Creating a website is a powerful way to connect and engage with your audiencewhether you have a businesspersonal portfolio or online store.
Fortunatelywebsite builders have made it easier than ever for individuals and businesses to establish their online presencewithout the need for coding experience or technical know-how.
This guide will walk you through 9 essential steps to create a website that fits your brandbuilds an audience and supports your business. We'll include tips for optimizing your website for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to ensure that your site performs well in search engine results.
Follow this guide to create your website with the Website.com site builder or any website builder. We'll end the guide with an in-depth walk-through of Website.com website builder tools.
Before you start building your websiteyou must decide on its purpose and goal. Understanding the goal of your website will guide your website structurecontent and design decisions during your website building process.
Here are some common types of websites and their goals:
Business Website
If you are a small business ownerone of the main goals of your website is to attract leads and convert them into customers. Your website should act as an online storefront that showcases your products or serviceshighlights your unique value propositionand provides clear calls-to-action (CTAs) that encourage visitors to make a purchasebook a consultationmake an inquiry or sign up for email marketing.
Online Store (eCommerce Website)
If you're selling products onlineyour website's goal is to drive sales. An eCommerce website requires secure payment optionsdetailed product descriptionscompelling product imagesand above alla user friendly shopping experience. Your website needs to attract visitors and build trustturning them into loyal customers.
Portfolio Website
For creatives such as photographersdesigners or artiststhe goal of a website is to showcase work to attract clients or build an audience. A portfolio website could display high-quality imagesinformation about the artistand client testimonials or press reviews. A portfolio website should also include a contact form or a clear way to get in contact.
Nonprofit Website
For nonprofitsa website's main goal is to inform the publicbuild awareness for a causeand encourage donations and volunteer or membership participation. Your nonprofit website should inspire action and create a sense of community. High quality content and clear CTAs are crucial on a nonprofit websiteas well as an engaging About Us page or section to build credibility. You may consider adding forms for different purposessuch as a volunteer sign-up formdonor sign upor RSVP form for an upcoming fundraiser.
2. Register a Domain Name for Your Website
After you have defined the objective your websiteyou'll need to get a domain name. A domain name is your website's address on the internetsuch as www.yourwebsitename.com. Choosing the right domain name is crucial because it reflects your brand identity and impacts your ability to attract and retain visitors. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a domain name:
Keep it Short and Memorable:
A shortsimple domain name is easy to remember and type. Avoid long or complicated words that could confuse users or make it hard for them to remember your site.
Include Keywords:
Including relevant keywords in your domain name can improve your SEO and help search engines understand the purpose of your website. You can add a location or city in your domain name to draw traffic if your business is targeting a local audience. For instanceif you're running a cafe in New Yorktry including the word "cafe" in your domain (e.g.BarrysCafeNYC.com).
Make it Brandable:
Your domain name should be unique to your brand and easy to recognize. Aim for something that reflects what your brand is about.
Avoid Numbers and Hyphens:
Numbers and hyphens can be easily misunderstood. Stick to just letters to avoid typos.
Avoid Homophones If Possible:
Homophones are words that sound like another wordbut have a different spelling and meaningfor example"right" and "write." Using homophones can lead to missed opportunities through word of mouth marketing or typos. If you must use a homophoneconsider purchasing an additional domain name with the common typoand have it redirect to your main site. This wayyou won't miss out on those visitors.
Choose the Right Domain Extension:
The most common domain extension is .combut depending on your businessyou might also consider other extensions like .org.netor country-specific extensions like .ca.
Once you've decided on a domain nameyou can simply register for a domain name with your website subscription plan with Website.com. Alternativelyyou can register a domain with a third-party domain registrar and connect the domain to your website building account.
SEO Tip: Try to choose a domain name that is relevant to your business or niche. A keyword-rich domain can improve your chances of ranking higher in search resultsbut keep in mind that content and overall SEO best practices will have a greater impact in the long run.
3. Choose the Right Website Builder For You
Choosing the right website builder is a crucial step in creating a successful website. While there are numerous website builders availablethe following factors may impact your decision:
Ease of Use:
Look for a website builder that is user-friendly and can make the website building experience more efficient.
Customization:
Ensure that the builder offers flexibility in design and features so that you can tailor the website to your needs.
Features:
Make sure the website builder provides tools and functionality to reach your website's goals.
Cost:
Consider your budget. A free plan is a good way to test the watersbut paid plans provide more features and control over your design.
Support:
Opt for a website builder with reliable customer support in case you encounter any problems.
