How to Create a Website from Scratch in 9 Steps

Knowing how to create a website from scratch is a powerful skill for anyone looking to establish an online presence. Websites help with personal branding, showcasing creative work and running a business. This article explores the process of website creation in 9 simple steps. We also cover the essential costs associated with launching and maintaining your online space. 

From identifying the purpose of your website to choosing a hosting service, we provide a comprehensive guide to get you started. We’ll also go through setting up website navigation, and how to test and review your website before going live. 

Whether you aim to establish a simple personal blog or develop a complex eCommerce platform, this article offers valuable insights to confidently start your web development journey from 0.

1. Identify the Purpose of Your Website

The first step to creating a website from scratch is to identify the purpose of your website. The purpose of a website refers to its primary function and intention. Example purposes include blogs, eCommerce platforms, lead generation tools and portfolios. It’s important to understand a website’s purpose because this directly determines the site’s technical requirements, functionality, and design when you create it from scratch.

Technical requirements include server prerequisites such as the type of hosting you choose, hosting specifications, and whether content delivery networks (CDNs) are required. A site with the purpose of eCommerce requires robust hosting solutions (VPS hosting, cloud hosting, dedicated hosting) to handle high traffic and secure transactions. Less intensive hosting like shared hosting suits a website purposed to be a small portfolio.

Website functionality also varies based on purpose. A content management system (CMS) is crucial for a blog to enable easy content updates. eCommerce sites instead need functionality like product and service pages, shopping carts, and payment processing capabilities. Lead generation sites require optimized landing pages and forms to capture user information.

Design elements like mood, colors, and layout also need to align with your website’s purpose and target audience’s preferences. An eCommerce site with strong design elements highlights products and simplifies the shopping experience. A portfolio website with strong design elements showcases work in an attractive and professional manner.

2. Pick a Web Host or Website Builder

The second step is to pick a web host or website builder. These services host all of your website’s data on servers, which allows users worldwide to see your website’s content. 

A web host is a service provider that offers the technology and services needed to host and maintain a website on the internet. They give you server space where your website files are stored, and support content management systems (CMS) like WordPress for easier site management and customization.

A website builder is a tool or platform that helps you create a website from scratch without the need for manual code editing. These builders offer a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop features and pre-designed templates. Website builders are a good choice for those who lack technical skills but want to create and host a website easily.

Choose website hosting if you are a web developer, IT professional, or require extensive customization for complex websites and large-scale projects. Opt for a website builder if you are a small business owner, blogger, artist, or entrepreneur that needs a quick and easy-to-manage platform for a basic to moderately complex website.

3. Register a Domain Name

The third step is to register a domain name. A domain name is the unique address on the internet where your website is found, like www.example.com. It serves as a human-readable address for your website’s IP address. Registering a domain name is a critical step in establishing your website’s identity and brand.

You have two main options for registering your domain name. The first is to register through a web host or website builder. Many web hosting services and website builders offer domain name registration as part of their hosting packages. This is a convenient option as it bundles the domain registration with your hosting service. It often includes the domain name for free or at a discounted rate for the first year.

The second option is to register via a domain registrar. A domain registrar is a company that specializes in registering domain names. Opting for a domain registrar provides a wide range of choices and better control over your domain settings.

Note that you’ll need to connect the domain name to your hosting service if your domain name is registered with a domain registrar separate from your hosting service. This involves changing the domain’s DNS settings to point to your web host’s server. The process ensures that users are directed to your website hosted on your chosen web host’s server when they type your domain name into their browser.

4. Design Your Website

The fourth step is to design your website. It’s important to align your website’s aesthetics with your purpose and branding. Focus on these 4 key elements:

Logo

The logo is a vital aspect of your website’s identity. Place it prominently in the header and footer of your site. Consider creating a favicon, a small, iconic image that represents your website in browser tabs and bookmarks.

Layout

The layout of your website dictates how content is structured and navigated. A well-thought-out layout ensures a seamless user experience, and properly guides visitors to important sections effortlessly. Make your layout intuitive and place your main products or services front and center. 

Color Schemes

Color schemes play a significant role in the visual appeal and user experience of your website. Choose colors that not only represent your brand but also resonate with your target audience. The right color scheme evokes the desired emotion and keeps users engaged.

