{"id":10346,"date":"2024-06-29T03:51:08","date_gmt":"2024-06-29T03:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/"},"modified":"2024-06-29T03:51:08","modified_gmt":"2024-06-29T03:51:08","slug":"10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Steps to Create a Website (from Scratch) in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Creating a website involves:<\/p>\n<p>Planning<br \/>\nContent creation<br \/>\nWeb design and development<br \/>\nTesting<\/p>\n<p>Historically, this process has taken months.<\/p>\n<p>Not to mention the complex coding, technical jargon, and steep learning curve. Making it seem like an impossible task to tackle by yourself.<\/p>\n<p>But with powerful no-code tools available, building a high-performing website doesn\u2019t have to be as complicated. And you don\u2019t necessarily need technical skills. (Specifically, deep knowledge like programming and server management).<\/p>\n<p><strong>You can create a website in a few days.<\/strong> Or a few weeks to allow time for more content creation.<\/p>\n<p>This post shares 10 steps to make a website ready to attract traffic, leads, and sales.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s begin.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_1_Define_Your_Website_Goal\" >Step 1: Define Your Website Goal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_2_Choose_Your_Domain_Name\" >Step 2: Choose Your Domain Name<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_3_Choose_a_Hosting_Provider_If_Required\" >Step 3: Choose a Hosting Provider (If Required)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Hostinger\" >Hostinger<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Siteground\" >Siteground<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Kinsta\" >Kinsta<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_4_Pick_a_Website_Builder\" >Step 4: Pick a Website Builder<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Top_Website_Builders\" >Top Website Builders<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Building_a_Website_from_Scratch\" >Building a Website from Scratch<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_5_Plan_Your_Site_Architecture\" >Step 5: Plan Your Site Architecture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_6_Design_Your_Website\" >Step 6: Design Your Website<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Pick_a_Theme_or_Template\" >Pick a Theme or Template<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Choose_Colors\" >Choose Colors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Choose_Fonts\" >Choose Fonts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Set_Your_Logo_and_Favicon\" >Set Your Logo and Favicon<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_7_Create_Essential_Pages\" >Step 7: Create Essential Pages<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#For_All_Sites\" >For All Sites<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Additional_Pages_For_a_Blog\" >Additional Pages For a Blog<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Additional_Pages_For_an_Online_Store\" >Additional Pages For an Online Store<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Additional_Pages_For_a_Portfolio\" >Additional Pages For a Portfolio<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_8_Identify_What_Content_Your_Target_Audience_Wants\" >Step 8: Identify What Content Your Target Audience Wants<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Brainstorm_Audience_Questions\" >Brainstorm Audience Questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Do_Keyword_Research\" >Do Keyword Research<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_9_Optimize_Your_Website_for_SEO\" >Step 9: Optimize Your Website for SEO<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Do_On-Page_SEO\" >Do On-Page SEO<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Write_Compelling_Meta_Titles\" >Write Compelling Meta Titles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Write_Descriptive_Meta_Descriptions\" >Write Descriptive Meta Descriptions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Connect_Pages_With_Internal_Links\" >Connect Pages With Internal Links<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Optimize_Your_Images_for_SEO\" >Optimize Your Images for SEO<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Submit_a_Sitemap_to_Google_Search_Console\" >Submit a Sitemap to Google Search Console<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Step_10_Test_and_Publish_Your_Website\" >Step 10: Test and Publish Your Website<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/29\/10-steps-to-create-a-website-from-scratch-in-2024\/#Creating_Your_Website_Is_Just_The_Beginning\" >Creating Your Website Is Just The Beginning<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Define_Your_Website_Goal\"><\/span>Step 1: Define Your Website Goal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before you start building your website, define its core purpose. This decision will guide your design, website architecture, tools, and technical decisions throughout the creation process.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some common goals to consider:<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-responsive\">\n<p>Website Goal<br \/>\nDescription<br \/>\nImportant Consideration<\/p>\n<p>Getting traffic<br \/>\nAttracting visitors with informative content and search engine optimization (SEO) strategies<br \/>\nHosting bandwidth and SEO capabilities<\/p>\n<p>Lead generation<br \/>\nBuilding contacts by offering valuable content or services in exchange for emails, inquiries, and phone calls<br \/>\nLead magnets and integrations to email marketing and customer relationship management software<\/p>\n<p>Making sales<br \/>\nSelling your products or services and driving revenue directly through your website<br \/>\nProduct pages, shopping cart, and secure payment processing<\/p>\n<p>Showcasing your work<br \/>\nHighlighting your projects, skills, and experience through an online portfolio<br \/>\nPage customization and ease of use<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>At Backlinko, our top goals are to drive traffic and collect emails.