At HostGator, we strive to make getting your website online a quick and easy process. That’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to create a hassle-free website. Don’t miss this step-by-step website creation tutorial!
In just five easy steps , we’ll walk you through choosing your domain name, choosing the right hosting package, building your website, entering and editing content, and publishing. In just a few hours, you can have your website online and start attracting users .
1. Create and register the web domain name
Choosing a domain name is the first step you should take to create a website. A suitable and memorable domain name is very important in the process of building your online presence. Consider the following when choosing and registering a domain .
When deciding on your business name, you’ll likely consider including the name of the service or product you’re selling in your domain name; this will help you get better traffic, especially from search engines .
How to create a domain and appear on Google
Try to use words that have only one possible whatsapp number list spelling, so it’s easier for visitors to remember and spell. Also, consider keeping your domain name unique when creating a website .
For example, if mydomain.com is already registered by someone and you select mydomains.com, you’ll likely send your traffic to mydomain.com since most domains are singular rather than plural . (However, this isn’t the case when it comes to choosing keyword-rich domains.)
A short domain also helps with memorability. Ideally, 6 to 10 characters .
Keyword-rich domains don’t have a surefire impact on your site’s SEO ; however, they can help. If people search for “Flora Mexico,” a great domain name might be floramexico.com, since that’s exactly what people are looking for. Your chances of enchanting search engines like Google will increase!
Research your brand name online first!
If someone owns a domain you want and you see they’re not using it, go to WHOIS to find out the owner’s contact information and communicate your interest in acquiring the domain. If you have a trusted business partner or mentor, work with them to brainstorm potential names and start narrowing it down from there.
Use the correct TLD (Top Level Domain)
The .com TLD is the most widely used domain extension in the world, with other possible options including .net, .org, and .biz. We don’t recommend choosing one of these alternative TLDs if the .com version of your domain is already in use , as you’re likely driving traffic to another website, as visitors may accidentally land on a website they didn’t intend to visit.
For businesses based in Mexico, it’s recommended generative ai promises to elevate to register the local TLD, i.e., .mx. But make sure the .com isn’t already in use, and if possible, register that as well.
Let’s look at the Google example :
For more tips, you can read : What is a web domain: everything you need to know to register one .
2. Choose a hosting plan
Once you’ve decided on your domain name and verified availability, you’ll need to select a hosting plan to create a website. This is the space your web host will provide for you to store your website online. Most hosting companies offer different types of hosting plans, depending on your site’s needs.
Check out the hosting plans available at HostGator:
Shared Web Hosting
With shared hosting , more than one website resides on a single web server. For new sites, shared hosting is the most recommended and most affordable option . This allows you to host as many sites as you want and includes a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
Virtual Private Server (VPS)
For more advanced users, VPS hosting allows for greater flexibility in software installations, Apache configurations, and other custom programs.
You can learn more about VPSs in our post: VPS Server: What is a VPS and who is it for?
Dedicated Server
Dedicated servers can be beneficial for large business websites with high amounts of traffic or large customer databases .
We recommend: How to choose the best hosting option for your site?
3. Choose a CMS or site builder
Now that you’ve selected your domain and hosting plan, how will you build and manage your website content?
Save time and money on your website design by using a Content Management System ( CMS ) or website builder.
We’ll help you understand what it’s all about! You see, a CMS is an interface that can be downloaded and installed with just a couple of clicks using your HostGator account. Choosing one of the following CMSs may be your best option:
WordPress Hosting
When it comes to creating a website, WordPress is the most widely used CMS today . Combined with Softaculous, it’s easy to install , configure, and customize. Users can easily edit their website by installing a theme and can extend its functionality with plugins.
What can I do with Elementor for WordPress?
Elementor is a page builder plugin that replaces the basic WordPress editor with a dynamic drag-and-drop editor that reflects changes made live—much like HostGator’s Site Builder, which we’ll explore later.
But why design an editor that instantly displays changes while you’re still editing ? The answer is: to provide features that allow you to adjust complex or simple designs without having to leave the editor to preview each adjustment.
To use it, just download it from your WordPress menu, click on the Plugins section, type Elementor in the search box, and you’ll see this suggestion:
After installation, it’ll be ready for use within your preferred WordPress template or theme! Elementor is compatible with almost any WordPress theme.
Hosting for Joomla
For users with some CMS or coding experience, Joomla provides a customizable CMS with a wide variety of plugins for additional functionality, which may be necessary for websites requiring more robust features, such as an e-commerce store. Joomla can also be installed through Softaculous.
Hosting for Magento
Magneto is primarily considered an e-commerce platform . HostGator’s Professional plan includes everything you need to automatically install Magneto, along with a private SSL certificate to accept credit cards directly from your website.
You might be interested in: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento: Which is the best CMS for your site?
Website Builder
HostGator provides a website builder to set up your website quickly and easily without having to download additional software. If you have a shared web hosting plan with HostGator, the powder data Website Builder tool is a free service included with your hosting package.
This feature is an easy way to create your website. With the editor, you drag and drop images or text until you have a completely customized website. You can also take advantage of mobile-optimized templates to quickly build a professional website , without any programming knowledge or technical experience, right from your mobile device. Create a website from the palm of your hand!
4. Create content
One of the most important aspects when creating a website is content . You’ll need to create content for each page of your site to communicate the products, services, and/or knowledge your business provides.
You can use the following list of the most common pages on websites as a guide to ensure you provide all the necessary information to your visitors:
Logo or header
The company logo is commonly found in the header, or at the top of a company’s website, separate from the body text. Make sure your logo communicates the service or product you’re offering to your customers.