Wondering how to create a website for your business or for yourself? Here are the 10 steps involved in creating a website from scratch.
This post contains affiliate links. I’m only an affiliate for products and services that I use myself and wholeheartedly recommend.
Here is a quick step by step roadmap of how to build a brand-new website including the exact tools, products and services that I use to build all of my websites.
1. Get a Domain Name
It doesn’t necessarily have to be the first thing you do but you’ll need a domain name for your website. I strongly recommend that you should buy your domain separately from your host. If you ever need to change hosts, you won’t have the hassle of trying to move your domain as well.
I recommend Google Domains for your domain name. It’s easy to manage, inexpensive and privacy protection is included.
2. Pick a Website Platform
Choosing a website platform is one of the most important decisions you have to make for your business.
There are a lot of different website platforms out there and some of the DIY website platforms like Wix, Weebly, Shopify and Squarespace do a great of marketing their platform and presenting themselves as so easy to use. However, some of them can actually be detrimental to your business.
Then there’s WordPress, a completely customizable, open-source (meaning free) content management system.
I have used all of the website platforms listed above and want to save you the time, money and stress and provide you with the advice that I wish I had received when I started my first website.
Read why I recommend WordPress here.
3. Choose a Host
Another big decision is where to host your new website. Once again, I speak from experience and I see everyday how slow and not secure so many hosts are and the negative effects bad hosting can have on your website.
Luckily there is one host that has everything that you’ll need and that’s Cloudways. Cloudways is the fastest host out there and incredibly secure. You’ll have your own dedicated server that’s based in the cloud with access to amazing 24/7 support. All for one low price a month – that doesn’t increase after the first year and there are no contracts or commitments.
Here are 10 reasons why I recommend Cloudways, which includes a promo code for 20% off!
4. Select a Theme
What’s the best WordPress theme for…? Is one of the questions I see the most on Facebook Groups and get asked myself.
I have a strong opinion on this topic based on years of experience designing websites and seeing the frustration that others face when picking a theme and trying to customize it to fit their content.
That is why I highly recommend Hello Theme from Elementor as the best theme for your website. It’s the fastest, most light-weight theme out there and completely customizable. It’s optimized for speed, SEO and performance.
Read more about why I recommend Hello Theme.
5. Install Plugins
Install the plugins that you require for your website’s functionality. My absolute go-to plugins are Elementor Pro as it will reduce the need for about 50 other plugins (here’s why else I love it) and for more advanced requirements Crocoblock.
6. Perform Keyword Research
There’s no point in a beautiful website if no one can find it. You’ll want to be optimizing your site for search engines (called Search Engine Optimization or SEO) including using specific keywords throughout your site – in headings and throughout the content.
The key when determining which keywords to focus on is finding keywords that have a healthy search volume and low competition using. How do you find all this information? My ultimate keyword research tool: KeySearch (get my promo code for 20% here)
7. Design Your Site
Now the fun can begin! Use this free Website Design Checklist to ensure your site has everything in place to be successful.
8. Point Your Domain Name
When your site is ready for launch, go into your domain name settings and point your domain name towards your new site. Instructions will depend on your host and where you got your domain. Here’s an example.
9. Set Up Analytics
Set up Google Analytics (it’s free!) on your site by installing the tracking code into the <head> of each page on your site. Once analytics are installed, you can create custom reports in Data Studio (also free) and have them emailed to you regularly.
10. Submit Your Sitemap
Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console.
Now your site is live and indexed!
After you launch, it’s time to promote your new website. Here are some tips to get more traffic for free. You’ll also want to ensure that you regularly maintain your site. Here’s how I care for sites each month.
If you would like help with anything on this list, please contact me anytime.
