How to Make Wesbite

Step 1. Define What Your Website Is For

Every time I build a new site, this is where I start. Not with design. Not with tools. With purpose. If you skip this step, you risk building something that looks fine but doesn’t actually move your business forward.

Ask yourself, what is this site really supposed to do?

It might be to book clients, sell a product, build an email list, or just showcase your work. Your site can do more than one thing, but you need to know what the priority is. That single goal should drive your decisions as you build.

Let’s say your goal is to sell a digital product. Your homepage should lead people to a sales page, and that page should be designed to convert. If you’re trying to attract consulting clients, your site should make it easy to understand what you offer and how to contact you. Each path looks different.

Now take it one level deeper. Who is this for? Be specific. A site built for local businesses will look and sound different from one aimed at a startup founder or a travel blogger. Think through what your audience needs to see, feel, or understand to trust you.

Here’s how I map this out in my own projects:

• Main goal: What is the number one outcome?
• Visitor action: What do I want people to do?
• Ideal audience: Who am I building this for?

Once you have those answers, write them down. Keep them in a spot you’ll come back to later. This will keep you focused when you get into details like layout, copy, and calls to action.

I’ve seen too many people skip this and end up redoing their site six months later. Don’t do that. Start with clarity. The rest will flow much easier.

Step 2: Choose a Domain Name

This is where your website starts to take on a real identity. Your domain is what people will type, share, and remember. It’s not just a technical detail. It’s your brand.

I’ve helped dozens of clients choose domain names, and the same patterns always come up. The best names are short, clear, and easy to say out loud. If someone hears it once, they should be able to spell it without asking twice.

Start with a brainstorm. Write down words that reflect your name, niche, product, or vibe. Mix and match them. Try combining them in different ways. You’re not looking for clever. You’re looking for clean and memorable.

Keep these in mind as you narrow it down:

• Stick to one to three short words
• Avoid numbers and hyphens
• Make sure it sounds like a real name
• Choose something easy to pronounce
• Check that it’s not already taken or trademarked

If the .com is available, grab it. That’s still the gold standard. You can explore other extensions like .co or .io if needed, but most people still default to .com when typing.

Now check availability. Sites like Namecheap or Google Domains make this easy. If your first choice is taken, try slight variations. Add a verb, a location, or another word that fits naturally. For example, if ClearNest.com is taken, try GetClearNest.com or ClearNestStudio.com.

Before you lock it in, say it out loud. Imagine telling someone your web address in person. If it feels awkward, skip it. Your domain needs to be effortless.

Once you’ve found the right name and confirmed it’s available, register it. You can do this through a domain registrar, or often through your hosting provider during setup.

Don’t overthink it, but don’t rush it either. A good domain name gives your project instant credibility. It sets the tone from day one.

Step 3: Choose the Right Platform to Build On

This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your platform shapes how your site works, how much control you have, and how fast you can build.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. The right choice depends on your goals, your experience level, and how much time you want to invest.

Let’s look at the three main paths.

1. Use a Website Builder

If you want something fast, simple, and polished without learning to code, go with a builder like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify (for stores).

These platforms are drag-and-drop. You pick a template, tweak it, and you’re live. They handle hosting, updates, and security behind the scenes. Perfect if your focus is getting a clean site live quickly.

The tradeoff is flexibility. You’re building within their system, so certain custom features might not be possible.

Use a builder if:

• You want to launch fast with minimal learning
• You prefer simplicity over control
• You don’t want to deal with hosting or software updates

2. Use a Content Management System (CMS)

WordPress is the most popular option here. It’s open-source, super flexible, and supported by thousands of plugins and themes.

If you’re okay with a small learning curve, this is a great middle ground. You’ll need hosting, and you’ll be responsible for updates, but you get full control. Most of my own sites and client builds are on WordPress because of how scalable it is.

Choose WordPress if:

• You want long-term flexibility and ownership
• You plan to blog, run SEO, or scale features over time
• You’re comfortable learning how to manage it or hiring someone who can

3. Code It from Scratch

If you know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or you’re learning, building from scratch gives you total control. This path is the slowest, but it’s also the most customizable. You’re not limited by a template or plugin ecosystem.

