7 Best Ways to Create a Website – A Starter Guide for Beginners

Building a website can feel like a daunting task, especially when you’re just starting out. Maybe you’ve been asking yourself, “How can I get a website with all the bells and whistles without paying a fortune?” It’s a valid question, and the answer depends on what kind of website you want to build and your technical know-how. The good news is that there are several approaches to creating a website, each catering to different levels of expertise and desired outcomes.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the best ways to create a website, breaking down the pros, cons, and what to expect from each method. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone with a bit of experience, you’ll find the perfect solution to suit your needs.

Different Ways to Create a Website for You to Choose

1. Design and Code It Yourself (For Advanced Users)

If you have the time, patience, and a desire to learn, building a website from scratch gives you complete control over how it looks and works. This hands-on approach lets you create a site that truly reflects your vision, and it’s also a great way to learn about web development. By diving into the process of building your site from the ground up, you’ll understand how each piece of code and design decision shapes the final product. This method gives you the freedom to make your website exactly how you want it, ensuring it fits your needs and highlights your unique personality online.

What You’ll Need:

• HTML & CSS (for front-end coding): These are the building blocks of any website. HTML structures your content, while CSS defines the layout and design.
• JavaScript (for interactive elements): This programming language allows you to add dynamic features to your site, such as interactive forms, animations, or image sliders.
• PHP & MySQL (for back-end programming): If you want your website to have database support (like a blog or e-commerce store), PHP and MySQL will be essential.
• Photoshop (for graphics and images): If you need custom images, icons, or graphics, Photoshop (or alternatives like GIMP) can help you design them.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): This includes creating metadata, submitting your site to search engines, and ensuring your content ranks well.

Pros:

• Full control: You can design your website exactly how you want it to look and function.
• Customization: Since you’re writing the code yourself, you can create custom features and adjust the layout to meet your exact needs.
• Learning opportunity: This approach is perfect for those who want to deepen their technical skills and learn about web development.

Cons:

• Time-consuming: Learning to code and creating a website from scratch can take weeks or even months, especially if you’re new to web development.
• Steep learning curve: Coding requires patience, and even experienced developers run into challenges. If you’re a beginner, expect some frustrations along the way.

Best For:

• Advanced users or those who want to learn web development and have the time to do so.
• Businesses or projects that require a high level of customization.

2. Create a WordPress Site (For Intermediate Users)

WordPress is one of the most popular website platforms in the world, powering over 40% of all websites. Its popularity comes from how easy it is to use and its flexibility. As a content management system (CMS), WordPress allows you to create and manage your website without needing to know a lot of code. Its easy-to-use interface makes it perfect for both beginners and more experienced users. Whether you’re just starting out or have some experience, WordPress offers a wide range of themes and plugins to make your website look great and work just the way you want. Plus, there’s a huge community that can help with resources, tutorials, and support. WordPress is an excellent choice for anyone looking to build a professional and engaging website.

What You’ll Need:

• Domain Name: Purchase a unique domain name that represents your brand or business.
• Web Hosting: Choose a hosting provider that supports WordPress (many hosts, like Bluehost or SiteGround, offer one-click WordPress installation).
• Themes & Plugins: WordPress offers thousands of themes to control your site’s look and functionality. Additionally, plugins like WooCommerce, Yoast SEO, or Elementor can add extra features.
• Content: Prepare your text, images, and videos for uploading to the site.

Pros:

• User-friendly: WordPress is relatively easy to use, with an intuitive dashboard and pre-designed themes that make it easy to get started.
• Highly customizable: While you don’t need to code from scratch, you can still customize your site using plugins and themes.
• Massive community: With such a large user base, WordPress has a wealth of resources, tutorials, and forums to help you troubleshoot.

Cons:

• Research-heavy: WordPress is versatile, but that means you may spend a lot of time researching how to use the platform effectively, install themes, and configure plugins.
• Learning curve for advanced features: While basic sites are easy to set up, adding more advanced functionality or designing a highly custom layout may require some technical knowledge.

Best For:

• Intermediate users who want more control and flexibility than a drag-and-drop builder can offer, but without the complexity of full-scale coding.
• Bloggers, small businesses, and personal websites that want to get started quickly.

3. Choose a Ready-Made Template with a CMS (For Beginners to Intermediate Users)

If coding or using WordPress seems a bit too complicated, you can opt for a simpler option by using a pre-designed website template. These templates come ready to install on content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal. Once you pick a template, you can easily customize it to fit your needs by changing colors, text, and images. This approach is perfect for those who want a professional-looking website but don’t have the time or skills to design it from scratch. By using templates, you can save time and still get a great-looking website without needing to know much about coding.

What You’ll Need:

• Domain Name & Hosting: As with WordPress, you’ll need to purchase these before getting started.
• Template: Choose a template that suits your website type, such as a blog, portfolio, or e-commerce site.
• Content: Customize the template with your own images, text, and branding.

Pros:

• Fast setup: Templates are pre-designed, so you can have your site up and running quickly.
• Cost-effective: Many templates are free or very affordable, especially when compared to custom web design.
• Less technical know-how required: You don’t need to be an expert coder to use a CMS template; most offer drag-and-drop functionality or simple settings.

Cons:

• Limited customization: While templates are great for basic sites, they can be restrictive if you need unique features or designs.
• Dependence on third-party developers: The functionality of your site is limited to the features available in the template or CMS you choose.

Best For:

• Beginners who want a professional-looking site without needing to code.
• People who need to launch a website quickly, such as small businesses or personal projects.

