Welcome to the digital age, where creating a personal or business website is no longer a task reserved for tech gurus and coding wizards. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed at the thought of building your own website, you’re not alone.
But worry no more! ‘From Zero to Hero: Creating a Website for Dummies Made Easy’ is your all-in-one guide to navigating the exciting journey of website creation, even if you’re starting from scratch.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every step of creating a website – from choosing the right platform to designing a visually stunning and user-friendly site. Whether you’re a small business owner, a creative individual, or just someone looking to establish an online presence, our simple, step-by-step approach will turn the seemingly complex process of website creation into a straightforward and enjoyable adventure.
So, let’s embark on this journey together and transform you from a beginner to a skilled website creator, all while ensuring that the process is as easy and understandable as possible.
Get ready to unleash your online potential with ‘Creating a Website for Dummies’ – your first step towards becoming a confident website owner!
Table of Contents
Why Choose WordPress for Your Website?
WordPress is not just a buzzword in the realm of website creation; it’s a game-changer.
Renowned for its user-friendly interface and flexibility, WordPress powers a significant portion of the web. But what makes it the go-to choice for beginners and experts alike?
WordPress stands out for its intuitive dashboard, which makes navigating through different functionalities a breeze.
The platform offers an array of themes and plugins, allowing you to customize your site to your heart’s content without needing to know a line of code.
WordPress vs. Other CMS Platforms
When comparing WordPress with other CMS platforms, the former often wins for its ease of use, robust community support, and extensive customization options. But don’t just take our word for it. Let’s see how WordPress stacks up against its competitors.
I’ve used WordPress for years now and it is the most versatile and, in my opinion, the one that will fit whatever you need from a website builder. You will, of course need web hosting. We recommend SiteRubix, but will get into that shortly…
Essential Components for Creating a Website for Dummies
When embarking on the journey of website creation, one of the critical decisions you’ll face is choosing the right platform. You might have come across various services offering website creation tools, such as Wix, GoDaddy, Squarespace, Joomla, and many others. Each has its pros and cons, but our recommendation stands firm with WordPress.
Why WordPress Stands Out
WordPress is not just another option in the vast sea of website creation tools; it’s a leader. The majority of websites today are hosted on WordPress, and this isn’t a coincidence. Here’s why WordPress is our top pick, especially for beginners:
Ease of Use: WordPress is renowned for its user-friendly interface. It’s as simple as a one-click install, making it as straightforward as drafting a document in MS Word. This ease of use is a game-changer for those who are new to website creation.
No Coding Required: The days of needing to understand complicated computer coding to build a website are long gone. With WordPress, you don’t need to know HTML or any computer coding at all. It’s designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skill level.
Search Engine Friendly: WordPress websites are known for being SEO-friendly right out of the box. This is crucial because you want your website to be easily discoverable by search engines, bringing more traffic and, potentially, more business.
Customization at Your Fingertips: With thousands of website templates, themes, and over 40,000 add-on features through plugins, WordPress offers unparalleled customization. This vast array of options ensures that you can achieve the exact look and feel you desire for your site.
The Evolution of Website Creation
Reflecting on the early days of the internet, creating a single website page could take days or even weeks. Today, with tools like WordPress, you can set up a website in under a minute. It’s a testament to how far technology has advanced, making website creation accessible to everyone.
WordPress vs. Other Tools
Having used other tools like Joomla in the past, it’s clear that WordPress often makes it easier to achieve your desired results. Its adaptability and user-friendly nature make it the ideal choice, not just for seasoned web developers but especially for beginners.
Search Engine Optimization: A Key Feature
One standout feature of WordPress is its inherent search engine friendliness. Never underestimate the importance of your website being optimized for search engines. After all, what good is a website if it doesn’t attract traffic? WordPress ensures that your site is ready to welcome visitors from the get-go.
Choosing the Perfect WordPress Hosting:
Why SiteRubix Shines
When you’re building a WordPress website, selecting the right hosting provider is as crucial as choosing the right building materials for a house. It’s the foundation that supports your site, ensuring it’s fast, secure, and always available to your audience.
