I can\u2019t remember the last time I discovered a new brand by shopping in person \u2026 I know, it\u2019s mind-boggling.<\/p>\n
While I do enjoy a Saturday shopping spree with friends, nothing beats the convenience of browsing a company\u2019s website for the same (and many more!) items.<\/p>\n
I also never make a purchase without first reading reviews \u2014 and 91% of U.S. online shoppers<\/a> surveyed in 2023 agree, saying they always or regularly read reviews \u2014 which are much easier to find on a company\u2019s website.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n While in-store shopping is still the overall most popular form of shopping (64% of surveyed consumers<\/a> prefer shopping in-store), shopping through an online retailer like Amazon (50%) and a company\u2019s website (30%) are the second and third most preferred methods of shopping.<\/p>\n Having an updated, user-friendly website is a key aspect of any business if you want to continue to attract sales.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re starting a new business venture, developing a personal brand, or updating an outdated website, there\u2019s no need to build web pages from scratch, which can be complicated and expensive.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve shared some tips below on how to make a website using a website builder or CMS.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n How to Build a Website<\/a> <\/a> <\/p>\n Use the following comprehensive, step-by-step guide to create a website without the need for a coder, web designer, or big budget.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n In general, carry out these steps before launching the site. But first, choose a platform.<\/p>\n The first thing you\u2019ll need to decide is whether you want to create a website using a website builder or a CMS.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at the definitions of each below.<\/p>\n Website Builder<\/strong><\/p>\n Content Management System (CMS)<\/strong><\/p>\n A website builder is a solution that offers domain names, SSL certificates, and templates in one package, typically at a monthly or yearly subscription fee.<\/p>\n A content management system is a platform where you place your website\u2019s content and media files. Domain names, SSL certificates, and hosting are typically purchased separately.<\/p>\n Both website builders and CMS platforms provide the out-of-the-box features, pre-designed templates, and extensions required to create a custom site without coding but offer different experiences for creating and managing a website.<\/p>\n Website Builders<\/strong><\/p>\n CMS Platforms<\/strong><\/p>\n Domain registration, hosting, and SSL certificate included. Domain registration, hosting, and SSL certificate must be purchased separately. Here are some examples of website builders and CMS platforms you could use.<\/p>\n Website Builder Examples<\/strong><\/p>\n CMS Examples<\/strong><\/p>\n HubSpot Content Hub <\/a> <\/p>\n A website builder is the easiest way to make a website if you\u2019re a beginner.<\/p>\n I myself have used free website builders<\/a> such as Wix and WordPress.com in college when writing for campus blogs and magazines, and I felt the interfaces were always straightforward for newcomers to learn.<\/p>\n Follow the below steps to create a site using a website builder.<\/p>\n First up, choose a website builder that fits your needs and budget. Consider the following:<\/p>\n Cost<\/strong>: Your budget will be, by far, the most important factor when choosing a website builder. Most require a paid subscription to include premium features such as domain names and increased storage. <\/p>\n Features<\/strong>: Website builders typically offer different features depending on their target market. Shopify, for example, is specifically designed for ecommerce websites, while WordPress.com is primarily known for blogging. <\/p>\n Extensions<\/strong>: Check out the extensions and add-ons library for each website builder you\u2019re considering. If they don\u2019t offer something required for your site, skip that builder. <\/p>\n Themes and Templates<\/strong>: Some website builders provide more themes and templates, while others have less variety but more well-designed choices. Check out the template library to see how the site may look when completed. <\/p>\n Ease-of-use<\/strong>: All website builders are designed to be easy to use, but some are more intuitive than others. <\/p>\n Support<\/strong>: Is the website builder\u2019s support team known for its responsiveness? Research beforehand to ensure a premium subscription will also provide premium support. <\/p>\n No matter what, always start with a free trial. I enjoy using free plans or trials to create a generic \u201ctest\u201d website. This may not end up being your official business web page, but it\u2019s a great way to test out some of the website builder\u2019s features before committing.<\/p>\n I recommend checking out HubSpot’s Website Builder<\/a> for free.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n While most website builders come with a free subscription tier, they typically won\u2019t offer a free domain name or the advanced features needed to produce a strong, consumer-facing website. I recommend opting for a paid subscription once you have decided which platform you prefer.