Creating a website that's interesting and informative is really important for any business nowadays. Designing a website might sound tough, but don't worry, there are lots of tools available like the ones we are going to name next that can help you make your own site without needing to know how to code or design.
I'm here to guide you through the process of designing a website in a way that's easy to understand. I'll give you all the things you need, walk you through the basic steps, and point out some important things to think about.
Let's get started on this fun journey of making your website together! My name is Federico and as someone who designs websites professionally, I'm excited to share my knowledge with you.
Table of Content:
What You Need To Design a Website
Before you start creating your website, there are a couple of things I will recommend you should have prepared.
Usually, you'll need the actual website builder, a place to register your website's name (domain registrar), and a web hosting service if your chosen website builder doesn't already include hosting.
You'll also want to get an SSL certificate to keep your site secure, a way to handle payments like a point-of-sale system, and a tool for search engine optimization (SEO) to make sure people can easily discover your site.
Here are the TOP 3 website design platforms in the US.
This platforms I'll show you next are the most used by professional website designers and web agencies in the US.
I personally use WIX for its incredible and unique approach to providing you with all the tools you need to run a business.
WIX | Squarespace | Web.com |
Starting Price $16/month | Starting Price $16/month | Starting Price $1.95/month |
Drag & Drop Editor INCLUDED | Drag & Drop Editor INCLUDED | Website Building |
Customizable templates, Easy drag-and-drop technology, SSL certificate | E-Commerce Low Price Plans | E-Commerce Low Price Plans |
Here is all what you need to design, build and maintain your website:
Web Hosting: Your website's content needs a place to live on the internet, and that's where web hosting platforms come in. They store your text, images, and databases so you can access them online. Also, the Hosting is what will keep your website alive up and running 24/7 to catch up those clients at 3 AM while you're sleeping.
Basically, the Hosting is a space in super fast computer that never turns off where these companies rent to you a space, giving you the guarantee of having your website online non-stop.
Domain Name: Your domain name is like your online address – it's what people type into their browser to find your site, like "www.YourWebsite.com". To keep things clear, try to use your name or something very similar. You can register your domain name through a domain registrar. Some hosting providers like WIX will give you a FREE Domain for the first year of registration, so check before you buy.
SSL Certificate: To keep your business and users safe, it's a good idea to get an SSL certificate. This adds a layer of security to your website and user information. You can get an SSL certificate from a service provider that specializes in this like WIX that includes this when buying any Hosting plan.
Web Builder: If you're not familiar with coding, a website builder is your friend. It lets you create your website without needing coding skills. You'll find templates with customizable features that help you design the website you want.
Search Engine Optimization Tool: Right from the beginning, it's smart to use an SEO tool. This helps you come up with a strategy to make your content follow basic SEO practices. WIX is a step over other companies and also includes this on your basic Hosting plans, so your content will be more likely to show up in search results and get you the results you want.
Point of Sale: If you're selling products or services that involve payments, you'll need a way to process those payments. That's where a point-of-sale (POS) service comes in. It's like a virtual cash register for your website, that process the money in between your website and your bank account.
How To Design a Website in 9 Simple Steps
Although you have the flexibility to create your website to your specific requirements and personal style, there are certain essential steps that everyone looking to design a website should follow on my humble opinion. Now pay close attention to these steps I will be listing you to learn how to properly design a website, starting from clarifying your website's purpose to selecting a website design platform, creating the structure, adding important content, and finally, making your website live.
Step 1: Know Why You're Building the Site
Before diving into designing, it's important to know what you want your website to achieve. Think about who you want to visit your site and what you want them to do there. Do you want them to download something, buy something, make appointments, interact, or just reach more people?
Having a clear idea of your website's purpose is super important. It helps you pick the right content, choose the right look, and decide how your pages will be set up.
You can easily do this by grabbing a piece of paper and a pen or opening a Word document on your computer, sometimes writing the things gives you a more clear idea a reduce anxiety.
