How to create a website in 2020
Learn how to create a website that connects you to the world. Find your audience and grow your brand.
Create your site
Whether you’re trying to say something, show something, sell something or simply bring people together, creating your own website means creating your own online space where you make the rules.
Launching a website might feel like a big project, but you’re about to discover it’s a lot quicker and easier than you first thought.
Whether you’re filled with ideas about exactly how you want your new site to look, or just know you need one but have no clue where to begin, this guide will get you there.
How to build your website in 5 easy steps
Creating a beautiful and functional website is easier than you think.
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Step 1: secure your domain
Choose your web hosting plan, and find a domain name that’s keyword optimised for your brand.
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Step 2: find a template
Select a pre-designed template with a visual layout and feature functionality close to your planned site.
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Step 3: make it your own
Add some personality and customize your website with text, images, video and branding.
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Step 4: launch your website
Once you’re happy with the look and feel, launch your website for the world to see.
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Step 5: increase your reach
Use search engine optimisation, social media outreach and other marketing tools to grow your audience.
Step 1: Secure a domain
A gracious host
The very first step to launching a new website is deciding the kind of web hosting service you’ll choose.
This simply means picking which company will host your website on their servers, and make it available to other internet users.
There are plenty of companies that offer free web hosting if you use their service to buy a domain and/or build your website.
It’s advisable that you choose a web host which offers cloud hosting solutions. This just means that your website isn’t stuck on one server, and will be far more reliable.
Optimized from the jump
The next step is choosing your domain name. This is your so-called URL and it will ideally give users an idea of what to expect on your site.
Once your site is up and running,also need to make sure its search engine optimized, or SEO friendly. One of the easiest optimization techniques, though, is selecting the right URL.
Choosing a domain name that not only represents your brand, but also contains some keywords likely to be searched by your target audience is always recommended.
Spending a little time conducting keyword research before committing to a domain name will always pay off over time.
Step 2: Find a template
Made for you
Creating a website from scratch can be challenging. The easiest way to get started is to choose a website template that looks close to the site you want to publish.
If you choose the right site builder for creating your website, you should have access to a huge library of site templates, each designed by a professional and ready to use.
It's not just about looks, either. It’s also key that you choose a template that is packed with the unique features and functionality that you’ll need for your site.
What's your style?
Whether you're looking for the clean minimalism of a business website, or the trendy image-filled site of an artist, find a layout that best represents your style.
Remember to keep it fresh. Even if your site is up and running, you might choose to renew your website every once in a while with a new template.
The internet and its trends are always changing, so make sure you move with them.
Step 3: Make it your own
Add that personal touch
Even if you’ve found your perfect template, your new website will only come to life through customization.
Since the aim is for your brand or personal website to be completely unique, you should choose a website builder that allows you to change anything and everything to make your brand shine through.
From things as simple as the color scheme and font, to the images, content and features, the power is in your hands to create the site you’ll be proud to show off.
Have no images or text? You can rely on free image libraries or use the services of an AI content writer to populate your site.
Customization made easy
There are many different content management systems on the web, each offering different levels of functionality and customization.
It’s important that you use a site builder, which not only lets you make the edits you want to your site, but makes it easy for you to do so.
Remember, it’s likely you’ll want to go back and change things on your site once it’s launched, so ease and flexibility of customization is everything.
Step 4: Launch your new website
Time for your debut
Before you know it, you're going to have a beautifully built site you're ready to introduce to the world.
Going live with your new site couldn't be simpler. Just one click of a button and your site will go from being your private project to your corner of the internet.
Site maintenance
Launching your website is only the start of the story. You’ll want to make sure it’s always up to date with new content, and that it stays looking good over time.
Depending on the plan you've chosen to run your website with, you may choose to level up to utilize more features.
As your audience grows, you might need to increase the bandwidth or storage capabilities of your site, get a custom domain name or get more detailed insights into your visitors' behavior.
Step 5: Increase your reach
Search engine optimization
On the crowded internet, the key to attracting new visitors is to make sure you have a good ranking on search engines. Business success can hinge on placing high on Google under the right search terms.
The cornerstones of SEO are keywords, good links and having a website that’s useful to users, but of course it goes a lot deeper than this.