Among the myriad of options available, SiteRubix stands out as our top recommendation, particularly for those using WordPress.
Here’s why:
Seamless WordPress Integration
SiteRubix is designed with WordPress in mind, offering seamless integration. This means that you can easily install WordPress, and manage your site with minimal fuss. The one-click installation feature removes any technical barriers, making it perfect for beginners.
Speed and Reliability
Your website’s loading speed and uptime are vital for user experience and SEO. SiteRubix offers optimized server configurations tailored for WordPress, ensuring that your website runs smoothly and loads quickly. Their reliable uptime statistics mean your site is always accessible to your audience.
User-Friendly Interface
SiteRubix boasts a user-friendly interface, which is a boon for beginners. Navigating through the hosting dashboard is intuitive, making it easy to manage your website, domains, and emails all in one place.
Enhanced Security Features
In the digital world, security is non-negotiable. SiteRubix provides robust security measures to protect your website from potential threats. Regular backups, malware scanning, and strong firewalls are just a few features that give you peace of mind.
Expert Support
When you encounter issues, having access to expert support is invaluable. SiteRubix offers dedicated customer support for all WordPress-related queries. Whether it’s a technical glitch or a query about optimizing your site, help is just a few clicks away.
Scalability for Growth
As your website grows, so do your hosting needs. SiteRubix offers scalable solutions, ensuring that whether you’re starting a blog or running a full-fledged eCommerce site, your hosting can keep up with your growth.
Community and Resources
Beyond just hosting, SiteRubix is part of a larger community of WordPress users. Access to forums, tutorials, and resources can be incredibly beneficial, especially for those just starting out.
Choosing SiteRubix as your WordPress hosting provider means more than just having a place to host your site; it means having a partner in your website creation journey. From seamless WordPress integration to unparalleled support, SiteRubix is designed to help you succeed in the digital space.
SiteRubix: Your All-in-One WordPress Builder and Hosting Solution with Wealthy Affiliate
In the quest to create a standout website, having tools that simplify the process is invaluable. That’s where SiteRubix excels, offering a unique combination of a user-friendly WordPress website builder and reliable hosting service, all in one platform.
But that’s not all – SiteRubix is powered by Wealthy Affiliate, a comprehensive platform for online entrepreneurs. Let’s delve into how this integration benefits you and how it ties into my journey as an affiliate marketer.
Seamless Integration of Website Building and Hosting
SiteRubix takes the complexity out of website creation. It provides an integrated environment where you can both build and host your WordPress site. This integration means you can focus on the creative aspects of building your site without worrying about the technicalities of hosting and maintenance. The convenience of having everything in one place cannot be overstated – it’s a game-changer for beginners and seasoned website creators alike.
The Wealthy Affiliate Advantage
Wealthy Affiliate isn’t just a hosting provider; it’s a community and educational resource for anyone looking to succeed in the online world. As a member of Wealthy Affiliate through SiteRubix, you gain access to an array of tools and training materials designed to help you build, grow, and monetize your website. From SEO strategies to content marketing, Wealthy Affiliate provides guidance every step of the way.
Personal Experience and Affiliate Disclosure
As a user and affiliate of Wealthy Affiliate and SiteRubix, I’ve experienced firsthand the benefits these platforms offer. I believe in transparency, so it’s important for me to disclose that I am an affiliate for Wealthy Affiliate.
This means that if you decide to use SiteRubix through my links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
This affiliation doesn’t affect my recommendation; I genuinely believe in the value these platforms provide, and my experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
Why SiteRubix and Wealthy Affiliate Stand Out
Here are some key reasons why SiteRubix, coupled with Wealthy Affiliate, makes a great choice:
User-Friendly Interface: Both SiteRubix and Wealthy Affiliate boast interfaces that are intuitive and easy to navigate, making website creation and management straightforward.
Comprehensive Training: Wealthy Affiliate offers extensive training resources, from beginner to advanced levels, ensuring you have the knowledge to succeed.
Community Support: Being part of Wealthy Affiliate means you have access to a supportive community of like-minded individuals who are also on their online entrepreneurial journey.