Website.com is an excellent choice to build your websiteoffering an innovative way to build your websitestarting with a customizable template. Website pages are built with sections that include the features you needmaking it easy to update your content while keeping a consistent feel across your website. If you ever need help along the wayWebsite.com offers an in-house support team that you can reach by phoneemail or live chat.
4. Design Your Website Layout
Once you've chosen a website builderyou need to create an account. Many website builders offer a free trialso you can start building your site without any upfront costs. Website.com offers a free website plan so you can build your entire website at no cost.
After signing upyou will start with a template. Templates are pre-designed website layouts that are fully customizable. Choose a template that aligns with your brand's goals. Whether you're building an online store or a portfoliothere are templates for every type of website! Keep in mind that you can easily update images to alter a template to fit your industry. It is best to focus on choosing a template based on the structure and features the template offers.
SEO Tip: All Website.com templates are responsivemeaning that they adjust well to different screen sizes. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in its search rankingsso responsiveness is crucial for SEO.
After you've decided on a templateit's time to customize the design of your website. Website builders offer an intuitive way to customize textimagesvideosbuttonsand more.
Key design elements to consider:
Colors and Branding:
Match your website's colors with your brand identity to create a cohesive look.
Navigation:
Ensure that the navigation is simple and intuitivewith clear site menu titles and button labels so visitors can easily find what they're looking for.
Typography:
Choose fonts that match your website's brand and enhances readability. The Website.com Website Builder offers designer-made and fully customizable font packs that apply across your entire websitekeeping your styling consistent across your website.
SEO Tip: Focus on user experience by making your site easy to navigate. Google rewards websites with good user experience with better search rankings.
5. Add Relevant Pages
Choosing the right pages for your website is essential for creating a user-friendly experience. The structure of your website should provide visitors with easy access to important information and guide them through the experience on your site.
Essential Pages to Include:
1Home page
The home page is the gateway to your website. It should give visitors a clear understanding of who you are and what you offer. Make sure it's visually appealingeasy to navigateand includes a call-to-action (CTA) to guide users to the next step (e.g."Shop Now," "Learn More," "Contact Us").
2About Page
The About page helps establish credibility and trust. Use this page to tell the story of your brandexplain your valuesand showcase why you're different from competitors. You may also want to include pictures and bios of your team members to foster a deeper connection with your audience.
3Services or Products Page
If you're running a businessthis page should clearly showcase the services or products you offer. Beautiful images attract visitors and demonstrate the quality of services or products they can expect from you. You can easily add a Services section to display your list of services. Be specific and provide clear calls-to-actionlike buttons to buy nowbook a consultationor learn more under each service.
4Resources Page
If you're focusing on SEOa resources page is essential for creating valuable contentattracting organic trafficbuilding an audienceand establishing yourself as an expert. Write informativeengaging posts that answer your target audience's questions. Update your resources page regularly to keep it freshas well as signal to search engines that it is timely and relevant.
5Contact Page
Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you. A contact page should include your business or store addressphone numberemail addressand a contact form. You can also integrate social media links to encourage another level of engagement.
6. Customize Website Content
Content is the foundation of your website. High quality content is the key to keeping visitors engaged. Good website content builds trust and interest with your brandleading to conversions.
Types of Content to Add:
1Text Content
Keep text on your website clearconciseand focused on answering the visitor's questions. Focus on content that is relevant and appealing for your industryand naturally incorporate keywords into your text. Break up large paragraphs with headings and subheadings to enhance readability. Incorporate whitespace so that content is not too lengthy and overwhelming. When your content is informative and appealing for your target audiencevisitors will return to your website again and again - leading to more traffic and a higher SEO ranking.
2Images and Videos
Visual content is a key component of web design. Use high-quality images that align with your brand and messaging. Videos can be particularly powerful for product demonstrations or sharing your brand story. Make sure all images and videos are optimized for web performance to reduce loading times.
3Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons
CTAs encourage visitors to take the next stepwhether it's purchasing a productsigning up for a newsletteror contacting you for more information. Place CTAs strategically on each page to guide users through the sitesuch as in your header menuon the home pageand under your list of services.
4Alt-text and Meta Descriptions
Include keyword rich meta descriptions and add descriptive image alt text to optimize SEO for your website.
SEO Tip: Make sure your pages have uniquekeyword-optimized titles and meta descriptions. These are important for SEO because they help search engines understand what each page is about and improve your click-through rate (CTR) in search results. Use optimized page and site descriptionsand make use of image alt text. For content on your websitekeep it relevant for your audience and industrywhich leads to more traffic and a higher SEO ranking.
