How to Build a Website 2023 | A Step by Step Beginner’s Guide

The quickest approach to growing your business is to build a website.

The greatest approach to building your brand, attracting new customers, and boosting sales are via social media. In business to function as a business owner in 2022, you'll need a website.

Your business website is self-reinforcing. It sells and automates. It engages customers and advertises sales.

Your website continuously searches the globe for possibilities and individuals. Building a website is the first step in creating brand exposure, leads, customer loyalty, sales, and a digital home you can call your own.

The good news is that building a new website for your business is simpler than you would imagine. Because you are familiar with computers and have access to the internet, you can easily develop and publish your website.

This article will take you step-by-step through the website to build a website and provide you with some examples of top-notch business websites that you can use as models.

How to Build a Website: Video Guide

How to build a website with a free website builder, step by step

1. Decide on the goal of your website
2. Choose a website builder
3. Choose a web host
4. Pick a custom domain name
5. Decide on a layout
6. Add relevant pages
7. Connect a payment system
8. Add business tools
9. Preview, test, and publish your website

1. Decide on the goal of your website

Understanding your goals is crucial before you start to build a website. Goals help you organize your time and resources, provide you with a long-term vision, and produce the greatest website possible.

Set clear goals for your business's website, such as:

• Selling services
• Growing your online presence
• Expressing your brand identity
• Highlighting customer reviews
• Turning website visitors into leads
• Selling physical or digital products
• Sharing updates and announcements
• Giving visitors a place to learn more information about your company

It's OK to have many objectives for your business website. Just keep in mind to develop a plan to accomplish each one.

How will your website accomplish, for instance, the sale of physical products, if that is your goal? Will you set up a shop so customers can easily browse your collections? Are you considering providing discounts to first-time buyers to boost sales? Which payment processors will you employ?

The more specific your goals are, the simpler it will be to prepare for them and succeed with your business website.

2. Choose a website builder

Using a website builder is the quickest approach to establishing a business website. With minimal work or coding knowledge, you can quickly have your website up and running. These tools are helpful for new business owners since they make it simple to put up a website.

The top website builder software will:

• Let you customize website templates
• Offer a library of stock images and videos
• Provide templates to speed up your website creation
• Save you time and money versus hiring a web designer
• Make it easy to optimize your website for search engines
• Have a drag-and-drop design tool to make changes easily

More website modification choices can be necessary from time to time. Access to the HTML or CSS files will also be provided through a reliable website-building tool. In this manner, you may manage your website completely and modify the code as necessary.

Use Shopify's website builder to build your website quickly whether you're launching an online business, offering services, or blogging.

When you build a website with Shopify, you get access to beautiful, mobile-friendly templates, round-the-clock live service, no-cost SSL certificates, and the ability to take payments right from your website (no third parties required). You may organize and manage your digital content with the help of its comprehensive content management system (CMS).

Costs for plans start at $29 per month. Start with a 14-day trial if you want to experience Shopify before committing to a paying subscription.

Other excellent drag-and-drop editors are:

• Wix
• 3dcart
• Weebly
• Volusion
• GoDaddy
• Squarespace

3. Choose a web host

A server hosts every website you've ever visited. Making room on a server for your website is known as web hosting and is often provided by a provider. Images, code, music, and other website assets are made publicly accessible through web hosting.

Selecting a hosting company might be difficult. Every web host provides a varied number of email accounts, storage, and other services, as well as a varying number of monthly data transfers. Additionally, the methods of payment might vary amongst providers (for example, monthly payments versus yearly payments). Therefore, it is crucial for the success of your website that you take the time to clearly define what you want from a web host.

Search for web hosting companies that provide the following:

• Unlimited bandwidth, So when you expand, you never pay more for increased website traffic.
• Level 1 PCI compliance, To protect customer data and keep it safe
• Hassle-free set up, To quickly build a website and have the ability to add functionality.
• Fast servers, So that customers may access your website swiftly from wherever.
• Unlimited email forwarding, To save time and make your business seem credible.
• Your own domain, For you to rapidly establish and register a domain name for your website.

No matter whatever package you choose, Shopify provides small companies all around the globe with rapid, dependable, and unmetered web hosting. For brand-new websites, until you're ready to build a personalized one, Shopify now offers a free domain. Discover more about Shopify's website hosting plan.

4. Pick a custom domain name

A domain name functions as a kind of online address that others may use to locate you. It lends credibility to your business and raises your search engine ranking for sector-related keywords. You may alter a domain name to make it simpler for customers to remember you and locate your business in the future.

Some businesses, like the online clothing shop Biko, take artistic licenses with their domain names. The domain ilovebiko.com is used by the company. Customers are placed in the appropriate frame of mind once they come since it is simple and relevant.

When choosing a domain name, be sure to:

• Avoid hyphens and numbers
• Include SEO keywords, if possible
• Keep it short, brandable, and memorable
• Try to secure a top-level domain, like .com
• Use a domain name generator for inspiration
• Check for other TLDs, like a specified country or .shop

5. Decide on a layout

It's time to choose the style of your website now that you've registered a domain name and set up web hosting. Most likely, your website builder will include themes or templates that you may set up in your shop. To create a simple website, start with one of these templates.

