Ultimate Guide: How to Make a Website – Step by Step Guide (Free)

Are you trying to make a web site? Beginning a web site generally is a terrifying thought specifically whenever you’re not techy. Don’t fear, you’re not alone. Having helped over 400,000+ folks make a web site with WordPress, we now have determined to create essentially the most complete step-by-step information on the best way to a make a web site with out studying the best way to code.

This information is helpful for customers of all ages and talent ranges. Nevertheless, in case you need assistance, then you may contact our professional staff that can assist you setup your web site without spending a dime.

→ Click on Right here to Get Your Free WordPress Web site Setup! ←

If you wish to do it by your self, then please proceed to observe our step-by-step information on the best way to make a web site.

Right here is an outline from begin to end of all of the steps we’ll stroll you thru on this information.

• Easy methods to discover and register a site identify without spending a dime
• Selecting the most effective webhosting
• Easy methods to set up WordPress
• Putting in a template to alter your website’s design
• Creating pages in WordPress
• Customizing WordPress with addons and extensions
• Sources to be taught WordPress and get assist
• Taking it additional, constructing web sites with extra options (eCommerce shops, membership websites, promote on-line programs, and extra).

Earlier than we begin creating a web site, let’s cowl a few of the mostly requested questions that we get.

What do I must construct a web site?

You’ll want the next three issues to begin your WordPress website.

• A site identify – that is the identify of your web site comparable to google.com
• WordPress internet hosting – that is the place your web site information are saved.
• 45 minutes of your undivided consideration.

How a lot does a WordPress web site price?

The reply to this query actually will depend on what sort of web site you are attempting to construct. We now have written a 2000 phrase information explaining how a lot does it actually price to construct a web site.

A typical enterprise web site can price as little as $100 per 12 months and may go as excessive as $30,000 per 12 months.

We suggest all our customers to begin small after which add extra options to your web site as your small business grows. This manner you’ll get monetary savings and reduce potential losses whereas avoiding overspending.

On this information, we’ll present you the best way to construct a web site for lower than $100.

We can even present you the best way to take it additional by including extra options to it sooner or later.

Which is the most effective web site platform?

There are lots of web site builders out there that may provide help to setup a web site. We suggest utilizing self-hosted WordPress as your web site platform.

WordPress is the most well-liked web site platform on the planet. It powers practically 41% of all web sites on the web.

WordPress is free, open supply, and comes with hundreds of pre-built web site designs and extensions. This can be very versatile and works with virtually each third-party device and repair out there to web site homeowners.

We use WordPress to construct all our web sites together with this one, WPBeginner.

Easy methods to take advantage of this create a web site tutorial?

It is a step-by-step tutorial on the best way to make a web site. We now have divided it into totally different steps, and we’ll stroll you thru every thing from begin to end. Simply observe alongside the directions, and also you’ll have an expert wanting web site in the long run.

We can even level you in the proper route to take your web site to the following stage based mostly in your wants.

Have enjoyable creating your web site.

Bear in mind, in case you need assistance, you may contact us and we’ll setup your web site without spending a dime.

Let’s get began.

Easy methods to Create a Web site Video Tutorial

When you choose written directions, then please proceed studying.

Step 1. Setup

One of the vital widespread errors that newcomers make is selecting the incorrect web site platform. Fortunately, you’re right here so you’ll not be making that mistake.

For many customers, a self-hosted WordPress.org website is the proper answer. It comes with hundreds of designs and addons which let you create any form of web site you may consider. For extra on this matter, please see our information on why you must use WordPress.

WordPress is free for anybody to obtain and use to construct any form of web site with none restrictions.

If WordPress is free, then the place is the associated fee coming from?

WordPress is free since you’ll have to rearrange your individual area identify and webhosting service, which prices cash. For extra on this matter, see our article why is WordPress free?.

A area identify is your web site’s tackle on the web. That is what your customers will kind of their browsers to achieve your website (For instance, wpbeginner.com or google.com).