7. Add More Functionality
Add features to your website to enhance the user experience and make business operations more efficient. Popular website features include:
Online Store:
Add payment methodsstore products and shop buttons. Organize your products into different collectionsand add an online checkout with coupon codes and other marketing features.
Online Booking:
Allow visitors to book appointments or make reservations all directly through your website. Making it easy to book online gives you a distinct advantage over competitionallowing you to grow your customer base.
Video and Image Gallery:
Showcase your services and products in a beautiful waygiving prospective clients an idea of what you offer.
Contact Forms:
Collect information from your visitors to build an email listallow visitors to ask questionsor RSVP to an event.
Member Login:
Add member privileges and member sections to encourage engagement on your website.
Google Analytics:
Integrate marketing tools to analyze and optimize your website performance to build your audience and get more conversions.
Social Media Links:
Get brand recognition and engagement by adding social media icons that link to your social media profilesallowing them to follow you and return to your website easily.
Custom HTML Sections:
Easily enhance your website with custom HTML sections to implement third-party integrations on your site.
All of these popular website features are included with the Website.com website builder.
8. Optimize Your Website for SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is critical for increasing your website's visibility in search engine results.
With Website.com Website Builderyou can further enhance your website for SEO:
Meta Descriptions:
Write a concise and compelling meta description for each page. This text appears under your page title in search results and can impact click-through rates. In the Website.com site builderyou can update the SEO Description for each page by editing the page's Page SEO.
SEO Titles:
Each page should have a unique title tag that describes its content and includes relevant keywords. In the Website.com site builderyou can update the SEO Title for each page by editing the page's Page SEO.
Image Alt Text:
All images should have descriptive alt text that includes relevant keywords. This helps search engines understand what the image is about. The Website.com site builder offers a way to easily add alt text to images.
Internal Linking:
Link to other pages on your site to create a logical structure that search engines can crawl more easily.
Google Search Console:
Verify your website using Website.com's site verification tool so you can use Google Search Console to analyze your site's search traffic.
To ensure your website ranks well on search enginesimplement these SEO best practices:
Keyword Research:
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find relevant keywords for your content.
Content Quality:
Google prioritizes high-qualityinformative content that meets the needs of users.
Backlinks:
Earn backlinks from reputable websites to increase your domain authority and improve your SEO ranking. You can reach out to different websites and offer to be a guest bloggercontact relevant resource guides and get listed as a resourceand create great content that visitors would naturally be included to share online.
Schema Markup:
Implement schema markup to help search engines understand your website's content and improve visibility in search results. With the Website.com Site Builderschema markup is automatically generated for your website.
Mobile Optimized:
When your website is optimized to be viewed on a variety of screensit not only provides a better user experiencebut is considered an SEO best practice by Google and other search engines. All websites made with the Website.com Site Builder are automatically mobile-optimized.
SEO Tip: Focus on creating high-qualitykeyword-optimized content that provides value to your audience. Google rewards informative and engaging content with higher rankings.
9. Test and Publish Your Website
Once you've completed your website design and content customizationit's time to take your website livegetting it online for everyone to view. On the Website.com site builderjust click the "publish" button in the top right corner once your website is ready. Before publishingtest to ensure that:
All links and buttons work correctly.
Social media icons link to your social media accounts.
Any placeholder content from the original template has been updated with relevant content.
Your text content is free of grammatical errors.
Your business info is set up correctlyso you can offer a smooth experience through your online store or online booking.
Part 2: Website.com Site Builder Guide
In-Depth Guide to Using the Website.com Website Builder
Working with the Website Builder
The website builder is where you will be creating and editing your website.
The main area -- or the canvas -- is the working area of your website. This is where you'll see your website headerwebsite bodyand website footer. Your entire website body layout is made up of sectionsand within the sections are the website items.
1Design
You can change the overall color theme and font packs for your website. Click Site Design on the left side of the website builder to access the Design functions.
Fonts
The fonts for your text elements are linked to a font packor font pairingby default. Any changes you make here will be applied to all text that is linked to that font in order to achieve a consistent across your website.
Colors
Like font packsthe colors for your entire website are linked to a color theme by default. You can drastically change the look and feel of your website by changing to a different color theme.
Buttons
Choose a consistent button design that will apply for all of your website buttons. Select the button size and button border radius.
2Sections
Sections contain website elementslike imagestext and mediato make up your website page layout. You can customize sections with your own content.
