How to Build a Website Without Any Technical Skills

By John Cruz

Learning how to build a website is super simple and affordable, as long as you know what you’re trying to do with it.

You might have a business, you might want to start an e-commerce business, or you’re probably looking to make money blogging.

Whatever the case may be, websites are valuable, they take a little bit of knowledge to build, and they are one great asset to have.

Did I mention that they are also fun to build?

Because they are.

These days, a website is a necessity if you run a business or any type of personal brand.

I own one for each of my businesses, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, if you are looking to build one yourself, this guide will help you get started.

How to Build a Website

how-to-build-a-website

If you’re looking to build a website, there are a few basics and necessities that you need to keep in mind.

There are many reasons why you need a website, but, regardless, you need to know what these pieces of online real estate contain.

First and foremost, you’ll need a domain name and hosting service.

Your domain name is the address that people will use to find your website, and your hosting service is where your website will be stored and accessed from.

Once you have your domain name and hosting service set up, you’ll need to choose a website builder or content management system (CMS) to create your website.

There are many options available, including popular platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace.

These platforms offer a variety of templates and customization options to help you create a website that fits your needs, but I personally use WordPress.

Finally, you’ll need to consider the content and design of your website.

Your website should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and provide valuable information to your audience.

This can include things like text, images, videos, and other multimedia content.

By keeping these basics and necessities in mind, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful website.

Understanding Website Basics

To build a website, you need to at least understand the basics of what a website is and the types of websites available.

If all you know is that you need a website, you’re in good hands.

If you have created one in the past and you know that there’s a much better and easier way, you’re still in good hands.

Let’s see what websites are all about so you can learn how to build a website without needing any technical skills.

What is a Website?

A website is a collection of web pages that are accessible through the internet.

It can contain text, images, videos, and other multimedia content, with most containing all of the above.

Websites are hosted on web servers and can be accessed by entering the website’s domain name or IP address into a web browser.

Websites can be created for various purposes, such as personal blogs, business websites, e-commerce sites, and more.

They can be static, with fixed content that rarely changes, or dynamic, with content that changes frequently, like you see here on this site and the many other sites I have created.

Types of Websites

There are several types of websites, each with its own unique purpose and structure.

Here are a few of the most common types:

  • Personal websites: These are websites created by individuals to showcase their work, share their thoughts and ideas, or connect with others.
  • Business websites: These are websites created by businesses to promote their products or services, provide information about the company, and engage with customers.
  • E-commerce websites: These are websites created for online shopping, where customers can browse and purchase products.
  • Blogs: These are websites that feature regular posts on a particular topic or theme, often written by a single author or a group of authors.
  • Social media websites: These are websites that allow users to connect and share content with others, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Understanding the basics of websites and the types available is very much an important part of building a website.

Think of a house and how you wouldn’t be able to build one without knowing the terms used in construction.

Planning Your Website

sitemap-example

Before you start building your website, it’s important to plan it out first.

This will help you ensure that your website meets your goals and provides a positive user experience.

Planning is a must, or you will most likely struggle and not know why.

Define Your Purpose

The first step in planning your website is to define its purpose.

What do you want your website to achieve?

Do you want to sell products or services online, provide information on a particular topic, or showcase your portfolio?

Defining your purpose will help you determine what content to include on your website and how to design it.

Identify Your Audience

Knowing your audience is definitely part of the planning.

Who are your target users?

What are their interests and needs?

Understanding your audience will help you create content that resonates with them and ultimately design a website that is easy to navigate and use.

Create a Site Map

A site map is a visual representation of your website’s structure.

It outlines the pages and content that will be included on your website and how they will be organized.

Creating a site map will help you ensure that your website is easy to navigate and that users can find the information they need quickly and easily.

When creating your site map, consider the hierarchy of your content and how it will be organized.

You may want to use categories or tags to group similar content together.

Additionally, make sure to include a clear navigation menu on your website to help users find their way around.

