Introduction
Creating an internet site for your business or personal brand has never been easier thanks to the abundance of user-friendly tools now available. With no prior coding knowledge required, anyone can get an attractive, responsive website up and running in just a few straightforward steps.
In this beginner's guide, we'll walk through the key phases of creating your very own site from scratch using widely accessible resources. By following these 5 simple steps, you can establish an online presence that effectively showcases your offerings to the world in a professional way.
Having your own site unlocks immense benefits like:
- Showcasing your products, services, content, and brand message
- Building credibility and trust with customers
- Generating leads and sales for your business
- Engaging with your target audience and community
With do-it-yourself website builders, open source CMS platforms, and affordable hosting options, creating an internet site is now within reach for entrepreneurs, creators, and organizations of all sizes and budgets. Let's dive in and look at how easy it can be!
1. Choose a Domain Name
Your domain name is the unique web address that identifies your site and brand. Coming up with a short, memorable domain tailored to your business should be the first step when creating an internet site.
Brainstorm keywords and phrases related to your offerings and goals for the site to find ideas. Aim for a .com name that encapsulates your brand if available. For example, a wedding photography business could use modern-wedding-photography.com.
If your ideal .com is taken, try variations with other extensions like .net or .org. Just steer clear of obscure extensions that people may not recognize or trust.
You can check domain availability right on registrar sites like GoDaddy, Bluehost, and Namecheap. Platforms like Unicorn Platform also offer seamless domain registration and setup along with their website builders.
Tips for Picking a Good Domain
- Keep it short, simple, and easy to spell
- Make it relevant to your brand or site topic
- Check social media username availability
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.comis best,.net,.org, etc. also work - Avoid hyphens, numbers, and obscure extensions
- Use recognizable keywords related to your business
- Be sure the name fits with your branding
- Test it out loud and with different devices
- Ensure it's unique and not easily confused
With some thoughtful brainstorming, you can come up with the perfect domain to represent your online presence for years to come.
Where to Register Domains
- GoDaddy - Popular registrar with cheap first-year pricing
- Bluehost - Domains included free with hosting plans
- Namecheap - Budget domains starting at $8.88/yr
- Unicorn Platform - Hassle-free domain management
- Google Domains - Simple no-frills registration
Spend time picking the right domain - this will be the digital real estate for your brand going forward.
2. Choose a Web Hosting Plan
To make your site accessible on the internet, you'll need web hosting. Hosting provides the storage space, servers, and technology infrastructure to serve your site's files to visitors.
There are a few common hosting types to choose from:
- Shared hosting - Cost-effective plans ideal for new sites
- VPS hosting - More flexibility and control with virtual private servers
- Dedicated hosting - Most powerful but expensive option
We recommend starting with shared hosting which offers ample capabilities for small sites at just $5-15 per month. Just be sure to go with an established, reputable provider versus cheap, no-name companies.
Popular picks like Bluehost, SiteGround, and A2 Hosting offer reliable shared plans backed by excellent support and 99.9% uptime guarantees thanks to robust server redundancies. Managed WordPress hosting from WP Engine is also a great option for sites using WordPress. Platforms like Unicorn Platform provide optimized hosting tailored for startups along with their website builders.
Key Hosting Considerations
- Monthly cost based on needs and growth plans
- Uptime guarantee and server redundancies
- Available support channels and response times
- Scalability options to upgrade as your site grows
- Page loading speeds and data center locations
Top Hosting Providers
- Bluehost - Reliable shared hosting with cPanel
- SiteGround - Fast shared plans with stellar support
- A2 Hosting - High-speed hosting with anytime money-back guarantee
- WP Engine - Managed WordPress hosting
- Unicorn Platform - Optimized startup hosting
Carefully evaluating hosting providers will ensure your site's performance, stability, and ability to handle traffic surges.
3. Select Your CMS Platform
A content management system (CMS) makes it easy to manage and update site content without needing to code. We highly recommend using an established CMS platform for creating your site.
Popular options like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace offer intuitive drag-and-drop site builders. This allows you to create an internet site by customizing templates, adding your branding, tweaking designs, and inserting your own text/images without touching code.
Open source CMS platforms like WordPress provide immense extensibility via the thousands of plugins available. This makes it easy to add features like ecommerce, forums, user logins, and more.