<\/p>\n<p>We generate over 857K monthly visitors from organic traffic.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>And we have over 320,000 subscribers on our email list.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>How we\u2019ve built our website is essential to achieving these results. Some important decisions include:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Using WordPress:<\/strong> To give us the most control to implement <a title=\"The Complete SEO Checklist For 2024\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/seo-checklist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEO best practices<\/a> and publish hundreds of long-form articles<br \/>\n<strong>Using great hosting:<\/strong> To handle the volume of visitors and load pages quickly to a global audience<br \/>\n<strong>Using email integrations:<\/strong> To link our newsletter sign-up forms to our email marketing tool<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<p><strong>Further reading:<\/strong> <a title=\"Email Marketing: The Definitive Guide\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/email-marketing-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Email Marketing: The Definitive Guide<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"media\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>You might want to build a website to showcase your photography portfolio. Your decisions will be completely different from the ones we\u2019ve made.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, you may consider using a platform like Squarespace. There, you can easily make highly customizable portfolio pages to show your best photos.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>If you sell physical products, consider using tools like Shopify. It has ready-to-go templates for product pages, shopping carts, and secure payments.<\/p>\n<p>A bit of planning goes a long way to a smoother website creation process.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Choose_Your_Domain_Name\"><\/span>Step 2: Choose Your Domain Name<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your domain name is your website\u2019s address on the internet. Like your digital storefront.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>If you already have an established business, it\u2019s a good idea to make your domain name the same as or very close to your business name. This helps with brand consistency and makes it easier for customers to find you online.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re starting a new business, you have the flexibility to choose a domain name that fits your brand and is available for registration. In some cases, the availability of a desired domain name might even influence your business name.<\/p>\n<p>Pick a domain name that\u2019s:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Memorable:<\/strong> Aim for something short and easy to remember for visitors<br \/>\n<strong>Brand-related:<\/strong> Incorporate your business or personal brand name<br \/>\n<strong>Relevant:<\/strong> Consider using keywords related to your website\u2019s focus (e.g., \u201cpetphotography\u201d for a pet photographer\u2019s site)<\/p>\n<p>For inspiration, use domain name generators like <a title=\"Domain Wheel\" href=\"https:\/\/domainwheel.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Domain Wheel<\/a> and <a title=\"Nameboy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nameboy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nameboy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve picked the name, you can purchase your domain through a domain registrar like <a title=\"GoDaddy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.godaddy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GoDaddy<\/a> or <a title=\"Namecheap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.namecheap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Namecheap<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Domain registration typically costs up to $20 per year, depending on the provider and domain extension you choose (e.g., .com, .net, .org).<\/p>\n<p>Also, consider a country-code top-level domain. Use it if your business operates in a geographic region. For example, if you\u2019re making a website for your dog grooming business, Happy Clean Paws, in London, use the domain name happycleanpaws<strong>.co.uk.<\/strong> This will help potential clients and search engines understand that your business is local.<\/p>\n<p>Your domain name isn\u2019t just for your website. You can also use it to create a professional email address. And for online verifications like on social media.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<p>Many website builders and hosting providers offer free domain registration for the first year as part of their packages. So, if you\u2019re planning to use a website builder to make your website, make sure to check those options before purchasing a domain separately.<\/p>\n<div class=\"media\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Choose_a_Hosting_Provider_If_Required\"><\/span>Step 3: Choose a Hosting Provider (If Required)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Web hosting is a service that reserves server space for your website\u2019s data (like text, images, and videos). And ensures that people can access it online.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Your hosting decisions should align with your website\u2019s requirements and goals.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if you plan to publish blogs, image galleries, and multimedia, prioritize a provider that offers adequate storage and speed optimization.