Font Styles

Font styles are not just a design choice but also an element of readability and user comfort. Choose fonts that are easy to read and consistent with your website’s overall tone and purpose. Use different font styles for headings, subheadings, and body text to create a visually appealing hierarchy.

5. Set Up Standard Web Pages

The fifth step is to set up standard web pages. These are must-have pages for any legitimate website. Be sure to include these 5 pages:

Homepage

The Homepage is the first page most visitors see, and acts as the gateway to the rest of your website. The homepage clearly states what your website is about and guide visitors to other sections. It also sets the tone for your website’s branding and user experience.

About page

The About Page offers a deeper insight into who you are, what your website represents, or the story behind your business or organization. It’s a chance to connect with your audience by sharing your mission, values, and the people behind the website.

Contact page

The Contact Page includes various ways to contact you or your team, such as an email address, contact form, phone number, or a physical address or map. This page is vital for building trust and encouraging communication, and also for visitor interaction.

Privacy policy page

A Privacy Policy Page is legally required if your website collects any information from its visitors (e.g. names, email addresses, or payment information). It explicitly outlines how this data is used and protected. A clear privacy policy is crucial for compliance and building trust with your users.

Terms of use (TOS) page

The TOS Page is important as it sets the legal groundwork for how visitors are able to use your website. It also states what to expect from your services or content. A TOS page helps protect your rights and outlines the responsibilities of your users. It covers areas like copyright, disclaimers, and limitations of liability.

6. Publish Website Content

The sixth step is to publish website content. Website content encompasses the posts, pages, and media on a website that are intended for its visitors. The content varies depending on the website’s purpose and is essential for engaging and informing your audience.

Blog content primarily consists of blog posts that are relevant to the niche. These posts provide value to the readers, whether through informative articles, how-to guides, personal stories and industry updates. The key is to create content that resonates with your target audience and establishes your blog as a go-to resource in your niche.

eCommerce website content is focused on product and service pages. These pages include detailed descriptions, pricing, and clear images. Customer reviews are optional but strongly recommended. The goal is to provide sufficient information to facilitate purchasing decisions and to make the shopping experience as seamless as possible.

Portfolio website content is all about showcasing your work. This includes written descriptions, images, videos, and audio clips. The portfolio highlights your skills, experience, and the unique aspects of your work. It effectively serves as a digital gallery of your professional accomplishments.

Your website content is tailored to meet the needs and interests of your target audience whether it’s to inform, sell, or showcase. It most importantly reflects the core objectives of your website.

7. Set Up Website Navigation

The seventh step is to set up website navigation. This refers to the array of user interface elements that guide visitors in finding content and features within a site. These elements are organized as menus and various forms of link text and buttons embedded within the site’s content.

There are 3 things to set up regarding your website’s navigation.

The first is the header menu. It is a crucial navigation tool and the first point of interaction for visitors. This menu is prominently displayed at the top of each page and includes links to the main sections of your site. These include the homepage, about page, blog, and contact page. Make your header menu intuitive and straightforward so visitors are able to quickly understand how to navigate your site.

The second is the footer menu. It acts as a secondary navigation area, and is found at the bottom of each page. This menu includes links to important but less prominent content, such as the privacy policy, terms of use, and sitemap. It also provides quick access to contact information and social media links.

The third are your homepage links. They are vital in directing visitors to important content. Your homepage features links to key sections or recent content. These include featured products in an eCommerce site, recent blog posts, or a portfolio showcase. Homepage links take the form of text, buttons and images. They are strategically placed to draw attention and encourage exploration of your site.

8. Test and Review Your Website

The eighth step is to test and review your website. This is to ensure everything functions correctly before launching your website. 

There are 4 things to do:

Install SSL certificates

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are critical for website security. They encrypt the data transferred between your server and your visitors’ browsers to protect sensitive information. An SSL certificate also boosts your website’s credibility and SEO rankings.

Check for errors

It’s important to check all website content for UI (User Interface) errors, broken links, and broken images. This includes reviewing text for typos or formatting issues to ensure all links lead to the correct pages. Be sure to also verify that all images load properly. Errors in content or broken elements significantly detract from the user experience and your site’s professionalism.