By planning your website before you start building it, you can ensure that it meets your goals and provides a positive user experience.

Defining your purpose, identifying your audience, and creating a site map are all important steps in the planning process.

Choosing a Domain Name

godaddy-domains

When it comes to building a website, choosing a domain name is one of the most important decisions you will make.

Your domain name is the address that people will use to find your website, so it needs to be memorable, easy to spell, and relevant to your content.

When I choose a domain name, I take hours upon hours before I make any decisions.

I’ll go over that process in another post, but for now, here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a domain name.

Importance of a Good Domain Name

A good domain name can help your website stand out from the crowd and make it easier for people to find you online.

It can also help to establish your brand and build trust with your audience.

A good domain name is a must, and these tips will help.

  • Keep it short and simple: A shorter domain name is easier to remember and type, and less likely to be misspelled.
  • Make it relevant: Your domain name should reflect the content of your website and give visitors an idea of what to expect.
  • Avoid hyphens and numbers: These can make your domain name harder to remember and more difficult to type. And they look sketchy.
  • Use keywords: Including relevant keywords in your domain name can help with search engine optimization (SEO) and make it easier for people to find you online. At the very least, make it relevant to the message you’re trying to portray, just like you see here on roambased.com.

Where to Buy a Domain Name

There are many different places to buy a domain name, but not all registrars are created equal.

Within the decade that I’ve been buying domain names and building websites, I have tried so many domain providers.

They are somewhat similar, but consider these things when choosing a registrar:

  • Price: Prices can vary widely between registrars, so be sure to shop around and compare prices.
  • Customer support: Look for a registrar that offers good customer support in case you run into any issues with your domain name.
  • Domain management tools: A good registrar should offer easy-to-use tools for managing your domain name, such as DNS settings and email forwarding.
  • Reputation: Choose a registrar with a good reputation to ensure that your domain name is in good hands.

Some popular registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains.

Do your research and choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.

Website Building Platforms

wordpress-website-builder

When it comes to building a website, there are two main types of platforms: Content Management Systems (CMS) and Website Builders.

Both types have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the one that suits your needs best.

At the same time, most domain registrars offer a CMS, so check with their support to see what they offer.

Content Management Systems

Content Management Systems (CMS) are software applications that allow you to create, manage, and publish digital content.

They are typically more complex than website builders, but they offer more flexibility and customization options.

Some popular CMS platforms include:

  • WordPress
  • Drupal
  • Joomla
  • Magento
  • Shopify

WordPress is by far the most popular CMS platform, powering over 40% of all websites on the internet.

It’s open-source, which means it’s free to use and customize.

WordPress also has a vast library of plugins and themes available, making it easy to add features and change the look of your website.

Drupal and Joomla are also open-source CMS platforms, but they are more complex and geared towards developers.

They offer more advanced customization options, but they require more technical knowledge to use.

Magento and Shopify are CMS platforms specifically designed for e-commerce websites.

They offer features like inventory management, payment processing, and shipping integration.

Website Builders

Website Builders are online tools that allow you to create a website without any coding or technical knowledge.

They are typically easier to use than CMS platforms, but they offer less flexibility and customization options.

Some popular website builders include:

  • Wix
  • Squarespace
  • Weebly
  • Jimdo
  • Shopify

Wix is the most popular website builder, with over 200 million users worldwide. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to create a website without any coding.

Wix also has a large library of templates and apps available, making it easy to add features to your website.

Squarespace is another popular website builder, known for its sleek and modern designs.

It’s geared towards creatives and small businesses, with features like e-commerce integration and appointment scheduling.

Weebly and Jimdo are similar to Wix, offering a drag-and-drop interface and a variety of templates and apps.

They are popular among beginners and small business owners.

Shopify is a website builder specifically designed for e-commerce websites.

It offers features like inventory management, payment processing, and shipping integration.

Shopify is the most popular e-commerce platform, powering over 1 million online stores.

Overall, both CMS platforms and website builders have their own strengths and weaknesses.