Subsequent, you’ll want web site internet hosting. All web sites on the web wants an internet host to retailer their web site information. This can be your web site’s house on the web.

A site identify usually prices $14.99/12 months and internet hosting prices begin from $7.99/month.

That is A LOT for many people who find themselves simply beginning out.

Fortunately, Bluehost, has agreed to supply our customers a free area identify and over 60% off on webhosting.

→ Click on right here to Declare this Unique Bluehost supply ←

Bluehost is without doubt one of the largest internet hosting corporations on the planet. They’re additionally an official WordPress really helpful internet hosting companion.

They’ve been working with WordPress since 2005, and are dedicated to provide again to the neighborhood. That’s why they’ve promised us that in case you can’t arrange your web site by following this tutorial, then our professional staff will full the method for you with none price. They may compensate us, so that you don’t should. Be happy to contact us without spending a dime web site setup assist.

Word: At WPBeginner, we consider in transparency. If you buy internet hosting utilizing our referral hyperlink, then we’ll get a small fee at no further price to you. The truth is, you’ll get low cost on internet hosting + free SSL + a free area identify. We might get this fee for recommending any WordPress internet hosting firm, however we solely suggest merchandise that we personally use and consider will add worth to our readers.

Let’s go forward and buy area identify and internet hosting.

First, you’ll must go to the Bluehost web site in a brand new browser window and click on on the inexperienced ‘Get Began Now’ button.

It will convey you to a pricing web page the place you will have to decide on a internet hosting plan to your web site. Primary and plus plans are the most well-liked decisions amongst our customers.

You’ll must click on on choose to decide on the plan that you simply like and proceed to the following step.

On the following display, you’ll be requested to pick a brand new area identify.

Ideally you must keep on with a .com area identify. Be sure that it’s associated to your small business, simple to pronounce and spell, and straightforward to recollect.

Need assistance selecting a site identify to your web site? See the following tips and instruments on how to decide on the most effective area identify.

After selecting your area identify, click on on the following button to proceed.

Now you’ll be requested to offer your account data comparable to identify, tackle, electronic mail, and many others.

On this display, additionally, you will see non-obligatory extras that you would be able to buy. We usually don’t suggest buying these extras. You may all the time add them afterward, in case you resolve that you simply want them.

Subsequent, you’ll add your fee data to complete the acquisition.

After finishing your buy, you’ll obtain an electronic mail with particulars on the best way to login to your webhosting management panel (cPanel).

That is your internet hosting account dashboard the place you handle every thing like getting assist, establishing emails, and many others. Most significantly, that is the place you’ll set up WordPress.

Step 2. Set up WordPress

Whenever you signup with Bluehost utilizing our hyperlink, they are going to robotically set up WordPress for you. They launched this one-click WordPress installer to make it simpler for non-techy customers to create their web site.

What this implies is you merely must login to your Bluehost account, after which click on the Login to WordPress button to get began.

It’s also possible to login to WordPress dashboard by merely going to yoursite.com/wp-admin/ immediately out of your browser.

You need to use your Bluehost account to create a number of web sites. Merely go to the My Websites part and use their one-click WordPress installer to make further web sites.

In case you are utilizing a distinct WordPress web site internet hosting service like SiteGround, HostGator, WP Engine, and many others, then you may see our complete information on the best way to set up WordPress for step-by-step directions for these suppliers.

As soon as WordPress is setup, you’re able to customise your web site design by choosing a brand new template, and creating new pages.

Wasn’t that simple?

Now let’s transfer on to the following step and select a design to your web site.

Step 3. Choose Your Theme

The visible look of your WordPress website is managed by a WordPress theme.

WordPress themes are professionally designed templates that you would be able to set up in your web site to alter its look.

By default, every WordPress website comes with a primary theme. When you go to your web site, then it’s going to look one thing like this:

This isn’t very interesting for many customers.

However don’t fear, there are literally thousands of free and paid WordPress themes that you would be able to set up in your website.

You may change your theme from the WordPress admin dashboard. Go to Look » Themes web page after which click on on the ‘Add New’ button.

