To build a website in 2026, choose a platform (a hosted website builder such as Wix or Squarespace, or WordPress on web hosting), register a domain name, pick a template, add your core pages, set up basic SEO, then test and publish. With a website builder, a simple business site can go live in an afternoon for roughly $17 to $29 per month on an annual plan, plus a domain after the first year.
This guide walks through each step, compares the main ways to build a site, and lists what it really costs, so you can pick the right route before you spend money.
Updated October 2026.
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How do you build a website? The 8 steps at a glance
Here is the short version. Each step is explained in more detail below.
- Define the site’s job: decide what visitors should do (call, book, buy, read, subscribe).
- Choose how to build it: a hosted website builder, WordPress on web hosting, or a custom build.
- Pick and register a domain name: check availability first, then register it in your own name.
- Choose a plan: start on the cheapest plan that covers your must-have features, billed annually if you are committed.
- Select a template: pick one built for your type of site and customize fonts, colors and logo.
- Add your core pages: home, about, services or products, contact, and legal pages.
- Set up SEO and analytics: page titles, meta descriptions, a sitemap, and Google Search Console.
- Test, publish and maintain: check mobile layout, forms and speed, then keep content and software updated.
Step 1: What is your website for?
Start with the job the website has to do, because that decides which platform and plan you need. A portfolio needs strong image layouts. A restaurant needs a menu, opening hours and online ordering or reservations. A consultant needs a booking calendar and a contact form. A shop needs a product catalog, checkout and tax settings.
Write down three things before you look at any platform:
- The main action you want visitors to take, such as booking a call or buying a product.
- The pages you need at launch. Most small sites need five to eight.
- Must-have features, such as online payments, a blog, memberships, appointment booking, or multiple languages.
Step 2: Should you use a website builder or WordPress?
There are three realistic ways to build a website. The right one depends on how much control you need and how much time you want to spend on maintenance.
| Option | Best for | Typical cost | Skill needed | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosted website builder (Wix, Squarespace, Square Online, Hostinger Website Builder) | Small businesses, portfolios, local services, simple stores | $17 to $29/mo on annual plans | None | Handled by the platform |
| WordPress.org on web hosting | Blogs, content sites, sites that need plugins or full ownership | $2.49 to $4/mo intro hosting, higher at renewal | Low to moderate | You update plugins, themes and backups (or pay for managed hosting) |
| Custom build or agency | Complex apps, large catalogs, unique designs | Thousands of dollars up front | Hire a developer | Ongoing developer time |
Website builders bundle hosting, templates, security certificates and support in one subscription. You edit pages visually, and the company keeps the software up to date. The trade-off is lock-in: you generally cannot move a Wix or Squarespace site to another host without rebuilding it.
WordPress is free, open-source software that powers a large share of the web. You install it on a web host, choose a theme, and extend it with plugins. It is more flexible and portable than a builder, but you are responsible for updates and security unless you pay for managed WordPress hosting. Our guide on how to choose a CMS for your business goes deeper on this decision.
For most first-time site owners, a website builder is the faster route. If you expect to publish a lot of content or want full ownership of your files, WordPress on a good host is the better long-term choice.
Step 3: How do you choose and register a domain name?
Your domain name (for example, yourbusiness.com) is the address people type to reach your site. It is also part of your brand and your email address, so choose it before you design anything.
- Keep it short and easy to spell. Avoid hyphens and numbers that are hard to say out loud.
- Prefer .com when it is available. Country-code domains such as .co.uk or .ca work well for local businesses.
- Check social handles at the same time, so your brand name matches across platforms. Namechk checks domain and username availability in one search.
- Stuck for ideas? Try the domain name generator or the business name generator.
Many website builders and hosts include a free domain for the first year with an annual plan. After that, a .com typically renews at about $15 to $25 per year depending on the provider. Always register the domain in your own name so you keep control if you switch platforms. Our step-by-step guide explains how to register a domain name, and our roundup of the best domain name registrars compares prices.
Step 4: Which website builder plan should you pick?
Most builders have a free plan or free trial, then three or four paid tiers. Here is how to choose without overpaying:
- Free plans are fine for testing, but they show the platform’s branding and use a subdomain (such as yourname.wixsite.com). They are not suitable for a business site.