It’s important to choose the platform that best suits your needs and skill level.

Designing Your Website

web-design

When it comes to designing your website, there are a few basics and necessities that you need to keep in mind.

In this section, we’ll cover the website design basics, as well as user interface and user experience considerations.

Website Design Basics

The design of your website is just as important as everything else we’ve covered so far.

It is what your visitors will first see and experience.

Some might hire someone to do the overall design, but with a nice theme, you can have your website looking decent in no time.

Here are some website design basics that you should keep in mind:

  • Keep it simple: A clean and simple design is often more effective than a cluttered one. Make sure your website is easy to navigate and understand.
  • Use appropriate colors: The colors you choose for your website can have a significant impact on how visitors perceive it. Make sure the colors you choose are appropriate for your brand and website.
  • Use high-quality images: Images are an essential part of website design. Make sure you use high-quality images that are relevant to your content.
  • Use readable fonts: The fonts you choose for your website should be easy to read. Avoid using fancy fonts that are difficult to read.

User Interface and User Experience

User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are two essential aspects of website design.

These two simple things are also very important, so consider them when building your next website.

Here are some things to consider when dealing with UI and UX.

User Interface

  • Keep it simple: A simple and intuitive UI is essential for a good user experience. Make sure your website is easy to navigate and understand.
  • Use consistent design: Consistency is key when it comes to UI design. Make sure your website has a consistent design throughout.
  • Use appropriate labels: The labels you use for buttons and links should be clear and concise.

User Experience

  • Make it easy to use: A good user experience means that your website is easy to use. Make sure your website is intuitive and straightforward to navigate.
  • Make it fast: Website speed is crucial for a good user experience. Make sure your website is optimized for speed.
  • Make it accessible: Your website should be accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Make sure your website is designed with accessibility in mind.

By keeping these website design basics and UI/UX considerations in mind, you can create a website that is both visually appealing and easy to use.

Creating Content

creating-content-for-website

When it comes to building a website, creating content is one of the most important aspects to consider.

Your website’s content is what will draw in visitors and keep them engaged.

With that in mind, let’s see what writing and visual content is all about.

Writing for the Web

Writing for the web is different from writing for other mediums like print.

You need to keep your writing concise, clear, and easy to read.

Learn to write effective web content and you can bet that you will have an awesome website that your visitors will want to come back to.

Here are some tips to help you write effective web content:

  • Use short paragraphs and sentences (like you see here)
  • Break up long blocks of text with headings, subheadings, and bullet points
  • Use simple language and avoid jargon
  • Write in an active voice
  • Use keywords and phrases that are relevant to your website’s topic

Remember, your website’s content should be informative and engaging.

Keep your audience in mind and write content that will appeal to them.

Visual Content

Visual content is an important part of any website.

It can help break up long blocks of text and make your website more engaging.

Images are the most common, but here are others that you can use.

  • Images and graphics
  • Videos
  • Infographics
  • Charts and graphs

When using visual content, it’s important to make sure it’s high-quality and relevant to your website’s topic.

Be creative though, and get some ideas from the examples that I’ve used.

Use alt tags and descriptions to make sure your visual content is accessible to all users.

At the end of it all, really good content is essential to building a successful website.

By following these tips, you can create content that is engaging and informative for your audience.

Website Optimization

web-optimization

Optimizing your website is needed to ensure that it is easily found by search engines and users.

It might not sound important at first until you learn that there are 8.5 billion searches conducted on Google each and every single day.

I can’t even count that high and just imagine how much money Google makes every day.

Imagine if your website could get some of that traffic and you learned how to monetize it with advertising and affiliate marketing.

The opportunities are endless and that is why I personally make my living from the internet.

Here are two important aspects of website optimization:

SEO Basics

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of your website in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Here are some basic SEO practices that you can implement:

  • Use relevant keywords in your content, including in the title, headings, and body.
  • Write high-quality content that is engaging and informative.
  • Ensure that your website is easy to navigate and has a clear structure.
  • Use descriptive and informative meta tags for each page.
  • Build high-quality backlinks from reputable websites or let your content attract them from other sites.