4. Build with a Drag-and-Drop Website Builder (For Complete Beginners)

For those who want to build a website without dealing with any complicated coding, drag-and-drop website builders like Wix, Weebly, and Squarespace are a great option. These platforms make it easy for beginners to design a website by simply dragging elements like images, text boxes, and buttons into place. You don’t need any technical skills to create a professional-looking site—everything is done visually. These tools come with a variety of pre-designed templates, making it simple to get started. If you’re just beginning your online journey, these builders are perfect for you, allowing you to create a beautiful website quickly and without stress.

What You’ll Need:

• Account with the website builder: Choose a platform and sign up for an account.
• Content: Prepare your text, images, and any other media you want to feature on your site.

Pros:

• Extremely easy to use: You don’t need to know any coding or technical details to get started.
• Drag-and-drop functionality: You can build your website by simply dragging elements like text boxes, images, and buttons to where you want them.
• All-in-one solution: These platforms provide hosting, templates, and tools all in one package, so you don’t need to worry about the technical details.

Cons:

• Limited flexibility: You may run into limitations when trying to add advanced features or create a highly customized site.
• Subscription fees: To access premium features, you may need to subscribe to a paid plan, which can be more expensive than other options.

Best For:

• Complete beginners who need a simple, functional website without needing to learn any technical skills.
• Personal projects, portfolios, or small business websites.

5. Use Hosting Services That Include a Site Builder (For Beginners)

Many web hosting services now offer website-building tools as part of their packages. This means you don’t need to buy separate software to create your website. Hosting companies like BlueHost and GoDaddy offer easy-to-use website builders with drag-and-drop features. These platforms are perfect for beginners who want an all-in-one solution—hosting, domain, and website builder all in one place. You can select templates, customize them, and get your site up and running without worrying about complicated setups. These services are designed to make the process simple, allowing you to focus on creating content for your website instead of dealing with technical details.

What You’ll Need:

• Hosting account: Choose a hosting provider that includes a website builder.
• Domain Name: Typically, hosting services offer a free domain with your subscription.

Pros:

• One-stop shop: Everything you need—hosting, domain, and website builder—is included in one plan.
• Simplicity: These platforms are user-friendly and provide easy customization options.
• Affordable: The pricing is often competitive and comes with everything you need to get started.

Cons:

• Basic functionality: These tools may be fine for simple websites but can be limited in terms of customization and advanced features.
• Upgrade costs: To unlock more advanced features, you may need to upgrade to a premium plan.

Best For:

• Beginners looking for a low-maintenance website solution that includes everything in one package.

6. Sign Up for a Blog Platform (For Beginners)

If you’re primarily interested in blogging or need a simple website, signing up for a blog platform like WordPress.com, Medium, or Blogger is an easy way to get started. These platforms are very user-friendly and come with pre-designed templates, so you can create and publish content without any technical skills. While these platforms are great for beginners, they do have some limits when it comes to customizing your website’s design or adding advanced features. Still, if your goal is to quickly launch a blog or personal site, these platforms are perfect for getting online with minimal effort.

What You’ll Need:

• Account with the platform: Sign up for an account on a platform that supports website creation.
• Content: Prepare the articles, photos, or videos you want to post on your site.

Pros:

• Quick setup: These platforms allow you to start writing and publishing right away.
• Free options available: Many of these platforms offer free plans, though they may come with ads or limited features.
• Minimal maintenance: The platform handles most of the technical aspects for you.

Cons:

• Limited customization: The design and functionality are controlled by the platform, which limits your ability to create a fully unique site.
• Branding restrictions: Some free blog platforms place ads on your site or don’t allow you to remove the platform’s branding.

Best For:

• Personal bloggers or those who want to get started with writing without the complexity of a full website.

7. Hire a Professional Web Designer (For Those Who Want to Skip the DIY Route)

Hiring a professional web designer is a smart choice if you want a top-quality website but don’t have the time or skills to build it yourself. A designer can help bring your vision to life, creating a site that looks great and works smoothly across different devices. When you hire a designer, they handle all the technical work, from coding to design, so that you can focus on other things. This option is ideal for businesses or individuals who want a custom website but don’t have the expertise to build one on their own. It’s a great investment if you want a high-quality website that reflects your brand and goals.

What You’ll Need:

• Budget: Web designers can be expensive, depending on the scope of your project.
• Vision: Be prepared to provide the designer with your vision, including colors, layout, content, and features you want on your site.

Pros:

• Expertly designed: A professional web designer will ensure your site looks polished and functions smoothly.
• Saves time: You don’t need to worry about the technical details; the designer will handle everything for you.
• Custom features: If you need specific functionality, a designer can build it into your site.

Cons:

• Costly: Hiring a designer can be expensive, especially for larger or more complex websites.
• Less control: While you’ll provide input, the designer will be the one implementing the design and functionality, which means you may have less hands-on involvement.

Best For:

• Businesses or individuals who want a custom-designed website without the hassle of building it themselves.

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Conclusion

Choosing the right method to create a website depends on your needs, budget, and technical skills. Whether you want to roll up your sleeves and learn to code or prefer to hire someone to do the heavy lifting, there’s a solution for you.

For those who want complete control and are willing to invest time in learning, designing and coding it yourself or using WordPress can be rewarding. Beginners or those who need a website quickly may find drag-and-drop builders or ready-made templates to be the easiest and most cost-effective solutions. And for those who want the best of both worlds, hiring a professional might be the best option.

Whatever route you choose, remember that building a website is just the beginning. Once your site is live, it’s time to focus on content and promotion to make sure it reaches your target audience.