What you actually need to build a website
You need three things: a domain name (the web address people type), hosting (the computer that stores your site), and a way to build the pages themselves. Most beginners use a website builder that handles all three — you pick a template, add your content, and the builder handles the technical parts behind the scenes. This is different from writing code yourself, which takes longer but gives you more control.
The most common route is a platform like Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com, or Shopify. Each one works slightly differently, but they all let you start without knowing how to code. You can have a working website in an afternoon.
Key Takeaways
- Website builders like Wix and Squarespace handle hosting and domain names for you, so you only pay one company instead of juggling multiple services.
- Most builders charge between $10 and $30 per month for a basic site, though some offer free versions with limited features.
- You pick a template, customize the colors and text, add your pages, and publish — no coding required.
- Your domain name (like yourname.com) can be registered through the builder or purchased separately and pointed to your site.
- If you want to sell products, you need a builder that includes e-commerce features, which usually costs more than a basic site.
Choosing between website builders
Different builders work best for different goals. Wix and Squarespace are good for portfolios, small business sites, and blogs because they focus on design and are easy to customize without coding. WordPress.com is stronger if you plan to write a lot of content or want more control over how your site works. Shopify is built specifically for selling products online and includes payment processing, inventory tracking, and shipping tools.
Start by thinking about what you actually need: Do you want to sell things? Do you need a blog? Do you want the site to look very specific to your brand? Once you know that, pick a builder and sign up for a free trial or free plan. Most let you build the whole site before you pay anything.
Cost varies, but basic plans usually run $10 to $20 per month. E-commerce plans cost more — typically $30 to $100 per month depending on how many products you sell. Domain names cost $10 to $15 per year, though most builders include one free for the first year.
Setting up your domain name
Your domain name is your web address — the thing people type into their browser. You can register it through your website builder, or you can buy it separately from a registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains and point it to your builder's hosting.
If you register through your builder, it's simpler because everything is in one place and you only pay one bill. If you buy separately, you have more flexibility to switch builders later without losing your domain, but it adds a technical step. For most people starting out, registering through the builder is easier.
Pick a name that's short, easy to spell, and describes what you do. Avoid numbers and hyphens if you can — they're harder to remember and to say out loud. Check that the name is available before you get attached to it. Most registrars have a search box that tells you instantly if a .com, .net, or other ending is taken.
Building your site with a template
Once you've signed up, the builder shows you a library of templates. Pick one that's close to what you want your site to look like — you can change almost everything later, so don't overthink this step. Click the template and the builder opens an editor where you can see your site and make changes in real time.
Start by changing the text. Click any headline or paragraph and type your own words. Add your business name, your tagline, and a description of what you do. Upload photos by clicking image placeholders and selecting files from your computer. Most builders let you drag sections around to rearrange them, delete sections you don't need, and add new sections from a menu.
Customize colors and fonts through a settings menu — usually a button labeled "Design" or "Customize." Change the header color, the button color, the font for headings. Keep it simple: pick one or two main colors and stick with them. Too many colors make a site look unprofessional.
Adding pages and navigation
Most sites need more than one page. A typical small business site has a home page, an about page, a services or products page, and a contact page. Your builder has a menu or sidebar where you can add new pages. Click "Add Page" or the plus icon, give it a name, and pick a template for that page type.
The builder automatically creates navigation links at the top or side of your site that let visitors move between pages. You can edit these links to match your page names. If you want a page to exist but not show up in the main menu — like a thank-you page that appears after someone fills out a form — most builders let you hide it from navigation while keeping it live.
Keep your navigation simple. Most visitors expect to find Home, About, Services (or Products), and Contact at the top. Don't create more than five or six main pages for a small site — it overwhelms people and makes your site harder to navigate.
Adding contact forms and basic functions
If you want people to reach you, add a contact form. Most builders have a form tool in their menu. Click it, and the builder creates a form with fields for name, email, and message. You can add more fields if you need them — phone number, company name, a dropdown menu for what they're interested in. When someone fills it out, the builder sends you an email with their information.
You can also add a map showing your business location, embed a video from YouTube, or add a newsletter signup box. These are all in the builder's menu of elements you can drag onto your page. Don't overload your site with too many interactive elements — they slow it down and distract from your main message.
If you're selling products, add a shopping cart and payment processing. Shopify and WooCommerce (which works with WordPress) handle this automatically. Wix and Squarespace also have e-commerce features, but you need to upgrade to a plan that includes them. You'll connect a payment processor like Stripe or PayPal so customers can pay you securely.
Publishing and going live
Before you publish, check every page on a phone and a computer. Click every link to make sure it goes where it should. Read all your text for typos. Test your contact form by filling it out and making sure you receive the email. Most builders have a preview mode that shows you exactly what visitors will see.
When you're ready, click the Publish button. Your site is now live and people can find it by typing your domain name into their browser. This usually takes a few minutes to a few hours to show up in search results, but your site is working immediately.
After you publish, you're not done — you can keep editing. Change text, swap photos, add new pages, or redesign sections whenever you want. Most builders save your changes automatically, and you can publish updates without taking your site down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to code to build a website?
No. Website builders are designed for people with no coding experience. You pick a template, type your content, upload photos, and click publish. If you want to customize something beyond what the builder's tools allow, you can hire a developer, but most small sites don't need that.
Can I change my domain name after I publish?
Yes, but it's complicated. Search engines and people's bookmarks point to your old domain, so changing it means losing that traffic. If you registered through your builder, you can buy a new domain and set up a redirect so old links still work. It's better to pick a domain you're happy with before you launch.
What if I want to move my site to a different builder later?
It depends on the builder. Some make it easy to export your content and move it elsewhere. Others lock you in. If you registered your domain separately from your builder, you can always point it to a new builder. Check the builder's policies before you commit to a plan.
How much does it cost to keep a website running?
Most website builders charge $10 to $30 per month for a basic site. E-commerce sites cost more, usually $30 to $100 per month. Domain names cost $10 to $15 per year. Some builders offer free plans with limited features and their branding on your site, which is fine for testing but not for a business.
Can I add a blog to my website?
Yes. Most builders have a blog tool built in. You write posts, add photos, and the builder displays them in reverse chronological order. Visitors can comment, and you can organize posts by category or tag. WordPress.com is particularly strong for blogs if you plan to write frequently.