Whether you’re launching a new business, building your personal brand, or finally bringing that passion project to life, one thing’s for sure: you need a website.
But if you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry—this guide walks you through each step, from buying a domain to hitting “publish.”
Step 1: Choose and Register Your Domain Name Your domain is your online address—what people will type in to find you (like yourbusiness.com). Keep it simple, memorable, and aligned with your brand. You can register domains through companies like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains.
Tip: Try to stick with .com or .org (for nonprofits) if possible—the most trusted extensions.
Step 2: Choose a Website Hosting Provider Hosting is where your website “lives” on the internet. It’s the digital land you rent so you can build your actual website. You will find many options when you start looking for hosting. Many times clients will come to WIW with their hosting already purchased from companies like SiteGround, Bluehost, and Hostgator. These are just fine, but I would recommend you purchase more than one year up front as renewals can often be pricey. When clients come to us in need of hosting, we use the same trusted, affordable host every time, but can typically work with the one you arrive with!
Tip: Make sure your host offers good customer support, SSL security, and daily backups.
Step 3: Choose How You’ll Build Your Site There are two main options here:
-
DIY Website Builders (like Squarespace or Wix): These are user-friendly, all-in-one platforms great for getting started fast.
-
Custom WordPress Website: If you want full control, flexibility, and room to grow—this is the pro move. Ideal if you plan to hire a designer (like us 😉).
Tip: Think about your long-term goals. DIY can be limiting as you grow.
Step 4: Design & Structure Your Website This is where strategy meets creativity. You’ll want to plan pages like:
-
Homepage
-
About
-
Services/Products
- Testimonials
-
Contact (make this easy to find!)
-
Blog (optional, but great for SEO!)
Your site should be:
-
Easy to navigate
-
Mobile-friendly (you’ll often see this referred to as “Responsive”)
-
On-brand visually
-
Clear in messaging
Tip: Don’t just design to “look good”—design to guide people toward taking action.
Step 5: Set Up Website Security Trust is everything. At minimum, make sure your site has:
-
An SSL Certificate (makes your URL start with https://)
-
Strong passwords and user permissions
-
Anti-spam and malware protection (especially for WordPress sites)
Tip: Most reputable hosts include SSL for free—double-check before you buy.
Step 6: Optimize for Performance and SEO You want your site to load fast and be found on Google, right?
Here’s what to do:
-
Compress images so your pages load faster
-
Use clear headings and keywords
-
Connect Google Analytics and Google Search Console
-
Make sure it’s mobile-optimized
Tip: Local business? Make sure your address and phone number are on every page.
Step 7: Launch and Promote Once everything looks good, test it across devices and browsers, then hit publish! We recommend you let some people in your circle see it first, to make sure it looks and sounds like you!
Next, tell the world:
-
Post about your launch on social
-
Send an email to your list
-
Add your site to your business cards, email signature, and Google Business Profile
Tip: Websites are living tools. Keep updating it as your business grows.
It’s totally okay if you want (or need) to build your website yourself. Starting small is smart, and sometimes DIY is the right fit for where you are. In fact, click here for a website design checklist you can use to get started!
If you ever feel stuck, overwhelmed, or just want a website that’s built to grow with your business, WIW is here to help. Feel free to reach out today to chat about our done-for-you website design services!
Click here for more information on our Maintenance Packages.