On the following display, you’ll in a position to search from 8.474 free WordPress themes which are out there within the official WordPress.org themes listing. You may type them by standard, newest, featured, in addition to different characteristic filters (i.e business, format, and many others).

Need assistance selecting a theme? Take a look at our listing of those superior free WordPress enterprise themes, and our choose of the finest premium themes for WordPress.

You may additionally need to check out our information on the best way to choose the proper WordPress theme to your web site.

For the sake of this information, we’ll be utilizing Bento. It’s a standard multi-purpose free WordPress theme with versatile design choices for all form of web sites.

If you realize the identify of the free theme you wish to set up, then you may search for it by getting into its identify within the search subject.

WordPress will present you the theme in search outcomes. You have to to take your mouse over to the theme after which click on on the Set up button.

After you have put in your theme, you may customise it by clicking on the Customise hyperlink underneath the Look menu.

It will launch the theme customizer the place it is possible for you to to alter your theme settings with stay preview of your web site.

You don’t must finalize all theme settings immediately. It is possible for you to to customise it a lot better upon getting some content material in your web site.

Let’s see the best way to add content material to your WordPress website.

Step 4. Add Content material to Your Web site

WordPress comes with two default content material varieties known as posts and pages. Posts are a part of the running a blog performance and seem in reverse-chronological order (newer objects displayed first).

Alternatively, pages are supposed to be static “one-off” kind content material comparable to your about web page, contact web page, privateness coverage, customized touchdown web page, and many others.

By default, WordPress exhibits your weblog posts on the entrance web page of your web site. You may change that, and make WordPress present any static web page because the homepage of your web site (we’ll present you ways to do this later on this information).

You may create a separate web page to your weblog or information part to indicate your latest posts. Alternatively, you may create a web site with none weblog part in any respect.

Having mentioned that, let’s add some content material to your web site.

You’ll begin by including just a few pages to your WordPress website. Don’t fear in case you don’t have sufficient content material for these pages in the mean time. You may all the time edit and replace them.

Head over to Pages » Add New web page in WordPress admin space. It will convey you to the web page editor display, which is able to look much like this, relying in your theme:

First it is advisable present a title to your web page, let’s name this web page ‘Residence’.

After that you would be able to add content material within the textual content editor under. You may add textual content, hyperlinks, pictures, embed movies, audio, and many others.

After including content material to your web page, you may click on on the publish button to make it stay in your web site.

You may repeat the method by including extra pages for various sections of your web site. For instance, an about web page, contact us, and a weblog web page to show weblog posts.

Now let’s add just a few weblog posts as effectively.

Head over to Posts » Add New in your WordPress admin space, the place you will note a display very like you noticed earlier when including pages.

You may add a put up title after which add content material within the visible put up editor. You’ll additionally discover some further choices within the sidebar like put up codecs, classes and tags.

You may click on on the save button to retailer your put up as a draft or click on on the publish button to make it seen in your website.

For extra detailed directions on the best way to make the most of all these choices on put up and web page edit screens, please see our information on the best way to add a brand new put up in WordPress.

Step 5. Customizing and Tweaking Your Web site

Now that you’ve got created some content material to your personal web site, it is possible for you to to customise and put all of it in a pleasant presentable form to your customers.

Let’s begin by establishing a static entrance web page (also called homepage).

Establishing a Static Entrance Web page

It’s good to go to the Settings » Studying web page in your WordPress admin dashboard. Beneath the ‘Entrance web page shows’ possibility click on on the static entrance web page after which choose ‘Pages’ you created earlier to your house and weblog pages.

Don’t neglect to click on on the ‘Save Adjustments’ button on the backside of the web page to retailer your modifications.

WordPress will now use the web page titled ‘Residence’ as your website’s entrance web page and ‘Weblog’ web page to show your weblog posts.

Change Web site Title and Tagline

In the course of the set up you get to decide on your website’s title. WordPress robotically provides a tag line to your website title that claims ‘Simply one other WordPress website’.