Usually, themes are divided into groups called categories. Some could work better with extensive product catalogs. Some, like those for restaurants or the health and beauty sectors, are designed for service businesses.

Over 70 premium and free themes with unique designs and functionalities are available in the Shopify Themes Store. Themes made by well-known designers like Happy Cog, Clearleft, and Pixel Union are available for selection. Each premium theme is user-friendly and adaptable, enabling you to preview your storefront as you make adjustments.

Consider the following points when picking the perfect theme:

• Themes come in multiple styles. Look for one with the desired design style.
• All themes come with built-in features. Based on the goals of your website, think about which you need. Consider a theme with an auto-fill search box if, for instance, you want to make it simple for customers to discover your products. Think about a theme with a media section if you want to emphasize honors and awards.
• Don’t choose themes based on colors or fonts. You can customize these details later.
• Test different themes before committing to them. You are never constrained by a theme. You may install a new theme without having to recreate all of your websites if you decide that a theme's mobile responsive design is not to your taste.

You may always hire a web design specialist if you need assistance with building your store or want additional customization. For assistance in turning your store into a tremendous success, we advise hiring a Shopify Expert.

6. Add relevant pages

Depending on the nature of your business, a relevant page on your website might signify several things. Product pages and collection pages are essential if you own an online store. You need landing pages for your menu and specials if you operate a restaurant.

A website showcasing their lists and a form for gathering the leads' contact information will probably be added by real estate agents.

But your business website has to do more than just advertise your business. Visitors must build a sense of trust and comprehension of your business.

The following standard pages should be included on your website:

• Homepage. Your website's main entry is here. It will convey your identity and your range of services. Make a positive first impression on visitors and direct them to activities on your site by using the homepage.
• Product or service pages. Make pages that describe your products and encourage customers to purchase. You should design unique websites for each item or service you provide.
• Contact page. This provides a mechanism for folks to contact us if they have any inquiries. You may include many contact options or support visitors to a FAQ. Or design a contact form that customers may use to send a message to your support staff after providing their details.
• FAQ page. You may respond to frequently asked questions about your business here. Promoting self-service is an excellent way to relieve pressure on customer support staff.
• About page. Build a page explaining your business approach and telling your story. An about page fosters relationships with visitors and increases customer confidence in your business. Links may be added to your social network accounts as well.
• Policy pages. You must adhere to some legal regulations regardless of your business strategy. You'll need a shipping policy and a refund policy, for instance.

You're not required to stop there. Create any pages that build customers' trust in you, such as blog articles or buyer's guides, and be sure to present your product or service in the best possible way.

7. Connect a payment system

Making sales is the ultimate objective of building from the beginning with your website. You want to make it simple for website visitors to make purchases. It is not negotiable to have a flawless payment mechanism.

Shopify enables easy credit cards and other common payment business acceptance for entrepreneurs. Customers may pay over time using Afterpay or you can provide quick payment alternatives like Shop Pay, G Pay, or PayPal.

There are no third-party activations to worry about while setting up Shopify Payments. To quickly start selling online, all you need to do is submit your employer identification number and financial details. Any Shopify package includes Shopify Payments.

8. Add business tools

You're a small business owner, so you're accustomed to working alone. But sometimes, you may need a little additional assistance. It's simple to convert your business website into a virtual salesman.

Shopify provides over 3,200 add-ons and plug-ins in addition to the aesthetic components and functions of your design to make managing certain aspects of your online business easier. Free Shopify applications are available in the Shopify App Store to assist with:

• Run Facebook ads
• Offer live chat support
• Create loyalty programs
• Build an email marketing list
• Create lead-generation pop-ups
• Integrate with online selling sites
• Understand Google Analytics data
• Find trending products to sell online
• Add more payment gateways to your shopping cart

These business tools might open up fresh possibilities for your website that will enhance customer experience and increase revenue. Finding the appropriate applications and prices to suit your business's demands is key.

9. Preview, test, and publish your website

The beginning, not the conclusion, of building a professional website for your business. Check out your website. Make sure your products and services are displayed well by doing a fast user experience assessment. Verify again to make sure no pictures or links are damaged. To ensure that your website runs quickly, accurately, and is compatible with mobile devices, send it to coworkers, friends, and family.

Your new business website should be prepared to launch if you followed this step-by-step tutorial! Click Publish after giving it one final review to ensure that everything is correct.

How to build a website with WordPress

1. Decide if WordPress is right for you

WordPress is an open-source platform for building and maintaining websites. Its many customization possibilities are its key selling point. For WordPress, there are several plug-ins, themes, and applications available.

WordPress provides a variety of choices for building a store, making it a popular platform for eCommerce website builders. WooCommerce is a well-liked eCommerce platform for WordPress.

