Creating A Simple Web Page: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating a simple website can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. There are many ways to make a basic website, and it doesn't require any coding skills. In fact, the whole process can be somewhat automatic.

The first step is to define the type of website you want to create. Is there a specific purpose you want your website to serve? Websites can serve a variety of functions, from sharing information and blogging to offering services or selling products.

Once you know the type of website you want to create, it's time to choose a platform. There are many different platforms available, both free and paid. One of the most popular platforms is WordPress, which is free to use and offers many different layouts and themes.

After choosing a platform, it's time to set up your website. This process will vary depending on the platform you choose, but it typically involves creating an account, choosing a domain name, and setting up your website structure and content.

To create a basic website, you will need to define your site's purpose, choose a website hosting company, select a site builder, outline your web pages, optimise your website, and set up a payment processor if necessary. This process can be done in just a few hours and for a low cost.

So, whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced user, creating a simple website is achievable. With the right tools and some time, you can have a basic website up and running in no time.

Define your site's purpose

Before you start building your website, it's important to take the time to define its purpose. This will help you make informed decisions about the design, features, and tools you'll need. Ask yourself the following questions:

Are you looking to drive foot traffic to a physical location, sell products or services online, share information or content, or something else entirely? For example, if your main purpose is to sell products online, you'll need to choose a site builder and host that specializes in e-commerce and can support a large volume of traffic and the easy creation of landing pages.

Your marketing strategy will impact the tools you need. For example, if email marketing is important to you, you'll need to include an email sign-up option on your site. If social media platforms like Instagram drive a lot of traffic to your business, you might consider embedding your Instagram feed on your site.

Make a list of the features and functions you need. For example, if you're selling products, you'll need a way to send files automatically and a payment processor. If you're providing directions to a physical location, you'll want to include an embedded map.

Where do you see your business in the next few years?

Think about what features or marketing strategies you'd like to explore in the future. For example, if you plan to use paid ads, you'll need a host that can support a large increase in traffic.

Once you've defined your website's purpose, you can set specific goals and metrics to measure its success. For example, you might want to increase organic search traffic or email sign-ups by a certain percentage.

Remember, your website's purpose can evolve over time, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. The important thing is to have a clear direction to guide your design and content creation.

Choose a website hosting company

There are a few things to consider when choosing a website hosting company. Firstly, you need to understand your website's needs. Determine the type and purpose of your website, as well as the amount of traffic you expect to receive. This will help you choose a host that can provide sufficient resources. For example, a blog will need different features than an online store.

Next, research and compare different hosting providers. Look at their core services, features, and technology, especially regarding security and performance. Check for data centres near you to ensure low latency, and find out if they offer domain name registration and custom email addresses.

It's also important to choose a host that offers dedicated 24/7 support. You should be able to quickly and easily contact a representative via live chat, email, or phone.

Finally, find the right plan for your website by considering the price, storage, bandwidth, and features offered. There are different types of hosting services available, including shared hosting, virtual private server (VPS) hosting, cloud hosting, dedicated hosting, and managed hosting. Shared hosting is typically the most affordable option and is suitable for small businesses or personal websites. VPS and cloud hosting offer more stability, security, and flexibility, while dedicated hosting gives you full control over the server but requires advanced technical knowledge. Managed hosting takes care of the technical aspects of running a server, allowing you to focus on your website or business.

Choose your site builder

When choosing a site builder, it is important to consider your needs and goals. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

• Ease of Use: Look for a platform with a user-friendly interface and customizable features, such as a drag-and-drop builder, that doesn't require coding knowledge.
• Customization: Determine how much control you want over the design and functionality of your website. Some platforms offer extensive customization options, while others provide more straightforward solutions.
• Budget: Evaluate the cost of the platform, including domain registration, hosting, and any additional features or plugins. Compare pricing plans to find one that fits your budget.
• Scalability: Choose a platform that can accommodate your website's growth. Look for features and plans that can handle increasing traffic and functionality as your site expands.
• Support: Opt for a platform that offers reliable customer support through various channels such as live chat, email, or phone. This will be helpful if you encounter any issues or need assistance.
• Wix: Wix is a popular cloud-based website builder known for its powerful AI features and easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor. It offers hundreds of templates and a free plan to get started. However, the eCommerce plans can be costly, and it can be challenging to switch to another platform later.
• Web.com: Web.com is a user-friendly website builder ideal for small businesses. It offers a drag-and-drop editor, thousands of templates, and built-in marketing and SEO tools. While it lacks some advanced features, it provides excellent support and is suitable for those who want a simple solution.
• HubSpot: HubSpot is a powerful content management platform that combines a drag-and-drop website builder with marketing automation and CRM tools. It is ideal for marketers and small businesses looking for an integrated solution. While it excels in landing pages and simple sites, it may not be the best choice for larger, more complex websites.
• WordPress: WordPress is a flexible and highly customizable open-source platform. It offers thousands of themes, plugins, and extensive customization options. While there is a learning curve, it is widely used and supported by a large community.
• Hostinger: Hostinger is an affordable and beginner-friendly website builder. It offers a no-code, drag-and-drop interface, AI tools, and a wide range of templates. Hostinger also includes hosting, making it a simple choice for those new to website building.
• BigCommerce: BigCommerce is a fully hosted eCommerce solution ideal for scaling online stores. It integrates with WordPress and offers built-in conversion rate optimization features, various payment gateways, and robust analytics. However, it may be more expensive for smaller businesses, and migrating to another platform can be difficult.
• Shopify: Shopify is a popular eCommerce website builder known for its scalability and all-in-one solution. It offers an integrated payment system, inventory management, analytics, and marketing tools. However, it can be costly, and you're locked into using their payment platform or paying additional transaction fees.