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<p>Not all website builders require you to find separate hosting. For instance, platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify include hosting as part of their packages.<\/p>\n<div class=\"media\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you choose a self-hosted platform like WordPress.org, <a title=\"Joomla!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.joomla.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Joomla<\/a>, or <a title=\"Drupal\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drupal.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drupal<\/a>, you\u2019ll need to select a hosting provider.<\/p>\n<p>And here\u2019s what to look for:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Reliability:<\/strong> Consistent uptime is important for a successful website. Look for providers with high guaranteed uptime percentages (99.5% or higher).<br \/>\n<strong>Scalability:<\/strong> Does the hosting provider offer plans with increasing bandwidth? It\u2019s important for the hosting to be able to accomodate your growing website traffic and storage needs.<br \/>\n<strong>Security:<\/strong> Your host should provide security measures like firewalls, malware scanning, and regular backups. It should also provide an SSL certificate (HTTPS), which encrypts and protects your website visitors\u2019 information.<br \/>\n<strong>Pricing:<\/strong> Compare plans and features to find the best value for your money<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few hosting providers we recommend:<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-responsive\">\n<p>Pros<br \/>\nComplimentary Perks<br \/>\nStarting Price<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Hostinger\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hostinger<\/a><br \/>\n1-click WordPress installation and free pre-built templates<br \/>\nFree domain for 1st year, lifetime SSL certificate, up to 100 business emails<br \/>\n$2.99\/month (when billed for 48 months) or $3.19\/month (when billed for 12 months)<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"SiteGround\" href=\"https:\/\/world.siteground.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SiteGround<\/a><br \/>\nFaster site loading speed<br \/>\nStating environment (for testing changes)<br \/>\nFree domain for 1st year, free SSL certificate<br \/>\n$2.99\/month (when billed for 12 months) for WordPress<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Kinsta\" href=\"https:\/\/kinsta.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kinsta<\/a><br \/>\nBuilt on Google Cloud for speed and reliability<br \/>\nFree migrations<br \/>\n$30\/month (billed annually) for WordPress<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hostinger\"><\/span>Hostinger<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>If you\u2019re just starting, Hostinger is a great entry-level, low-cost hosting provider. It offers 1-click WordPress installation and free pre-built templates to design your site.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Hostinger provides perks for new users, such as a free domain for the first year, a lifetime security certificate, and business emails.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Siteground\"><\/span>Siteground<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Siteground offers better site loading speed and customer support than Hostinger. It also offers free daily backup and a free SSL certificate.<\/p>\n<p>You also get more advanced features like staging environments, which allow you to test changes and your website before making them live.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kinsta\"><\/span>Kinsta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Kinsta is a more advanced hosting provider, offering premium managed WordPress hosting.<\/p>\n<p>Since Kinsta\u2019s infrastructure is built on Google Cloud, it offers higher speed and performance compared to the previous two providers on our list.<\/p>\n<p>Backlinko is also using Kinsta.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<p>Many hosting platforms offer perks like free domain registration and discounted website-building tools. So, make sure to check those benefits before purchasing a domain and a website builder separately.<\/p>\n<div class=\"media\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Pick_a_Website_Builder\"><\/span>Step 4: Pick a Website Builder<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The right website builder lets you create a professional website without the need to code. This means you can build a website in a couple of days with no technical knowledge.<\/p>\n<p>And just as important, you can make updates to your website without hiring a programmer.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_Website_Builders\"><\/span>Top Website Builders<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While there are a lot of website builders out there, here are a few of them based on their use cases:<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Wix.com\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wix.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wix<\/a>: Best for beginners, Wix is a low-cost drag-and-drop website builder<br \/>\n<a title=\"Squarespace\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squarespace.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Squarespace<\/a>: Best for booking appointments, showing your portfolio, and selling your services<br \/>\n<a title=\"Shopify\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shopify.