For most people, this option isn’t necessary. But if you want to build a custom web app or learn development, it’s a great project.

Use this option if:

• You enjoy coding or want full control
• You’re building something unique that doesn’t fit into templates
• You’re okay with the extra time and effort involved

Whichever path you choose, pick one that aligns with your goals and bandwidth. If you just want to launch a great site and get going, don’t feel bad about using a builder. If you want to grow and customize over time, go with WordPress.

Make this choice with intention. It affects every step that comes next. Once you’ve picked your platform, we’ll move on to setting it up.

Step 4: Get Your Hosting Set Up

Now that you’ve chosen your platform, it’s time to give your website a home.

If you picked a website builder like Wix or Squarespace, you can skip this part. They include hosting by default. But if you’re using WordPress or planning to code your site yourself, you’ll need to choose a hosting provider.

I’ve tested just about every major host out there. Some are fast, some are cheap, and some give you headaches. The good ones make setup easy, include solid support, and keep your site running smoothly.

What Hosting Actually Is

Hosting is where your website files live. When someone types in your domain, your host delivers the site to their screen. That’s why speed, uptime, and support matter here.

What to Look For

For most new websites, a shared hosting plan is plenty. Look for a host that offers:

• One-click WordPress installation
• Free SSL certificate (for HTTPS security)
• Reliable customer support
• Good uptime (above 99.9 percent)
• Clean, beginner-friendly dashboard

Some of the most trusted options I recommend for beginners:

• Bluehost – officially recommended by WordPress, easy for first-timers
• SiteGround – excellent support and site speed
• Hostinger – budget-friendly, solid for small projects

Choose one and go through their sign-up process. You’ll pick a plan, create an account, and either register a new domain or connect the one you already bought.

Keep it Simple

You’ll see upsells during checkout. Some are useful, like automatic backups or privacy protection. Others you don’t need right now. Skip anything you’re unsure about. You can always add features later.

Once you check out, you’ll land in your hosting dashboard. From here, you can install WordPress, connect your domain, and start building.

If You Bought Your Domain Elsewhere

No problem. You’ll just need to point your domain to your new host by updating the DNS settings. Your host will give you two “nameservers” to copy and paste into your domain registrar’s settings. It sounds technical, but it’s just a few clicks. If you get stuck, your host’s support team can walk you through it.

Getting your hosting in place means your site has a foundation. Now we can start putting the structure together and actually bring your website to life.

Step 5: Set Up Your Site and Get It Online

This is where your project shifts from planning to building. You’ve got your domain. You’ve got hosting. Now it’s time to bring the two together and get your website live.

If you’re using WordPress, most hosting providers offer a one-click install. You don’t need to touch any code. Just log into your hosting dashboard and look for an option like “Install WordPress” or “Start a new site.” Follow the prompts. You’ll set your site name, create a login, and choose a basic theme to start.

A few minutes later, your site will be online.

You can check by typing your domain into the browser. You’ll probably see a simple starter layout with a “Hello world” post or some placeholder content. That’s your site. It’s live. From here on out, you’ll build and customize it.

Accessing the WordPress Dashboard

Once installed, go to yoursite.com/wp-admin
That’s the control panel where you’ll manage everything moving forward.

Bookmark it. This is where you’ll:

• Create new pages and posts
• Install themes and plugins
• Customize the design
• Change site settings
• Add or update content

Spend a little time here clicking around. Familiarize yourself with the menu on the left. It’s your toolbox.

If You’re Using a Website Builder

Your setup steps are slightly different, but just as straightforward. When you sign up with a platform like Squarespace or Wix, they’ll walk you through a short setup flow.

They’ll ask what kind of site you’re building and show you a few template options. Pick one. You can change it later. After that, you’ll land in their visual editor.

Take a moment to add your site title and logo. Drop in a headline or two. You don’t need to write full pages yet. Just start to make it yours.

Create Placeholder Pages

Regardless of platform, now’s a good time to create your core pages. You don’t have to fill them out yet, but set them up so your site has structure.

Start with:

• Home
• About
• Contact
• Services or Portfolio (depending on your purpose)

Having these in place makes the next design and content steps much easier. You’ll be able to build navigation menus, test layout ideas, and start thinking through your copy.