<\/p>\n Website Builder<\/strong><\/p>\n Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n Good Fit For:<\/strong><\/p>\n WordPress.com<\/p>\n $4 to $45\/month<\/a><\/p>\n Blogs<\/p>\n Wix<\/p>\n $17 to $159\/month<\/a><\/p>\n General Websites<\/p>\n Weebly<\/p>\n Free to $26\/month<\/a><\/p>\n General Websites<\/p>\n Shopify<\/p>\n $29 to $2,300\/month<\/a><\/p>\n Ecommerce Stores<\/p>\n Squarespace<\/p>\n $16 to $52\/month<\/a><\/p>\n Creative Websites<\/p>\n HubSpot<\/p>\n Free to $1,500\/month<\/a><\/p>\n General Websites<\/p>\n A free plan is a good way to build your business while navigating a new platform. But as you grow, I suggest upgrading to a subscription, as free plans typically don\u2019t include enough features to scale and maintain a professional website.<\/p>\n Before upgrading, look at the features included in each tier to choose the best subscription.<\/p>\n Consider the following questions before choosing a subscription plan:<\/p>\n How much storage will you need? Most website builders have a pricing page that lays out the differences between plans in an easy-to-scan list. Consider starting with the simplest subscription and upgrading if and when you require more features and functionalities.<\/p>\n Some of the best website builders<\/a> offer a free subdomain for your site, but upgrading to a paid subscription will get you a custom domain.<\/p>\n A custom domain name is one of the easiest ways to appear more professional and legitimate as a company. Imagine if, as a freelance writer, I was trying to share my portfolio website with potential employers. Which domain sounds more professional: swethaamaresan.weebly.com or swethaamaresan.com?<\/p>\n The good news is that after you upgrade, your premium website builder subscription will include a domain name for free, at least for the first year. You\u2019ll be able to choose it as you\u2019re setting up the site, or do it later.<\/p>\n\n It can be difficult to come up with website name ideas<\/a>, so consider short, descriptive, and unique options. Use website name generators like 10Web AI Business Name Generator<\/a> to yield ideas, or check if original domain ideas are available by using a service such as GoDaddy<\/a>.<\/p>\n During the setup process, the website builder will take you to a template library, where you can choose a premade layout to set up your site. Most website builders will suggest a different template depending on the type of business or brand you run. For instance, you can choose a template that\u2019s specifically made for:<\/p>\n Freelancers Every template should have essential features such as a built-in responsive setting and drag-and-drop page editor. The website builder should also allow demo data import, so you only have to replace the images and text and not tinker with anything else during the setup process.<\/p>\n The issue with a template is that someone may have already used the same one. My advice is to use a premade template to save some time, but customize it to your liking.<\/p>\n On most platforms, you can change the color palette, replace images, insert social media icons, add personalized forms and menus, and change the size, colors, and fonts of buttons.<\/p>\n For beautiful templates that are easy to customize, check out some of the best free Content Hub themes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Next, it\u2019s time to add pages to your site. You\u2019ll need to create, at a minimum:<\/p>\n A home page. You\u2019ll also want to create specific service pages. For instance, if I were selling \u201cDigital Marketing Services,\u201d I would create pages titled \u201cSocial Media Marketing Packages\u201d and \u201cSearch Engine Marketing Services\u201d under the digital marketing services umbrella.<\/p>\n Titles show up in search results, so it\u2019s important to put the topic of each page, or target keywords<\/a>, into the title of each page and subpage to optimize for search.<\/p>\n\n The arguably most important step (and my personal favorite!) is writing optimized content<\/a> to put on all of the pages you\u2019ve created. Get content inspiration from competitors or use an AI tool like Jasper.ai<\/a> or HubSpot\u2019s AI Content Writer<\/a> to help you come up with ideas, create an outline, or optimize existing content.<\/p>\n\n Aim for at least 600 words per page<\/a> to provide quality content<\/a> to visitors. Write the text in an editor such as Google Docs<\/a> and use a grammar checker like Grammarly<\/a> to ensure the copy is error-free.<\/p>\n Lastly, compress images before uploading with a tool such as Toolur or TinyJPG. These steps will ensure your content helps you rank on Google and other search engines<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before pushing your site live, fill in the general settings. This is the same list you would run through if you were setting up your site on a CMS platform.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll want to adjust:<\/p>\n Page titles<\/a> Include a site title and tagline in the \u201cSettings\u201d of the website builder. Check out the URLs \u2014 are those optimized for search? Any website builder should make it easy to optimize these elements on every post and page.<\/p>\n With HubSpot, for example, I can add image alt-text, meta descriptions, headings, and custom URLs right in the CMS.<\/p>\n Last but not least, install add-ons from the website builder\u2019s library of extensions and add-ons to increase your website\u2019s functionality. For instance, in the HubSpot App Marketplace<\/a>, I can filter for, browse, and add a number of different CMS apps and integrations.<\/p>\n Once all the pages, content, and plugins are in place, it\u2019s time to push your site live. After that, simply watch your organic traffic grow.<\/p>\n And remember: If a website builder doesn\u2019t work for you, you\u2019ll always be able to switch over to a CMS. Speaking of CMS, let’s review the steps involved in creating a website with a CMS.