Step 2: Pick Your Platform
After you've figured out why you're making a website, it's time to explore different website builders. These user-friendly tools allow you to create a website from scratch, even if you're not a coder like me. Some are designed for certain uses like selling stuff, blogging, or showcasing your work.
Website builders like WIX and Squarespace give you templates you can personalize with your words and pictures (here I'll leave you a tutorial of how to personalize a WIX website I made for people like you). Plus, many of them handle things like registering your domain and hosting your site as I mentioned before. But you'll have to use the drag-and-drop tools to design each page yourself. So, go for one that matches what you want your site to do, so you make your life easier.
Step 3: Collect Your Brand Stuff
And with "Brand Stuff" I mean elements that will make your website look whole. When you're designing your site, think about your brand's personality.
First, get your color scheme ready (this is the tool that I use for color ideas). Stick with a main color and a couple of others that go well together. Then, choose fonts that match your brand (you can use sites like DaFont). Like, serif fonts feel formal and serious, sans-serif looks modern, and script fonts give a creative vibe.
Pictures matter too, they grab attention (I personally use Pexels). Just make sure they fit and look sharp, so they impress your visitors in the right way.
Step 4: Pick a Website Template or Theme
Now comes the fun part: choosing how your website will actually look. This is where you choose a theme or template, which is like the blueprint of your site – it decides where things like pictures, text, and buttons go.
Themes are like ready-made designs that make it easy for you to create your site, especially if you're new to this. Most platforms have a bunch of themes sorted into different categories. Each category is meant for a certain type of business or project. So, take a peek at them and choose the one that suits your site the best.
Quick note: If you're going with WordPress, you'll need to get web hosting from another company like Bluehost or Hostinger. Then, you install WordPress and use it to set up your site with your chosen theme, which I personally fin too complicated and messy.
Step 5: Plan Your Pages
Recommendation, to simplify the design process, picture the different pages your site will have and how they connect to each other, same concept... a piece of paper and a pen. For instance, having a clear idea about the number of pages, what they'll contain, and how they'll be set up gives you a roadmap as you begin designing each section. This way, you're not starting from scratch – you've got a plan to follow.
Step 6: Create Your Site's Parts
Now that you've got your template and know how your site will flow, it's time to start putting together each piece. This means designing things like your menu, header, footer, and maybe extra elements you need on your site. Elements like these shape your website, making it organized and simple to move around.
Menu: This is where you show the main things on your site. It should be easy to find and show only a few items, so it doesn't crowd the screen and confuse visitors.
Header and Footer: These parts make your site more user-friendly. The header is where you put important stuff like the menu and your logo – things you want people to quickly see. The footer has extra info like contact details and rules.
Search Bar: It's like a magnifying glass or a box where people can look for stuff on your site. Put it somewhere easy to see, like the top-left or top-right corner.
Step 7: Make Your Web Pages Your Own
What you put on your pages depends on what your site is all about. So, feel free to adjust things to match your style. But no matter what, your website should include these important pages.
Home Page: This is where everyone first arrives, so give them a quick preview of your site. Put your logo (if you need a logo, let me know), business name, what you offer, and an easy menu. It should look organized and grab attention.
Product or Service Page: Tell people about what you're selling and let them buy it. If you're selling lots of things, have a page to show them all and another for each thing's details.
About Page: Introduce yourself here. Tell your story, share your values, and explain what sets you apart from others. If you can record a small video of yourself, extra points...
Blog Page: If you're planning to write blogs, set up this page. It shows short versions of your posts. People can click on the ones they like.
Contact Page: Tell visitors how to get in touch with you. Share your phone number, email, and social media links. You can even add a map with your office location, a chat box like I did, and a form to fill out.
Other pages I'll recommend you add:
Custom 404 Page: If someone ends up on a page that doesn't exist, show them a "404 Error" page. Make it special with your logo, a link back to the home page, or a friendly message like "You found our oopsie page jiji!"
FAQ Page: Answer questions before they're asked. Make a page that covers common stuff so people don't have to ask you.