All-Inclusive Platform: With hosting, website building, and educational resources in one place, you save time and reduce the hassle of dealing with multiple services.
Combining the ease of SiteRubix’s WordPress website builder with the robust hosting services and the extensive resources of Wealthy Affiliate creates a powerful tool for anyone looking to establish a strong online presence. As someone who has navigated the digital marketing landscape, I can confidently say that this combination is a formidable asset for any online entrepreneur.
Creating a Website for Dummies Made Easy
I’ll be providing a step by step guide on how to get started with Wealthy Affiliate’s Site Builder. But if you’re in a rush, you can always watch the video below to see how easy it is to get a WordPress website up and running, using their SiteBuilder.
With Wealthy Affiliate, you can get a free subdomain website or a paid full domain website.
A full domain is like the main address for your website. It’s what you buy and use as your website’s home on the internet, like “mywebsite.com.” It’s unique to you and helps people find your site easily.
A subdomain is like a special room in your website’s house. It’s part of your main website but used for organizing different parts. For example, if you have a blog on your site, you might use a subdomain like “blog.mywebsite.com.” It’s a way to keep things neat and tidy on your website without needing to buy a new address for each part.
In simple terms, your full domain is your website’s main home, and subdomains are like extra rooms in that home, each with its own purpose.
Now, let’s talk you through the steps needed to build your own website with Wealthy Affiliate…
#1 Log in or Join Wealthy Affiliate
The first step, if you have not already signed up to Wealthy Affiliate click here, is to log into your Wealthy Affiliate dashboard.
#2 Access the SiteBuilder From the Menu
Once inside your WA dashboard, you will find a menu at the top of the page. Select “Websites” from the top. This will open an additional menu. You will want to select “SiteBuilder”
#3 Choose Your Domain Type
As I said before, Wealthy Affiliates both a free and paid website. If you are giving Wealthy Affiliate a try, then you will only have the option to build a free subdomain.
You can always upgrade it to a full domain site later on.
For this guide, I will walk you through the steps to build a free website. The steps are very similar for a paid domain, except for registering a domain.
#4 Personalise Your Site
This is your opportunity to choose a domain name for your website and Wealthy Affiliate’s SiteBuilder will let you know if it’s available. For this guide, I kept it simple and choosing “testingwebsite” and it’s showing as available.
My advice would be to keep your domain name highly relevant to your aim for the site. You can then see that I have chosen a name for my website. This is what will be visible to users at the top of the website.
The next stage will be to choose a WordPress theme for the site. This is what will impact the visual elements on your site.
This website is built using Elementor. It’s a page builder-style plugin. But for now, I generally use GeneratePress.
It’s a nice, clean and simple theme. But the choice is up to you.
#5 Click "Build It Now"
Once, you’ve decided on your website domain name and theme, it’s time to build your website. Once it is built, and it usually only takes a few minutes to get your website up and running.
You’ll know when it’s ready as you will see login details on your screen… Now, it’s time to get into your WordPress dashboard and getting started with creating some content.
But wait… If you want some help with creating that content and making sure your website is a success. You might want to both explore the brand new onboarding training Wealthy Affiliate has to offer. Plus, their new hub platform.
Whether you are launching a personal blog, business website, or want to get started with affiliate marketing. There is so much value that Wealthy Affiliate has to offer. Getting the foundations of your website right is key to any website being success.
I’ll share the new hub features in the next section. But first, let’s take a look at your WordPress dashboard and give you a few tips about navigating your way around.
Navigating The WordPress dashboard
There is so much to go through regarding the WordPress dashboard. My advice would be to check out the video below. It will give you a solid grounding on how to work with WordPress. Once you know what you’re doing, it is no harder than any social media platform.
Ok, now it’s your turn… If you’re ready to create a website, then check to see if your website name is available in the tool below…
*New* Use Wealthy Affiliate's New Hub Platform
Wealthy Affiliate has regular updates. But the latest update has made it so much simpler for a newbie to get started online and build their own business online. One of the new features is call the Hub. It doesn’t just help you build a website. It definitely sets you up for making the most of that website and business online.
