updates to your website? Or do you need blog posts section? Do you need e-commerce features on your business website?
It would be best to ensure that the website builder you choose can handle your needs as your small business grows.
Add content to your website
Search engines love crawling new information on your website. Search engine algorithms are private, but we know the number of pages you have indexed on them is a plus. The more pages you have indexed, the more of an expert you appear to search engines. Adding fresh content to your site keeps search engines interested in your website and keeps them returning. The benefit of keeping the crawlers interested is when you add new content, it will show up in a matter of days (or less) and not take weeks.
Your website should be a work in progress. There is no such thing as a perfect website. As your small business grows and changes, so will the information on your website. You can use tools like Google Analytics to see what pages people visit most often and ensure you provide the information visitors want.
Adding content to a website builder is as easy as drag and drop. However, if you are coding your website, you must upload your new pages to your server.
Publish your website
After you have added all the content you want on your website, it is time to hit the publish button and make your website live for the world to see.
If you are using a website builder, then this is as easy as clicking on the publish button in your control panel. However, if you are coding your website, you must upload all your files to your server and point your custom domain name to it.
You can use a tool like FileZilla to upload your website files to your server.
After publishing your website, you are part of the millions of websites on the internet. So remember to keep your website up-to-date with fresh content to attract new visitors and make the crawlers come back.
What is the cost of registering a domain name?
A domain name cost ranges from free to tens of thousands of dollars, with the average domain name settling around $10-$12 annually. These factors will affect what you’d pay for a specific domain:
- The demand for the custom domain name you choose (e.g. cars.com sold for $872 million because of how “valuable” that domain was perceived to be)
- The TLD domain extension (e.g. .com is perceived to be a more valuable TLD than less-used TLDs such as .info.)
- The domain registrar you’re purchasing from
- If someone has already purchased the domain and is now selling it at a higher price
- Whether you commit to an annual payment or another payment schedule
- Addons such as domain ID protection
Whether you choose a free or paid domain will depend on your budget and your website’s purpose. For example, you might need an essential website or something simple and temporary. In that case, a free domain name might be a good option.
However, paid domain names look more professional and are more likely to grow with your brand. Therefore, it would be best if you decided what would work best for your business and goals.
Top Domain Name Providers (that are easy to use)
These are the most popular domain providers:
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is the world’s largest and most trusted domain registrar that empowers people like you with creative ideas to succeed online. Buying a domain name is easy. With GoDaddy’s domain search and domain name generator tools, business owners can find the perfect website address for their business.
Namecheap
Namecheap is a leading domain, website service, and web hosting company helping big and small businesses worldwide set up their online presence and reach their online success. It allows small businesses to create a winning web presence by providing easy domain name registration, affordable hosting plans, and all the best apps.
Users each get a section of a server in which they can host their website files. Shared servers can host hundreds of users. In addition, each customer using the shared hosting platform’s server has access to features like databases, monthly traffic, disk space, email accounts, FTP accounts, and other add-ons offered by the host.
Hover
Hover is a domain name registrar based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They offer domain name and email services. They currently have over 300 Top-level domains and also offer users email mailboxes or just email forwarding.
Domain.com
They specialize in affordable domain names, web hosting, Email, SSL certificates, web design, and online marketing services. Their free domain services include URL Forwarding, Email Forwarding, Transfer Lock, and Total DNS Management. They give customers comprehensive control over their domain portfolios.
Bluehost
Bluehost is a popular hosting provider for site owners using WordPress hosting or another open-source platform. It offers a variety of hosting services, including shared, managed, VPS, and dedicated hosting, for individuals and businesses with different needs and budgets.
What are the benefits of using a website builder?
Intelligent website design.
The most apparent advantage of website builders is their intelligent website design. With the help of website builders, you can create a professional-looking website without any design knowledge or experience.
A wide range of features and options.
Website builders offer a wide range of features and options that allow you to customize your site to match your specific needs and requirements. In addition, you can add new features and functionality to your website without coding knowledge or experience.
eCommerce integration.
If you’re planning on setting up an online store, website builders such as Wix and Squarespace make it easy to add an eCommerce platform to your website with just a few clicks. This way, you can start selling products and services immediately without investing in a separate eCommerce website.
