The Key to Easily Unlocking Website Creation for Beginners

“How can I start to create a website?” and “What do I need to prepare for creating a website?” are questions that beginners frequently ask. These questions often cause many people to hesitate and stop moving forward. However, it’s much easier than you think.

This article will clear up any confusion for beginners before building a site and explain how websites work: The Key to Easily Unlocking Website Creation for Everyone. if you’re a beginner, we highly recommend reading this article to the end. You can jump to the tutorial any time if you don’t want to read this.

Do I Need Skills in Coding or Web Development?

Many people want to have their own blog, website for their business, or e-commerce store to sell online, but they often ask: “Do I need any technical skills to create a website?” The answer is no; you don’t need to know any coding or web development skills with many platforms.

With the rapid evolution of internet technology over the past few decades, many platforms are now available that make building a site easier than you might imagine. Some of these platforms offer templates where you simply input your information, while others provide builders that allow you to drag and drop elements. Even my father, a 70-year-old man, created a small blog for his bicycle repair shop, though I did give him some assistance.

However, with so much information and so many platforms for website builders, beginners may not know where to start when creating their website. Some of you might have consulted professional companies for website building, only to be scared away by their quotations. You may also have sought help from friends, but if you’re still unsure of where to go from here, please continue reading this article. I hope it can help many newcomers solve their problems and make informed decisions with ease.

How Websites Work with Website Building Platforms

The most popular ways to create a website are by using builders, such as CMS (Content Management System) software builders and online website builders.

In my opinion, these tools have revolutionized web development, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical background.

To start, let’s explore a simple blueprint as below for how websites work with these builders.

1. Choose Your Domain and Platform: Decide between a CMS like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, or an online website builder like Shopify, Weebly, etc. Each has its strengths, so consider your needs and preferences.
2. Select a Theme or Template: Most builders offer a variety of templates tailored to different types of websites. Choose one that fits your vision and customize it to your liking.
3. Add Your Content: Input your text, images, videos, and other content into the template. This step is often as simple as dragging and dropping elements into place.
4. Customize Design and Layout: Use the builder’s tools to tweak the design, layout, and color scheme. Make your website unique and aligned with your brand.
5. Set Up Essential Features with some plugins or modules: Add features like contact forms, social media integration, and e-commerce capabilities if needed. Many builders offer plugins or modules for these functionalities.
6. Publish Your Website: Once everything looks good, publish your site. The builder will handle the technical aspects of making your site live on the internet.

These steps outline a straightforward process for creating a website with builders, eliminating much of the confusion and complexity that often deter beginners. By following this blueprint, you can create a professional-looking website without needing extensive technical skills.

Are There Any Free Methods to Build a Website?

The answer is yes, but not forever, and you can’t use all essential functions.

As I know, most beginners search for free ways to start a website because they’re unsure if paid platforms are worth the investment. In my experience, if you want a long-term and stable website for your work or business, you should choose a paid option. Here’s a breakdown of the types of free options available:

1. Free Trials: Many platforms offer a free trial for a certain number of days. After the trial period expires, you’ll need to pay for a monthly or annual subscription.
2. Free Plans Forever (Basic or Starter): These plans allow you to create a website but come with many limitations. Essential features often require upgrading to a paid plan. However, these free plans can serve as a trial before you commit to a paid version.
3. Open Source Software: Platforms like WordPress offer free open-source software for creating websites. While the software itself is free, you still need to purchase a domain name and hosting services.
4. Ad-Supported Free Builders: Some online platforms offer free builders with all essential features but insert their logos, brands, and advertisements on your site. You cannot link a custom domain or remove these elements unless you pay for an upgrade.

If you’re determined to create a website at no cost, you can certainly try some of these options but don’t spend too much time on them.

For a long-term and stable website, I suggest opting for a paid solution. Here are some of the easiest and most affordable ways to create a website for beginners:

• WordPress: Offers flexibility with numerous plugins and themes, you can use WordPress to build any type of website, such as a personal blog, content display website, or even a forum and an online store website.
• Weebly: Provides an intuitive drag-and-drop builder with various plans.
• Shopify: Known for its leading eCommerce website building business and ease of use.