This is the first time your project becomes something real. The domain you picked is now tied to something you can see and touch. From here, we start shaping it into something people will trust, explore, and act on.

Step 6: Design the Look and Feel of Your Site

This is where your website starts to take on personality. Design is not just about looking good. It’s about guiding attention, building trust, and creating an experience that feels right for your audience.

Before you start tweaking colors or fonts, take a step back. What do you want someone to feel when they land on your homepage? Clean and professional? Playful and bold? Quiet and focused?

That clarity shapes every decision that follows.

Choose a Theme or Template

If you’re using WordPress, go to Appearance > Themes and browse the library. Look for something that matches your vibe and your purpose. Don’t worry about every little detail. You can customize fonts, colors, and layouts later.

For builders like Wix or Squarespace, you likely chose a template during setup. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, go back to the template gallery and swap it out before you get too far in.

A good theme should be:

• Mobile responsive
• Easy to navigate
• Visually aligned with your brand

You don’t need dozens of flashy animations or moving parts. Keep it simple. The design should support the content, not distract from it.

Add Your Brand Elements

Now bring in your own assets. Upload your logo if you have one. If not, use a clear site title in a strong font. Choose a main color and one or two accents. This keeps everything consistent.

Set your fonts for headings and body text. Stick with something clean and legible. Your visitors should never have to squint or guess what something says.

Build the Structure

Start laying out each page. Think of your homepage like an elevator pitch. In a few scrolls, a visitor should know:

• Who you are
• What you do
• Why it matters
• What to do next

Use headings, sections, images, and buttons to guide them. Your homepage doesn’t need to say everything. It just needs to lead them in the right direction.

For the About page, be human. Tell your story, but keep it focused on what makes you valuable to the reader.

On the Contact page, make it easy. Add a form. List your email. Drop in a map if you have a physical location.

Build the Navigation

Set up your menu. Keep it short and intuitive. Home, About, Services, Contact. That’s usually enough. If you have dropdowns, keep them organized. Too many options can create confusion.

Test on Mobile

Design on desktop is one thing. But most people will visit your site on a phone. Use your phone to scroll every page. Make sure buttons are easy to tap, text is easy to read, and nothing feels broken.

Most modern themes handle mobile well. But it’s your job to make sure everything feels smooth.

Good design builds trust. It invites people to stay a little longer and click a little deeper. You don’t need to be a designer to build something clean and usable. You just need to be intentional.

Step 7: Write and Add Your Content

Now that your site looks the part, it’s time to give it a voice. This is where most people stall. They stare at a blank page and try to make the words sound perfect. Don’t do that. Start by getting your ideas down. Clarity first, polish later.

Your content doesn’t need to be clever. It needs to be clear, helpful, and intentional. Every word should point your visitors toward the action you want them to take.

Start With the Core Pages

Let’s keep this simple. Focus on the essential pages first. You can always add more later.

Homepage
Lead with a strong headline. One sentence that tells people what you do and who it’s for.
Follow with a short paragraph or bullet list of benefits.
Add a clear call to action: book a call, shop now, read more, whatever fits your goal.

About Page
Share your story, but make it relevant to the reader. Why does your background, experience, or approach matter to them?
Use a friendly tone. This is a great place to build trust.

Services or Products Page‍

Break each offer into its own section. Use subheadings, short descriptions, and clear pricing if you’re ready to list it.
Add call-to-action buttons so people know what to do next.

Contact Page‍

Keep it simple. A short message like “Let’s connect” is enough.
Include a contact form, your email, and any other relevant info like hours or location.

Write Like a Human

Skip jargon. Don’t try to sound like a big company if you’re not. Be direct. Write how you speak. If you’re stuck, imagine explaining your site to a friend who knows nothing about what you do.

Then read it out loud. If it sounds stiff or confusing, cut it or rewrite it.

Use Simple Structure

Break long text into short paragraphs. Use headings to separate ideas. Add bullet points where it helps people scan quickly.

Nobody wants to read a wall of text. Respect your visitor’s attention. Make it easy to find the good stuff.

Include Visual Support

Pair your content with images that reinforce the message. A product photo. A picture of you or your team. A screenshot of your service in action.