Test your site functionalities

Confirm that all site functionalities work as expected. This encompasses menus, search functions, buttons, forms, and the checkout process (if applicable). Each interactive element needs to work seamlessly to ensure that users navigate and use your site without any issues.

Access your website on different browsers and devices

Your site needs to offer a consistent and responsive experience across various browsers (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and on devices of different sizes (e.g. smartphones, tablets, and desktops). This guarantees that all visitors have a positive experience regardless of how they access your site.

9. Launch Your Website

The ninth and final step is to launch your website. The process varies slightly depending on the platform you’re using.

Those using a website builder simply need to click a “Publish” button. Website builders are designed for ease of use, and they commonly include this straightforward option to make your site live. Once you click “Publish,” your website is accessible to the public. You’re also able to start sharing the URL with your audience.

Those using WordPress need to go through an additional step to ensure that their website is visible to search engines. It involves unchecking the option that says “discourage search engines from indexing this site” in the WordPress dashboard.  This setting is frequently used while the site is under construction to prevent it from appearing in search results prematurely. Unchecking this option allows search engines like Google to index your site and makes it findable through online searches.

After launching, we recommend consistently promoting your website, monitoring its performance, and making ongoing updates to ensure it remains relevant and engaging for your audience.

What Is a Website?

A website is a collection of interconnected web pages and related content that is identified by a common domain name and published on at least one web server. Some websites are as simple as a single static page or as complex as a dynamic, multi-page platform. They are used for a wide range of purposes, including information sharing, eCommerce, entertainment, social networking, and more. Websites serve as both a medium for personal expression and a crucial tool for businesses and organizations.

What Types of Websites Can I Create?

There are 23 types of website you can create and these are:

Check our in-depth guide to all the types of website you can create for more details on each type’s purpose and requirements.

What Do I Need to Create a Website?

The core essentials you need to create a website are a domain name and a hosting service. For those who want to start a blog, you’ll also require a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress. A CMS simplifies creating, editing, and managing blog posts and pages. Those aiming to set up an eCommerce site would need an eCommerce platform such as Shopify or WooCommerce for WordPress. These platforms offer specialized tools for managing an online store, including inventory management, payment processing, and other sales-related functionalities.

What Do I Need to Create a .COM Website?

You need to register a .COM domain name to create a .COM website. The .COM domain is one of the most recognized and widely used domain extensions, and is commonly associated with commercial entities. You acquire a .COM domain name directly from a domain registrar or bundled with a web hosting package.

The next step after registering your .COM domain name is to connect it to your hosting service. After this setup, you start building and customizing your website on the chosen hosting platform.

Do I Need Website Builders to Make Websites?

No, you do not need website builders to make websites. It’s possible for those with a basic understanding of HTML and CSS to create functional websites without relying on website builders. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language for creating web pages, while CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used for designing and layout. 

Those who are highly proficient in HTML, CSS, as well as in JavaScript are able to create more sophisticated websites than those made with website builders. JavaScript adds an interactive element to web pages. This allows more complex features like animations, form validations, and dynamic content updates.

Do I Need Coding or Technical Knowledge to Build Websites?

No, you do not need coding or technical knowledge to build websites. Drag-and-drop website builders have made creating functional and visually appealing websites accessible to everyone regardless of their technical skills. They allow you to construct a website by simply dragging and dropping elements like text boxes, images, and buttons onto your page. It’s possible to customize layouts, add content, and even incorporate advanced features without needing to know HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. This makes website creation much more approachable for beginners, small business owners, or anyone looking to establish an online presence without the steep learning curve of coding.

How Much Does It Cost to Build A Website?

It costs between $100 to $6,000 to build a website. There are 7 main components that affect the final cost:

Domain Name Type

Domain names cost between $0.70 to $14 annually. The cost of a domain name varies based on its TLD (Top-Level Domain) type like .com, .blog, or .org, and the domain registrar you choose. 

Choice Of Hosting Service

The cost of hosting varies between $20 to $6,750 annually. Basic shared hosting is the cheapest. Cloud, managed and dedicated hosting is the most expensive. 