- Entry paid plans connect your own domain and remove ads. This is enough for most brochure and portfolio sites.
- Business or commerce plans add online payments, lower transaction fees, and more storage. Only upgrade when you are ready to sell.
- Annual billing is usually cheaper per month than monthly billing, and often adds a free domain for year one. Check the renewal price before you commit to a multi-year term.
Current entry prices for popular builders (October 2026, billed annually unless noted):
| Builder | Free plan | Entry paid plan | Free domain in year one |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Yes (wixsite.com subdomain) | Light, $17/mo billed yearly | Yes, on yearly plans |
| Squarespace | No (14-day free trial) | Basic, $19/mo billed annually | Yes, on annual plans |
| Hostinger Website Builder | No | Premium, $2.49/mo on a 48-month term (renews $10.99/mo) | Yes |
| Square Online | Yes (Square Free, square.site subdomain) | Square Plus, $49/mo per location | Check at checkout |
| Shopify | No (3-day trial, then $1/mo for 3 months) | Basic, $29/mo billed yearly | No |
| WordPress.com | Yes (subdomain with ads) | Personal, $4/mo billed annually | Yes, on annual plans |
| Webflow | Yes (webflow.io subdomain) | Basic, $15/mo billed yearly | Not stated |
| GoDaddy Airo | Yes | Starter, $9.99/mo billed annually | Check at checkout |
For detailed comparisons, see our roundups of the best website builders, the best free website builders and the best e-commerce website builders.
Step 5: How do you choose a template and design your site?
Pick a template designed for your type of site, not just one that looks nice in the preview. A restaurant template already has menu and reservation sections, and a portfolio template has gallery layouts. Changing templates later can be awkward: on some builders, moving to a new design means rebuilding or copying pages over by hand.
Once you have a template:
- Add your logo and set your brand colors and two fonts at most.
- Replace every placeholder image with your own photos or properly licensed stock images.
- Keep navigation to five to seven top-level items.
- Check the mobile view as you go. Most visitors will see the site on a phone.
Many builders now include AI tools that generate a first draft of the layout and text from a short description of your business. They save time, but always rewrite the copy so it sounds like you and is accurate.
Step 6: What pages should a website have?
Most small business websites need the same core pages:
- Home: what you do, who it is for, and one clear call to action.
- About: who is behind the business and why customers should trust you.
- Services or products: one page per main offer, with prices where possible.
- Contact: a form, phone number, email, address and map if you serve customers locally.
- Privacy policy and terms: required if you collect personal data, use analytics or sell online.
- Blog or resources (optional): useful if you plan to earn traffic from search.
Lead each page with the answer to the visitor’s question, use short paragraphs, and keep the call to action easy to find.
Step 7: How do you set up SEO and analytics?
A new site will not appear in search results by itself. Cover these basics before launch:
- Page titles and meta descriptions: write a unique title (about 60 characters) and description (about 150 characters) for every page.
- Headings and alt text: use one main heading per page and describe images in their alt text.
- HTTPS: make sure the free SSL certificate is active, so the browser shows a padlock. Our guide explains how to enable an SSL certificate.
- Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools: verify your domain and submit your sitemap.
- Google Business Profile: essential for local businesses that want to show up in map results.
- Analytics: most builders include basic traffic stats; add Google Analytics if you need more detail.
Step 8: How do you launch and maintain your website?
Before you publish, test the site on a phone and a desktop, submit every form to confirm messages arrive, click every link, and check page speed with Google PageSpeed Insights. Then connect your domain, publish, and share the link on your social profiles.
After launch, plan a little regular upkeep:
- Update prices, hours and service details whenever they change.
- On WordPress, update the core software, theme and plugins, and keep automatic backups running.
- Renew the domain on time. Turn on auto-renew so the name cannot lapse and be registered by someone else.
Do you need a website builder?
A website builder is the easiest way to create a professional website without code or a designer. It is the right choice for most people who want a site live quickly and do not want to manage servers or software updates.
