free website
In this article, I will explain to you one of the many ways of how to make a website for free. Have you been thinking about some ideas for making a website but you just did not know where to start or you did not want to pay a lot of money? Well, there’s good news. Some of the websites out there actually allow you to create a website for free.
These sites allow you to make a website for free because they will use some advertising on the site which will allow them to make the money required for them to stay in business. The websites I am referring to are not “here today gone tomorrow” kind of websites, they are highly trusted. Google actually runs a free website building service that is at your disposal.
The actual steps to make a website for free are quite easy and I will explain them in detail.
Template Decision: Various websites have a different number of templates available to choose from. If you would like to have quite a few customizable options then this might be an important factor when researching website builders. When you use a template you are basically given the entire framework and the only thing that you will need to do is add the theme and colors that are the most appropriate for whatever it is you are creating the site for.
Content Creation: After you have picked the template you want to use, the next step is creating content. The actual content itself could be of any sort such as blog posts, pictures, articles, videos, or anything else you would like to have that makes your website unique. This all might sound complicated at first, but it is actually very easy. Almost all of the website creating programs that are available will have tutorials in case you feel lost.
Website Hosting: After you have finished creating the starting point for your website you will want to get it online so people can start checking it out. This is known as website hosting. The price for this service can vary but generally is very cheap and could even be free depending on which website builder you have decided to use. Again, this might be a deciding factor when researching how to make a.com website for free. Most free services, however, will limit your bandwidth which means you will be limited on the amount of content and pages you can have in total.
For a beginner, building a free website is a great starting point. Free websites usually do not look as professional as a website that is paid or one made using an HTML editor, but if the website you have created starts to generate traffic and you would like to upgrade it you could always get with your builder and see what plans they have available.
When considering how to make a website for free remember that website creation is not only for design professionals anymore. HTML coding is also a skill that is no longer required. The technological advances of today have made it possible for anyone with any type of computer to build a great looking free website. Remember that when making a free website it is all about the experience that you gain. These steps are how to make a website for free.
Learning how to make a free website with a free domain name can all be done in a few minutes. There are 3 things you need to take into considering before you get your website up and running.
1. Your Domain Name
What do you want to call your website? Your domain name is your unique address that visitors go to so they can see your website. Good domain names are short, easy to remember and have something to do with what the website is about. The domain name may be your first and a last name, your company name, or a description about what your website is about.
Because there are so many people online nowadays most of the good domains may be taken. Don’t worry though, many great domain names are still available. Be creative and think outside the box when choosing a domain name.
Domains cost about $10 a year. I will tell you how to get a free domain name later on in the article.
2. Your Website
So just how the heck do most people get their websites populated with content, get nice fancy graphics etc. Well there are several ways. You can use a free website program such as Blogger.com or WordPress.com and forward that URL to your domain name. Unfortunately, this process doesn’t give you much control over the design of your website and what you can do.
Alternatively, you can hire a web designer to design your website and upload it for you.
The best method I think if you want to make a free website is to use WordPress.org. WordPress is used by thousands, if not millions of users on the web. The back end is extremely easy to use and the software is 100% free. There are tons of free templates for you to chose from online to power your website.
3. Your Hosting
This is the part that confuses most people. After you buy a domain name and have your template ready to go. You still need to host your website. It’s like having an address (your domain name), a home (your template) and no land. Hosting allows your website to be seen by the world. Don’t worry though hosting is pretty cheap. You can get hosting for about $10 a month. Some hosting companies will even give you a free domain name when you sign up.
After that, you’re ready to go. You just need to sync all three elements together and you’re good to go.
It’s hard to believe that these days anyone can build a website for no cost using a free website creator. It wasn’t too long ago only people with computer coding knowledge could build a site.
But, just because there are free website creators doesn’t mean you shouldn’t choose carefully. It may be free but you’ll spend a lot time creating your website. If you’re half way done and you don’t like the result of the website building service, then you’ll have to switch services. This can be a bit of a hassle.
7 Steps to Choosing a Free Website Creator
1. Decide CMS vs. Web-Based Website Builder
CMS is a content management system. Two very popular versions of CMS are WordPress and Joomla. Both build websites and blogs. Both are free and there are many free themes and templates to use.
Web-based website builders are services entirely online with contained website building software available to you for no charge. You get an account, sign in and then using drag and drop website building technology, create a website. Most of these services offer free packages with upgrade options.
Key Advantages to CMS Include:
Faster to add content Huge community that contributes free functionality Usually hosting your custom domain is cheaper Thousands of designs available Fully customizable if you know CSS Support may be available if you opt for a premium theme/template. If you go the free theme or template route, you’ll have to look in the search engines for assistance. Lower cost in the long run – free website makers charge monthly costs for upgrade packages. Build unlimited websites with a simple hosting service. Website building service domain hosting usually charge for each website (if you use a custom domain).
Key Advantages to Website Builders Include:
If you don’t want a custom domain, you don’t pay for hosting Easier to build a website (no uploading or coding involved) Fully contained system with tutorials – simpler to use Typically a decent amount of functionality available that integrates smoothly. What I mean by this is with CMS you rely on plugins and addons. These may not always be seamless. However, with website builders, the functionality, such as e-commerce is designed with the system so it’s easy to set up. Plenty of support.
2. If CMS, Then Do the Following
Decide on a hosting service. Research and choose a domain name. Register that domain name. Shop for a theme (if WordPress), or template (if Joomla). Install your CMS in your hosting account; then upload your theme or template. Start building your website. If you need help, there is an endless amount of free information on WordPress and Joomla on the Internet.
3. If You Want a Free Website Maker Service, Do the Following:
I can tell you from experience that most of the free website maker services can create plenty of different styles of websites. However, first decide what kind of site you want. Look at some websites featuring state-of-the-art designs. Get some ideas.
Then browse the free website maker services to see if they offer designs you can work with. The great part about free website creator services is you can sign up and “kick the tires” and see if it’s for you.
Don’t forget to list out the functionality you want. Consider the following:
A blog E-commerce Social Media Calendaring / scheduling functionality Membership site SEO Ready (this is important. Some free website creator services charge for this). Video hosting
All free website maker services offer different functionality for different prices. Some make it free, others charge for this stuff as a premium option.
The point is know what you want before you start.
4. Build a Quick Proto-Type Website
Whether CMS or a website creator service, build a proto-type website. Obviously with WordPress or Joomla you may be committed at this point because you’ll have opened a hosting account. However, if you’re trying a website builder, build a quick 2 to 3 page website and play around to see that it meets your needs.
If you have a short-list of website builders, try all them on your list. You can usually get a good sense of website maker software in an hour or two.
5. Watch Out for Ads & Custom Domain Costs
If you like the free website maker option, be sure to see what you must deal with if you go with the free package. Usually you’ll have ads on your site and you won’t get a custom domain. Therefore…
6. Look to the Future
I can tell you that with WordPress and Joomla you can pretty much add any type of functionality you need… for some of it you may have to buy plugins/add ons. However, these are a pittance in cost compared to hiring a web developer.
If you’ve opted for a free website creator service, be sure to look at their upgrade options and how much those upgrades cost in the long run. Some website builders charge $15 to $20 per month which is far more than a simple hosting service on which you install a WordPress or Joomla website.
That said, using free website builders is easier.
7. Build Build Build
The final step is build your site. Add lots of great content. Learn some SEO and start doing that right away. Have fun.