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Creating a website with a CMS is a little different than setting up a site with a website builder \u2014 mainly because you\u2019ll have to buy a domain name and web hosting on your own. But the process is just as simple, and the powerful customization options make the extra steps worth it.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s some advice from HubSpot\u2019s Content Hub Senior Product Marketing Manager, Alex Girard<\/a>, \u201cWhen building a website, you want to make sure your content helps your customers achieve their goal with your business.\u201d<\/p>\n For example:<\/p>\n If you sell professional services, can customers learn more about the services you offer and easily get in touch with your team if they have specific questions? \u201cInterview your customers about their experience on your website, and don\u2019t be afraid to run experiments on your copy or on other elements of your website,\u201d Girard says. \u201cConstantly iterating on the experience you provide your customers will help you perfect your website over time.”<\/p>\n Below, I cover making a website using a CMS from start to finish.<\/p>\n The best CMS system<\/a> will align with your business\u2019s needs and goals.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s talk about some of the features you\u2019d get from using HubSpot Content Hub to give you an idea of some of the benefits of using content management software.<\/p>\n HubSpot Content Hub<\/a> is a web content management system that’s built on HubSpot\u2019s all-in-one CRM Platform. As a result, your team will have the tools necessary to offer a delightful and modern digital experience.<\/p>\n Pro tip: <\/strong>Get HubSpot Content Hub<\/a>, the content platform for marketers, developers, and IT teams that’s built on your all-in-one CRM platform.<\/p>\n Below, I broke down some of the most popular website builders to choose from, including Content Hub.<\/p>\n CMS<\/strong><\/p>\n Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n Good Fit For<\/strong><\/p>\n Content Hub<\/p>\n Free<\/a><\/p>\n Scaling Businesses<\/p>\n WordPress.org<\/p>\n Free<\/p>\n General Websites<\/p>\n Adobe Experience Manager<\/p>\n Custom Pricing<\/a><\/p>\n Enterprise Businesses<\/p>\n Joomla<\/p>\n Free<\/p>\n General Websites (Recommended for Advanced Users)<\/p>\n Drupal<\/p>\n Free<\/p>\n General Websites (Recommended for Advanced Users)<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that while WordPress.org, Joomla, and Drupal are free, you\u2019ll have to pay for domain names, SSL certificates, hosting, and premium themes and templates<\/strong>, adding to your set-up costs. You might also need the help of a developer<\/strong> if you opt for Joomla and Drupal.<\/p>\n It\u2019s helpful to narrow down the many CMS options by considering the following questions:<\/p>\n Do you need custom code capabilities? Web hosting<\/a> is a service that enables individuals or businesses to run a website on the internet. The service provider, known as a web host, will store your website files on a secure server that it keeps up and running, then deliver and display that web content to visitors who type your URL in their browser.<\/p>\n Website builders include hosting in their packages, but many content management systems don\u2019t work this way. However, HubSpot\u2019s CMS software offers website hosting<\/a> for free and doesn\u2019t charge extra for usage.<\/p>\n With other CMS software, you’ll have to find your own hosting provider. There are hundreds of web hosts on the market offering different types of hosting, including shared hosting, VPS, and dedicated hosting<\/a>.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s briefly look at the differences below:<\/p>\n Shared hosting<\/strong>. In shared hosting, your website shares the same server and resources with other websites. It\u2019s the most popular type of hosting, particularly among new site owners, because it’s the cheapest option. <\/p>\n VPS hosting.<\/strong> If you go for a Virtual Private Server hosting solution, your site will sit on the same server as other websites; however, it will isolate server resources for your site specifically. That means your site will be able to handle higher volumes of regular traffic. It\u2019s a pricier alternative to shared hosting. <\/p>\n Dedicated server.<\/strong> With a dedicated server, your site will sit on a server whose resources and space are reserved for your site only. If you’d rather not share a server with any other website, you can upgrade to dedicated server hosting. <\/p>\n Once you’ve decided what hosting you need, pick a provider. DreamHost<\/a>, HostGator<\/a>, and Bluehost<\/a> are among the most popular third-party providers and offer free domain registration for the first year.<\/p>\n After this step, you can essentially follow the same steps listed for using a website builder.<\/p>\n Ideate a domain name, check for its availability, purchase it, and connect it to your hosting account. <\/a> <\/p>\n Now, I will walk you through how to make a website with Content Hub<\/a>. If you\u2019re already using HubSpot\u2019s CRM platform<\/a>, it makes sense to develop a website within HubSpot to integrate all your sales and marketing needs in one place.<\/p>\n Content Hub offers a variety of plugins and extensions, themed templates, and sophisticated tools for SEO analysis.<\/p>\n Using Content Hub is easy and intuitive. Don\u2019t forget to get a domain name and hosting before starting to build your site.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n Within your HubSpot portal, click Marketing<\/strong> on the dashboard at the top of your screen. Navigate down to Website<\/strong>, then click Website Pages<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n After that, click the orange Create<\/strong> button and choose Website Page <\/strong>from the drop-down.