How to Build a Simple Website from Scratch

Introduction

In today’s digital age, having a website is like owning a piece of real estate on the internet. Whether you want to start a blog, promote your business, or showcase your portfolio, building a website from scratch is easier than you think. You don’t need to be a tech wizard or a programmer to do it — all you need is a bit of guidance and the right tools.

This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through the key steps to building a simple, functional, and professional-looking website from the ground up.

Step 1: Decide Your Website’s Purpose

Before diving into tools and platforms, ask yourself:

What do you want your website to do?
Who is your target audience?
Will you update it regularly or keep it static?

Some common website types include:

Personal blogs
Business sites
Portfolio or resume sites
E-commerce stores
Informational websites (like this one!)

Having a clear goal helps you choose the right design and content strategy

Step 2: Choose a Domain Name

Your domain is your website’s address — like www.yoursite.com. Try to:

Keep it short and memorable
Avoid hyphens and numbers
Use a .com extension if possible

Check availability using domain registrars like:

GoDaddy
Namecheap
Google Domains

Once you find an available name, register it right away. Domains typically cost around $10–15 per year.

Step 3: Get Web Hosting

Think of hosting as the home where your website lives. Popular hosting providers include:

Bluehost
Hostinger
SiteGround

Look for a plan that includes:

1-click WordPress installation
Free SSL certificate
Good customer support

Most beginner-friendly hosting plans cost around $2–5 per month if billed annually.

Step 4: Install WordPress (Or Another Platform)

WordPress powers over 40% of websites worldwide — and for good reason:

It’s free and open-source
You can build any type of site with it
Thousands of free themes and plugins

Most hosts offer 1-click WordPress installation. Once installed, you can log into your WordPress dashboard and start building.

Step 5: Pick a Theme and Customize Your Design

In WordPress:

Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New
Choose a free theme like Astra, Kadence, or Neve
Install and activate it

Customize your theme by editing:

Logo
Colors and fonts
Header & footer
Homepage layout

Use the built-in Customizer or install a page builder like Elementor or Spectra for drag-and-drop design.

Step 6: Add Essential Pages

Home – brief intro + links to key content
About Us – who you are, what the site is for
Contact Us – with form or email
Privacy Policy – required for AdSense
Blog or Articles – where your content lives

Use clear headings, readable fonts, and avoid clutter.

Step 7: Install Useful Plugins

Plugins add functionality to your site. Some must-haves:

Yoast SEO – for search engine optimization
WPForms – to create contact forms
UpdraftPlus – for site backups
Site Kit by Google – integrates AdSense, Analytics, and Search Console

Avoid installing too many plugins — they can slow down your site.

Step 8: Publish Quality Content

Your site is only as good as the content on it. Write original, useful, and well-structured articles on topics your audience cares about.
Tips for content: