How to Create a Website: Take a Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Own from Scratch
The website is the most important Digital Marketing channel, so it must be built very carefully and focused on what the company wants to achieve. If you still have doubts about how to create a website, read until the end of this article, because we will teach you EVERYTHING!
In the early days of the Internet and Digital Marketing, the paths to creating a website involved daunting tasks that very few people could perform, among other things, because they required knowledge of programming languages (such as HTML) and mastery of programs to create and manage images. Over time, several alternatives have emerged. Now it is very easy to register a name, create a website and produce quality images to make the page more visually pleasing.
Even so, many companies preferred to “skip” the website step and go the easy way: simply create a Facebook profile or fan page and make that their main face on the Internet. While it is true that you need to be on social media, not having a website or blog will result in a waste of the brand’s potential to gain its own audience.
In this article we will explain how to create a website and why it is important to do so, while we will also show you the best solutions to get your page up and running in a simple and definitive way.
What is a Website?
A website is a set of pages organized and hosted on an Internet server, accessible through a specific domain. Just as a house has furniture such as sofas, wardrobes, tables and beds, a website is made up of pages containing text, images, graphics, videos and other resources. This set of elements creates a complete experience for users visiting the site, providing information and functionality.
What is a Website for?
A website can serve a variety of purposes, from increasing online visibility to boosting sales. For businesses, a website is crucial to gaining greater reach on the Internet, strengthening the brand, and increasing the chances of selling more. In addition, it can serve as a channel for communicating with customers, generating leads, and building a community around the brand.
How Does a Website Work?
Every time a person visits a website, they access it through a URL, which is the specific address of the page after HTTP or HTTPS (in the case of secure websites, which are the most recommended). By entering the URL, the browser requests the contents of the site from the server where it is hosted. These contents are organized in a database and presented to the user in a structured and easy-to-navigate manner.
How to Make a Website?
Creating a website involves several essential steps. First, you need a domain, which is the unique address that the site will have on the Internet. Then, you need a server, which is where all of the site’s files will be stored. Finally, a CMS (Content Management System) is used to manage the production and organization of the website’s content. The CMS allows users to create, edit, and publish content without the need for advanced technical knowledge, making site administration easy.
How to Create a Website from Scratch: Learn the Step by Step
Creating a website from scratch can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are a beginner in the digital world. However, with the right resources and tools, anyone can do it. Here is a step-by-step guide so you can build your website efficiently and professionally.
1. Register a Domain
The first thing you need to do is register your website’s domain. The domain, also known as the URL, is the address of your website, i.e. what visitors must type into the browser bar to reach your site. There are several domain categories, the most common being .com and its Mexican version .com.mx. There are also more specific domains, such as .edu for educational sites and .gob for government sites.
To get a domain, you need to register it and pay an annual fee, which is usually low if the domain is not in competition. The cost is usually around MX$200 per year. If the domain you want is already registered, you can try to locate the owner and make an offer to buy it, or think of an alternative name that is still available.
You can register your domain together with your hosting contract (the next step in this article) or separately, with the agency in charge of domain management in your country, such as registro.mx in Mexico.
2. Host your Website
Web hosting is the “land” where all of your site’s pages, images, and files are stored. There are several types of hosting, the most common being shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and cloud hosting.
With shared hosting, you share server space with other sites, which can reduce performance. It’s a cheaper option and is suitable for small or moderately trafficked sites.
With dedicated hosting, each site has its own server, which improves performance and security, but at a higher cost. It is ideal for sites with a lot of traffic or that require high levels of security.
Cloud hosting uses a network of machines that share resources, offering greater flexibility and resilience to hardware failures. This option allows you to easily scale your website’s capacity as needed.
When choosing the best hosting, you should consider the size of your website, the projected daily access, and your budget. Also consider the ease of use and technical support offered by the hosting provider.
Extra Tip for Choosing a Host
Use cPanel to manage your hosting service. It is a common and easy-to-use tool that will allow you to manage your website efficiently. Check to see if the hosting you choose offers cPanel, and if you have any questions, check with the provider.
3. Choose a Website Builder
You don’t need any in-depth programming or design knowledge to create a website thanks to the website builders available today. WordPress.org is one of the most popular, although there are others such as Wix and Joomla!.
WordPress.org offers a wide variety of themes and plugins that allow you to customize your website to your needs. However, don’t confuse it with WordPress.com, which while easier to use, is more limited and uses its own domain, which isn’t ideal for a professional image.
Opt for a domain registered specifically for your brand. In addition to WordPress, there are other interesting builders you can try, such as Wix and Joomla!. These builders come with ready-made themes and additional features that you can combine and customize to create a website that resembles your brand.
Extra: Install WordPress
If you choose WordPress, follow these steps to install it:
- Download the latest version of WordPress and unzip the .zip file.
- Create a database for your website using cPanel and the MySQL Database Wizard. Click “create a database”, then “create database users”, and finally “add user to database”. Remember to write down all the information for future reference.
- Upload WordPress files to your site directory using cPanel.
- Go to install.php to complete the installation and configure your site. It will look something like “www.yourdomain.com.mx/wp-admin/install.php”.
4. Define your Objective
Now that you have the technical aspects sorted out, it’s time to define the purpose of your website. Some common functions are to present products and services, help people find your location, reinforce the trustworthiness of your brand, generate leads, and open a channel of contact.
Define a main goal for your site and organize it in a way that users can easily navigate and find the information they are looking for. This will help prevent your homepage from becoming overloaded with too much information and will make the user experience more enjoyable and effective.
Your goal has a lot to do with your digital marketing strategy. For example, if your goal is to promote your company, focus on content that presents your brand and showcases your values. If your goal is to generate leads, make sure to include contact forms and clear calls to action.
5. List the Sections of Your Website
Most websites contain common sections such as the home page, about us, products or services, clients, portfolio or success stories, and contact. These sections are effective because they answer the most common questions visitors ask.
The Homepage is the first impression visitors will have of your site, so it should be attractive and easy to navigate. Use striking images and attention-grabbing phrases.
The About Us section should tell your company’s story and introduce your team. This helps build trust and credibility.
The Products or Services section should list and describe what you offer. Use clear and detailed descriptions along with high-quality images.
The Clients section can highlight your most important and well-known clients, displaying testimonials and success stories to demonstrate your reliability.
The Portfolio or Success Stories section is a way to showcase examples of your work and the results you have achieved for other clients.
The Contact section should include a contact form, addresses, email and phone numbers so that visitors can easily contact you.
Use your site’s purpose to clearly define which sections to include and what content should be in each. Create a site map to organize this information and make sure everything is well structured.
6. Choose a Theme
To use WordPress, you need a good theme that fits the needs of your site. There are hundreds of high-quality options, both free and paid. Choose a theme that is responsive, meaning it adapts to different screen sizes and devices, since many users access websites from their mobile devices.
Set up and customize your theme to align with your brand identity. Most themes allow you to customize design elements such as the menu, colors, branding, and other visual aspects. Make sure your chosen theme is easy to navigate and visually appealing.
Extra: Configure your Theme
To customize your theme in WordPress, select “Customize” from the menu. Depending on the theme, you may be able to adjust different elements of the design to fit your brand. Take the time to explore all the customization options available and create a design that is unique and appealing.
7. Produce Content
With your purpose and sections defined, it’s time to create your site’s content. Define the central theme of each page, create lists of topics and subtopics, and write corresponding texts. Make sure your content is relevant, easy to read, and aligned with your audience’s interests.
When writing the content for each page, follow these tips:
- Define the central theme: Each page should have a clear theme that answers users’ questions or needs.
- Create lists of topics and subtopics: This helps structure your content logically and makes it easier to navigate.
- Divide topics into subtopics: Subtopics can be the content of each paragraph, making it easier to read.
- Review your topics: Make sure all your topics and subtopics make sense and are well organized.
- Transform your topics into texts: Write clearly and concisely, always thinking about your audience.
- Review the content: Have someone else review your content to make sure it is clear and error-free.
Keep your audience in mind at all times. Use accessible language and avoid technical terms that can confuse users. Remember that the key to content marketing is creating relevant and easy-to-read content.
8. Create the Images
Quality images are crucial to adding credibility to your content and attracting visitors. Learn how to create engaging images by following these tips:
- Watch tutorials and tips: There are many resources available online that teach you how to create professional images.
- Look for professional image references: Get inspired by sites and blogs you visit frequently, analyzing what attracts you visually. 3. Choose an appropriate color palette: Colors should be in harmony with your brand identity and the overall design of your site. 4. Adopt a consistent visual style: Consistency in visual style helps reinforce your brand identity and makes it easier to navigate your website.
If you can’t hire a designer, use online tools like Canva, which offers templates and options to create high-quality images without requiring prior graphic design experience.
With these steps, you’ll be ready to create a professional and effective website, even if you’re a beginner. Let’s get started!
Why does your company need a website?
A website is essential to any digital marketing strategy, as it acts as the nerve center of your online presence. While other channels such as social media, blogs, and videos direct users to this main window, the website provides the key information and experience users need to decide whether to purchase or contact you.
Is it possible to create a website by yourself?
Yes, it is entirely feasible to create a website yourself if you have the right tools. While many businesses choose to hire a developer to ensure a professional look and advanced functionality, tools like Rock Stage allow you to build an attractive and functional website in just a few clicks. Later, we will guide you through the process of doing so.
Types of websites and their characteristics
Institutional Website
The institutional website acts as a digital business card. Its purpose is to present the company’s basic information in a clear and concise manner. It should have a clean and accessible design, and provide the necessary contact channels to facilitate communication with visitors.
Dynamic Website
A dynamic website takes functionality a step beyond the institutional site. It uses advanced technologies to offer a more interactive and personalized experience. Although it remains a key source of information, its design allows for greater interaction with users.
Ecommerce
An ecommerce site is designed for the online sale of products or services. It should include complete details about each item, secure payment options, and a seamless shopping experience. It is essential for businesses that want to expand their reach through online sales.
One Page
The One Page format presents all information on a single page, eliminating the need to navigate between multiple tabs. This approach simplifies the user experience and is ideal for sites looking to communicate all of their content in a direct and dynamic manner.
Social networks
Social media is an interactive platform that allows businesses to connect with their audience in real-time. Through regular posts and engaging content, social media helps build relationships and increase brand engagement.
Blogs
A blog functions like a digital magazine, providing valuable and relevant content to engage and educate your audience. It is a powerful tool for content marketing strategies and for improving brand visibility and authority.
Landing Page
Landing pages are pages designed to convert visitors into leads. They are used in specific campaigns to offer content or promotions in exchange for contact information. A good CTA (Call to Action) is crucial for their effectiveness.
Hotsite
Hotsites are temporary pages created for special events or seasonal campaigns, such as an exclusive offer or product launch. Their simplicity and focus on specific details make them ideal for maximizing the impact of specific campaigns.
Differences between website, blog and social media profile
While each of these channels serves a different function, combining them effectively can boost your digital marketing strategy:
- Website: Acts as a digital showcase, providing essential and stable information about your company. Ideal for attracting and converting visitors.
- Blog: Excelente para generar contenido de valor y atraer tráfico a tu sitio web. Es una plataforma dinámica que permite interactuar y educar a tu audiencia.
- Social Media: Perfect for real-time engagement and promoting content from your blog and website. They facilitate interaction and strengthen relationships with users.
Frequently Asked Questions About Website Creation
How to create a professional website for free?
Platforms like Wix, Weebly, and Google Sites offer free website building options. However, consider whether a free solution meets your business’s professional needs, as it may have limitations.
How do I create a free URL?
Free platforms usually provide URLs in the format “username.platformname.com”. For a custom, professional URL, you will need to invest in a paid domain.
How to create a free website step by step?
The process is usually simple: sign up for the platform, choose a template, and add your content. Free options have less customization, so it’s ideal for small projects or testing.
How much does it cost to create a website?
Costs include domain (from MX$299 per year), hosting (around MX$200 per year) and website development. All-in-one solutions like Rock Stage can offer complete packages at competitive prices.
How much does it cost to maintain a website?
Maintenance includes the annual payment for the domain and hosting. Additionally, you can consider technical support if your provider does not include it.
How much does it cost to open an online store?
In addition to domain and hosting costs, an e-commerce site requires investment in payment systems, logistics, and marketing automation platforms.
How to create a website?
To create a site, it is essential to understand the difference between the website and its individual pages. In WordPress, for example, you can add new pages from the admin panel, adding relevant content.
How to create a personal page on the Internet?
Create a page that highlights your professional experience, expertise, and achievements. This space should impress visitors and establish you as an expert in your field.
Recommended tools to grow your website
PIXLR
For creating and adjusting images at no cost, Pixlr is an efficient option that works directly in your browser, eliminating the need for additional installations.
Coolors
Generate harmonious color palettes for your website with Coolors. You can start with a base color or an image to get attractive and coherent combinations.
Yoast SEO
This WordPress plugin makes it easy to optimize your website for search engines. It offers suggestions to improve visibility and search engine ranking.
Google Analytics
Install Google Analytics to gain detailed insights into your site’s traffic and user behavior. This tool is essential for fine-tuning and improving your web strategy over time.
Tips for Having a Successful Website
To make your website stand out and succeed in the competitive digital environment, it is essential to follow some key tips. Below are the top 5 tips that will help you optimize your website and attract more visitors.
Tip 1: Optimize Site Performance
Your website’s performance is a critical factor for both user experience and search engine rankings. Search engines, especially Google, value how quickly a website loads, whether on desktop or mobile devices. Loading speed directly affects user retention rate, as visitors tend to abandon sites that take more than 3 seconds to load on mobile devices.