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shopify<\/a>: Best for building an ecommerce website where you sell your products<br \/>\n<a title=\"WordPress.org\" href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress.org<\/a>: Best for a blog, WordPress.org is known for its versatility and customization opportunities<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<p>For details, read Traffic Think Tank\u2019s comprehensive guide on the <a title=\"The 6 Best Website Builders for Small Businesses - Traffic Think Tank\" href=\"https:\/\/trafficthinktank.com\/best-small-business-website-builders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best website builders<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"media\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_a_Website_from_Scratch\"><\/span>Building a Website from Scratch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you have in-depth coding knowledge or are willing to hire a web developer with those skills, you can build your website from scratch.<\/p>\n<p>This offers the most control but also the steepest learning curve. Or requires continuous maintenance from a professional web developer, which can be pricey.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_5_Plan_Your_Site_Architecture\"><\/span>Step 5: Plan Your Site Architecture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Site architecture outlines how your pages are organized and linked together. It creates a clear path for visitors to navigate and find the information they need.<\/p>\n<p>A well-organized site architecture enhances user experience and plays a crucial role in SEO by helping search engines understand your website\u2019s structure and content. Which can lead to improved search visibility.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lucidchart.com\/pages\/examples\/sitemap-generator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lucidchart<\/a> has a visual <a title=\"Sitemap Generator - Sitemap Creator Online | Lucidchart\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/sitemap-generator-tools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sitemap planning tool<\/a> that you can use for free.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example of what a <a href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/architecture\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">site architecture<\/a> could look like:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>When creating a <a title=\"What is a Sitemap? &amp; Why Your Website Needs One\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/sitemaps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sitemap<\/a> for your website, make sure you nest pages logically under appropriate categories and subcategories.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few tips to help you build your visual sitemap:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Start with core pages:<\/strong> First, list your essential pages. Such as Homepage, About Us, Services\/Products, Contact, and maybe a Blog.<br \/>\n<strong>Think like a visitor:<\/strong> Put yourself in your potential visitor\u2019s shoes. What are they likely to be looking for and how would they expect to find it? For instance, if you offer services, make sure your service descriptions are clear and easy to find.<br \/>\n<strong>Nesting pages:<\/strong> Group related pages under clear categories and subcategories. For example, a photographer\u2019s site might have \u201cPortfolio\u201d as a top-level category with subcategories like \u201cWeddings,\u201d \u201cCouples,\u201d etc.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_6_Design_Your_Website\"><\/span>Step 6: Design Your Website<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With your site architecture in place, it\u2019s time to bring your vision to life through design.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pick_a_Theme_or_Template\"><\/span>Pick a Theme or Template<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Themes and templates are pre-designed layouts that you can customize to match your brand. You can do this with no prior technical or design experience.<\/p>\n<p>Templates can also include specific features, like portfolio layouts, magazine-style blog designs, or contact forms.<\/p>\n<p>Most website builders like Wix and Squarespace offer many templates or themes to kickstart your design.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, WordPress.org relies on external themes. You can use plugins like <a title=\"Elementor Website Builder \u2013 More than Just a Page Builder \u2013 WordPress plugin\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/elementor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elementor<\/a> to customize your site. It provides a drag-and-drop interface for building pages and layouts without technical knowledge.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what Elementor\u2019s website template library looks like:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Pick the template you like the most for your brand before customizing its design even further.<\/p>\n<p>Before choosing a template, take a look at other websites in your industry. Get an idea of what their layouts look like, what sections they have, and what colors they\u2019re using.<\/p>\n<p>Then open a template library of your website builder and filter designs by industry.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s say you\u2019re building a travel website using Elementor. Type \u201ctravel\u201d in the search bar, and you\u2019ll get a selection of website layouts and designs that are best suited for travel websites. Like this:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>When you like a preview, click on it to open it and review how the whole page would look like if you implemented that design.<\/p>\n<p>Once you find the template you like, click \u201cInsert\u201d to start editing your site.