How To Setup Your Own Website Like a Pro

How To Setup Your Own Website Like a Pro .elementor-19992 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19992{text-align:center}Last Updated on January 21, 2020Those looking for a more functional site should consider using a Content Management System. It requires more involvement, but the payoff is worth it. Lets take a look at the step-by-step breakdown of making your own website. Disclosure As an independent review site, we get compensated if you purchase through the referral links or coupon codes on this page â€" at no additional cost to you. Dismiss alert Table of Contents Why Set Up Your Own Website With A CMS?How To Setup Your Own Website In 4 StepsChoose Your CMSFind A DomainSelect A HostBuild Your SiteAlternate Method: Build Offline Then Load Your SiteConclusionWhy Set Up Your Own Website With A CMS?Using a website builder will get you a site that works, no doubt. Building with a CMS, though, will allow for a site with more individuality. There are solid reasons CMS is the way to go:In some cases, youll be able to create a n impressive site without the HTML background. CMS websites allow for WYSIWYG editing, so youll be able to make edits quickly and on your own. If you need to redesign the site, you can do that without a complete site overhaul.You can integrate components to make your website better. These range from skins to enhance the appearance to add-ons that add new functionality. CMS have large communities, so new add-ons are often developed and updated.Among these tools are plugins that aid with SEO and keyword implementation. There are also plugins to enhance readability and the flow of your posts. Youll see improvements in your content with the right configuration.You can also use CMS to schedule site tasks, uploads, and a host of other functions. CMS helps improve the effectiveness with which you manage your site. Join the FREE TrainingDo You Want To Learn How To Build 6 Figures Authority Sites?Join This Free Training To...Finally have a proven method to finding profitable nichesGet access to a foolproof keyword research methodLearn how to outsource quality contentLearn how to build white hat links to your site without headaches The large CMS user base also means that they are consistently tested for vulnerabilities. Youll benefit from regular security updates designed to protect your site from attacks.In short, CMS makes your site cost-effective, accessible, user-friendly, and secure.How To Setup Your Own Website In 4 StepsChoose Your CMSYour first is to choose which CMS you want to use for your site. Youve got options. The three most popular ones are WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.There are plenty of experts that will tell you to go with WordPress no matter what. Theyll even back the claim up with usage statistics showing how superior WordPress is. Well take a more balanced approach, and look at what all three have to offer.WordPressIn installs into most hosting services with but a few clicks. No HTML or PHP required to design a site either. Just choose your temp late, then plug in info to your hearts content. Speaking of templates, WordPress certainly has a good number of them. Some are free; some require a fee. With thousands to choose from, though, theres a choice for just about every creator.WordPress has expansive customization options by way of plugins. It also has a robust user community with tips, tricks, and general advice to provide to new users. Check out the forum to see how active they are.To top it all off, WordPress is free. Some of the plugins or themes might cost something, but overall the service costs nothing to use.WordPress has its downsides, though. Most notably, all of those choices it offers. Having a lot of plugins and themes means theres a lot of low-quality material to sift through. Some beginners can feel overwhelmed trying to find the right ones to use on their site.DrupalThis is the most powerful of the three options. If you have the expertise, youll be able to create the most functional sites with Drupal. At the minimum, youll need a knowledge of HTML and PHP to use Drupal to its full potential.Drupal is free, and pages load faster than WordPress or Joomla pages. You can also tweak all the elements of your pages to your exact specification, provided you know how.This is Drupals greatest drawback. The steep learning curve keeps many a beginner far away from this powerful software.JoomlaYou can look at Joomla as the median between WordPress and Drupal. Its powerful but doesnt require as much technical know-how as Drupal. There are plenty of themes to choose from, and a wide range of customization options.Like the other services, its (mostly) free, and offers plenty of support for newbies. The downside is that some of Joomlas plugins cost money, and have compatibility issues.Find A DomainSelecting a domain name can be a lengthy process. If you want to take time brainstorming a very specific and descriptive site name on your own. You should follow some of the domain name basics if this is y our preferred route.Coming up with a name can also be a quick process if you decide to go with a domain generator. Just punch in a few keywords and select from the options you receive.You could also marry the two approaches. Use a generator to give you direction, then tweak your options until you have the perfect name. Just make sure the name isnt already taken.Select A HostNow that you have your perfect domain name, you have to select a host to store your site on the internet. Like with selecting a CMS, you have your options. Opinions vary, though, most will tell you to avoid GoDaddy if you want quality.You might be better served by doing some research into who the best blog hosting sites are for your needs.Theres list upon list with the most important web host attributes. Familiarize yourself with the basics, then do your homework. You should also investigate what other customers think of a web host.Glowing positive reviews from multiple sources usually indicates theyre doing some thing right. If you run across repeated horror stories, though, you might want to be wary of the host.Build Your SiteNow its time to create your site. Most hosts have a 1-click installation process for CMS integration. If they dont, however, youll have to take steps to install your choice of CMS manually.No worries, there are manual install guides for WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla. Follow the instructions, and you should be golden.Once you have your CMS in place, you have to start creating your site. What you do here is up to you, but there is some preliminary reading you can do to give yourself a leg up.Make sure you brush up on the basics of web design before having at it:You will also benefit from reviewing the user guide for your preferred CMS. Check out the guides for Drupal, WordPress, and Joomla.Depending on which CMS youre using, you may want to select a theme to help smooth the process. There are plenty of theme libraries with lots of options. There are also guides on insta lling the theme you like quickly.Youre likely to make use of various plugins to enhance your site. Again, check out the libraries to see whats available. Be careful not to install too many, though. An overabundance of plugins can slow your site to crawl.Youll have to decide what to prioritize, but add-ons to help with SEO are generally a good option. If youre stuck on what to incorporate, try consulting a roundup of some of the highest-rated plugins.When youre done creating youll have joined the club of individuals with a website. Congratulations.Alternate Method: Build Offline Then Load Your SiteIts also worth pointing out an alternate method for how to set up your own website. You can code the site offline with HTML or an editing program, then upload it to a web host in the completed form.LearnCode has a great tutorial on this method, which you can watch here:They also have other videos on web development and coding. Its a good resource if you want to get more in-depth with what y ou can do with a website.ConclusionNow you should be able to provide the answers on how to set up your own website. The CMS method will allow you to create a great looking, functional site with varying degrees of difficulty.WordPress will allow for a quick and easy site. If you decide to increase your coding proficiency, you can make use of advanced CMS like Drupal to create a lightning-fast site with solid features. Joomla will offer you a compromise that is suitable for many intermediate web-heads.Remember to do your research when choosing a domain and selecting a host. When you have everything in place, create your site, then youre ready to rock.