There are many platforms and builders available, each with its unique features. It’s important to understand the differences between them to determine which one best suits your needs. By exploring your options, you’ll be able to choose a platform that offers the best balance of cost, features, and ease of use for your personal or business website.

The Most Popular Builders for Building Sites (No coding)

Basically, The platforms can be divided into two groups or types, you don’t need to know coding skills to use them.

1. CMS Software Builders (content management system)

The first type is CMS software. CMS stands for Content Management System, which is designed for enterprises or the web.

You can download these software programs, add, modify, and remove content as you wish, and install them on your local computer, server, or web hosting. By linking your custom domain, you can choose a theme and start your website. Based on market share statistics, the most popular CMS software for creating websites is WordPress, which was used by more than 42% of all websites on the internet as of 2024.

Here are the top 6 best open-source CMS (Content Management System) software for building websites:

	WordPress WordPress is the most popular CMS for website building. Originally created for blogging, it has evolved into an open-source platform renowned for its simplicity and scalability, thanks to an extensive library of plugins. This makes WordPress a versatile website generator capable of creating blogs, business websites, portfolios, news or magazine sites, online stores, and virtually any type of website you can imagine. ✦ WordPress.com and Nexcess Hosting are recommended for hosting WordPress websites.
	Joomla Joomla is one of the most popular website software platforms. It is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) for publishing websites. Joomla can be used for a variety of purposes, including small business websites, online magazines, newspapers, publications, and e-commerce online stores. ✦ Recommend Chemicloud and Inmotion Hosting for building the Joomla website
	Drupal Drupal is another free and open-source content management system (CMS) for creating websites. Similar to Joomla but older, Drupal can be used for business websites, information websites, and small online stores. Its functionality can be extended with any of thousands of add-ons, known as modules, which expand Drupal’s capabilities. ✦ Recommend Chemicloud and Inmotion Hosting for building a Drupal website
	Magento/Adobe Commerce Magento is a CMS specifically designed for e-commerce online store solutions. It offers two versions: open source and commerce, with the latter being the paid version. Despite being acquired by Adobe in 2021, Magento remains the most popular e-commerce website system, particularly for businesses of all sizes. It is versatile enough to accommodate small, medium, and large businesses, as well as marketplaces and Malls. ✦ Recommend Cloudways and Nexcess Magento Hosting for Magento websites
	Opencart As its name suggests, OpenCart is an open-source CMS software specifically tailored for e-commerce and online stores. It is known for its ease of use and powerful features, serving as a robust online store management program. OpenCart stands out for its ability to manage multiple online stores from a single back-end, making it a convenient option for businesses with multiple storefronts. It is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized businesses looking to establish an online presence. ✦ Recommend Chemicloud and Inmotion Hosting for building an Opencart website
	Prestashop PrestaShop is an open-source platform primarily focused on e-commerce solutions. Originating from France, it has gained significant popularity in Europe and is recognized in many English-speaking countries as well. With a strong community of fans on the PrestaShop forum, this CMS software is commonly used for building online store websites for small and medium-sized businesses. PrestaShop is known for its user-friendly interface and compatibility with multiple languages, making it an accessible option for businesses looking to establish an online presence. ✦ Recommend Chemicloud and Inmotion Hosting for building a Prestashop online store

These CMS options offer a range of features and flexibility, making it easier for you to build and manage your website efficiently.

2. Online Website Builders

Online website builders offer greater convenience compared to the aforementioned open-source CMS software. With online builders, there’s no need to download or install anything. Instead, you simply create an account on their website, choose and subscribe to a plan (although the subscription price is often higher than hosting costs), link your custom domain, and select a template to get started with your website. Technically, online builders are also a type of CMS, but they operate entirely online.

here are some popular online builders:

	Hostinger Builder The Hostinger Website Builder is a user-friendly online tool developed by Hostinger. It simplifies the process of building websites by offering a drag-and-drop editor, making it easy for users to create and customize their pages without any coding knowledge. With a wide range of templates and design options, users can create professional-looking websites in minutes.
	Shopify Shopify is the leading online platform for e-commerce solutions, originating from Canada. One of its standout features is its multilingual support in the backend, making it accessible to users worldwide. Similar to WordPress, Shopify operates on a user-friendly model, allowing users to easily manage their online stores. Additionally, Shopify boasts thousands of third-party extensions, enhancing its scalability for websites of all sizes.
	Ecwid Ecwid stands out as one of the simplest and most popular online store and e-commerce website builders available. Operating as a Software as a Service (SaaS) system, it offers an intuitive platform for building websites and selling products online with ease. With its user-friendly interface and transparent pricing, Ecwid is widely regarded as the best option for beginners looking to start their e-commerce business.
	Weebly Weebly, founded in San Francisco, is a versatile website and e-commerce solution that empowers users to start online businesses from scratch or create stores to sell products online. With its powerful drag-and-drop tools, building a website on Weebly is incredibly straightforward. In May 2018, Weebly was acquired by Square, further enhancing its capabilities and integration with Square’s payment processing solutions.
	Squarespace Squarespace is a popular all-in-one platform that allows users to create professional websites, blogs, portfolios, online stores, and more, without needing any technical expertise. Known for its stunning templates and intuitive drag-and-drop editor, Squarespace makes it easy for individuals and businesses to build and customize their online presence.
	Jimdo Originating from Germany, Jimdo has evolved from a simple website builder into a comprehensive software suite designed for self-employed individuals and small businesses. With Jimdo, users can design their websites exactly the way they want, with all the necessary features and functionalities tailored to the needs of small businesses. Jimdo empowers users to create professional-looking websites without requiring any coding knowledge, making it a valuable tool for entrepreneurs looking to establish an online presence.

There are many website-building platforms available, and I can’t list them all here. However, you can check out the top 6 mentioned above. They have a large user base, which means you can easily find plenty of information, such as reviews, comparisons, tutorials, and solutions.

Which Platform is The Best One For Starter?

Choosing the best platform for your website depends on your specific requirements.

1. If your goal is to create a blog, WordPress is undoubtedly the top choice, as it was originally designed for blogging purposes. while, If you prefer using an online builder, we recommend Hostinger website builder or Weebly due to its versatile plans and user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making blog creation a breeze.
2. For business pages, news and magazine sites, and other informational websites, WordPress is our primary recommendation for its scalability and ease of use, WordPress also offers a wide range of themes and plugins to customize your site according to your needs, Hostinger builder and Weebly are good choice for these sites too.
3. If you’re planning to launch an e-commerce store, all of the aforementioned platforms can facilitate online selling. However, for beginners, we highly recommend WordPress + WooCommerce or Shopify. Both WordPress and WooCommerce are free, with WooCommerce being one of the most popular e-commerce plugins for WordPress, while Shopify is the most professional solution for e-commerce online stores.

While some online builders also offer e-commerce functionality, We have also compiled a comparison of online store builders to help you find the best fit for your business.

Why WordPress? Despite its drawbacks, WordPress offers numerous advantages. Let me explain further.

Why WordPress is The Best Platform for Starting a Website

First, Let me show you some statistics reports from W3Techs:

The market percentage of WordPress in 2022 has doubled compared to 2013, and this growth trend continues. While WordPress was initially developed as a blogging tool in 2003, it has evolved beyond blog creation. Today, it is utilized by numerous renowned brands such as BBC, Walt Disney, Sony, and many others that cannot all be listed.

Why do so many individuals and companies choose WordPress? Here are some reasons:

• Very user-friendly and easy to use, WordPress eliminates the need for coding or web development skills. Installation is a breeze; with just a few clicks, you’re up and running.
• It’s Free! WordPress is entirely open-source, meaning you can download, install, and even modify it without spending a dime. All you need is web hosting and a domain.
• Simple and Flexible, WordPress boasts a lightweight software size, enabling smooth website performance even on smaller servers. Plus, it offers an extensive array of plugins and themes, allowing for the addition of various features and functionalities with stunning designs.
• Scalable for Multiple Purposes, Today’s WordPress isn’t limited to blogging; it can also be used for news and magazine sites, business websites, company pages, e-commerce websites (with the WooCommerce plugin), and much more, thanks to its multitude of plugins.
• You Own Your Data, Since your website is hosted on a web server, you have full ownership and control over your data. This means you can easily back up, migrate, or save your entire website data as needed.
• Easily Accessible Solutions, With a vast community of users, WordPress offers an abundance of resources, including articles, videos, forums, and tutorials. If you encounter any issues, a quick Google search will likely yield a solution, as WordPress powers roughly one-third of all websites worldwide.