Many web hosts provide one-click CMS installation right from your hosting dashboard. Platforms like Unicorn Platform have a CMS tailored specifically for startups and SaaS companies built into their website builders.
Popular CMS Platforms
- WordPress - Open source CMS with large plugin ecosystem
- Wix - Drag and drop editor with extensive templates
- Squarespace - Stylish templates with built-in ecommerce
- Webflow - Visual editor with animation and interactions
- Unicorn Platform - Intuitive CMS for startups and SaaS
Key CMS Considerations
- User-friendly editor and content updating
- Template selection and customization options
- Features, scalability, and extensibility
- Security provisions and timely updates
- App integrations and third-party plugins
Leveraging a CMS dramatically simplifies creating your site without needing to know coding.
4. Design and Build Your Website
Now it's time to design and build out your actual website. Having an attractive, user-friendly interface is crucial for maximizing your site's impact.
We suggest starting with a minimalist, mobile-friendly template from your selected CMS platform that aligns with your vision. Carefully choose complementary fonts and colors that reinforce your brand identity.
Focus on clean layouts, ample white space, and simple navigation. Use high-quality images and graphics that engage visitors without slowing page loads.
From there, customize the template by tweaking:
- Colors to match your brand
- Fonts that reinforce your image
- Images and graphics that engage visitors
- Page layouts and structure that make sense
Be sure to optimize your site for mobile responsiveness so it looks great on smartphones and tablets.
Tips for Planning Site Design
- Focus on clean layouts and simple navigation
- Use high-quality images and graphics
- Limit text and adopt minimalist aesthetic
- Ensure mobile responsiveness
- Stick to consistent branding and styles
Adding Your Content
- Write SEO-optimized page titles and meta descriptions
- Use brief paragraphs and bullet points
- Embed videos/visuals to engage visitors
- Link internally between related content
- Promote your products, services and value proposition
Leverage the built-in editor of your CMS platform to easily build and manage website content without coding. Insert well-written text, eye-catching images, videos, and other elements that bring your brand story to life.
5. Launch Your Website and Spread the Word
Once your website design is complete, it's time to officially launch your site!
Here are some key steps to take before launch:
- Install SSL certificate for HTTPS and security
- Set up analytics to monitor traffic and engagement
- Thoroughly test site speed and mobile experience
- Validate forms, plugins, and integrations are working
- Audit site for SEO and fix any issues
To drive visitors to your new site, utilize:
- Emails to customers announcing the new website
- Social media posts and story shares about the launch
- Outreach to relevant blogs and influencers in your niche
- Press releases and branded assets to promote the launch
- Engaging with related communities and discussion forums
In addition, focus on building high-quality backlinks by contributing guest posts to industry blogs. Actively participate in relevant social media groups and discussions. Send personalized outreach emails to potential partners and collaborators. Identify and engage with your target audience across channels.
Spread the word far and wide about your new online home! Be sure to keep creating great content, optimizing your SEO, and refining the user experience over time. Monitor traffic sources and metrics to gain insights to improve the site.
Pre-Launch Checklist
- Enable HTTPS and SSL certificate
- Install analytics to monitor traffic
- Test site speed and mobile experience
- Check forms, plugins, and integrations
- Validate SEO elements are in place
Promoting Your Site
- Email customers and partners about new site
- Share launch on social media
- Outreach to relevant blogs and influencers
- Create link-worthy content and assets
- Research and utilize related communities
With the site live, focus on growth through robust content creation, promotion, and traffic analysis. Congrats on creating your own internet site!
Conclusion
Creating an internet site is now within reach for businesses and individuals without tech expertise. Follow these 5 phases - choose a domain, pick hosting, decide on a CMS platform, design your site, and launch your site.
Leverage the wealth of resources now available like website builders, open source CMS software, and affordable hosting plans. With the right preparation and promotion, your custom site can become the ideal online hub to engage customers and grow your brand.
The ability to make your own site empowers entrepreneurs and organizations to turn their digital presence into an asset. A custom internet site lets you control your narrative, establish credibility, foster community, and unlock success.
So don't let lack of coding skills hold you back. Use this guide to create an awesome site that achieves your online goals! Platforms like Unicorn Platform make it easy to build a customized site tailored to your startup or SaaS business. Check them out to bring your online vision to life.