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Then click on any element (text or image) to change them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choose_Colors\"><\/span>Choose Colors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Choose a color palette that aligns with your brand identity and appeals to your target audience.<\/p>\n<p>Consider using color psychology to evoke emotions in your audience. Let\u2019s take a look at the emotions colors evoke in people:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>For example, if you own a bakery or a coffee shop, use warm colors like brown and orange to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. These colors also stimulate appetite.<\/p>\n<p>Green aligns with a business selling organic food. Or an environmental organization. Because green signifies health, growth, nature, and sustainability.<\/p>\n<p>A financial advisor could consider using blue as it signifies stability, trust, and professionalism.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve chosen your primary brand color, use a free <a title=\"Adobe Color\" href=\"https:\/\/color.adobe.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adobe Color<\/a> tool to select the color palette for your website.<\/p>\n<p>This tool features preset color palettes and trending colors. Alternatively, you can <a title=\"Color wheel, a color palette generator | Adobe Color\" href=\"https:\/\/color.adobe.com\/create\/color-wheel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">create your own palette<\/a> by picking the colors. Or upload an image (e.g., a photo of your products) and extract the color palette from it.<\/p>\n<p>Watch Andrew Kan\u2019s YouTube video below to see Adobe Color in action:<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-embed-youtube embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9 w-75-md-up\"><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choose_Fonts\"><\/span>Choose Fonts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Choosing the right font is crucial for your site\u2019s readability. It\u2019s also a way to show personality.<\/p>\n<p>You may want to use multiple fonts on your website to differentiate the sections.<\/p>\n<p>Look at this example from The New York Times. The website uses one font in headlines to make them stand out. And another one for excerpt.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>But limit yourself to two to three fonts for consistency. And make sure they look good together.<\/p>\n<p>Your primary font should be clear and easy to read for body text. Headings can incorporate a more stylistic font.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, make sure your font choices are readable across various devices. Like desktop and mobile.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Set_Your_Logo_and_Favicon\"><\/span>Set Your Logo and Favicon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Your logo is a visual cornerstone of your brand. It\u2019s often the first thing people see and remember.<\/p>\n<p>The logo then becomes a symbol they associate with your products and services.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t have a logo, consider using a logo design tool like <a title=\"Canva\" href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Canva<\/a>. Which lets you design your own logo with no design experience. Or hire a graphic designer.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have a logo, add it to your website header.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Additionally, create and set a favicon. A favicon is a small icon that appears in browser tabs, adding another touch of branding.<\/p>\n<p>Your favicon might be a miniature version of your logo or a simplified graphic that represents your brand. For example, a bakery website could set an icon of a croissant (or another treat) as your favicon.<\/p>\n<p>We extracted the last letter of our brand name from our logo and set it as a favicon. So it looks like this:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>While favicons are tiny, they add a professional touch and help users easily identify your website among their open tabs.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_7_Create_Essential_Pages\"><\/span>Step 7: Create Essential Pages<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A well-structured website is built on essential pages serving different purposes. These pages provide information, guide visitors, and establish trust with your audience.<\/p>\n<p>The exact pages you need will vary depending on your website\u2019s goal (<a href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/blog#define-website-goal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">back to step #1<\/a>). Let\u2019s review them, starting with some that are universal for all types of sites.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"For_All_Sites\"><\/span>For All Sites<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Regardless of your website goal and type, create these pages:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Homepage:<\/strong> Acts as your digital storefront, showcasing your brand and key offerings<br \/>\n<strong>About Page:<\/strong> Connect with visitors by sharing your story, values, and mission<br \/>\n<strong>Contact Page:<\/strong> Give visitors ways to contact you by providing your contact information (phone, email, address) and including a contact form<br \/>\n<strong>Privacy Policy:<\/strong> Build trust by explaining how you handle user data and comply with regulations<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Additional_Pages_For_a_Blog\"><\/span>Additional Pages For a Blog<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If having a blog is part of your marketing strategy (which we recommend), add the following pages as well:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Blog Library:<\/strong> It\u2019s a central place for all your blog posts, organized by topic or date.For example, our blog library starts with our featured