I believe I’ve covered the key reasons why WordPress is such a popular choice for website creation, although there are certainly more. You’ll understand the appeal once you give it a try—it’s hard not to love!

As a beginner, you might find online builders more appealing initially. In that case, I suggest starting with weebly or Hostinger Builder, as they’re particularly beginner-friendly. Ultimately, for beginners, I recommend choosing between WordPress and Weebly—no other platforms. The final decision depends on you and your specific needs or business requirements.

What Do You Need to Create a Website exactly

1. CMS Websites: To get started with a CMS software, you’ll need to have a custom domain name and web hosting. How do websites work with CMS software?

In simple terms, it’s Custom Domain Name + Web Hosting + CMS Software = Your Website.

2. Online Website Builders: With an online website builder, all you need is a custom domain name, but you’ll need to sign up for a plan to start building your website. How do websites work with a builder?

It’s Custom Domain Name + Online Builder = Your Website.

What is Domain (Name)?

A domain serves as the virtual address of your website, allowing visitors to find you online. It typically takes the form of mysite.com, mysite.net, or mysite.org. When creating a new website, you’ll need to select a custom name for your domain, replacing ‘mysite’ with the name of your choice. We highly recommend opting for a domain type like ‘mysite.com’.

For more information and to find the best domain name registrar for starting your website, check out this article.

What is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is akin to a house or home for your website; it serves as a server where all data and files of your website are stored. When visitors access your website, the information they see is retrieved from the web hosting.

If you’re planning to create a website with CMS software like WordPress, you’ll need web hosting to install WordPress and store the data. However, if you opt for an online builder, you won’t need web hosting as all the data will be stored on the server of the builder provider.

For more information on selecting the best web hosting for starting your website, check out this link.

How Much Will It Cost to Build a Website？

This is perhaps the most common question among beginners. Let me walk you through it:

• CMS software
  1. Domain, your custom name web address, like mysite.com, USD$9.99~15/year (we are using Namesilo to manage the domains, It is the cheapest domain we ever used on the web, USD$11.99/month, no hidden fees, you can check the post 5 TOP domain registrars comparison to learn more details);
  2. Web Hosting, where you can install your CMS software and store website data and files, the price is from USD$1.99/month, the lowest is Hostinger shared hosting, $2.99//month for the premium plan, but the average hosting price is about USD3/month, You can host all your data, and backup and migrate your website with web hosting. For more information, refer to our comparison of web hosting services.
  3. WordPress and woocommerce(if you are going to create an online store) or other CMS software, most of them are free or have free versions.
• Online site builder
  1. Domain, your custom name web address, like mysite.com, USD$9.99 ~ 15/year;
  2. For paid plans, the average price is about USD$25/month for key features to finish a website, however, hostinger website builder offers a very low price for users, hostinger again, hah. some companies may offer free domains, but not all, You can’t host your data.

As you can observe, creating a website with CMS software is considerably more affordable than building with most of online website builders.

So, how much does it cost to create a website with WordPress?

On average, the domain price is approximately USD1 per month, and the average hosting price is USD3 per month, totaling around USD5 per month for starting.

This cost is lower than that of a cup of coffee in most parts of the world. By spending less than the price of a cup of coffee each month, you can own a website. And the potential value that the website could bring to you is immeasurable. Even if it doesn’t generate any profit, it’s still just the cost of one cup of coffee, right? Take action now.

Conclusion – Website Creation for Everyone

This article introduces whether it is worth spending time to study free website creation, how to choose the best website platform, and how much it costs for beginners to build a website, I think you can learn how websites work with all the information and have a good starting to create your website!

In conclusion, the key to easily unlocking website creation for everyone lies in leveraging the right tools, platforms, and resources. By making informed decisions and utilizing the wealth of available options, anyone can bring their vision for an online presence to life.