You may change each your website’s title and tagline at any time by visiting Settings » Normal web page.

Your website title would be the identify of your web site like WPBeginner. The tag line is often a single line that describes your web site.

It’s also possible to go away the tag line subject clean if you’d like as a result of WordPress web optimization plugins like AIOSEO, Yoast web optimization, and others will override it for higher SEO (extra on this later).

Don’t neglect to click on on the save modifications button to retailer your settings.

Arrange Feedback Settings

WordPress comes with a built-in remark system permitting your customers to go away feedback in your posts. That is nice for WordPress person engagement, however it’s focused by spammers as effectively.

To take care of this, you’ll must allow remark moderation in your web site.

Go to Settings » Discussions web page and scroll right down to ‘Earlier than a remark seems’ part. Test the field subsequent to ‘Remark have to be manually authorised’ possibility.

Don’t neglect to click on on the save modifications button to retailer your settings.

Create Navigation Menus

Navigation menus enable your customers to browse totally different pages or sections in your web site. WordPress comes with a robust navigation menu system, and your WordPress theme makes use of this method to show menus.

Let’s add a navigation menu to your web site.

First, it is advisable go to Look » Menus web page. Enter a reputation to your navigation menu and click on on the create menu button.

WordPress will now create your navigation menu. However will probably be empty in the mean time.

Subsequent, it is advisable choose the pages you wish to show in your menu after which click on on add to menu button.

You’ll discover your chosen pages filling the empty space of your navigation menu. You may transfer these menu objects up and right down to rearrange their place within the menu.

Now it is advisable choose a show location. These areas are outlined by your WordPress theme. Often, most WordPress themes have a main menu that seems in your web site header on the prime.

Lastly, click on on the save menu button to retailer your navigation menu.

Now you can go to your web site to see the menu in motion.

For extra detailed directions see our newbie’s information on the best way to add navigation menu in WordPress.

Step 6. Putting in Plugins

WordPress Plugins are like apps to your WordPress website. They will let you add options and customizations to your WordPress website. Assume contact type, picture galleries, and many others.

You may set up plugins out of your WordPress dashboard by clicking on the Plugins web page.

There are at the moment greater than 58,000 free plugins out there for WordPress. There are additionally paid plugins bought by third-party web sites and builders.

With this many plugins, how do you discover which plugins to put in? We received you lined there as effectively, see our information on the best way to select the most effective WordPress plugin.

Right here is our listing of important plugins that you must set up in your website immediately. All of them are free.

Options

• WPForms Lite – Permits you to add a contact type to your WordPress website.
• Envira Gallery Lite – Add lovely picture galleries to your WordPress website
• MonsterInsights – Join your web site with Google Analytics and see how guests discover and use your web site, so you may preserve them coming again.
• SeedProd – Drag and drop web page builder for creating utterly customized designs & layouts with none technical know the way.

Web site Optimization

• All in One web optimization – Enhance your WordPress web optimization and get extra visitors from Google
• WP Tremendous Cache – Free WordPress caching plugin that helps enhance your web site pace
• PushEngage – Helps enhance web site visitors by letting you join with guests after they go away your web site. Push notifications are prime 5 visitors supply for WPBeginner.

Safety

• Updraft Plus – Create automated scheduled backups of your web site
• Sucuri – Web site safety audit and malware scanner

Extras

• WooCommerce – makes it simple to arrange a web-based retailer and promote bodily merchandise.
• MemberPress – makes it simple to create and promote on-line programs and digital memberships.
• Smash Balloon – makes it simple so as to add social media widgets for Instagram, Fb, Twitter, and YouTube.
• OptinMonster – helps you get extra electronic mail subscribers and optimize web site conversion fee.
• HubSpot – add free stay chat, electronic mail advertising and marketing, and CRM to your WordPress web site. Works seamlessly with OptinMonster.
• Uncanny Automator – helps you arrange automated workflows to streamline your small enterprise workflows and save time.
• WP Mail SMTP – fixes WordPress electronic mail deliverability points with PHP Mail configurations on managed WordPress internet hosting suppliers.