articles:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Followed by articles sorted by their publishing recency and topics (like SEO, link building, content):<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Individual Blog Posts:<\/strong> Each blog post gets its own page for readability, easy sharing, and SEO.Here\u2019s an example of our individual blog post page:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Additional_Pages_For_an_Online_Store\"><\/span>Additional Pages For an Online Store<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re building an online store, add these pages:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Product Pages:<\/strong> Showcase individual products with details, images, prices, and customer reviews<br \/>\n<strong>Collections:<\/strong> Group your products by category for easy browsing (for example, men\u2019s clothing, women\u2019s clothing, sale)<br \/>\n<strong>Sizing:<\/strong> Help customers by providing clear sizing charts or guides<br \/>\n<strong>Shipping and Returns:<\/strong> Let your customers know what to expect in terms of shipping and what your policy is for returns<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Additional_Pages_For_a_Portfolio\"><\/span>Additional Pages For a Portfolio<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re a service provider building a portfolio website, create the following pages:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Gallery:<\/strong> A visual overview of your best work, showcasing your skills and experience<br \/>\n<strong>Individual Project Pages:<\/strong> Provide detailed descriptions of each project, highlighting your process and results<br \/>\n<strong>Testimonials:<\/strong> Share positive feedback from clients to build credibility and trust<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_8_Identify_What_Content_Your_Target_Audience_Wants\"><\/span>Step 8: Identify What Content Your Target Audience Wants<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To reach your goals, you need to create content that your audience wants. To do this, determine their questions, problems, and search terms.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Brainstorm_Audience_Questions\"><\/span>Brainstorm Audience Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Think about your ideal customers. What questions or problems do they have that your website could answer?<\/p>\n<p>You can find these questions in a few ways:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Customer feedback:<\/strong> Pay attention to the questions customers ask you directly through in-person interactions, phone calls, social media, or email<br \/>\n<strong>Social listening:<\/strong> See what people are talking about and what questions they\u2019re asking on social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X) and online forums (Reddit, Quorra) relevant to your industry<br \/>\n<strong>Topic research tools:<\/strong> Use tools like <a title=\"Google Trends\" href=\"https:\/\/trends.google.com\/trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Trends<\/a>, \u201cPeople Also Ask\u201d section on Google search results, <a title=\"AnswerThePublic\" href=\"https:\/\/answerthepublic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Answer the Public<\/a>, or <a title=\"Exploding Topics\" href=\"https:\/\/explodingtopics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Exploding Topics<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Competitor research:<\/strong> Look at your competitors\u2019 websites, FAQs, and blogs to see what questions they\u2019re addressing<br \/>\n<strong>Internal brainstorming:<\/strong> Gather your team and brainstorm potential questions your audience might have<\/p>\n<p>Make a list of these questions.<\/p>\n<p>Then, answer them through long-form content like blog posts or a simple frequently asked questions (FAQ) section.<\/p>\n<p>This exercise could also lead to new product ideas, service offerings, and lead magnets to build your email list.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Keyword_Research\"><\/span>Do Keyword Research<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a title=\"What Are SEO Keywords? Simple Keyword Research That Works\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/seo-keywords\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Keywords<\/a> are the words and phrases people use in search engines.<\/p>\n<p>Keyword research is the process of identifying the keywords that can help your business appear in relevant searches. It\u2019s usually the first step in SEO, which is the most sustainable way to attract website visitors.<\/p>\n<p>Use <a title=\"17 BEST Keyword Research Tools for SEO [2024 Reviews]\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/keyword-research-tools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">keyword research tools<\/a> like Semrush\u2019s <a title=\"Keyword Generator by Semrush\" href=\"https:\/\/www.semrush.com\/analytics\/keywordmagic\/start\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Keyword Magic<\/a> to identify search terms to include on your website.<\/p>\n<p>Think of one broad keyword that\u2019s most relevant to your business. We call it a seed keyword. For example, if you have a store selling organic food, \u201corganic food\u201d could make a great seed keyword to begin with.<\/p>\n<p>So, type it in the search bar, select your target region in the drop-down menu, and click \u201c<strong>Search<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>The tool will show you the search terms related to your seed keyword.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Collect the keywords that are most relevant to your business in a spreadsheet.