How to Build a Website from Scratch

 

Start Your Website Design from Scratch Step by Step

This is how to design, build, and host your website from the beginning for any purpose. Starting with paper and pencil step by step.

design website with pen and paper

Website design begins with an idea and concept, backed by purpose, constructed with elements, images, given a domain name, and hosted on a server. 

If you want to build a WordPress website from scratch for any purpose, you will begin with a pen and paper. You will make a sketch of your idea and the arrangement of the elements of your website. It is very important to get focused on the type of website you desire to build and create the layout. The layout of your website is the first point of recognition when in contact with your website visitor. If you decide to go with WordPress which is the most flexible and easy-to-use design software, it will only take a short time to complete the job.

Choose Your Website Niche

The next is to choose a niche or topic for the website. You must choose a niche that will fit the purpose of your website. It is important because it will enable you to easily create content for the website. If you decide to monetize your site later with Google Adsense, then you need to search for high cost-per-click keywords. The keywords of your choice should have a high monthly search volume for generating good organic traffic to your site. This may sound strange if you are new to website design and internet marketing from scratch. But they are important if you intend to make money online with your website.

choose a niche

Make it a Niche that Solves Problems

Let your proposed niche be on topics that solve people’s problems. People have problems and are always searching for solutions online. From health matters to fitness issues, weight loss, business concerns, education problems, relationship advice, and so on. Others include questions on jobs, choice of courses and professions, technology, and home equipment, and so on. Therefore think of what you can do to help find a solution to their problems. If your website offers suggestions capable of solving a generic problem, you will always attract a high volume of visitors.

Choose a Domain Name for Your Website

What’s special in choosing a domain name, you may be thinking? There is a lot to consider before getting a domain name for your website.

1.     1.  If your domain name is related to your niche, it will improve traffic to your site.

2.     2. If your domain name is short and simple, it will be easy to search for.

3.    3.  If your domain name contains the elements of your keyword, search engines will quickly pick it up when searched for.

4.     4. If your domain name is closely related to your niche, it will be easier to identify when related niches are searched for online.

5.    5.  If your domain name is too long, your visitors will find it difficult to recall.

6.     This is especially if your website content has information leading to the solution to their problems.

7.     Register your domain name early with a reputable company like Bluehost to avoid it being snatched. I have had issues with losing a new domain name I just registered. The previous owner failed to renew early when it expired. That was the time I was trying to register exactly the same domain name. In that interval, my new domain name search returned it available. So I registered it, but two days later, I searched and found a different website with the same name. I guess it was still within the grace period, so the owner reclaimed it.

Get a domain name

Choose a Reputable Webhosting Company

Choose a reputable Webhosting company that is WordPress friendly and easy to install like Bluehost. If possible let the Webhosting company register your domain name and host it for ease of convenience. Select the hosting package that fits your budget. Also, consider the purpose of the website and the expected business you want to do with the site. If you prefer Virtual Private Service (VPS) hosting, then get it as it offers you privacy. Otherwise, get shared hosting which is also good as it offers budget-friendly prices.

                  

Bluehost Pricing Template

Bluehost Pricing Template

Log into Your Dashboard to begin the Setup

Log into your dashboard and begin to set up your website structures. Use the pen and paper you already have to do a virtual design of your site layout. Click here to see what to do and how to go about it. Choose plug-ins to ease the functioning of your WordPress website. Complete your domain setup process step-by-step by following instructions provided by the platform. Take time to read the terms and conditions for using WordPress software for your website design

Consider the security of your website and choose a password that is not easy to hack. The appearance of your website will determine how your site visitors will assess it. Select a good theme to keep your site attractive and dynamic. You can always change the theme from the settings in your dashboard.

Understand your Dashboard Buttons

I am an ardent reader whether it is online or offline, I click through every button on the dashboard to see and read the instructions. There is always something new to learn. Consider having a feedback mechanism to know what your visitors think about your website and the information in it. Use the help button in your Webhosting dashboard to learn and understand how to work on your website to achieve better results.

How to make Money with Your Website

To make money with your website, be sure you target people’s problems and provide information that will help solve them. That is what can help drive organic traffic to your site. Spread the news about your site on social media like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, WhatsApp, and so on.

 Optimize your website for search engines by using online and offline tools and techniques. 

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