Need assistance putting in plugins? See our step-by-step information on the best way to set up a WordPress plugin.

For extra plugin suggestions take a look at our listing of 24 should have WordPress plugins for enterprise web sites.

Step 7. Mastering WordPress

WordPress is simple to make use of, however it’s also an especially highly effective content material administration system. Sometimes, chances are you’ll end up searching for some fast WordPress assist.

The excellent news is that there are many free WordPress assist out there. See our information on the best way to correctly ask for WordPress assist and get it.

WPBeginner itself is the most important WordPress useful resource website on the web. You will see that the next assets on WPBeginner (all of them are utterly free).

• WPBeginner Weblog – That is the place we publish our WordPress tutorials, how tos, and step-by-step guides.
• WPBeginner Movies – These step-by-step movies will provide help to be taught WordPress FAST.
• WPBeginner on YouTube – Want extra video directions? Subscribe to our YouTube channel with greater than 245,000 subscribers and 23 Million+ views.
• WPBeginner Dictionary – The perfect place for newcomers to begin and familiarize themselves with the WordPress lingo.
• WPBeginner Blueprint – Take a look at plugins, instruments, and providers we use on WPBeginner.
• WPBeginner Offers – Unique reductions on WordPress services and products for WPBeginner customers.
• WPBeginner Interact Group – Join with our WordPress consultants and different like-minded bloggers / web site homeowners (over 76,000 members).

Listed below are few of our guides that you must bookmark immediately. It should prevent a number of money and time sooner or later.

• 25 Commonest WordPress errors and the best way to repair them
• Newbie’s information to troubleshooting WordPress errors
• Easy methods to repair widespread picture points in WordPress
• The last word WordPress safety information (step-by-step)
• Final WordPress web optimization information for newcomers (step-by-step)

A lot of our customers use Google search to seek out solutions on WPBeginner. Merely kind key phrases for what you’re searching for and add wpbeginner.com on the finish.

Can’t discover a solution? Ship your query immediately utilizing our contact type, and we’ll attempt our greatest to reply.

Step 7. Taking it Additional

To this point we now have proven you the best way to make a web site, add a brand new theme, add new internet pages, and set up important plugins.

Need to take it even additional?

Utilizing WordPress you may create highly effective area of interest web sites able to doing much more.

• Add an eCommerce retailer
• Begin your individual podcast
• Create a membership Web site
• Create an internet listing
• Create a coupons web site
• Construct a critiques web site
• Create multilingual web sites
• Create a Job Board web site
• Create a query and solutions web site
• Create a wiki knowledgebase web site

For extra examples, take a look at our listing of 19 forms of web sites you may create with WordPress

Steadily Requested Questions (FAQs)

Having helped hundreds of individuals begin a web site, we now have answered numerous questions. Beneath are the solutions to essentially the most incessantly requested questions on creating a web site.

Is WordPress the one method to create a web site?

No, there are quite a lot of different web site builders on the market comparable to Net.com, Wix, GoDaddy, and many others. However we consider that WordPress is the most effective and best platform to construct a web site.

Different business consultants agree with us too which is why over 41% of all web sites on the web use WordPress.

How do I make cash from my web site?

After serving to customers create a web site, that is by far essentially the most generally requested query. There are quite a lot of methods to make cash on-line out of your web site.

We now have a listing of 30 methods to make cash on-line utilizing WordPress. These aren’t get wealthy fast schemes. When you’re searching for a method to get wealthy fast by earning profits on-line, then sorry to interrupt the dangerous information, there’s no such means.

How do I begin a web site the place I can promote merchandise?

You may simply add a web-based retailer to your WordPress web site. We now have created a listing of the finest eCommerce plugins for WordPress. It’s also possible to observe our step-by-step information on the best way to begin a web-based retailer.

Whereas there are numerous different eCommerce platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and many others, we suggest utilizing the WooCommerce plugin for WordPress.