Testimonials: Time to shine! Put up reviews from happy clients. Show off awards and mentions from big names that like you. This builds trust.
Step 8: Try it Out and Go Live
Before your site is out there for everyone, test things to avoid first bad impression. Make sure it loads fast (hit me up if need help with this), that people can read fast an simple, links work, it looks good on phones, and the contact form is working. Test every part that could affect how people use it. Get friends and coworkers to look too and give you feedback.
If everything's okay, it's time to show the world. Publish your site.
And remember, keep updating it. Look at how it's doing, follow trends, and make sure it matches what your business is doing now.
Step 9: Make Things Better
Once your site is all set up and running, it's time to make sure it's working smoothly for visitors. Here's what you can do to make things even better.
Mobile-Friendly: Most of the WIX templates at least adjust for mobiles, but it's smart to double check. You can even use your mobile to be sure. Try your site on browsers like Safari or Chrome on iPhones and Androids.
Links in Between Pages: Put links in your text to other pages. They help folks navigate and show search engines you're a trusted source. Make sure they lead to good places on your site.
Media Stuff: Big heavy images and videos slow things down and can hurt your site's ranking, be careful. Use smaller files and don't overdo it with too many visuals on a page. And only use pics and videos that matter.
Search Engine Help: SEO means getting more people to your site. Use good keywords in text and images, place these most important keywords in your H1, H2 and H3. Add descriptions to images and make URLs easy to understand. This makes search engines like you more than your son for his birthday.
Top Tools for Website Design
To create the different parts and pages of your website, you'll need some apps and tools to help you customize text, shapes, colors, and images. These tools make designing easier and save you from starting from scratch, on WIX most of them are all in one place, that is why I LOVE WIX.
Website Builders: Use a website builder like Wix or Squarespace. They have features that help you design the website you want very easy and quick.
Design Tools: Tools like Canva are great for making graphics and editing photos. They're user-friendly and can give your site a polished look.
Expert Help: Websites like Kendall Development and Upwork have skilled designers who can assist you with design tasks if you need expert guidance.
Logo Makers: If you're also working on a logo, tools like Logo Maker and Adobe Express Logo Maker can help you create a business logo that matches your website.
Photo Apps: Look for appealing images to complement your text. Apps like Stockphoto.com and Unsplash have a variety of pictures you can use.
How Long Does It Take To Design A Website
In simple terms, working with a pro to create fully optimized website could take around two to five months. Knowing this timeline for website design with a designer, agency, or a group can help you decide whether to go solo or by hiring experts.
Planning Objectives: One to Two Weeks
Chances are, you've got a good handle on the "why" behind your website – be it for showcasing your skills, selling stuff, or sharing your thoughts through a blog.
But before you dive in, it's essential to fine-tune your specific goals. Let's say you're setting up a portfolio website to snag new clients and boost your online presence.
Your specific goals could look something like this:
- Launching your website within three months
- Scoring your first sale just a week after your site goes live
- Growing a strong social media following for more visitors
- Increasing your website traffic by a solid 10% in a month
This part of the process usually takes around one to two weeks. Invest this time in understanding what you want to accomplish with your website. It's a crucial step that shapes your design choices and guides you in finding the right designer or developer to match your goals.
Hunting for a Developer: One to Four Weeks
Now comes the exciting part – the search for the perfect web designer or developer to turn your website dreams into reality. You've got a couple of options: ask pals and coworkers you trust, or contact Federico at Kendall Web Development.
The perfect fit will be a developer or agency who:
- Handles the back-end tech stuff and takes charge of the front-end development and web design
- Fits into your budget
- Has a track record of delivering on time
- Has the skills you're after
- Vibes with your taste and style
Feel free to chat with Fede, go through his work, and compare his talents with other web developers. Take your time – this research phase should take anywhere from about one week to a month to find a qualified, reliable partner you're excited to team up with.