If you would like to learn more, then check out this blog post from one of the owners of Wealthy Affiliate. You will not be disappointed…
The Blueprint for Building a Successful Website
Creating a successful website might seem daunting, especially if you’re just starting out. But by focusing on these five foundational elements, you can build a site that not only attracts visitors but keeps them coming back. Remember, the key is to keep your audience at the heart of everything you do, from the design and content to how easily they can find your site online. With patience and ongoing effort, your website can grow into a valuable resource that supports your goals, whether that’s sharing your passion, growing your business, or connecting with a community.
This simplified blueprint provides a clear, manageable starting point for beginners, ensuring they focus on what truly matters when embarking on their website creation journey.
#1 Start with Your Audience
Understanding who will visit your website is the cornerstone of your digital presence. Your content, design, and functionality should all resonate with this audience.
Here’s how you can get started:
- Identify Your Audience: Consider factors like age, location, interests, and needs. Are they professionals looking for services, or are they shoppers seeking products?
- Create Personas: Draft up 2-3 personas that represent your typical visitors. Include their goals and challenges related to your niche.
- Research Tools: Utilize tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and competitor analysis to gather data on your audience’s preferences.
#2 Emphasize User-Friendly Design
A well-designed website invites visitors to stay longer and engage more deeply with your content. Focus on:
- Simplicity: Keep your design clean and uncluttered. Use whitespace effectively to reduce cognitive overload.
- Navigation: Ensure your menu is intuitive and accessible, with a clear hierarchy and logical flow.
- Responsiveness: Your site must look good and work well on mobile devices, tablets, and desktops.
- Color and Typography: Choose a color scheme and fonts that reflect your brand and are easy on the eyes.
#3 Create Compelling Content
Your website’s content is its voice. It’s how you communicate with your audience, share your expertise, and provide value. To craft compelling content:
- Understand Your Audience’s Needs: Write content that solves problems, entertains, or educates your readers.
- Keep It Engaging: Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and images to break up text and add visual interest.
- Consistency Is Key: Regularly update your blog or news section to keep visitors coming back for more.
#4 Understand the Basics of SEO
SEO might seem complex, but there are simple strategies you can implement to improve your site’s visibility:
- Keywords: Research and include relevant keywords in your titles, headings, and throughout your content.
- Meta Descriptions: Write compelling meta descriptions for each page, including keywords.
- Alt Text for Images: Describe images using relevant keywords to improve accessibility and SEO.
#5 Measure and Improve
What gets measured gets managed. Use analytics to understand what’s working and what isn’t, then iterate:
- Set Up Google Analytics: Track your website’s performance, from visitor demographics to behavior patterns.
- Analyze and Act: Look for trends in what content performs well and what pages have high bounce rates. Use this data to refine your strategy.
- Test and Learn: Experiment with different content, design changes, and call-to-actions to see what improves engagement and conversions.
Need Help With Your Website?
I know you might still be a little apprehensive about getting started with a website. But I really feel like if I can get a website up and running, then anyone can get a website up and running. The only thing holding you back is worrying that you’ll get it wrong.
But I want to assure you I want to help you. Building my own blog was such an achievement for me, and I know you can do it. If you want help with your website, whether that be help with a name or theme idea, please reach out and I’ll help you out…
Thanks John for this really concise explanation of how to create a simple website.
I find that when it comes to a slow-loading website, this fact alone can kill any website. There is virtually no-one patient enough to wait for a website to load up. You simply get fed up and abort!
This is because the website needs to load up. Right? Before you can see whether it is good looking or easy to navigate , or if it has great content! Choice of web hosting is therefore very important along with excessive use of plugins so as not to slow down the loading of the site.
I have heard of SiteRubix and that it is a good web hosting for WordPress websites.
Ceci
Hi Ceci,
Thanks for checking out my guide…
A fast loading website is so important these days, especially when so many of use are using our smart phones for the internet browsing we do… We don’t have any patience for websites that don’t load fast or don’t work. Even when WIFI is slow, it turns people into the Hulk with rage as they cannot cope with a slow loading site!!
There are many factors that can impact speed, but one of the most important aspects is your web hosting. It makes sense as that is what your website is built on. You can have the fastest internet in the world and still have a slow loading website if your web hosting isn’t good enough.
