How to Make a Website From Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide
building a website is now easier and more cost-effective due to the growing popularity of user-friendly web development platforms and tools. For example, Hostinger Website Builder uses artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the process in under an hour.
Keep reading as we guide you through the steps of building your own website using either a website builder or WordPress.
Step 1: Sign Up for a Hostinger Account
- Visit Hostinger: Go to Hostinger.
- Choose a Plan: Select a hosting plan that suits your needs. Hostinger offers various plans, including shared hosting, cloud hosting, and VPS hosting. For most beginners, the shared hosting plan is sufficient.
- Create an Account: Register for a new account by providing your email address and setting a password.
- Purchase a Plan: Complete the purchase process by choosing the duration of your hosting plan and entering your payment details.
Step 2: Choose a Domain Name
- Select a Domain: If your plan includes a free domain, you can choose one during the signup process. If not, you can purchase a domain through Hostinger or another domain registrar.
- Check Availability: Ensure your desired domain name is available and fits your brand.
Step 3: Set Up Your Hosting Account
- Access Your Control Panel: After purchasing your plan, log in to your Hostinger account and access the control panel (hPanel).
- Set Up Your Domain: If you purchased a domain through Hostinger, it should be automatically set up. If you used a third-party registrar, you’ll need to point your domain to Hostinger’s nameservers.
Step 4: Choose Your Website Building Platform
Using Hostinger Website Builder
- Navigate to the Website Builder: In hPanel, find the “Website” section and click on “Website Builder.”
- Launch the Builder: Click "Start" to launch the website builder.
- AI-Powered Setup: Answer a few questions about your site’s purpose, preferred style, and features you want. The AI will then create a personalized website for you in minutes.
- Choose a Template: Browse through the available templates and select one that fits your needs.
Using WordPress
- Navigate to Auto Installer: In hPanel, find the “Website” section and click on “Auto Installer.”
- Select WordPress: Choose WordPress from the list of applications.
- Install WordPress: Follow the prompts to install WordPress. You’ll need to enter your website details and create an admin account.
- Choose a Theme: Once WordPress is installed, log in to your WordPress dashboard, go to "Appearance" > "Themes," and choose a theme that fits your site’s purpose.
Step 5: Customize Your Website
Customizing with Hostinger Website Builder
- Edit the Layout: Use the drag-and-drop editor to customize the layout of your pages. You can add, remove, and rearrange elements like text blocks, images, and videos.
- Add Content: Populate your site with content. Create essential pages like Home, About, Services, and Contact.
- Customize Design: Adjust colors, fonts, and other design elements to match your brand.
Customizing with WordPress
- Install Plugins: Enhance your site’s functionality with plugins. Popular choices include Yoast SEO, Contact Form 7, and WooCommerce for e-commerce.
- Edit Pages and Posts: Create and edit pages and posts from the WordPress dashboard. Use the Gutenberg editor to add blocks of content.
- Customize Design: Use the theme customizer to adjust colors, fonts, and other design elements. Many themes also offer their own customization options.
Step 6: Optimize for SEO
- SEO Settings: Use built-in SEO tools to optimize your website. Add meta titles, descriptions, and keywords to each page.
- URL Structure: Ensure your URLs are clean and descriptive.
- Content Optimization: Use relevant keywords in your content to improve search engine rankings.
Step 7: Preview and Test Your Website
- Preview Mode: Use the preview function to see how your site looks on different devices.
- Test Functionality: Check all links, forms, and interactive elements to ensure they work correctly.
Step 8: Publish Your Website
- Go Live: Once you’re satisfied with your website, click the “Publish” button to make it live on the internet.
- Monitor Performance: Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor your website’s performance and make necessary adjustments.
Step 9: Promote Your Website
- Social Media: Share your website on social media platforms to attract visitors.
- Email Marketing: Use email marketing to reach out to your contacts and inform them about your new website.
- SEO and Content Marketing: Regularly update your site with fresh content and optimize it for search engines to attract organic traffic.
Conclusion
Building a website with Hostinger is easy and efficient, even for beginners. With the help of AI-powered tools and a user-friendly interface, you can have a professional-looking website up and running in under an hour. Follow this guide to get started and launch your online presence today!