Social Media Integration.
Most website builders these days come with built-in integration with popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. It makes it easy to promote your website and business on social media and also helps you attract more visitors from these platforms to your website.
Cost-effective and affordable.
Website builders are generally more cost-effective and affordable than hiring a professional website designer or developer. You don’t have to pay for the design and development of your website, and you can usually get started with a free trial or low-cost plan.
Zero maintenance hassle
Another advantage of using a website builder is that you don’t have to worry about maintaining or updating your website, as the website builder usually takes care of it. Instead, you can focus on running your business, and leave the website maintenance to the experts.
Great for beginners.
Website builders are great for beginners because the builders are easy to use and don’t require coding knowledge or experience. In addition, you can usually get started with a free plan, which is perfect if you’re starting a business and aren’t ready to commit to a paid plan.
There are many benefits of using a website builder. Still, the most important ones are its intelligent website design, wide range of features and options, eCommerce integration, social media integration, SEO-friendliness, and affordability.
What are the benefits of designing a custom website?
Website Design Tailored to Your Brand
When you work with a professional web designer to create a custom website, you can hire a web designer to design your website to match your specific brand identity. You can customize everything from the colors and fonts used on your website to the overall style and tone of your site. And ensuring that your website makes a solid first impression and accurately reflects your brand.
Flexibility and Scalability
A custom website will also be more flexible and scalable than a template-based site. You can easily add or remove features and functionality as your business grows and changes.
You can hire a web developer to design custom websites with future growth in mind, so you will be able to prevent your website from becoming outdated as your business expands.
Improved Search Engine Optimization
Template-based websites are often poorly coded and designed, hurting your website’s SEO. Search engines like Google penalize websites that need to be well-designed and coded.
On the other hand, a custom website will be expertly coded and designed by your web developer with SEO in mind. As a result, your website will be more visible in search results, leading to more traffic and conversions.
Greater Customer Engagement
Custom websites are more likely to engage and convert visitors than template-based sites because custom websites are designed with user experience (UX) in mind. UX is the process of creating a website to make it easy and enjoyable for users to use.
By contrast, template-based websites often have poor UX because they’re not designed with the user in mind. As a result, visitors to template-based websites are more likely to become frustrated and leave the site without taking any action.
Increased Sales and Conversions
Because custom websites are more engaging and conversion-friendly, they can also lead to increased sales and conversions for your online stores. If you’re selling products or services online, a well-designed custom website can be the difference between making a sale and losing a customer. A custom website can also help you increase leads and sales for your business.
A well-designed website is an essential part of any modern business. If you’re looking to create a website for your business, working with a professional web developer to create a custom site is the best way to ensure your website is successful.
Custom websites offer many benefits over template-based websites, including better branding, flexibility and scalability, improved SEO, increased customer engagement, and increased sales and conversions. A custom website is the best way to go if you want to build your site.
How to choose the right website builder for you?
We look at several different criteria when reviewing the best website builder picks for each use case, but our top five elements are:
Ease of Use
Ensure that the website builder is easy to use for absolute beginners (non-techy users). It must come with a customizable drag-and-drop builder, powerful editing tools, and other design customization options.
Pricing
Look at which website builder offers the most value for the price. Ask questions like does it provide a free domain, free SSL certificate, free business email, free eCommerce features, etc. If not, how much would a small business owner have to spend on additional extras / hidden costs?
Design & Features
Ensure the website builder offers a good selection of professional website templates and flexibility to add additional features like Google Analytics, CRM, third-party marketing tools, etc.
Customer Support
Make sure that 24/7 customer support is available when needed. Ideally, look for a live chat support feature so that you can quickly get answers to questions or problems.
Reviews & Testimonials
Look at what other customers are saying about the website builder. Make sure there are plenty of positive reviews and testimonials from real users. Also, check out independent review platforms like Capterra and G2 Crowd to get an unbiased overview of the website builder.
Now that we’ve looked at the benefits of custom websites, let’s look at how to choose the right website builder for your business. There are a few key things to consider when choosing a website builder, including ease of use, pricing, design, features customer support.