Mobile Optimization

With the increasing use of mobile devices, it is important to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile devices.

These tips will help you optimize your website for mobile devices.

  • Use responsive design to ensure that your website adapts to different screen sizes.
  • Use mobile-friendly fonts and font sizes.
  • Optimize images for faster loading times on mobile devices.
  • Use mobile-friendly navigation menus.
  • Ensure that your website loads quickly on mobile devices.

By implementing these optimization practices, you can improve the visibility and usability of your website, which can lead to increased traffic and engagement.

Website Maintenance

website-maintenance

Maintaining your website will come later, but it is a must.

It ensures that your website functions properly, stays secure, and remains up-to-date.

Let’s dig into the basics of website maintenance, including regular updates and security measures.

Regular Updates

Regularly updating your website is essential for its smooth functioning.

It helps to keep your website free from bugs and glitches, improves its performance, and enhances its user experience.

Here are some areas of your website that you should keep updated:

  • Content: Keep your website content up-to-date and relevant to your audience.
  • Design: Regularly update the design of your website to keep it fresh and modern.
  • Plugins and software: Keep your website’s plugins and software updated to ensure they function properly and remain secure.

Security Measures

Keeping your website secure helps protect your business and your users.

Use these security measures and you should be good to go.

  • SSL Certificate: Install an SSL certificate to encrypt data and protect your website from cyber-attacks.
  • Passwords: Use strong passwords for your website and change them regularly.
  • Backups: Regularly back up your website to protect against data loss.
  • Security plugins: Install security plugins to protect your website from malware and other threats.

By following these maintenance tips, you can ensure that your website remains secure, up-to-date, and user-friendly.

Analyzing Your Website

website-analytics

Once you have all the moving parts of your website in place, the fun doesn’t stop there.

You need to see exactly what is going on, and most especially, what your visitors are doing on your website.

Website Analytics

After building your website, it’s important to track its performance to see how visitors interact with it.

Website analytics tools can help you gather data about your website’s traffic, user behavior, and other key metrics.

By analyzing this data, you can make informed decisions about how to improve your website and attract more visitors.

Here are some key metrics to track using website analytics:

  • Traffic sources: Where are your visitors coming from? Are they finding your website through search engines, social media, or other sources?
  • Pageviews: How many pages are visitors viewing on your website? Which pages are the most popular?
  • Bounce rate: What percentage of visitors leave your website without clicking on any other pages?
  • Conversion rate: How many visitors are taking the desired action on your website, such as making a purchase or filling out a form?

Improving Based on Data

Once you have gathered data about your website’s performance, you can use it to make improvements.

Here are some ways to improve your website based on data:

  • Optimize for search engines: If you’re not getting much traffic from search engines, you may need to improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). Look for keywords that your target audience is searching for and optimize your website’s content accordingly.
  • Improve user experience: If visitors are leaving your website quickly or not clicking on other pages, you may need to improve your website’s user experience. Make sure your website is easy to navigate and that visitors can quickly find the information they’re looking for.
  • Test different elements: Use A/B testing to test different versions of your website’s pages and see which ones perform better. You can test different headlines, images, calls to action, and other elements to see what resonates best with your audience.

By analyzing your website’s performance and making improvements based on data, you can create a website that attracts more visitors and achieves your goals.

Conclusion – Build an Amazing Website

Websites are amazing and I love everything about them.

From having to get a domain to designing it, all the way to improving everything.

They are a critical part of this digital world we live in and it’s a definite must if you want to make a living traveling the world.

Besides that, I hope you have learned a thing or two about making websites.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

Until next time, don’t forget that the roambased lifestyle is only a click away.

Thanks for reading!

About John

Dad, human, and digital entrepreneur who lives the digital lifestyle to the fullest. You'll mostly find him at coffee shops trying to get work done or at the mall with his kids.

Leave a Comment