How to Build a Website from Scratch With No Experience

If you aim to grow your business online, showcase your talent or start a blog, a website is the key to reaching a wider audience. It can boost your brand, and new income opportunities, and help you build a community of loyal fans. The best part? Thanks to user-friendly website builders, building a website from scratch is now easier than ever.

How to make a website from scratch: options

There are a few ways to make a website from scratch, from using website builders like Webnode to open-source platforms and custom coding options. Regardless of the method you choose, one crucial factor to consider is hosting.

These builders typically have pre-designed templates and a drag-and-drop interface, making them perfect for beginners or individuals with limited time.

For your website to grow, it needs a reliable foundation. While storage space is important, hosting providers offer additional features to boost performance and security. Therefore, choosing the appropriate hosting plan is crucial.

Our guide simplifies website hosting. It walks you through the process and offers valuable insights for selecting a hosting provider.

Ensure your domain name is aligned with your brand’s identity and memorable. Tailor it to resonate with your target demographic.

No-code website builders

With no-code website builders that offer intuitive tools, anyone, regardless of technical expertise, can design and launch a professional website in no time. Webnode offers a collection of over 100 responsive templates designed with mobile users in mind.

This means your website will automatically adjust to fit perfectly on smartphones and tablets, ensuring a smooth experience for all your visitors. With its responsive designs and built-in optimization features, your site will look great and perform flawlessly across all devices.

Imagine a toolbox filled with pre-designed elements like text boxes, images, menus, and galleries. Simply drag these elements onto your page and arrange them to your liking. No coding knowledge is required – it’s like building with digital Legos! This makes it easy to create professional-looking websites without ever needing to write a single line of code.

Webnode also offers the option of AI-powered website template customization. It can generate a custom website template based on your preferences.

Content Management System (CMS)

Content Management Systems (CMS) are platforms that act as the engine behind your website. They simplify website creation by handling most of the technical back-end stuff, allowing you to focus on the content and design.

With user-friendly interfaces and a vast array of plugins and themes, popular CMS options like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Joomla, Drupal, make it easy to build and manage your website without writing a single line of code.

Webnode combines the ease of a no-code builder with the flexibility of a CMS, offering a vast array of features and themes to enhance your site.

Let’s have a look at the features, such as setup, cost, customization, and functionality, between the website builder and CMS platform.

Feature	Website Builder	CMS Platform
Set-Up	All-in-one solution with domain registration, hosting, and SSL certificate included	Requires separate purchases for domain registration, hosting, and SSL certificate
Templates	Limited variety of built-in templates	Wider variety of built-in and third-party templates
Cost	Monthly subscription with free trials typically available	Free and paid options available
Customization	Limited customization options	Highly customizable, down to the website code
Functionality	Less powerful features	More powerful features and functionalities
Ideal for	Beginners with no coding experience	A wider variety of built-in and third-party templates

Open-source website builders

Open-source website builders offer a user-friendly approach, perfect for those who want more control over their website. Because the underlying code is accessible, you have the freedom to delve deeper and customize your site to an incredible degree.

These platforms provide a dashboard where you can manage your entire website. Next, you’ll be greeted with a visual interface, often drag-and-drop. To fully customize and maintain the website you need some technical knowledge, unlike no-code website builders which are more beginner-friendly.

Coding

While no-code options are fantastic for beginners, coding a website from scratch offers ultimate flexibility and customization.

This method involves writing the website’s structure and design using programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. While it requires more time and effort to learn, this approach grants complete control and allows you to craft unique features and functionalities that may not be available with pre-built templates. 

If you’re comfortable with a challenge and have aspirations for a truly bespoke website experience, coding your website might be a rewarding path for you.

Building a website from scratch, step by step

Whether you’re creating a blog or a business website, this step-by-step guide will equip you with the essentials to get your online presence up and running. It will also show you the easiest way for beginners with no experience to get started – by using a no-code website builder.