Pros:
- No coding or design skills needed
- Hosting, SSL and security updates are handled for you
- Professionally designed, mobile-friendly templates
- Predictable monthly or annual pricing
- Built-in support, tutorials and AI setup tools
Cons:
- Less flexibility than WordPress or custom code
- Moving to another platform usually means rebuilding the site
- Costs rise when you add commerce, storage or extra features
- Some advanced features require third-party apps with their own fees
What features should you look for in a website builder?
Some builders are better suited to certain jobs than others. Compare them on these points:
- Ease of use: a visual editor you are comfortable with. Use the free plan or trial to test it before paying.
- Templates: modern, mobile-friendly designs for your industry, with room to customize.
- Domain and email: whether a free domain is included for the first year, and what professional email costs.
- SEO tools: editable titles, descriptions, URLs, redirects and automatic sitemaps.
- Forms and booking: contact forms, appointment scheduling, and newsletter sign-ups.
- E-commerce: payment options, transaction fees, inventory, shipping and tax tools if you plan to sell.
- Support: live chat or phone support hours, plus a searchable help center.
- Export options: whether you can export your content (such as blog posts or products) if you move later.
How much does it cost to build a website in 2026?
Building a website yourself is far cheaper than hiring a designer. A typical do-it-yourself budget looks like this:
| Cost item | Typical range (October 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Website builder plan | $17 to $29/mo on annual billing | Commerce plans cost more |
| Web hosting for WordPress | $2.49 to $4/mo intro | Renewal prices are often two to four times higher |
| Domain name (.com) | Free in year one with many plans, then about $15 to $25/yr | Prices vary by registrar |
| SSL certificate | Free | Included by mainstream builders and hosts |
| Professional email | About $1 to $8 per user/mo | Sometimes free for the first year |
| Premium theme or apps | $0 to $100+ one-time or monthly | Optional |
| Designer or developer | Hundreds to thousands of dollars | Optional for DIY sites |
The biggest hidden cost is renewal pricing. Introductory hosting and domain prices often double or triple after the first term, so compare the renewal price, not only the headline price. For a deeper breakdown, read our guide to website costs.
Website terms to know
- Domain name: your site’s address, such as example.com. See what is a domain name.
- Web hosting: the servers that store your site’s files and deliver them to visitors.
- DNS: the system that points your domain to your host. Learn more in what is DNS.
- SSL/TLS certificate: encrypts traffic between your site and visitors and enables HTTPS.
- CMS (content management system): software such as WordPress that lets you create and edit pages without code.
- Responsive design: layouts that adapt to phones, tablets and desktops.
- SEO: search engine optimization, the practice of helping pages rank in search results.
FAQs
How do I build a website for free?
You can build a website for free with the free plans from Wix, Square Online, WordPress.com, Webflow or GoDaddy Airo. Your site will use the platform’s subdomain, such as yourname.wixsite.com, and usually shows its branding. To use your own domain and remove ads, upgrade to a paid plan, which starts at about $4 to $19 per month billed annually depending on the builder.
How much does it cost to build a website in 2026?
A do-it-yourself website typically costs about $17 to $29 per month with a website builder such as Wix or Squarespace, billed annually, or about $2.50 to $4 per month for WordPress hosting on a long introductory term, plus a domain name at roughly $15 to $25 a year after any free first year. Hiring a designer adds hundreds to thousands of dollars.
How long does it take to build a website?
With a website builder and a ready-made template, a simple five-page business site can be live in a few hours to a weekend, depending on how quickly you can supply text and photos. A WordPress site takes a little longer to set up. Custom sites built by agencies usually take several weeks or months.
Is it better to use a website builder or WordPress?
A website builder is better if you want the fastest, simplest setup with hosting, security and updates handled for you. WordPress is better if you want full control, thousands of plugins, and the ability to move your site between hosts. Many beginners start with a builder, while content-heavy sites and blogs often choose WordPress.
Do I need to know how to code to build a website?
No. Website builders such as Wix, Squarespace and Hostinger Website Builder use drag-and-drop editors and templates, and many now generate a first draft of your site with AI. WordPress also works without code if you use a page builder theme. Coding skills only become necessary for custom features or complex designs.
What do I need before I start building a website?
You need a clear goal for the site, a domain name, your logo and brand colors, the text for your core pages (home, about, services, contact), and good photos. Check that your preferred name is available as a domain and on social media with Namechk before you buy, so your brand matches everywhere.
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