If you want to learn how to build a website for free online, understand there’s a few different methods first. Building your own website can be very satisfying and rewarding.
There are some great options available without needing to spend money. Easy and free website builders that can have you publishing content in no time. Are you experimenting with a new business idea or thinking of starting a blog? Read on to learn how.
Below is information to help you discover how to get started building a free website. It’s best to understand first that sometimes paid website builders can be a better place to start especially for professional use. The reason being is they allow more freedom to customize to your personal or business needs to suit.
Nothing’s more frustrating for business than displaying third party ads inconveniently and having limited pages or no customizable URL. We understand the need to watch the budget and the possibility of upgrading later.
Step 1: Choose a Content Management System (CMS)
Content management system (CMS) is an application made for website administrators to customize web pages. Without using code the CMS will allow intuitive content editors to drag and drop various pieces of content to create an overall page layout or theme. No working knowledge or technical skills are needed, just an eye for how you want your page to appear.
Content such as paragraphs, photos, videos and tables can be added, moved around or deleted all with a user friendly interface. Of course the elements making up the CMS can vary from platform to platform. Some content management systems incorporate tools for analyzing page traffic and visitor behavior patterns. This helps to identify how a site is being used and how specific areas can be improved.
Three Most Popular Choices
WordPress
WordPress is by far the worlds most popular CMS, being used by 40% of all online websites. It’s a free open-source platform that allows you to use numerous plugins for free as well. WordPress affords the web designer the opportunity to build and publish a website in a matter of moments.
WordPress, like any phone app will require updating from time to time to ensure top performance. This fixes security issues and eliminates bugs and glitches, keeping everything fresh and up-to-date. When using WordPress, keep in mind you will need hosting (free or paid) to support your website or blog. Again, typically, free hosting will display ads.
Wix
Wix is also a popular choice that doesn’t require coding knowledge. The drop and drag features create distinguished web pages that compare to any professionally built website online. The individual components are easy to manage and move around to get the customized look you want.
Again, if you’re using the free version there will be ads. You will have to use a sub-domain like (“yoursitename” .wix.com) The free version won’t be a straight up “yoursitename” .com. However, should you decide on upgrading, the paid versions run between $17 p/month for light basic use and $159 p/month for Business Elite. Learn more about Wix here.
Weebly
Weebly is a favorite of mine because I started out on it years ago when they first came about. Like their counterpart, Weebly also offer a free version for those just starting out. They understand and make it easy with their own drop and drag interface. It really is easy to create beautiful websites but once again there’s the issue of having to use a sub-domain for the free version.
Using templates and SEO formatting provided can help get websites ranking and visible in online search results as well. There’s lots of help available for growing entrepreneurs to expand their horizons. If you think you might prefer to start with a lower priced package check out the Weebly offerings here.
Step 2: Create An Account
So you’ve made a choice – great! Now it’s time to create an account and get things under way. When creating an account you will need to use an email or a Facebook Profile to set up. You will likely be asked to specify whether you’re creating a personal blog or an e-commerce store.
Obviously each platform has it’s own merits when compared to the other. We won’t detail them here but you can check them for yourself and make your own informed decision.
Depending on your website’s focus, you will build accordingly. More than likely as you learn to master the interface you’ll see how you can improve some facet to meet a higher standard and then hit publish. It’s not a problem to go back over your page time and again to get things right.
- Pro Tip – Make all your pages follow a similar theme or page layout
If you feel like you could spare the expense and register your own domain you’ll be well on the way to future success.
When you create an account with WordPress a similar subdomain with the name “wordpress .com” will appear in the URL. That may be ok for a personal blog but if you’re wanting to be professional my tip is to register your own domain name to use on your website.
Step 3: Publish Your Website
Using drop and drag website builders is fun and easy. If you have never attempted to build your own website or blog it can be a great learning curve. You can get very personal with design and layout but a good tip to remember is to keep it simple. Keeping your pages easy to read and navigate will keep your visitor engaged for longer periods. Oh and if you want engagement stay away from horrible colors that make reading content difficult
Want to learn how to make money with blogging online?
Many websites just sit on the internet as electronic pamphlets lost in space today. You however, will need to push your limits a little further to be visible. Learning simple SEO will help when writing titles and meta descriptions, as will using the right keywords as well.