Choice of Website Builder

A website builder costs between $0 to $3,600. Some builders like Hostinger Website Builder come free with the web hosting service. Website builders with eCommerce functionalities come at higher prices. 

Choice of CMS (Content Management System)

A CMS costs between $0 to $385. WordPress, Joomla and Drupal are free.

Use Of Paid Components

Components like themes, apps, or plugins cost anywhere from $0 to $1,100 depending on their complexity and features. Many are free, but premium versions offer greater functionality and design options.

Hiring Web Developers

Expect to pay a one-time fee between $100 to $4,500 for a developer and $500 to $12,000 for a web designer. Rates vary widely based on experience, location, and the complexity of the website. 

Choice Of CDN (Content Delivery Network)

A CDN costs between $0 to $2,400 annually depending on your provider. These speed up website loading times to your audience.

Learn more about the cost of creating a website in our in-depth guide.

Can I Make a Website for Free?

Yes, you can make a website for free. Most website builders offer free-tier plans. There are also free web hosting providers that allow you to host a website at no cost. These hosting services often provide a subdomain (e.g., yourwebsite.freehost.com) and basic web hosting capabilities.

It’s important to note that websites created using free services come with certain limitations. This includes reduced performance, as free hosting often means shared resources with limited bandwidth and storage. Free plans also frequently include the provider’s branding, such as a footer logo or a branded subdomain. This affects your brand’s professional image. Design flexibility is also limited, with constraints on customizing templates or adding certain functionalities.

For a more professional, robust, and scalable website, investing in paid services is worthwhile. This is because you’ll have access to a custom domain, premium hosting, and advanced website builder features.

How Long Does It Take To Build a Website from Scratch?

Building a website from scratch takes as short as 1 hour to as long as 6 months depending on the scope and complexity of the website.

For a basic static site with a few pages, it’s possible to get it up and running within a few hours. This is especially true if you’re using website builders with pre-designed templates, which significantly speed up the process.

On the other hand, a complex website featuring sophisticated design elements, custom functionalities, and integrations take several months to build. Such projects involve detailed planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases. Examples include large eCommerce platforms, custom web applications, and sites requiring extensive content creation.

What Is the Fastest Way to Build a Website?

The fastest way to build a website is by using a website builder. There are four steps to follow.

Firstly, sign up for an account with a website builder of your choice. Options include Hostinger Website Builder, Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly. These platforms offer a range of features and templates for different needs.

Secondly, pick a pre-built website template. Once signed up, choose from various templates designed for different styles and purposes such as business, personal, eCommerce, or blogs.

Thirdly, customize with a drag-and-drop editor. After selecting a template, use the drag-and-drop editor to add, remove, or modify elements like text, images, and buttons without any coding.

Lastly, publish your website. Once satisfied with the design and content, hit the ‘Publish’ button. Your website is now live and accessible to the public.

What Is the Importance of Having a Website for Business?

Having a website is important for businesses for 4 reasons:

Online Presence

A website provides a vital online presence for businesses and allows them to reach a broader audience. It’s a platform where both paid and organic traffic is directed to expand the business’s reach beyond local boundaries. Majority of consumers are now searching online for products and services, so not having a website means missing out on potential customers.

Credibility

A professional-looking website is seen as a mark of credibility and legitimacy. It shows that a business is up-to-date and serious about its operations. A well-designed website fosters trust among potential customers, and reassures them of the quality and reliability of your products or services.

Branding

A website is a powerful tool for branding. It allows businesses to showcase their brand identity, values, and unique selling propositions. Websites also provide a controlled environment where businesses tell their story, create a brand image, and differentiate themselves from competitors.

Digital Marketing

Websites are essential for digital marketing efforts. They serve as the hub for various marketing strategies like content marketing, SEO, PPC advertising, and social media marketing. A website allows businesses to capture leads, nurture them with valuable content, and convert visitors into customers.

Learn more about the importance of creating a website with our in-depth guide.

Where Can I Learn More on Creating Websites?

You can learn more on creating websites by checking out Bitcatcha’s guides on all-things website. Bitcatcha offers a range of resources, including step-by-step guides, tips, and best practices for building and maintaining a website.