Once you’ve got the right web hosting, and then ensure you use optimised images and only a few plugins, you can concentrate solely on the important stuff of creating content for your blog!!
SiteRubix from Wealthy Affiliate offers huge value to their members with the hosting that comes included with their membership. There is a fee for premium members, but the list of benefits far outweigh the cost. I’ve seen comparable hosting being over 5x times the cost of SiteRubix. It’s definitely worth a look, especially as the starter membership is free so you can check it out for yourself.
Thanks care Ceci
John
Hi John, thanks for sharing this useful guide on creating a website for beginners. Yes, like your father in law I remember when building a webpage was complicated. On taking an NVQ in 1999 I learnt some html coding and used Dreamweaver.
How times have changed and WordPress is certainly the best content management system! Also, Wealthy Affiliate is an excellent hosting platform and makes a big difference in site speed. Content creation is probably one of the most important ways of getting traffic, and SEO plus using the right keywords are crucial in getting ranked on Google and Bing
Hi Kathy,
thanks for checking out my guide… Oh yes, Dreamweaver… Wow, I’m glad we don’t have to go through that process any more…
WordPress does make the whole process so much simpler and you can have a great looking website without too much drama. It allows you to spend more time on the important stuff, like you say, which is content creation and SEO. You get a great looking website up and running in just a few minutes. Customise it within an hour, and then get started with the content.
This process used to take days or even weeks.
Thanks
John
Hi John,
I thought it was going to be easy to build a website. I was so wrong! I thought it was going to be easy to get people to find my site, after all I have lots of friends on social media, right? Wrong!!
I have a lot of questions, but will Wealthy Affiliate provide any training, or will it be all through you if I decide on this? I have been doing it wrong for so long now, I am almost willing to do anything to get it right finally.
Thanks,
Greg
Hey Greg,
thanks for checking out my guide… It sounds like you’ve run into a few roadblocks along the way? Once you have the right strategy, actually the processes can be simple to follow. I would never say anything is particularly easy, as you need to put the time and effort into achieving your goals. This is definitely not something that you can just play at.
But as for your question… Wealthy Affiliate over a comprehensive training platform in all things online on their website. As part of the membership, you get all the tools, training and support you need to get started with a website, and then get a proven evergreen strategy on effective keyword research and content creation.
If you want targeted people to come to your blog, which makes the whole thing work, it is hands-down the best training we’ve seen online. The free starter membership which includes a free website will give you ten free lessons to get you started.
But if you are serious about getting this to work, you can then upgrade and unlock all of the features that go with the Wealthy Affiliate platform. But you’ll also get full access to me at any time to help you at any point.
I find training is great, but if you need help with a specific aspect of it, you are better having someone to reach out too. That’s why I would be available. I’ll either know the answer or get you the answer from the community. If you want more detail, then contact me and I’ll answer any specific questions you have…
Thanks
John
Good informative Post.
Helps Clarify my Processes.
Hi Rique,
thanks for checking out my guide…
All the best
John
This is an interesting article on creating a website for beginners, because I have been trying to figure it out by myself how to make a website with WordPress, but I just don’t know how to even begin.
This Siterubix website, is it enough to be successful with a business or would I need to move on to a ‘real’ website further down the road? thanks!
HI Lizzy,
thanks for checking out my guide!! To be honest, the siterubix subdomain is a great starting point, especially for someone isn’t quite convinced blogging is right for them. As it gives them a good idea of what WordPress has to offer, and it’s free.
But the full domain is something that you would want to move onto when you’re ready to, as it’s more likely to get ranked better, has more functionality, plus its something you own.
Any free website out there, would be a subdomain, which means that if you got a free website with a provider and they went bust, you would lose your website.
Whereas, if you bought a full domain, you would own it. So, if you wanted to move it to a different hosting down the road, you could as you own it. They usually cost about $15 a year for a domain name. So, you would need to factor in the cost of the hosting if you moved your website.
Within WA, you would get 10 full domains availability with a premium membership which is $49/month.