If you choose to build your website with the right service, you should have a website search engine optimized straight out of the box.
So, look for a website builder which can suggest an SEO optimized domain name and helps you create SEO friendly content. It’s useful to have access to a suite of tools to help boost your search engine rankings.
Visitor insights
On top of building a website that's search optimized from the get-go, you should make use of visitor behavior insights to help improve your website.
Access to Google Analytics will let you get a better view of how people are finding your website, whether they find it useful, and how you can further improve your SEO.
This will include which search terms people have used to find your site, how many people clicked your link, and how long they browsed for.
For businesses, this is vital information for capturing new visitors and converting them into customers.
Building website pages
Normally, your website consists of multiple pages that each serve a different purpose. Here’s what pages you should include. And don’t forget to link your visitors to relevant pages. It improves their experience and your SEO.
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A homepage is usually the very first page that people see. It’s the most important page of your website, because it can either impress your visitors or put them off, all in a matter of a few seconds.
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About page
It’s all about you and your brand story. Make it personal and make it memorable, so that people feel connected to you. It’s a perfect way to establish trust.
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Sub-pages
All of the inner pages, such as your product pages, are called sub-pages. People can navigate to them from your main menu, so make them count.
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Landing pages
A landing page is meant to turn your visitor into a paying customer. This is where you optimize for that using AI Heatmap and Analytics data.
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Contact page
Your email address, telephone number, address and any other important contact info should go here. Make it easy for people to find you and they will.
Easy building with Zyro
Zyro aims to democratize web design, which is why it has created a website building platform that allows 100% customization, without needing to write a single line of code.
The website builder includes a grid-based drag and drop tool, which makes sure that any image, text box, or other feature you add to your site is perfectly positioned and aligned on the page.
This grid system not only makes alignment easy when creating a website, but also ensures your visitors' experience of your website is optimized, no matter which device they're using.
Creating effective content
Whether it’s text, images or videos, having amazing content is extremely important for every brand and business. Zyro’s got you covered.
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1. We’ll do the copy
Give us a few good sentences to work with and our AI Writer will populate your entire website with text that fits your business. Being a bad writer is no longer a valid excuse.
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2. Multimedia to the rescue
People’s eye usually goes to the visual first, so you bet you need to include some stunning imagery and videos into your site. These boost engagement and trust too.
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3. Blog your heart out
A good content strategy will always include blogging. Set up your blog with Zyro and jump straight into engaging conversations with your visitors.
Develop an identity
Regardless of whether you’re building a website for a company brand or just for yourself, it’s important thinking about the way the content and the visual language of design work together to create the identity of your website.
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Color coordinate
Use colours throughout that match your branding, and make sure that all pages of your website conform to the same palette.
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Unforgettable slogans
Both short and long-form copy on your site should conform to the same style guides and speak with the same voice.
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Stay on brand
If your company already has branding either elsewhere on the internet, or offline, you should try and match your website’s look.
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Good looking logo
Consider creating a recognisable logo, and use it as your favicon too.
Wonderful websites, whatever the reason
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1. For your business
Boost traffic, optimize conversions and drive revenue with a website that truly represents your business.
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2. For you organization
Promote your cause, attract new members and get connected to people with similar interests.
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For yourself
Get noticed by clients and employers by creating an online resume or portfolio which shows you at your best.
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For your personal events
Build an online space for you and friends to share photos, videos, ideas and experiences.
Find your domain name
Find domain names
A great name for nothing
You can get started with Zyro absolutely free, including getting your hands on a unique domain name.
Level up to a premium plan, and get a year's worth of free – and custom – domain name registration.
Affordable monthly plans
Ongoing savings
If you choose to pay per month for a low-cost domain name registration, you'll get a professional and distinctive URL, on top of free web hosting.
A suitable domain
Choose what's right for you
Whether you want a classic .com address, a professional .org, a fresh and exciting .xyz, or a tried and tested .online, you'll be able to pick from any domain to match your brand.
Be inspired
Let Zyro make some suggestions
If you're out of ideas, tell Zyro’s Domain Name Generator a bit about your brand and it'll give you domain name suggestions. Think of it like an AI baby name book for your website.