<\/p>\n<p>Then, sprinkle them where it makes sense throughout your website\u2014on your homepage, about page, blog posts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<p><strong>Further reading:<\/strong> <a title=\"Keyword Research for SEO: The Definitive Guide + Template\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/keyword-research\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Keyword Research: The Definitive Guide<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"media\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_9_Optimize_Your_Website_for_SEO\"><\/span>Step 9: Optimize Your Website for SEO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a title=\"What is SEO? Search Engine Optimization In Plain English\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/what-is-seo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEO<\/a> is about making your website more visible to search engines like Google\u2014helping potential customers find you.<\/p>\n<p>Even with a new website, simple SEO steps can lay the foundation for higher rankings in Google search.<\/p>\n<p>And doing SEO as you create your new website will save you a lot of time in the future.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_On-Page_SEO\"><\/span>Do On-Page SEO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a title=\"On-Page SEO: The Definitive Guide + FREE Template (2024)\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/on-page-seo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">On-page SEO<\/a> focuses on optimizing individual pages on your site to help search engines understand your content and rank it higher in relevant searches.<\/p>\n<p>Higher rankings ultimately drive more organic traffic to your website.<\/p>\n<p>On-page SEO includes meta titles and meta descriptions, internal linking, and image SEO. Let\u2019s talk about each one in more detail:<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Write_Compelling_Meta_Titles\"><\/span>Write Compelling Meta Titles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The meta title is a blue clickable headline you see in search results. Like this one:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Keep it concise (between 50-60 characters) and include your target keyword.<\/p>\n<p>Most importantly, be descriptive to help your users. Searchers are more likely to click on a search result that directly addresses their question or need.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, in our example above, we tell SEO beginners that we have a guide specifically for them.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Write_Descriptive_Meta_Descriptions\"><\/span>Write Descriptive Meta Descriptions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The <a title=\"How to Write SEO-Friendly Meta Descriptions\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/meta-descriptions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">meta description<\/a> is a short summary displayed below the meta title. Like this:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Write a description that accurately summarizes the page content and includes relevant keywords.<\/p>\n<p>Keep your meta description under 155-160 characters.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Connect_Pages_With_Internal_Links\"><\/span>Connect Pages With Internal Links<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a title=\"Internal Linking for SEO: The Complete Guide\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/internal-links\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Internal links<\/a> are hyperlinks that connect one page on your site to another. They help search engines understand your site\u2019s structure and the relationship between pages.<\/p>\n<p>We use internal links to help you learn more about the topic.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in the blog post about writing <a title=\"SEO Content: Complete Beginner&#039;s Guide\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/seo-content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEO content<\/a>, we mention keyword research and long tail keywords. Since we have dedicated guides on those topics, we provide internal links to lead you to those resources so you understand them better.<\/p>\n<p>Like this:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Here are a few things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Use descriptive anchor text (text in a hyperlink):<\/strong> Use descriptive phrases like \u201clearn more about our services\u201d instead of generic ones like \u201cclick here.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Link to relevant pages:<\/strong> Only link to pages that are contextually relevant. Don\u2019t just link for the sake of linking.<br \/>\n<strong>Sprinkle links naturally:<\/strong> Avoid stuffing a single page with too many internal links. Distribute them naturally throughout your content.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Optimize_Your_Images_for_SEO\"><\/span>Optimize Your Images for SEO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a title=\"Image SEO: 15 Tips for Image Optimization\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/image-seo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Image SEO<\/a> focuses on optimizing your images to improve their visibility in SERPs and Google Images.<\/p>\n<p>Like this:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Use descriptive file names:<\/strong> Instead of the default image name (like IMG001), name your image file something like \u201cmatcha latte recipe\u201d to give search engines context<br \/>\n<strong>Add alt text:<\/strong> Alt text describes the image and is essential for accessibility. It also gives search engines more information about the image, so include relevant keywords where appropriate.Like this:<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>Compress image sizes:<\/strong> Large image files can slow down your website, which hurts your user experience and SEO. Use image optimization tools like <a title=\"Image Compressor - Compress Images Online in High Quality\" href=\"https:\/\/imageresizer.com\/image-compressor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Image ResizerImage Resizer<\/a> to compress files.