Defining Your Needs: One to Three Weeks
Once you've got a web wizard on board, it's time to fill them in on the whole enchilada. Over the span of one to three weeks, huddle up with your designer/developer, agency, or squad to craft a crystal-clear picture. This is where you set the stage, lay out your expectations, and work through your content creation plan and due dates.
Show up with all the stuff you decided during your goal-planning phase – specific content, requirements, you name it. Your partner in web wonder will likely ask you about your design vision and any features you're gunning for. They'll also want to know every little thing your site needs, from logos and words to snazzy product photos.
Creating Mockups: One to Three Weeks
With your vision set in stone, it's time for the designer/developer to work their magic and start crafting your website. This is where the rubber meets the road. They'll whip up wireframes, design mockups, and individual web pages. These drafts give you a sneak peek into the basic structure, how everything works, and the overall look of your site.
As the website VIP, it's your turn to shine. You'll need about 1 to 3 weeks to give these mockups a thorough check. Dive into each page's layout, its style, all the design bits (like images and buttons), and share your thoughts with your trusty designers and developers. Your input here is pure gold! 🌟
Main Development: One to Two Months
Now, it's showtime for your website developer! This is when they roll up their sleeves and get to work. Transforming those mockups into a fully working website takes about 1 to 2 months, and sometimes even a bit more if your site is super fancy.
Here's a little secret: developers tend to give themselves extra time. They know that the design dance can lead to surprises. So, they build in some wiggle room for the unexpected twists and turns that might pop up.
As the star of the website show, you've got a role too! Stay engaged during this phase. Keep those questions coming, ask for updates, and don't be shy about pointing out things that might need tweaking. It's much easier for the designers and developers to make changes along the way instead of waiting till the final curtain call. You're the director, and your input matters!
Final Inspection: One to Two Weeks
Right before your website takes center stage, your design buddy hands over the finished and tested masterpiece for your review. Since you've been working together, there shouldn't be any major changes needed.
Take about one to two weeks to give your site a good look. Get your pals and coworkers in on it too – more eyes mean catching more details. Check everything from how it all works to small things like colors, fonts, and those little animations.
When everyone's giving thumbs up, it's time to hit the "publish" button! But here's the scoop: websites are like ongoing projects. You'll want to keep them fresh by doing some upkeep, updating the style, and tweaking content now and then.
Talk to your designer/developer about who'll handle this – them or maybe even you. It's like giving your website a little spa treatment!
How To Hire A Website Designer in 7 Steps
A Step-by-step guide to help you hire a website designer:
1- Define your requirements:
I'll recommend you determine what you need from your website, such as the purpose, target audience, features, and design style.
Make a list of specific requirements, such as responsive design, e-commerce functionality, or integration with other platforms.
2- Research and gather information:
Look for experienced website designers who have a strong portfolio and positive reviews on Google, like the guys from Kendall Development in Florida.
Ask for recommendations from your network or search online using these search queries "web design agencies" or "freelancer web design".
Check their websites or online profiles to evaluate their skills, expertise, and the quality of their previous work.
3- Shortlist potential candidates:
Write down your list of website designers based on their experience, portfolio, and compatibility with your project requirements, along with their phone numbers and websites.
Consider their communication skills, ability to meet deadlines, and if they understand your vision for the website.
4- Conduct interviews:
I'll recommend to schedule a phone call or video conference with the designer.
Discuss your project requirements and ask about their experience and expertise, no matter if you already saw it online.
Inquire about their design process, communication style, and how they handle revisions or changes during the project, this is crucial.
5- Review their portfolio and client references:
Ask for their portfolio of previous work that may include similar projects or diverse design styles.
Contact their previous clients if possible to get feedback on their working style, professionalism, and ability to meet client expectations.
6- Obtain detailed proposals and quotes:
Request a professional proposals from the website designers which should include a timeline, costs, milestones, and what deliverables are included. Make sure they provide you with a contract you ensure your results.
Evaluate the proposals, compare the costs, and ensure they align with your budgetary constraints.