Use real photos if you can. If you need stock images, choose ones that feel natural and aligned with your tone.

Add Trust Signals

If you have them, drop in a testimonial or two. Add client logos. Mention media features or awards. Even something as simple as “Trusted by 200+ customers” goes a long way.

Your content is the part people actually come to read. Make it count. Write with clarity, lead with purpose, and always guide your visitor toward a next step.

Step 8: Optimize for Search and User Experience

Your site is built. Your content is live. Now it’s time to make sure people can actually find it, and more importantly, enjoy using it once they do.

SEO and user experience go hand in hand. Search engines are getting better at understanding what people value. That means the same things that help you rank will also help your visitors stick around.

Start With On-Page SEO Basics

These are simple changes you can make today:

Page Titles and Meta Descriptions
Each page on your site should have a clear title that includes a keyword. If you’re a wedding photographer in Austin, your homepage title might be “Austin Wedding Photography | Jane Rivera.”
Meta descriptions show up in search results. Write a short sentence that makes people want to click. Keep it under 160 characters.

Use Headings Properly
Every page should have one H1 at the top (your main headline), followed by H2s and H3s as you break the content into sections. This helps Google understand the structure of your content.

Keywords
Use them naturally. Don’t stuff your site full of phrases like “best coffee in Brooklyn” 14 times. Instead, include your main keyword in the headline, a subheading, and once or twice in the body.
Think about what your ideal customer might type into Google and make sure your page helps answer that search.

Improve Site Speed

A slow site can kill your rankings and frustrate visitors. Here’s how to speed things up:

• Compress your images before uploading
• Use a caching plugin if you’re on WordPress
• Avoid heavy animations or background videos unless they truly add value
• Choose a fast and reliable host from the start

Test your site on Google PageSpeed Insights to find areas to improve.

Make it Mobile Friendly

This is not optional. Over half of all traffic is mobile. Your site should work just as well on a phone as it does on a laptop.

Check these:

• Is the text large enough to read?
• Are buttons easy to tap?
• Do images scale properly on smaller screens?

If anything feels off on your phone, fix it now.

Clean Up Navigation

Keep your menu simple and logical. Use clear names like Home, About, Services, Contact. Drop-downs are fine, but avoid going more than one level deep unless your site is content-heavy.

Include a call to action in your navigation if it fits, like “Book a Call” or “Get a Quote.”

Set Up Google Analytics and Search Console

This gives you data on who’s visiting, what they’re clicking, and how they found you.

• Google Analytics shows you user behavior
• Search Console helps with indexing and keyword performance

Both are free. Both are worth setting up early.

The goal here isn’t to game the system. It’s to build a site that answers real questions, runs smoothly, and feels easy to use. That’s what Google wants. That’s what your visitors want. And when you give them both what they need, your site starts to grow.

Step 9: Launch Your Site and Test Everything

You’ve put in the work. The pages are written, the layout looks solid, and things are finally coming together. This next step is about making it official.

But don’t rush it. A smooth launch makes a strong first impression. You want to be confident that every link works, every button leads somewhere, and everything feels just right.

Do a Final Pass

Step into the shoes of a visitor. Click every menu item. Read each headline out loud. Fill out your own contact form. Test your calls to action. This isn’t busywork. It’s where a polished site separates itself from one that’s just thrown together.

Here’s a short checklist I follow every time:

• Spelling and grammar checked across all pages
• All internal links and navigation working
• Contact form submits and sends to your inbox
• Meta titles and descriptions in place
• Mobile layout works cleanly on your phone
• Images are compressed and display correctly
• SSL certificate is active (look for the lock icon)

If you’re using WordPress, make sure your site is not accidentally blocking search engines. Go to Settings > Reading and uncheck “Discourage search engines from indexing this site.” I’ve seen this box kill a few launches over the years.

Remove Maintenance Mode

If you used a “coming soon” plugin or had password protection in place, now’s the time to disable it. Your site should be publicly viewable at your domain.

Visit your site from a different device or browser where you’re not logged in. See what everyone else sees. This helps catch anything that might have been cached or hidden from your admin view.