<\/p>\n\n Now, you\u2019ll be taken to this Choose a theme<\/strong> page. Scroll through your options, search page templates, or check out the Marketplace. When you\u2019ve found a template you like, select it.<\/p>\n\n This is your web page. Scroll over text boxes, images, or other modules to edit them. In the below picture, I scrolled over the \u201cPractice Yoga\u201d Banner Text, and when I click it, it allows me to edit that text.<\/p>\n\n Alternatively, click the Contents<\/strong> tool on the left side of the screen and edit from there. For instance, I selected one Rich Text<\/strong> option, which directed me to the \u201cVinyasa\u201d paragraph on the page.<\/p>\n\n Then, add text, images, sections, forms, and more in the expanded view.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re happy with your homepage, return to the dashboard and click Marketing<\/strong> in the top bar, and then Website Pages<\/strong> again.<\/p>\n\n Here, you\u2019ll click the orange Create<\/strong> button and name your page, just like your homepage. Then, you\u2019ll be taken through a similar process of choosing a template and adding content.<\/p>\n If you want a more in-depth tutorial, check out a quick tour of building web pages<\/a>.<\/p>\n I highly recommend connecting your social media accounts to your website. Since one in four people<\/a> prefer searching for brands by using social media, it\u2019s helpful if your websites and social media accounts backlink to each other.<\/p>\n To do this, go to Marketing<\/strong> > Social<\/strong> on your dashboard. Monitor all social media accounts and publish X posts, Facebook statuses and comments, Instagram posts, and other content straight from your HubSpot dashboard.<\/p>\n\n To view your site analytics, go to Reports<\/strong> > Analytics Tools<\/strong>. You\u2019ll need to install the tracking code, which is easy to do within the HubSpot platform by clicking the orange Install the tracking code<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re still unsure, check out how to install the HubSpot tracking code<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n If you want to write blog posts, which I highly recommend as a way to provide direct value to consumers while optimizing for search, go to Marketing<\/strong> > Website<\/strong> > Blog<\/strong> on your dashboard to create, publish, and monitor your website\u2019s blog posts.<\/p>\n\n Lastly, it\u2019s time to install an app from the HubSpot App Marketplace<\/a> to extend the functionality of your website. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n In your HubSpot account, click the Marketplace<\/strong> icon in the main navigation bar. Click on an app to see more information. When you’re ready, click the Install app<\/strong> button in the top right corner of the screen. <\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve completed these steps, click Publish<\/strong> and your site will be ready for use!<\/p>\n This is a broad and general overview to get you started building a website with Content Hub. However, there are plenty of more in-depth features and tools I suggest exploring with a HubSpot specialist or by checking out HubSpot\u2019s Help Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve double and triple-checked your work and feel prepared for the website launch, check out our website launch checklist<\/a> for a final, detailed list of steps to run through before actually publishing.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n The cost of building a small business website<\/a> can range from $500 to $2,500, but the price can be higher if you\u2019re working with a developer.<\/p>\n You should also take into account recurring costs such as hosting, domain name registration, website migration, and SSL certification.<\/p>\n Creating a website isn\u2019t hard if you use a website builder that packages everything for you. In general, you won\u2019t need to touch a single line of code.<\/p>\n You can create a website for free by signing up for a free subscription on a website builder platform such as HubSpot, Wix, or Weebly.<\/p>\n However, you will have a branded subdomain from the provider (e.g., yourname.weebly.com<\/em>), branding on the website, and limitations in design, features, and functionalities. Therefore, I recommend upgrading to a paid subscription once you get started and are ready to scale.<\/p>\n You can build a website from scratch<\/a> using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and sometimes PHP. Combine these files and upload them to your web host\u2019s file manager. (You\u2019ll still need to purchase a hosting service and register a domain.)<\/p>\n Freelance web designers<\/a> have an average rate of $25\/hour<\/a>. On average, a simple website can cost a couple thousand dollars, a corporate website with multiple pages can cost $3,000-5,000, and a premium, custom website design will cost $10,000 at minimum.<\/p>\n
\n The Easiest Way to Make a Website<\/a>
\n How to Build a Website With a Website Builder<\/a>
\n How to Build a Website With a CMS<\/a>
\n How to Build a Website With HubSpot<\/a>
\n How to Make a Website: 6 FAQs<\/a>
\n Build Your Website: 36 Tips<\/a> <\/p>\nThe Easiest Way to Make a Website<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Start building your website by choosing a platform.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Website Builders vs. Content Management Systems<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n In-house templates and themes included (typically less variety).