Section Mini Toolbar
When you click on any sectionyou'll find these functions in the section toolbar located on the top right of the section.
Design
Click the "Change Section Design" icon to change your section's layoutcoloror other aspects of the design.
Clone
Click the Clone icon to create an identical section that will be added below the existing section.
Move Up and Down
Click the Move Up or Move Down arrow to move your section up the page.
Hide Section
By clicking the Hide iconthe section will not be visible on the website buildernor on your published website. If you choose to Unhide Sectionyou will be make it visible on the page again.
Delete
To remove a section from your website pagejust click the garbage can icon.
Add Sections
To add a new sectionhover on a section on your website page. Click + Add Section that will appear at the bottom of your existing section. Choose a section category and section layout to add it to the page. The new section will be added below the existing section.
Remove Sections
To remove a section on your website pagehover on the sectionand click on the garbage can icon on the top right corner.
Section or Element Left Panel
When you click on a section or website elementyou may see functions that are specific to each section or website item on the left side of the website builder.
Item Specific Mini Toolbar
Click on a website item within a sectionand you'll see functions specific to the website element right above the element.
Customize Text
Simply click on any text within the layout to customize the text.
Customize ImageVideos or Media
Click on any image or media within the website layoutand click the folder icon. Choose from your own uploaded filesor select an image from Stock Images or Stock Videos under Explore.
3Header
The header is the very top section of your website. A website header typically includes the website name and/or logowebsite menusocial media links and a call to action button.
Header Design
Easily choose the header background color from your color theme.
Company Name
Add your website title or company title beside your logo to complete your branding. If you do not want to show a website titlejust toggle this off.
Company Logo or Header Image
Upload your own business logo to complete your website branding.
Site Menu
You can rearrange your website menu order or change the page titles under Pages.
Button
Add a call to action for your website by changing the Button label and adding a link URL.
Social Media Links
Link your social media accounts so that visitors can easily connect with you. If you do not want to show any social linkssimply toggle Social Links off.
4Footer
The footer is the very bottom section of your website. A website footer typically includes contact detailsquick links and a call to action button.
Footer Design
Easily choose the footer background color from your color theme.
Logo or Footer Image
Upload your own business logo to complete your website branding.
Contact
Contact AddressPhone and Email
Add relevant contact details for your business so that visitors can contact you easier. Contact details also add legitimacy to your website and business.
Social Links
Link your social media accounts so that visitors can easily connect with you.
5Files
This is where you can manage the imageaudiovideo and other document files that you've uploaded.
Managing Your Pages
The page management function in the website builder gives you complete control over your pages. Not only does it let you add and remove pagesit also allows you to rearrange your site menu and set up your meta title and meta descriptions.
You can access the page management function by clicking on Website Pages.
1Pages
Add New Web Pages
You can add additional web pages to your website by clicking Manage Pages in the dashboard on the leftand then click + Add Page.
Navigate to a Different Page
You can jump to a different web page and work on it by clicking on the page name from the list under Site Pagesor using the dropdown at the top of the editor.
Delete Pages
You can delete unwanted pages by clicking on the Settings icon beside the page name in the list under Site Pagesand clicking Delete. Deleting the page will also remove it from the site menu.
Rearrange Website Menu Links
Your website menu allows visitors to navigate through different pages on your website. You can edit the order of your pages on your website menu by clicking on Website Pages. Under Site Menuyou'll see the list of website pages. Just click and drag on the dots beside a page name to rearrange its order on your site menu.
2Page Settings
In the Site Pages areayou can edit your page settings. The page settings are found by clicking the gear icon that's to the right of the page name.
The settings are split into four categories: GeneralSEOSocial Sharing and Custom Code.
General
Page Title
You can change the name for your page here. This page name will be used to reference this page in the website builderand will be the page title displayed in the site menu.
Page URL
The Page URL will be the website address for the website page.
Visibility
Public
Your page will be able to be viewed by all online.
Offline
If you choose to make your page Offlineit will be disabled and will become unreachable by the public.
Set Page As Coming Soon
Choose this option if you want to temporarily hide a page as you make internal changes to your web page. On the published sidevisitors will see a Coming Soon page.
SEO
Search Results Preview
See what your SEO Title and Description will look like in search results.
SEO Title and SEO Description
Add a meta title and meta description for your pagewhich will be displayed in search engine results. A page title and page description can improve your search rankings by letting search engines know what your content is about.
Keep this toggled on in order to allow search engines to crawl your page content.
Social Sharing
Upload an image to be displayed as the preview for your website page. The preview will appear when your web page URL is shared on social media.