Consider the level of support offered after the website is built, such as maintenance, updates, or redesigns.
7- Make a final decision:
Call your grandma, she always knows better... just kidding, I wanted to make sure you still here.
Take some time and review all the information you have gathered, including their experience, portfolio, client references, and proposals.
Choose the website designer who best meets your requirements within your budget.
Notify the selected designer and discuss the next steps, such as signing a contract and making a payment schedule.
By following these steps, you can effectively hire a professional website designer who will bring your vision to life.
How Hard Is It To Design A Website
Designing a website is like crafting a gourmet dish – it takes time, planning, and a dash of expertise.
From setting your goals to finding the right designs, it's a journey that requires careful steps.
Defining what you want and nailing down the details might need a pinch of patience.
While I'll say is not rocket science, it's a delightful challenge that with the right ingredients – dedication, time, and teamwork – turns into a web masterpiece.
How To Design A Website That Is Seo Friendly
A 11 step-by-step guide on how to design an SEO-friendly website:
1- Keyword Research:
Start by doing a keyword research to identify relevant keywords and phrases related to your website's content and target audience.
I'll recommend use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush (my favorite), or Moz Keyword Explorer to find popular and relevant keywords with good search volume and low competition.
2- Plan Your Site Structure:
Try to organize your website's content into a logical hierarchy and create a clear and user-friendly navigation menu.
Make important pages easily accessible within a few clicks.
Use descriptive and keyword-rich URLs for each page.
3- Optimize Page Titles and Meta Descriptions:
Write unique and catchy page titles that accurately describe the content of each page while including relevant keywords.
Write concise and persuasive meta descriptions that encourage users to click on the search results.
Don't forget to include ALWAYS your primary keyword in both the page title and meta description.
4- Create High-Quality and Engaging Content:
Develop informative, unique, and well-structured content that provides value to your visitors like this one, you can use it as an example or guide.
Incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your content, but avoid keyword stuffing.
Try to add sufficient word count, typically around 500 to 1000 words per page, to provide comprehensive information, I know that you don't like it, but that how it works.
5- Optimize Heading Tags:
Use heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to structure your content and highlight main sections and subheadings.
Include relevant keywords in your heading tags while ensuring they align with the overall content of the page.
Use only one H1 tag per page, and make it descriptive and keyword-rich.
6- Optimize Images:
Compress images to reduce file sizes for faster loading times with some online tool, you don't to get anything paid for it.
Use descriptive filenames and alt text for images, incorporating relevant keywords where appropriate.
Optimize image file formats such as JPEG or PNG for better SEO performance.
7- Ensure Mobile Responsiveness:
Let me tell you, this is BASIC. Design your website to be fully responsive and mobile-friendly.
Test your website across different devices and screen sizes to ensure proper display and functionality.
8- Improve Site Speed:
Optimize your website's performance by minimizing file sizes, leveraging browser caching, and reducing server response time.
Compress CSS and JavaScript files, optimize images, and use a content delivery network (CDN) if possible.
9- Build a Solid Internal Linking Structure:
Create a logical and intuitive internal linking structure between your website's pages.
Use descriptive anchor text that includes relevant keywords for internal links.
Ensure that all internal links are working properly and lead to the correct pages.
10- Submit sitemap and use Schema Markup to Google:
Create an XML sitemap and submit it to search engines like Google to help them understand your website's structure.
Implement schema markup to provide search engines with additional information about your content, such as reviews, ratings, and events.
WIX does all this automatically for you by the way.
11- Monitor and Analyze:
Regularly monitor your website's performance using tools like Google Analytics.
If you see ZERO results in 3 months, look for a local SEO specialist like Federico.
Track keyword rankings, organic traffic, and user behavior to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.
By following these steps I just gave, you can design an SEO-friendly website that is optimized for search engines and provides a great user experience.
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How To Design a Website FAQs
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To skip the headache of starting from scratch, opt for user-friendly website builders like Squarespace and WIX.
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