Phase 1: Planning and Infrastructure
Before you touch a design tool, you need a foundation.
- Define Your Purpose and Goals
Ask yourself: What is the one thing I want a visitor to do?
- Portfolio: Show off work and get contacted.
- E-commerce: Sell products.
- Blog: Share information and build an audience.
- Choose Your Building Method
There are two primary “from scratch” paths:
- Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, Hostinger AI): Best for beginners. They handle hosting, security, and design in one “drag-and-drop” package.
- CMS (WordPress.org): Best for long-term growth and customization. You “own” the site more deeply but must manage hosting and updates yourself.
- Secure Your Domain and Hosting
- Domain Name: This is your address (e.g., www.yourname.com). Keep it short, avoid hyphens, and stick to .com if possible.
- Web Hosting: This is the “land” where your website files live.
- Top 2025 Picks: SiteGround (best support), Hostinger (best value), or Bluehost (great for WordPress).
Phase 2: Design and Construction
Now you move into the “visual” part of the build.
- Map Your Site Structure (Sitemap)
Sketch out the pages you need. A standard site usually includes:
- Homepage: The “elevator pitch.”
- About Page: Your story and values.
- Services/Products: What you offer.
- Contact Page: A form and social links.
- Select a Theme and Brand Identity
Choose a template that matches your vibe. In 2025, look for mobile-responsive designs—over 60% of web traffic is now on phones.
- Colors: Pick 2 primary and 1 accent color.
- Fonts: Use no more than two font families for readability.
- Create and Optimize Content
Don’t just upload high-res photos; they will slow down your site.
- Image Optimization: Use modern formats like WebP.
- SEO Basics: Use keywords in your headings ($H1$, $H2$) so Google knows what your site is about.
Phase 3: Launch and Growth
The final checks before the world sees your work.
- The Pre-Launch Checklist
Before hitting “Publish,” run through this list:
- SSL Certificate: Ensure your URL starts with https (the padlock icon).
- Test Forms: Send a test message through your contact form.
- Mobile Check: Open your site on your phone to ensure nothing is “cutoff.”
- Browser Test: Check the site in Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
- Post-Launch: Analytics and Maintenance
Once live, install Google Analytics or MonsterInsights to see who is visiting. A website is never truly “finished”—aim to update your content at least once a month to keep it healthy in search rankings.