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Submit_a_Sitemap_to_Google_Search_Console\"><\/span>Submit a Sitemap to Google Search Console<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <a title=\"What is a Sitemap? &amp; Why Your Website Needs One\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/sitemaps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sitemap<\/a> is a file that lists all the pages on your website, acting like a roadmap for search engines.<\/p>\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p>Submitting your sitemap to <a title=\"Google Search Console\" href=\"https:\/\/search.google.com\/search-console\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Search Console<\/a> (GSC) helps Google discover and index your pages so they can show up in search results more quickly.<\/p>\n<p>You already created a visual sitemap in step five to see your own site architecture. Now that you\u2019ve built those pages, it\u2019s time to submit them to GSC.<\/p>\n<p>If you built your website on WordPress.org, install the <a title=\"the #1 WordPress SEO Plugin \u2022 Yoast\" href=\"https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yoast SEO<\/a> plugin. This tool automatically creates a sitemap for you. However, note that it doesn\u2019t upload the sitemap to GSC, which you\u2019ll need to do manually.<\/p>\n<p>Site builders like Shopify and Wix typically generate sitemaps for you. Once you submit the sitemap to GSC, these website builders update it automatically.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<p>Further reading: <a title=\"Top 8 Sitemap Generator Tools (Free &amp; Premium)\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/sitemap-generator-tools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Top 8 Sitemap Generator Tools<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"media\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_10_Test_and_Publish_Your_Website\"><\/span>Step 10: Test and Publish Your Website<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before launching your website, it\u2019s crucial to thoroughly test it to ensure a smooth user experience. And identify any potential issues.<\/p>\n<p>Things to look out for:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Functionality:<\/strong> Click every link and button on your website to make sure they work as expected and lead to the correct pages<br \/>\n<strong>Proofreading:<\/strong> Read through your content carefully to catch any typos, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies (we recommend using a tool like <a title=\"Grammarly\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grammarly.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grammarly<\/a>)<br \/>\n<strong>Device compatibility:<\/strong> Open your website on different devices (like desktop, laptop, smartphone, and tablet) to ensure it looks and functions well across various screen sizes<br \/>\n<strong>Speed:<\/strong> Use tools like <a title=\"PageSpeed Insights\" href=\"https:\/\/pagespeed.web.dev\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google PageSpeed Insights<\/a> to check your website\u2019s loading speed. Slow websites can frustrate visitors and hurt your SEO.<\/p>\n<p>If, after testing and reviewing your website, everything seems right, go ahead and publish it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Creating_Your_Website_Is_Just_The_Beginning\"><\/span>Creating Your Website Is Just The Beginning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Building a website is an important step in establishing your online presence.<\/p>\n<p>But the journey doesn\u2019t end when you hit the publish button.<\/p>\n<p>Once your website is live, share it across your social media to attract visitors.<\/p>\n<p>And read our article to discover <a title=\"27 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Website\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/increase-website-traffic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">27 ways to increase your website traffic<\/a>. Here, you\u2019ll find best practices for creating content for your website and promoting your site through various platforms.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/how-to-create-a-website\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10 Steps to Create a Website (from Scratch) in 2024<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Backlinko<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creating a website involves: Planning Content creation Web design and development Testing Historically, this process has taken months. Not to mention the complex coding, technical jargon, and steep learning curve. Making it seem like an impossible task to tackle by yourself. But with powerful no-code tools available, building a high-performing website doesn\u2019t have to be as complicated. And you don\u2019t necessarily need technical skills. (Specifically, deep knowledge like programming and server management). You can create a website in a few days. Or a few weeks to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10338,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"h5ap_radio_sources":[],"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-backlinko"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/backlinko-organic-traffic-j94bmx-600x400.png","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/backlinko-organic-traffic-j94bmx-600x600.png","author_info":{"display_name":false,"author_link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/author\/craig\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10346"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10346\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}