If you’re ready to commit to a year of blogging, or have your own small business, and want to monetise and own your own site. I would always recommend a full domain, which you could get from bluehost for a reasonable amount, if you didn’t want the training that comes with the SiteRubix hosting.
Hope that all makes sense, and helps answer your question?
Thanks
John
Building websites used to be only what programmers and computer gurus could do. But thanksfullly, that’s not the case anymore. Anyone, absolutely anyone can now!
This article is really helpful for anyone who is just starting out and don’t really understand what website building is all about.
And your offer to also guide through the process is mighty helpful.
I use WA myself and I must say, the tutorials, explanations and guidance available do go a long way. I totally recommend.
Thanks for this article.
Cheers,
Femi.
Hi Femi,
thanks for checking out our guide… Appreciate the comments, I really want to help people find their feet when it comes to blogging, and understanding the endless opportunities to make money with it.
Thanks
John
Thanks for your in-depth post about creating a website, John! As you mentioned, the whole process can be super easy if not over complicated. And that’s what many people do( I did when I started, pointlessly). The right thing here is to have someone who will show you the right tools. Because if I would know the tools at the beginning of my journey, I’d be much more efficient. I think the recommendations you provided (WordPress and SiteRubix for instance) are all legit and for $49, together with your mentorship, is bargain. I love the structure of your blog post. Engaging, yet easy to navigate. Well done!
Hey Julius,
thanks for checking out my guide and for your feedback. Building a blog is a great way of expressing yourself and building a future for yourself, due to being able to monetise a website.
But if you don’t get off to the right start due to outdated training, then it can be a really hard slog… That is why we offer our help and always recommend Wealthy Affiliate to help those looking to get started with the best strategy.
Thanks again
John
Hi John,
Thanks for showing us how easy it is to build a website with SiteRubix. I think it’s one of the best site builders in the industry. Although it takes less time to make a site than in the past, running a successful website/blog takes more. That’s why I found your four aspects of a successful website precious, especially the third point, easy navigation. When I first started my blog, I tended to make things so complex that they lowered my site’s speed. Now, I’ve tried to keep my website simple enough to run fast. Beginners should read your posts or try your 7-Day Online Passive Income Bootcamp to avoid the same mistakes. 🙂
Matt
Hi Matt,
thanks for checking out our guide… Yes, building the website is the easy part. Although so many people think it’s difficult. But it’s the hard work you do afterwards that determine id your site is going to be a success or not.
Navigation and Speed are so important to your readers. Too many people focus on pleasing the search engines, but it’s your readers you need to keep happy if you ever want to earn any money from your blog.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Matt and take care…
John
I like this article. It’s very informative and gets the point across. I believe that WordPress is the best tool for dummies. I have been using it for some time now and I must say that I absolutely love it. I will be sure to share this article with friends and family who are looking to become market affiliators
Hi Aubin,
thanks, I appreciate your thoughts and grateful that you’ve written a comment. WordPress is a great asset and is ideal for any size of blog/website. It’s also super friendly to beginners looking to get a great start to the online world…
Thanks
John
Hey John,
Was looking for some tips while building my website, happy I found this. I’m pretty much set on a lot of aspects thanks to Wealthy Affiliate, but there is one thing I was wondering about. You talk about having good content and writing as if talking to a friend, my question is; how much content? What is a good size article? while writing I’m always doubting myself whether I wrote enough or not, not sure if there is a set amount that helps? thanks for all the information!
Hey Victor,
great question!! You’ve got to find a good balance for both the search engines and the actual reader who lands on your blog. I’ve seen posts that claim you need to aim for long posts. But that is not really helpful when it comes to how long.
You’ve got to keep the reader engaged as well. There is no point writing endless paragraphs of text, if it isn’t relevant.
I personally aim for 1,500 words as a minimum. I know they are stats that say most blog posts that are ranked number 1 in google are 2,500.
But it will always depend on what the topic is… As there is little point writing for the sake of it.
I think beginners worry about the length of posts as you struggle to write too many words. But that will come with time.
Keep the content relevant and engaging, and maybe work towards 1,500-2,500.
Hope that helps Victor?
John