To ensure your website offers a smooth user experience, perform regular speed tests using web analytics tools. These tools not only tell you how quickly your site loads, but also offer recommendations to improve its performance, such as optimizing images, reducing file sizes, and using caching techniques.
Tip 2: Keep an Active and Relevant Blog
A well-managed blog is a powerful tool for attracting and keeping visitors on your website. Unlike a static page, a blog allows you to publish content on a regular basis on topics relevant to your audience. Publishing useful, well-researched articles not only attracts visitors interested in your industry, but also gives you the opportunity to insert backlinks that direct users back to your main site.
Use your blog to offer tips, valuable information, and updates related to your industry. For example, if you sell health care products, you can write about wellness tips and link those articles to your product pages. This strategy not only improves your site’s visibility in search engines, but also establishes your authority in your area of expertise.
Tip 3: Integrate Your Site with Social Media, Email and Other Channels
Your website should be the core of your digital strategy, with all other channels acting as extensions to promote it. Make sure your site is linked to your social media profiles by including links to your site in your social media bios and posts. You can also use email marketing campaigns to drive traffic to your site by including links in your newsletters and email signatures.
Don’t limit yourself to social media and email. Consider integrating other online channels such as your YouTube channel, contributions to external blogs, and participation in podcasts or groups on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Each of these channels can help increase visibility and attract more visitors to your site.
Tip 4: Select an Attractive and Functional Template
The first impression users have of your website is crucial. Just like a brick-and-mortar store, the way your website looks can influence whether visitors decide to stay or leave. Opt for a professional template that not only reflects your brand identity but also offers intuitive navigation and an appealing visual presentation.
A good template should be responsive, meaning it can adapt to different screen sizes and devices. It should also be easy to customize so you can adjust the design and functionality to your business’s specific needs. A clean and professional design will increase user confidence and improve their experience on your site.
Tip 5: Implement an Effective SEO Strategy
Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential to improve your website’s visibility in search results. Here are some key elements for an effective SEO strategy:
- Title: Your page title should be clear, concise, and contain your main keyword. It is one of the most important factors for SEO, as it appears in the browser tab and search results. Try to keep it under 60 characters.
- URL: Your page URL should also be optimized. Use short, descriptive URLs that include relevant keywords. This helps search engines better understand the content of your page.
- Keyword: Conduct keyword research to identify the terms your audience is searching for. Integrate these keywords naturally into your content to attract visitors interested in those topics.
- Links: Quality backlinks are crucial for SEO. The more relevant and high-authority links pointing to your site, the better your position in search results will be. Avoid buying links and focus on getting links from reputable sites by creating valuable content and collaborating with other sites.
Tips for Getting Quality Links
Getting quality links is a vital aspect of SEO. Here are some strategies to get relevant links:
- Create Exceptional Content: Publish valuable, well-researched content that naturally attracts links from other sites. Outstanding content is more likely to be shared and linked to by others.
- Participate in Relevant Conversations: Comment on blogs and forums related to your industry, and link to your content when it’s relevant to the discussion.
- Collaborate with Other Sites: Partner with other sites to exchange links in a way that benefits both parties and their audiences.
The Power of Content Marketing
Content Marketing is a key strategy to attract and retain visitors to your website. Creating and maintaining a constant flow of relevant content not only improves your visibility in search engines, but also helps you build a strong relationship with your audience.
To implement an effective Content Marketing strategy:
- Editorial Calendar: Plan and organize your content publishing to maintain a consistent frequency. An editorial calendar will help you stay on track and ensure that content is published on a regular basis.
- Build Sales Funnels: Understand your customers’ buying journey and create content that guides them through each stage of the sales funnel, from discovery to conversion.
- Diversidad de Contenidos: Ofrece una variedad de formatos de contenido, como artículos, infografías, videos y estudios de caso, para abordar diferentes intereses y necesidades de tu audiencia.
Your Route to Success on the Web
Creating and maintaining a successful website involves a series of integrated steps and strategies. From optimizing your site’s performance and appearance to implementing a solid SEO and Content Marketing strategy, each aspect plays a crucial role in the success of your online presence. By following these tips and focusing on quality and relevance, you’ll be on the right path to building a website that not only attracts visitors but also converts them into loyal customers.
Remember that the digital world is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay on top of the latest trends and adjust your strategies accordingly. With dedication and a well-planned approach, your website can achieve the success you desire. Start implementing these tips today and watch your online presence strengthen and grow!