 1. Define Your Goals and Needs

• What’s the purpose of your website? Is it to showcase your work, sell products, or provide information?
• Who is your target audience? Understanding their needs will influence your design and content.
• What functionalities do you need? Contact forms, appointment booking, or an online store?

2. Choose Your Building Blocks

There are two main approaches to building a website:

• Website Builders: These user-friendly platforms offer drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-designed templates, making them perfect for beginners. 
• Self-Hosted Websites: This method gives you more control but requires some technical knowledge.

3. Plan Your Website Structure

• Sitemap: Create a visual representation of your website’s pages and how they connect.
• Navigation: Plan how users will navigate your website. A clear and intuitive menu is crucial.

4. Focus on high-quality content

• Craft high-quality, engaging content relevant to your target audience.
• Optimize your content for search engines with relevant keywords to improve discoverability.
• Visuals are important: Use high-resolution images and graphics to enhance your website’s appeal.

5. Design and User Experience

• Choose a theme or template that aligns with your brand and website’s purpose.
• Prioritize user experience (UX): Ensure your website is easy to navigate and visually appealing.
• Make your website mobile-friendly: A significant portion of website traffic comes from mobile devices.

6. Launch and Promotion

• Test your website thoroughly across different devices and browsers before going live.
• Promote your website: Utilize social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, and online directories to gain traction.

7. Maintenance is Key

• Regularly update your website with fresh content and security patches.
• Monitor website analytics to understand user behavior and make data-driven improvements.
• Update your privacy policy whenever you add a new element that processes personal information (e.g., social media widgets). If you don’t know where to start, use the privacy policy template.

When you decide to build your website with Webnode, this process will be easier than you can imagine! Just create a Webnode account, which gives you access to the intuitive website builder platform.

Once logged in, choose from a variety of professionally designed templates. Browse through options tailored for various purposes, like business portfolios, online stores, or blogs. 

With your template selected, the next step is customization. Webnode’s drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to personalize every aspect of your site. From changing colors and fonts to adding images and text, you have full control over the look and feel of your website.

Plus, Webnode’s responsive design ensures your site looks great on any device, from desktops to smartphones. 

FAQs

How hard is it to build a website from scratch?

The difficulty depends on the approach you take. No-code website builders like Webnode are user-friendly platforms and perfect for beginners. With drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-designed templates, you can create a website without any coding knowledge.

If you decide to code a website, this requires knowledge of programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

How long does it take to create a website from scratch?

Building a website can take anywhere from a weekend to months, depending on the complexity and your approach.

• Website builders: Quickest option, great for beginners (think a weekend for a basic site).
• Content Management Systems: More complex sites take weeks to months but offer more customization.
• Coding from scratch: Most time-consuming (weeks to months or more), but gives ultimate control.

How to build a website from scratch for free

One option is to utilize website builders that offer free plans, such as Webnode. You can take advantage of free web hosting services or platforms that offer subdomains, allowing you to publish your website without incurring hosting costs.

However, it’s important to note that while building a website for free is feasible, there may be limitations in terms of features, customization options, and branding.

As your website grows and your needs evolve, you may eventually consider investing in premium plans to unlock additional functionalities. Webnode offers perfect packages for websites of all sizes, starting with just $3.95 per month.

What is the best way to build a website from scratch?

The best approach depends on your specific needs, preferences, and level of expertise. 

For beginners, using a user-friendly website builder like Webnode can be the ideal choice. It offers intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, customizable templates, and built-in features that make the website creation process straightforward and accessible. 

If you have coding experience or want complete control over your website’s design and functionality, building from scratch using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript may be the preferred option.

Conclusion

Building a website from scratch even with no prior experience, is entirely achievable thanks to the online tools available. With clear goals, engaging content, and a touch of creativity, you can transform your vision into a website that thrives.

Remember, your website is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the learning process, keep adding valuable content, and enjoy the power of having your own space on the web.

Create your website from scratch with website builder