Keywords are...key
Reach the right audience
Search engine optimization starts with your domain name. Make sure your site is going to show up in the right searches, and appeal to the audience you want to attract.
Use your existing domain
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Already have a domain name you love?
Transferring your existing domain name to Zyro is quick and simple. We do the technical work, so you can spend more time doing what you actually love.
Powered by Artificial Intelligence
Ai-powered content generator
Work smart, not hard
Copywriting is not your strongest skill or don't have time to spend writing? Give Zyro a few sentences and it'll generate unique, search engine optimized text for your site.
1. Provide example text. This doesn't have to be much, just a few sentences to steer the generator in the right direction.
2. Tell it what you need. Adjust the basic settings to tell the generator how much you need and for what purpose.
3. Click “Generate”. At the touch of a button, the generator will produce multiple options of unique, SEO friendly content.
Business name generator
What about...?
If you're stuck on naming your brand, just provide Zyro with a few keywords about your business and you'll receive dozens of creative naming ideas.
1. Give Zyro's Business Name Generator a selection of keywords that you think represent your brand. The more the merrier, but just a few key ones will work too.
2. Pick your name. You'll be presented with a wide selection of name ideas, and it's up to you to choose which one you love.
3. Introduce your business to the world. Create a website using Zyro based around your new name, including finding the matching domain name .
Ai slogan generator
State your purpose
Don't be boring and never miss a sale. Grab visitors' attention, tell them about your brand, and create a buzz around your business with a snappy, AI-generated slogan.
1. Generate your slogan. Give Zyro's AI Slogan Generator a selection of keywords, and choose the slogan you love from all those that are generated.
2. Make sure it's unique. Once you've chosen your slogan, have a look around the internet and make sure it's not too similar to any others out there.
3. Never be forgotten. Feature your new slogan proudly on your site, knowing that it'll stick in visitor's minds and keep them coming back.
Ai heatmap
Pander to your audience
Optimize your site's layout and boost conversions. Gain invaluable user behavior insights with Zyro's AI Heatmap, which tells you what visitors are finding interesting.
1. Boost conversions. Optimize your placement of call-to-action buttons and other important actions to maximize conversions.
2. Predict behavior. Get an idea of how your visitors are going to interact with your website, before you even go live.
3. Improve your website. Use insights from the Zyro Heatmap to improve your users' experience in a matter of minutes.
Ready in no time and anywhere
Quick to build
Why wait?
Rather than going back and forth with designers and programmers, Zyro's intuitive tools and simple interface will let you launch a website in under an hour.
Speedy loading
Let's get going
Load time is key to a website's success both in terms of SEO and user experience. Luckily, your site will be lightning-fast by default, giving your visitors a smooth ride.
Mobile optimized
Small screens are where it's at
All websites built with Zyro are optimized for use on any device, meaning visitors using desktops, tablet or smartphones will always have a great impression.
Pay for what you need
If you don't want to pay for your Zyro website, you don't have to.Free sites are available forever, no strings attached, no questions asked. However, if you do decide to upgrade to a paid plan, there are some real treats in store.
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Custom domain name
Level up with a more professional looking URL.
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Professional integrations
Get access to Facebook Pixel, Tag Manager, Google Analytics and Messenger Live Chat
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Go faster
Let your users have a better experience with increased bandwidth.
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No more Zyro ads
Unburden your visitors from Zyro advertising on your site.
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More space
Increase storage and feature more images and videos.
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Custom favicon
Get your branding visible on your visitor's tabs.
A secure site
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A registrat you can trust
Keeping you safe
Zyro works with an ICANN accredited registrar. This means that prices are kept fair, you're given transparent policy information, and all the data you provide is stored safely.
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Web hosting privacy protection
Privacy is key
To ensure your contact details remain private, you can simply enable WHOIS privacy protection. It's a good way to keep prying eyes off your personal information.
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Security built-in
Trust is everything
Don't gamble your brand's reputation on a technical glitch. Along with your domain name and web hosting, Zyro throws in a free SSL certificate to make sure your site is trusted by visitors and search engines alike.
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Cloud web hosting
Never go down, never get lost
Rather than using a centralized web host, Zyro's web hosting is cloud-based, protecting it from attacks, improving performance, and ensuring your data is safe.