When selecting WordPress, keep the following factors in mind:

• WordPress isn't an all-in-one platform. You will have to handle other extensions to use them as an eCommerce platform.
• WordPress is less beginner-friendly, especially if all you need is a simple website. You are in charge of all technical aspects of your website, including hosting, upkeep, creating backups, and adding plug-ins. If you feel at ease with them, this can be a wise choice (or willing to pay for outside assistance).

Simply said, if you are technically savvy and prepared to put in the effort to set up WordPress, do so.

2. Buy the right hosting plan

Whatever kind of website you make, it has to reside on a server. Your website's files, plug-ins, and extensions, as well as all of the photos and videos on it, are all stored on a server that a hosting service owns. For such a service, you'll often have to pay a monthly subscription.

Choosing a WordPress host with a solid reputation is crucial. Here are a few things to watch out for:

• WordPress specialism. It's not always essential, but it's a great perk when hosting provides customized setup and services for WordPress sites.
• Unlimited bandwidth So if you suddenly have a large flood of visitors, you won't be punished.
• Easy setup. WordPress sites must be set up manually, but hosting providers may facilitate the process in several ways.
• Fast servers No matter where they are or what device they are using, let customers swiftly load your website.
• Great customer service, so you’ll have support when you need it.
• Good reviews. Look for good uptime rates (so you know the servers won't go down when you need them) and favorable support experiences.

Check out Hostinger since WordPress itself recommends it. It's worth a look with amazing dependability and 24/7 support.

3. Choose and register a domain name

Enter your preferred domain name at wordpress.com/domains. You may register your domain name and link it to your WordPress website if it's accessible.

4. Choose a theme for your site’s design

This is your chance to start working your creative magic and putting your stamp on the website.

You can select the ideal theme for your website since WordPress has a large community of theme developers. To view what's available, just click the Themes link in your WordPress dashboard (or go to the WordPress themes website).

You may choose from a variety of free themes, most of them are simple themes with little functionality. Alternatively, you may spend money on premium themes, which sometimes feature excellent design, a larger selection of page templates, and occasionally a unique user experience.

If you're having difficulties deciding, the majority of the templates in the collection allow you to experiment with interactive demonstrations to discover how they function. Never forget to keep your website's main objective in mind; for instance, don't choose a theme for food blogs if you sell phone covers.

After that, you may alter the website's real design (colors, fonts, backgrounds, etc.). Finding a theme that appeals to and is understood by your target audience is of utmost importance here. Keep in mind that their requirements should come before your personal aesthetic choices.

You may always work with a WordPress designer later to modify your website's pages and templates.

5. Create and customize your content and pages

Pages may be found in the main menu on the left side of your WordPress dashboard. Then click Add New after that.

You will put static pages here, such as your About and Contact pages. Make sure they are clear, to the point, and appropriate for your brand. You have a lot of flexibility in the editor to set up the page layout and include links, graphics, and videos to keep viewers interested.

Posts are WordPress's equivalent of Pages. These are a component of the blogging feature and are created to accommodate all the fresh content you add during your website's existence. Go back to the dashboard menu and choose Posts > Add New to start a new blog post.

When you're finished, click Publish to add both of these content kinds to your website.

6. Choose and install useful plug-ins

Which plug-ins for WordPress should you use? Everything is dependent on your goals. There are many options, so browse the plug-ins catalog to choose which is ideal for you.

In light of this, we advise acquiring useful plug-ins like Akismet (spam prevention) or Jetpack (security and speed), as well as an analytics plug-in to determine the number of visitors to your website.

You need to activate it as a plug-in to enable payment systems, shopping carts, item inventories, and other essential eCommerce capabilities if you're building an online store.

Additionally, you may discover popular plug-ins and SEO tools like:

• WooCommerce
• Easy Digital Downloads
• MemberPress

No need to overdo it; simply focus on what you need. Things might get more challenging the more plug-ins you have, particularly if anything goes wrong.

WordPress and Shopify have an integration. For about $5 a month, you can add a Shopify Buy Button to your WordPress website and start selling there. You are set to start with only a product to sell. The Shopify Buy Button may be altered to reflect the visual identity of your company.

7. Make final checks and publish

Now for the final step: making sure it all works.

Even if you're operating a unique and entertaining brand, you still need to get the fundamentals right since this is a professional website that represents your company. Assuring there aren't any of the following.

• Typos
• Images that won’t load
• Mobile-unfriendly pages
• Broken links in your navigation menu

Consider the experience of one of your customers when they walk through your website for the first time. Even better, get input from others. You can do this by asking friends and family for assistance or by posting a request on message boards and business groups online.

I'm done now! The launch of your WordPress website is imminent. Now is the moment to spread the word and notify everyone you know.

Now that your business website is live, what next?

Start by congratulating yourself on a job well done. The hardest aspect of launching your business online is now behind you. Your website is not a static object that should be sealed up and never touched again, keep that in mind. Keep updating your business with fresh content, your brand identity, new products and announcements, and any other minor adjustments you see important by returning often.

You should start selling online with the following step. You should read How to Get Your First Sale in 30 Days if you've created a Shopify store and are prepared to generate money online.

If not, now is the best moment to start doing business online. Are you prepared to go forth?