Share It With Intention

Once everything looks good, it’s time to let people know.

• Share your site on social platforms
• Update your email signature
• Let your clients, friends, or audience know it’s live
• Add your link to your LinkedIn profile, business cards, or bio pages

Don’t just post a link and hope. Tell people why it matters. What you’ve been working on. What they can expect when they visit. Presence makes all the difference.

Watch the Data Roll In

With Google Analytics and Search Console set up, you’ll start to see real traffic and behavior data within a few days. Keep an eye on bounce rates, popular pages, and how people are finding you. These numbers will help you adjust and grow over time.

Your site is no longer an idea. It’s a living thing on the internet. It’s searchable. Shareable. Real. That alone is a win.

Next, I’ll walk you through what it takes to keep it running strong for the long haul. Because building a great site is one thing. Maintaining it with purpose is what sets pros apart.

Step 10: Maintain and Improve Your Website Over Time

A website isn’t something you launch and walk away from. You need to properly maintain it if you want it to work.

Even the best sites lose traction if they go untouched for too long. Plugins break. Info gets outdated. Broken links sneak in. A clean, active site shows visitors (and Google) that you’re still in the game.

Here’s how I keep things sharp for my own projects and for clients who trust me to manage theirs.

Set a Monthly Check-In

Block 30 minutes once a month. That’s all it takes to catch issues early and keep things running smoothly.

During that check-in, run through this quick list:

• Update WordPress core, plugins, or themes
• Test your forms and contact links
• Check site speed with a free tool like GTmetrix
• Make sure all pages and images load correctly
• Read your homepage like a visitor seeing it for the first time

It sounds basic, but most site issues I fix for clients are things that could have been caught with a simple monthly routine.

Keep Content Fresh

If you have a blog, keep posting. If you don’t, just make sure your core content stays current.

Update your About page when things change. Add new services or case studies. Refresh testimonials. Remove expired offers or old pricing.

Google rewards freshness when it matters. Visitors notice too. An outdated site feels neglected. A current one feels alive.

Back It Up

Use an automatic backup tool if your platform supports it. For WordPress, plugins like UpdraftPlus work great. Your host may also offer backup options. Either way, have a plan.

If your site goes down or gets hacked, you want to be able to restore it without starting from scratch.

Pay Attention to the Data

Log into Google Analytics and Search Console once in a while. Look for trends.

• Which pages get the most views?
• Where are visitors dropping off?
• Are there any crawl errors showing up?

You don’t need to obsess over numbers, but watching these patterns will show you what’s working and where to improve.

Grow with Intention

Maybe you start a blog. Maybe you add a new offer. Maybe you redesign a few sections after a year or two. Growth should feel aligned with your goals, not like busywork.

If your site starts attracting more traffic or you outgrow your host, you can always upgrade. That’s a good problem to have.

A healthy website is one that evolves. You don’t need to tweak it every week, but you do need to show up and care for it.

Stay consistent. Stay aware. Your site can keep working for you long after launch if you keep it tuned and moving forward.

What Happens When You Follow Through

You started with an idea. Maybe it was a sketch in a notebook. Maybe it was just a sentence in your head. Now, if you followed this guide step by step, that idea lives online. It has form, function, and momentum.

That’s not small. That’s the foundation of everything else.

Your website is now something you control. It speaks for you when you’re not in the room. It builds trust, captures leads, sells products, or shares your voice. Whatever goal you set back in Step 1, this site was built around it.

But more than that, you now understand the process. You’ve learned how to:

• Choose tools that match your goals
• Design with clarity and confidence
• Write content that speaks to people
• Launch with care and attention
• Maintain something that keeps working over time

And that skill stays with you. You can build again. You can help someone else. You can grow what you just made into something bigger.

If you want to keep learning, take the next step that fits your path:

• Start writing blog posts to drive traffic
• Add email capture to grow your list
• Explore deeper SEO tactics or performance tools
• Test small improvements based on user behavior

Or just keep showing up. Keep making it better, one small change at a time.

I built Trendline SEO on the belief that showing up with intention beats chasing trends. The same goes for websites. You don’t need to be flashy. You just need to be useful, clear, and consistent.

Thanks for reading. Now go make something great.

‍