Hey, so you’re thinking about building a website? Excellent.
Whether it’s for your business, a side project, or something you’ve always wanted to try, having your own little corner of the internet is a pretty big deal. But we’re being honest, the idea of actually building one? It sounds pretty intimidating, right?
Here’s the good news: it’s a lot easier than you think. You don’t have to be ‘techy’. You don’t have to know how to code. You just need a little guidance (and a few cups of coffee).
Here’s how to do it in 9 simple steps.
1. Choose a Name for Your Site (AKA a Domain)
Your domain is what people type into their browser to get to you, like yourbrand.co.uk or samscupcakes.com.
Here’s how to choose a good one:
- Keep it short and easy to spell
- Don’t use weird stuff like numbers or hyphens
- Make it make sense for your brand or project
- Get creative if your dream name is taken
Don’t overthink it. You can always change it later.
2. Choose a Home for Your Website (Hosting)
So you’ve got a name, your website needs somewhere to live. That’s what hosting is, it’s where all your site’s stuff lives.
You’ve got a few options:
Website builders – like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify – all-in-one, it’s easy
WordPress hosting – good if you want more flexibility and aren’t afraid of a little work
Shared hosting – cheap and cheerful, great for small sites
If you’re just getting started, a website builder is your easiest option. You can literally have something live in a couple of hours.
3. Decide How You’re Going to Build It
This is where it starts to get exciting (and a little bit confusing). Here’s the deal: you’ve got three main options for how to build your site:
Option 1: Website Builder
Best for beginners. You get templates, drag-and-drop tools, and no need for coding. It’s quick, easy, and actually kind of fun.
Option 2: WordPress
A little more DIY, but way more flexible. You pick a theme, add plugins, and build your site out. It takes a little longer to learn, but you can do a lot with it.
Option 3: Get Someone Else to Build It
If you’ve got the budget and want to skip the tech stuff, hiring a designer or developer is totally valid too.
4. Decide What Pages You Actually Need
You don’t need a million pages. Just think about what someone visiting your site would want to see.
Home – who you are and what you do
About – a little background
Services or Products – what you’re offering
Contact – how people can reach you
Optional: Blog – if you want to share updates or tips
Sketch it out on paper or a Google Doc, just so you’ve got a rough plan.
5. Keep the Design Simple
Here’s the truth: people don’t care about fancy animations or flashy graphics. They just want to find what they’re looking for… quickly.
Here’s how to design a good website:
- Use clear, easy-to-read fonts
- Stick to 2 or 3 main colours
- Make it work on mobile
- Leave space between things, don’t cram it all in
Pick a clean template and don’t stress about making it ‘perfect’. You can always update it later.
6. Write Like a Human
No need for corporate jargon or marketing buzzwords. Just tell people what you do, how you can help, and how to get in touch.
Keep it casual and conversational:
- Say hello and introduce yourself
- Explain what you offer and why it’s useful
- Tell people what to do next (“Get in touch,” “Shop now,” “Book a call”)
- Be yourself, your tone matters more than you think
If you’re stuck, pretend you’re talking to a friend.
7. Do a Quick Check Before You Launch
Before you share your site with the world, just make sure:
- All your links work
- Your contact form sends messages
- It loads fast and looks good on your phone
- You’ve got an SSL certificate (the little padlock in the browser, most platforms include this automatically)
That’s it. Don’t get lost in the technical stuff. Just make sure it works.
8. Go Live and Tell People!
Once your site’s live , share it!
Post it on your socials. Add it to your email signature. Tell your friends. Don’t be shy. You’ve built something and you should be proud of it.
If you’re selling something, consider doing a little launch offer. If you’re blogging, write your first post. The important thing is to just get it out there.
9. Update It Now and Then
Websites aren’t ‘set it and forget it’. They’re more like houseplants, they don’t need constant attention, but you do need to check in once in a while.
Update your content every few months. Add new testimonials and swap out old photos. Keep it fresh and relevant.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to know everything to start.
Honestly, the hardest part of building your first website is starting. Once you’ve got that domain and you’ve clicked through a few templates, it all starts to make sense.
Will it be perfect? Probably not. But that’s okay. It’s yours. And you can tweak it as much as you like.
Just take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you’ll have a real, live website out in the world, doing its thing.
And hey… that’s pretty cool.