It offers you extra user-friendly options at an much more inexpensive value. Because of this WooCommerce is the most well-liked eCommerce platform available in the market.

Do I must know HTML / CSS to create and customise my web site?

No you don’t must know the best way to use HTML / CSS to construct a web site with WordPress. You need to use one of many many drag & drop WordPress web page builder plugins to simply customise your internet design.

How can I begin a web site without spending a dime?

Some web site builders might supply free choices, however we strongly suggest in opposition to utilizing these web site constructing options. Typically they are going to insert their ads in your web site which doesn’t look skilled and supply a horrible person expertise.

It’s all the time higher to buy your individual area identify and internet hosting, so you will have full possession of your web site. See what’s the distinction between area identify and webhosting.

Can I begin a web site like eBay?

Sure, you may simply create a web site like eBay utilizing an public sale plugin for WordPress. We now have a step-by-step information on the best way to construct a web-based public sale web site utilizing WordPress that you would be able to observe.

Can I get a free area for my web site?

Sure, some webhosting corporations supply a free area in case you select to begin a web site with them. Bluehost is an formally really helpful WordPress internet hosting supplier, they usually’re providing WPBeginner customers free area + 60% off internet hosting in case you select to construct your web site utilizing their service.

With that mentioned, you may all the time register a site identify individually from a standard area registrar after which buy webhosting from a distinct internet hosting firm like SiteGround or WP Engine.

Can I create a web site like Fb?

Sure, you may completely use WordPress to show your web site right into a social community. We now have a step-by-step information on the best way to make a web site like Fb utilizing WordPress.

Can I begin a web site with a dialogue board / discussion board?

The reply once more is sure. You need to use one in every of these discussion board plugins in WordPress to construct a web site with dialogue board options.

What’s the distinction between WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org?

Once we point out WordPress in our tutorial, we’re speaking concerning the standard self-hosted WordPress.org platform. It’s the highly effective open supply software program that you simply all the time hear about.

WordPress.com is a restricted weblog internet hosting service. They’ve just lately expanded their platform to supply web site and eCommerce plans with customized domains, however they’re far dearer in comparison with different WordPress internet hosting providers like Bluehost or SiteGround.

For extra particulars, see our detailed comparability chart of WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.

I by accident began my website with WordPress.com or one other web site builder, can I change?

Sure, you may all the time change your web site to WordPress. Typically instances newcomers make the error of utilizing the incorrect web site builder after which notice that these platforms don’t have all of the options they want.

We now have written detailed tutorials on the best way to correctly migrate from different web site builders to WordPress. Crucial half is to make it possible for your permalinks (URL construction) strikes over seamlessly, so that you don’t lose web optimization rankings.

Listed below are our detailed tutorials on the best way to transfer your web site to WordPress:

• Easy methods to correctly transfer from WordPress.com to WordPress.org
• Easy methods to transfer from Blogger to WordPress with out shedding rankings
• Easy methods to transfer from Wix to WordPress, step-by-step
• Easy methods to transfer from Weebly to WordPress (newbie’s information)
• Easy methods to simply transfer from Medium to WordPress
• Easy methods to Correctly Transfer from Squarespace to WordPress

How do I develop my on-line presence?

Now that you’ve got created your new web site, it’s time to to develop your on-line presence and get extra visitors.

We now have created an final information with over 27 actionable tricks to drive visitors to your new WordPress website.

Crucial recommendation we give to small enterprise homeowners is to instantly begin constructing an electronic mail listing.

E mail advertising and marketing lets you keep in contact with web site guests and prospects after they go away your web site. It’s confirmed to have a 4300% ROI on funding.

Right here is our comparability of the finest electronic mail advertising and marketing providers for small enterprise.

We hope this information helped you learn to make a web site with out hiring an internet designer or overspending cash. You may additionally wish to see our tutorial on the best way to create an expert enterprise electronic mail tackle, and our comparability of the finest enterprise cellphone providers for small enterprise.