How to create a website – FAQs
How much does it cost to create a website?
You can design and launch your Zyro website completely free of charge.
This includes the chance to pick your own domain, use designer-crafted templates, personalize with a wide range of customization tools, and launch with Zyro's high-performance cloud hosting.
If you want to level up your website, however, you may choose to move to one of Zyro's paid plans.
For a low fee per month, you can enjoy larger bandwidth and storage, present ad-free content, and take advantage of many search engine optimization tools.
Which plan you choose depends on the size of your ambitions, and the functionality you need to make your plans a reality.
Find out more about Zyro pricing plans .
Can I use Zyro to create a website for my small business?
If you have a new business that needs an online presence or an existing company in need of a new website, Zyro is the perfect tool for you.
You can build a website for free which will help you share ideas, grow your brand and drive growth in your business.
Not only does Zyro offer the tools to make your small business website look great, but its hosting plan offers perks like social media integration and SEO tools.
These help you reach potential customers on platforms like Facebook and Instagram and via search engines.
Best of all, Zyro makes building a website so intuitive and easy that you won't need to fork out for a specialist web developer or be an expert in web design yourself to be able to launch a fantastic looking website.
Do I need to know how to code?
Zyro was developed with the idea that building websites should be accessible to anyone, and shouldn't require you to be a web developer.
Some other website builders promise easy functionality. Yet, when you come you use them you discover you need to know at least the basics of code to make a website that looks any good.
That's why Zyro lets you build a website using beautiful templates, AI-generated text, professional features and free cloud web hosting without the need to write a single line of code.
You can achieve the look and feel of a professionally designed website as a total web design novice.
How much does a domain name cost?
Every Zyro plan provides you with unique and exclusive domain names.
If you sign up for Zyro's free plan, you'll be provided with a free domain name that will include '.zyrosite' within it.
For a more professional domain name, you can sign up for a paid plan. With it, you can have a domain of your choosing or transfer your existing domain over to Zyro.
If you choose the premium plan, you'll get your domain registration free for a year – no strings attached.
For more information about domain name pricing, and how to choose yours, head to our Domain Name page now.
Remember, your domain name should be tailored to your audience, and be as short, snappy and memorable as possible.
If you're stuck for ideas, why not check out Zyro’s domain name generator , which uses AI to find you the perfect domain.
Will my website be responsive?
In our increasingly mobile-focused world, there's no point in creating a website if it's not going to look great on every device.
Any website you build with Zyro is responsive by default.
This means whether visitors are using desktops, smartphones or tablets to access your domain, your content, images, and features will all be correctly scaled and functional.
Can I make a website for free with Zyro?
Yes. Anyone can build a free website with Zyro, enjoy access to free themes created by world-class designers, and make use of free hosting services.
If you decide you want to go pro, you can pay a small fee per month to gain access to extra bandwidth, storage, and Google Analytics.
How to design a website?
Making your own website has never been easier.
While the specific features you want to include on your site will depend on its purpose (whether you're creating a blog, brand site, a website for an event or just a personal site), but Zyro offers tools which help you build a website for your needs.
Firstly, you can take your pick of the free themes available on the platform. If you decide halfway through you want a new theme, don't stress, there are dozens to choose from.
The next stage to creating a website is customizing it to get the look and feel you're after. This includes getting the color scheme, layout and features how you picture them.
This is all made easy with Zyro's drag-and-drop grid layout.
Populating your site with content is also super easy. The simple and intuitive content management system lets you quickly upload and format text and images however you like.
Moreover, if you don't have the time or skills to write your own content, you can just let the AI content generator do the hard work for you.
With minimal input, the AI Writer will create a unique, search engine friendly copy for your site.
How do I create a blog website?
The easiest way to share your ideas with the world, develop an online following and grow your personal or business brand is to start a website with a blog.
As with any other Zyro sites, great looking, fast loading, far-reaching blogs can be built in a matter of minutes.
Only requiring people to choose their favorite templates, customize the look and launch their first blog post, Zyro injects ease into blogging.
Zyro's custom rich text editor makes editing and formatting blog posts easy. Meanwhile, social media and search engine optimization integrations help you find and grow your audience.
If you're looking to launch a blog, first read our guide to starting a blog .