How to Start a Website (The Non-Boring Way)

So, you’ve decided to start a website. Whether it’s for your new business, side hustle, personal blog, or the next big ecommerce empire, you’re in the right place.

The good news? Starting a website in 2025 is way easier than it was just a few years ago. The bad news? With all the platforms, tools, and conflicting advice out there, it’s also easier to get overwhelmed.

Let’s break it down step-by-step, minus the tech jargon. You’ll go from zero to live site in no time – with pro tips to help you skip the rookie mistakes.

Step 1: Pick a Purpose (Don’t Skip This)

Before you start choosing fonts or domain names, get clear on what you want the website to do.

Ask yourself:

• Is this a blog, online store, portfolio, or lead-generation site?

• Who’s the audience?

• What action do you want visitors to take?

Knowing this will help you choose the right platform, design, and tools later. If you skip this step, you’ll likely waste time (and money) fixing things down the road.

Shortcut Tip:
If you’re unsure, start simple. Use a one-page layout to test the idea, then expand later.

Step 2: Choose a Domain Name

Your domain name is your website’s address, like yourbrand.com.

Some quick rules:

• Keep it short and easy to spell

• Avoid hyphens and numbers

• Use .com if available, or go with .co, .io, or .ai if it fits

• Check trademarks and social handles for consistency

Tools like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Google Domains are perfect for checking availability and buying your domain.

Step 3: Pick a Website Platform

This is where you decide how you’ll build your site. You’ve got a few options:

Website Builders (Easiest for Beginners)

• Wix, Squarespace, Webflow

• Drag-and-drop editing, no code

• Great for portfolios, blogs, and small biz sites

Content Management Systems (CMS)

• WordPress – Flexible, tons of plugins, open source

• Ideal for blogs, content-heavy sites, or those planning to scale

• Needs more setup (but totally doable)

Ecommerce Platforms

• Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce

• Made for selling products online

• Built-in payment, cart, and shipping tools

Shortcut Tip:
If you want a blog or service site → WordPress
If you’re selling stuff → Shopify
If you want a fast start and minimal fuss → Wix or Squarespace

Step 4: Choose a Host (If Needed)

If you’re using WordPress or WooCommerce, you’ll need separate hosting. There are some great eco-conscious hosting providers around today so make sure you check those out to do your bit for sustainability!

Top choices:

• SiteGround – Great support and performance

• Bluehost – Budget-friendly and beginner-focused

• Kinsta – Fast, secure, premium hosting

Website builders and platforms like Shopify include hosting, so you can skip this step if you’re using those.

Step 5: Design Your Website

Now for the fun bit – making it look good!

You can:

• Use pre-made templates/themes

• Customize with your brand colors and fonts

• Add a logo (Canva is most definitely your friend)

• Include clear navigation and call-to-action buttons

Key pages to include:

• Homepage

• About page

• Contact page

• Blog or product page (depending on your site goal)

• Privacy policy (yes, even for small sites)

Shortcut Tip:
Don’t overthink design. Pick a clean, mobile-friendly template and swap in your content. Done is better than perfect.

Step 6: Add Content That Matters

Content is what makes your site useful. It’s also what helps you rank on Google.

Include:

• A compelling homepage headline

• Real info about what you offer or what the site is for

• FAQs to address common visitor questions

• Blog posts to answer questions your audience is Googling

• Testimonials or reviews (if available)

Use keywords naturally (like “how to start a website”) and format with subheadings, bullet points, and images to keep things readable.

Step 7: Optimize for SEO & Speed

Once your site is live, it’s time to optimize.

Quick checklist:

• Add a meta title and description for each page

• Use alt text on all images

• Create an XML sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console

• Set up Google Analytics 4 to track traffic

• Optimize for mobile and fast loading

Shortcut Tip:
Tools like Yoast SEO (for WordPress) or SEOptimer can give you quick wins on-site optimization.

Step 8: Test and Improve with PageTest.AI

Here’s where most people stop. Don’t be most people.

Once your site is live, use PageTest.AI to:

• Test different headlines and layouts to improve engagement

• Track scroll depth, button clicks, and conversions

• Identify which content drives action – and what falls flat

• Run A/B tests without needing a dev team

Whether you’re testing your homepage or tweaking a pricing page, PageTest helps you make decisions based on data, not vibes.

Think of it as your site’s personal growth coach – always working to make it better.

Final Thoughts

Starting a website is like building a house. You need a solid foundation, the right tools, and a bit of patience.

But with the right setup – and a little help from tools like PageTest.AI – you’ll not only launch faster, but you’ll grow smarter.

So go ahead, pick your domain, grab a template, and put your ideas out into the world. You’ve got this.

FAQ: How to Start a Website

Do I need to know how to code to start a website?
Not at all. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify require zero coding. WordPress can be used with drag-and-drop builders too.

How much does it cost to start a website?
You can start with as little as £10–£30 for domain and hosting. Premium templates, plugins, or ecommerce features may increase costs.

What’s the best platform for a beginner?
Wix and Squarespace are the easiest to start with. WordPress offers more flexibility but has a steeper learning curve.

How do I make sure my site shows up on Google?
Use SEO best practices—add meta tags, optimize content for keywords, submit your sitemap to Google, and test regularly with tools like PageTest.AI.

Can I change my website later?
Absolutely. Most platforms allow you to update content, design, and structure anytime without needing a full rebuild.