\n Monthly subscription with free trials available.
\n Limited customization.
\n Less powerful in functionalities and features.
\n A great option for beginners. <\/p>\n
\n In-house and third-party templates and themes available (typically more variety).
\n Free CMS platforms available.
\n Highly customizable down to the website code.
\n More powerful in functionalities and features.
\n Great option for sites with growth potential. <\/p>\n
\n Wix
\n WordPress.com
\n Squarespace
\n Weebly
\n Site123
\n GoDaddy
\n Webflow <\/p>\n
\n WordPress.org
\n Adobe Experience Manager
\n Magento
\n Joomla
\n Drupal
\n Sitecore <\/p>\nHow to Build a Website With a Website Builder<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Choose a website builder.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Sign up for a subscription plan that meets your budget and needs.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n Do you want ads to be removed from your site?
\n Will you be setting up an online store?
\n Will you want a professional email with your domain name?
\n Will you want to customize the site using CSS and HTML?
\n How much support do you expect you\u2019ll need? <\/p>\n3. Choose a short and catchy domain name.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Pick a premade website template.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n Bloggers
\n Local businesses
\n Creatives
\n Resume websites <\/p>\n5. Customize the template.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Add pages to the site.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n An about page.
\n A contact us page.
\n A services page, if you\u2019re offering any.
\n A product page, if you\u2019re selling any.
\n A blog page, if you have in-house or freelance writers. <\/p>\n7. Write optimized content.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Fill in general settings.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n Headings<\/a>
\n Meta descriptions<\/a>
\n Image alt-text<\/a>
\n Structured markup<\/a>
\n Page URLs (or slugs)<\/a>
\n Internal linking<\/a>
\n Mobile responsiveness<\/a>
\n Site speed<\/a> <\/p>\n9. Install extensions and apps.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to Build a Website With a CMS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n If you\u2019re an ecommerce business, how easy is it for your customers to purchase something right off your website? <\/p>\n1. Choose a CMS.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nExample of CMS Software:<\/strong> HubSpot CMS<\/a><\/strong>
\n<\/h4>\nPrice: Free to get started, then $25 per month<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\n Do you need the CMS to support multiple languages?
\n Would you prefer a proprietary CMS to help share the responsibility of protecting and maintaining your site, or would you prefer an open-source CMS?
\n Do you have a preference on templates and add-ons? <\/p>\n2. Select a hosting plan.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n Consider your website\u2019s theme either by using premade templates within the CMS or building your own.
\n If using a template, personalize it to better align with your brand identity.
\n Add pages to cover all necessary sections.
\n Draft content to fill up the pages.
\n Fill in general settings to optimize for search.
\n Install any desired extensions and add-ons. <\/p>\nHow to Build a Website With HubSpot<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Create a homepage.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Select a theme.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Edit the modules.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Create other pages on your website.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Incorporate social media accounts.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. View analytics.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Add a blog to your site.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Install add-ons.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n Under Manage<\/strong>, select Connected apps<\/strong>.
\n Click Visit App Marketplace<\/strong>.
\n Use the filters in the left sidebar to browse for an app. <\/p>\n
\n On the right, you can review the details of the app. Under Requirements<\/strong>, check whether or not the app is compatible with your HubSpot subscription, and see if there are any app-side subscription requirements. <\/p>\nHow to Make a Website: 6 FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. How much does it cost to build a website?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n2. <\/strong>How hard is it to build a website?<\/strong>
\n<\/h3>\n3. How do I create a website for free?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. How do I build a website from scratch?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. How much does it cost to hire someone to build a website?<\/strong><\/h3>\n