Custom Code
Header and Body Code
If you're using any 3rd party scripts or conversion tracking services (like Google Analytics or Google Adwords) and you need to add custom code to your pageyou can do it here.
The website builder will automatically save your work so you don't need to worry. To see the Site History of saved versions of your websiteyou can go to Site Settings > Site History.
Previewing Your Website
You can view a preview of your published website by clicking Preview in the top right.
Desktop Preview
See a preview of how your website will look like when visitors look at your website on a laptop or computer.
Tablet Preview
All websites built with the Website.com website builder are responsive. This means your design will automatically be optimized for tablet view! Just click the tablet icon to see what your website will look like when viewed on a tablet.
Mobile Preview
Your website is responsiveand will be automatically optimized for viewing on a smartphone. You can click the Mobile icon to preview what your website will look like when visitors view your website on a smartphone.
Publishing Your Website
Once you've built your site or you're done making changesyou will need to publish your website in order for the changes to go live.
To publish your websiteclick Publish at the top right of the website builder.
That's all it takes! Your website is now online.
Conclusion
Creating a website using a website builder is a smart way to take your business to the next level. By following the steps above and implementing SEO best practicesyou can create an impressive website that engages visitorsranks well on search enginesand leads to more conversions for your business.
FAQs
How much does a website cost? What does a Website.com subscription include?
The cost of running a website requires 3 essential components: the domainhostingand the tools for making a website.
A domain is the unique web address that visitors use to find your websitee.g. www.website.com. A domain name is usually a yearly costranging from around $20/year and up.
Website hosting allows your website files to be stored and seen on the internetand impacts you website's performance and reliability. This is typically a monthly ongoing costusually around $14.99/month and up.
The website platform you use to create a website is another factor. The cost of making a website differs depending on whether you choose a DIY approach or hire a web designer or developer. Hiring a designer can be a significant expense that generally requires an initial design cost and an ongoing maintenance fee.
With Website.com premium planseverything is included to create your websiteincluding a professional domain name for 1 yearweb hostingand a website builder with easy tools to create your sitesell productsand market your website. Premium plans range from $4/month (promo price for the first year)an extremely low cost way to own a professional website.
With a free Website.com planyou'll get a free website name and can make your entire website for free. Keep in mind that Website.com premium plans include a professional domain name registrationmore website pages and advanced features to make your website more competitive and professional.
How easy is it to make a website? Can I make a website without knowing how to code?
The Website.com website builder is the easiest way to make a website! Our innovative tools allow you to create your website without any design or coding experience. You can even create your entire websitefrom start to finishright from a mobile device! Just start with a templateadd your own website contentchoose sections with the functions you needand publish to get your responsive website online. If you need helpour support team is here to answer any questions you have. In additionwe offer web design services to help you craft your website on the Website.com website buildergiving you total control of your website after your design is complete.
Do I need a domain name? How do I get custom domain emails?
Yesevery website on the internet needs its own domain name. A custom domain name can make your website look professional online. A good domain name strengthens your brandmakes your website more memorableand most importantlyhelps visitors find you online.
With Website.comyou can start with a free website nameand all premium Website.com plans include a professional custom domain name for 1 year at no additional charge!
Problems can arise when domain names are left to expire or become open for anyone to register under their namefrom identity theft and impersonation to extortion and malware injection. This is why Website.com offers domain auto renewal feature to help prevent these problems from appearing. Let us know if you are unsure about whether your domain name is set for auto-renewal.
Using your custom domain name in your email address ([email protected]) can boost brand and create trust across all customer communications. Website.com Elite plans and above include professional emails at your domain nameand a mailbox to store your emails. You can read your emails anywhereor set up emails to be accessed on the go.
How do I make my website mobile friendly?
More than 62% of users access the internet using a mobile phone around the world. That means a mobile-friendly website is essential for reaching potential visitors. Plusmobile-friendliness is a critical aspect of SEO.
All websites made with Website.com are responsivewhich means they are automatically optimized for both mobile and desktop devices! Your Website.com website will provide website visitors with an optimized user experience from any device they are visiting from.
How does my website get found on Google?
A top ranking on Google's results pages can greatly increase your website trafficbuild your audienceand get more customers.
Website.com has SEO (search engine optimization) tools to help get your website found on Google and other search engines. Explore automatic mobile optimizationa site map generatorand the ability to employ on-page SEO techniques like image titles and page descriptions. Verify your site with Google Search Console using the site verification tool to help you discover the keywords that bring in the most traffic to your site.