What are the top website builders?
WordPress
WordPress is the world’s most popular website builder and powers over 43% of all websites on the internet. It has a WordPress theme directory of over 8000 WordPress templates to choose from! You can access the WordPress themes directly within the WordPress site without having to navigate an external site.
WordPress is a free and open-source website builder. As a result, you have maximum control over your WordPress website compared to any other website builder in this list. In addition, with WordPress, you have full ownership of your website without any third-party control, giving you maximum privacy.
While the WordPress website is free to use, you will need to pay for website hosting, a domain name, and other premium features and plugins. Overall, WordPress is more expensive to use than some of the other website builders in this list.
But a WordPress website offers unrivaled flexibility and control. You can create any type of website with WordPress, from a simple blog to a complex eCommerce store.
Wix
Wix website builder is a fully hosted platform, so you will not have to pay for hosting. You get access to hundreds of templates to choose from for your website’s design. Each template is fully editable with its intuitive drag-and-drop site builder.
Wix has also built an artificial design intelligence (Wix ADI) that can create a beautiful website for you.
Aside from tons of templates, Wix also comes with dozens of free and paid apps that you can install on your website. These apps allow you to add new features and functionality to your website. For example, you can use the Wix App Market to add an online store, appointment booking system, contact forms, live chat, or a blog to your website.
Wix offers a free plan with limited bandwidth and storage. However, you can use this plan to test drive their drag-and-drop website builder. Unfortunately, it does not include a domain name, so if you decide to keep your business online, you may want to upgrade to a premium plan.
You also get a free SSL certificate with all Wix plans, but you will need to turn it on for your website.
Weebly
Weebly is another famous online website builder owned by Square (the company behind the popular payment processor). Over 50 million people worldwide use Weebly to make a website.
Weebly is a drag-and-drop website builder with pre-built website templates. It’s easy to use, and you can create a site in minutes. In addition, Weebly offers premium plans with more features, including eCommerce and business email.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is one of the largest domain name registrars in the world. They also offer website builder plans that come with hosting, a free domain name, and a business email.
GoDaddy’s website builder is easy to use with its drag-and-drop editor. As a result, you can make a website in minutes without any prior experience.
GoDaddy offers a free plan with limited features. You can use this plan to test drive their website builder and make a free website without paying a single cent.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that includes a domain name, hosting, and email, then GoDaddy is a good option. However, their website builder plans are more expensive than other website builders in this list.
Shopify
Shopify is the leading eCommerce platform with over 1 million active stores. It offers everything you need to create an online store, including a website builder, hosting, payment processing, and more.
If you want to create online stores, Shopify is the best website builder to use. It has a drag-and-drop feature that’s easy to use, even if you have no prior experience. As a result, you can create a website in minutes and start selling products online.
It also offers a wide range of features for your eCommerce store, including marketing, shipping, and more. Plus, they have an app store with over 2,000 apps to add new features and functionality to your online store. Creating a website for your online store has never been easier.
It has a free 14-day trial so that you can test drive their platform. After that, plans start at $29 per month.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a famous website builder with beautiful templates and a drag-and-drop editor. As a result, you can create a website in minutes, even without prior experience.
It includes tons of website designs to get started. All of these designs are completely ready for all types of content. In addition, they are fully editable, and Squarespace even allows you to use multiple templates for the same website at once.
Squarespace offers a wide range of features for your website, including eCommerce, marketing, and more. Plus, they have an app store with over 200 apps to add new features and functionality to your website.
It comes with enterprise-grade infrastructure for hosting your website. This secure and robust platform allows business owners to focus on growing their businesses without worrying about hosting.
Squarespace has a free 14-day trial so that you can test drive their platform. After that, plans start at $12 per month.
Dreamhost Website Builder
Dreamhost Website Builder is a famous website builder with over 1.5 million users. It’s easy to use, and you can create a site in minutes, even if you have no prior experience.
Dreamhost Website Builder comes with over 150 pre-built website templates. Plus, it includes a drag-and-drop editor to customize your new website easily.
Dreamhost Website Builder also offers a wide range of features for your website, including eCommerce, marketing, and more. Plus, they have an app store with over 100 apps to add new features and functionality to your website.