Outline your web pages

Now that you have a basic understanding of HTML and how to create a simple web page, it's time to start outlining your website's structure and adding content. This process will involve creating a sitemap, organising your pages, and deciding on the content and layout of each page.

Create a sitemap

A sitemap is like a blueprint of your website, showing the hierarchy and relationship between your web pages. It helps web crawlers like Google understand and index your pages for search engines. There are several online tools available to create a visual sitemap, or you can simply draw it out on paper.

Decide on your pages

The number and type of pages you need will depend on the purpose and scope of your website. For example, a simple blog website might only need a homepage, an about page, and a blog page. On the other hand, an e-commerce website will require additional pages for product listings, shopping carts, and payment processing.

Organise your pages

Once you have a list of pages, organise them into a logical hierarchy. Group related pages together and decide on a clear navigation menu that will make it easy for visitors to find what they're looking for. The rule of thumb is that visitors should be able to reach any page on your website in three clicks or less from the homepage.

Add content to your pages

For each page, decide on the type of content you want to include, such as text, images, videos, or interactive elements. Keep in mind that a balance of text and visuals is important for a good user experience. Also, ensure that your content is optimised for search engines by using relevant keywords and following SEO best practices.

Choose a layout and design

The layout and design of your pages will depend on the purpose of the page and the type of content you want to include. For example, a homepage might have a large header image, a brief description, and links to other pages. An about page might have a more text-heavy design with sections for different topics.

Test and refine

Finally, test your pages across different browsers and devices to ensure they display and function correctly. Ask friends or colleagues for feedback on the design, navigation, and content. Make any necessary changes and improvements before publishing your website.

Optimise your website

Now that you have a simple website, it's time to optimise it to increase your website's performance, speed, and user experience. This involves optimising web design, content, images, and code to enhance website functionality, visibility, and conversion rates. A properly optimised website also reduces website maintenance costs in the long run.

Implement UI/UX Web Design Practices

Optimising the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) will increase your website's conversion rate. This involves optimising a website's usability, accessibility, and performance. For example, offering multiple language and currency options can provide a smooth sales funnel.

Optimise Content Marketing

Content marketing is a strategy to attract traffic to your site by planning, creating, and distributing SEO-friendly content that educates visitors about your products, services, and industry. This strategy increases brand awareness, engagement, loyalty, and authority. Social media posts, landing pages, blogs, and newsletters are all examples of content marketing.

Improve On-Page SEO

On-page SEO helps your website rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). This involves including keywords in titles, headings, alternative text (alt-text), and content. Using header tags, meta titles, and descriptions will also improve your on-page SEO.

Fix Technical SEO Issues

Technical SEO makes it easier for search engines to find your content by improving your website's structure. This includes improving site structure, optimising crawling and indexing, and finding broken links and duplicate content.

Speed Up Your Site

Page speed is one of Google's ranking factors, so it's important to optimise your website's speed. Remove unnecessary code, set up a content delivery network (CDN), leverage browser caching, and optimise your images.

Prioritise Mobile-Friendliness

Mobile devices generate around 54.4% of global website traffic, so it's crucial to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. Implement clear navigation, create a responsive design, and feature clear links and buttons.

Test and Run Experiments Regularly

Testing and experimenting with your content is necessary to find what works best and to personalise your website. Experiment with CTA buttons, layouts, social sharing placements, and landing pages. A/B testing is a popular method, displaying two web page variations to see which one visitors prefer.

Follow Web Accessibility Best Practices

Website accessibility makes online content available to everyone and helps search engine bots find your web pages faster. Use alternative text, insert captions, follow colour contrast guidelines, and add page titles and headings to improve accessibility.

Invest in Link-Building

Link-building is when other websites link their visitors to your website, which is an important ranking factor. Collaborate with other websites, create external links, and reach out to communities in your industry to build links.

Use Customer Feedback to Enhance Your Site

Customer feedback is a great way to understand the user experience and make improvements. Embed a feedback button, use a net promoter score (NPS) scale, conduct on-site surveys, or include a feedback form in your newsletter to gather feedback.

Frequently asked questions