Dreamhost Website Builder has a free 14-day trial, so you can do a free trial of their platform for creating a website. After that, plans start at $8.95 per month.
How to Install WordPress quickly?
Creating a WordPress site is easy, but first, you need to install WordPress. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have WordPress installed in no time:
1. Download the WordPress installation package from wordpress.org.
2. Unzip the package and upload it to your web server.
3. Create a database for WordPress on your web server.
4. Open the WordPress installation file in your web browser and follow the instructions.
5. Install WordPress using the famous 5-minute install process.
6. After installation is complete, you can log in to your WordPress site with the username and password you created during the installation process.
Now that you have WordPress installed, you can start creating content for your WordPress website.
Which is the best website builder for beginners?
There are many website builders on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Some are better suited for beginners than others.
Weebly is one of the best website builders for beginners. It’s easy to use and comes with everything you need to create a professional website. Plus, Weebly offers a free plan so that you can try making a free website with Weebly before you commit to a paid plan.
Another great option for beginners is Wix. It also offers an easy-to-use platform and comes with everything you need to create a professional website. Plus, Wix has a free plan so that you can create a free website on its platform before upgrading to a paid plan.
What are the alternatives to creating your website?
If you don’t want to use a website builder or install WordPress, there are other options for creating your website. Here are some of the most popular alternatives:
Use a CMS
A content management system (CMS) is a software application that allows you to create, edit, and publish content for your website. Some of the most popular CMS applications are WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
Use an eCommerce platform
An eCommerce platform is a software application that allows you to create an online store. Some of the most popular eCommerce platforms are Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce.
Use a website template
A website template is a pre-designed website you can install on your web server. People use a website template to create a simple website without any coding.
Use a drag-and-drop editor
A drag-and-drop editor is a web-based application that allows you to create a website without coding. Instead, you can drag and drop elements to make your website. Some of the most popular drag-and-drop editors are Wix, Weebly, and Squarespace.
Hire a web developer
If you want to avoid creating your website yourself, you can hire a web developer to do it for you. Business owners hire a web developer to create a custom-designed website.
Where do I find a professional website designer?
There are many places to find professional website designers. You can search on Google, visit Design Match, or check out online portfolios like Behance.
Design Match is an agency that helps you find the perfect designer for your project. Just sign-up at the Design Match website, let us know what you need, and we’ll match you with designers who fit your requirements. Best of all, it’s completely free to use. And you don’t have to pay anything to get matched!
What are some tips for working with a website designer?
When you’re working with a website designer, it’s essential to communicate your vision. Provide examples of websites you like, and tell them what you want to achieve with your website.
Be sure to give the designer feedback throughout the process. The feedback will help them create a website that you’re happy with.
Finally, make sure to review the final design carefully before launch. Checking the final design will ensure that everything is how you want it and that there are no surprises.
What are the qualifications to look for in a website designer?
There are a few qualifications to look for when choosing a website designer. First, they should have experience designing websites. Second, they should be able to show you samples of their work.
Third, they should understand your vision for the website and be able to provide feedback during the design process. Fourth, they should be available to answer any questions you have about the process.
Finally, they should be able to provide a quote for the project. The quote should be based on the scope of work and your budget.
What is the average cost of a custom website?
The average cost of a website depends on many factors, such as the size of the website, the number of pages, the level of customization, and the designer’s experience. Generally, a custom website will cost you anywhere from $500 to $5,000+.
How long does it take to design a custom website?
Again, the answer to this question depends on many factors. The size of the website, the number of pages, the level of customization, and the web designer’s experience will all play a role in how long it takes to create a website.
Generally, it will take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to design a custom website. However, if you’re working with a large team or an experienced web designer, it could take less time. And if you’re working with a smaller team or a less experienced web designer, it could take more time.
Conclusion
Creating a website can be a daunting task, but there are many resources available to help you. You can use a website template, or drag-and-drop editor, or hire a web developer to create your website for you.
When working with a website designer, be sure to communicate your vision and provide feedback throughout the process. And finally, make sure to review the final design carefully before launch. Doing so will ensure that you’re happy with your new website.
