Designing a website has never been more accessible, thanks to advancements in technology, no-code tools, and AI-powered design platforms. Whether you’re a startup looking to establish an online presence or a beginner aiming to create your first website, this guide will walk you through the entire process in 8 easy steps.
Build A Website From Scratch
By following these steps, you’ll learn how to define your website’s goals, plan its structure, choose the right tools, and ensure it’s optimized for search engine results pages and digital marketing success.
1. Website Goal & Target Audience
Defining your new website’s goal and target audience is the foundational step that shapes every decision you'll make - from design to functionality, strong call-to-action and content strategy. Answering these questions will guide your website’s design, structure, and content strategy.
Before you start, ASK yourself:
- Why are you creating this website? Are you promoting a brand, selling products, building a portfolio, or offering information?
- What do you want the website to achieve? Do you want to generate leads, drive sales, raise awareness, offer customer support or build a community?
- Who is your target audience? Are they professionals, small business owners, students, hobbyists, or a specific demographic group in the UK?
A) Define Clear Objectives
Set SMART goals - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound - for your website. This helps you stay focused and measure success.
- Example: If you’re launching an eCommerce store for organic products in the UK, a SMART goal could be: “Achieve £5,000 in sales from UK customers within the first three months.
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B) Identify Your Target Audience
Knowing your audience will help you tailor your website to their needs and preferences.
Consider the following questions:
- Demographics: Who are they? Are they millennials, retirees, or young professionals?
- Location: Are you targeting a specific region or city in the UK, a local business in London may have different website needs than one in Manchester or Birmingham.
- Pain Points: What are your users’ challenges, and how can your website help them solve these problems?
- Example: A financial advisor’s website might target small business owners across the UK looking for guidance on tax regulations, offering free resources, tips, and consulting services to attract leads.
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C) Research the Competition
Researching competitors is easier than ever. Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to analyze their traffic, top-performing content, SEO strategies, and user experience. Pay special attention to how they design for local UK audiences and their approach to accessibility.
- Design: How visually appealing and user-friendly are their sites?
- Content: Are they using blog posts, videos, or product guides effectively?
- SEO: What keywords do they target? What backlinks have they acquired?
- Marketing Strategies: Do they focus on social media, email campaigns, or influencer partnerships?
- Example: For a small UK-based bakery with an online ordering system, analyzing how competitors like Gail’s Bakery structure their online menus, delivery options, and user experience can provide insights into improving your website.
2. Domain Name, Hosting Provider & Maintenance
Once you’ve defined your website’s goals and target audience, the next step is to secure a domain name, find a hosting provider, and assess the overall cost of running your website, including any ongoing subscriptions and maintenance plans.
A) Domain Name
Your domain name is your website’s online address, so it’s important to keep it short, memorable, and easy to spell. A good domain should reflect your brand and be simple for users to remember and type. If your desired domain is taken, try variations by adding extra words or tweaking the name slightly to include on your website.
- Example: If TechGuru.co.uk is taken, try TheTechGuru.co.uk or TechGuruHQ.co.uk.
- Price: In the UK, domain names typically cost between £0.99 - £15 per year.
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B) Hosting Provider
The hosting provider is responsible for storing your website’s data and making it accessible to visitors. It’s crucial to choose a provider that offers scalability, strong security features, and reliable uptime (aim for 99.9% uptime guarantees).
- Shared Hosting: Cheapest option, suitable for small websites or blogs, £3 - £10 per month.
- VPS Hosting: Offers more resources and flexibility for growing sites. Price ranges from £10 - £50 per month.
- Managed Hosting: Includes additional services like backups, security, and performance monitoring, often recommended for eCommerce or high-traffic websites. Starts from £10 - £30 per month.
- Green Hosting: Consider eco-friendly options like Eco Web Hosting or Krystal, which focus on sustainable energy usage. Prices start from £20+.
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C) SSL Certificate
SSL certificates are essential for website security, ensuring that data between your site and visitors is encrypted. Google prioritizes SSL-enabled sites in its search rankings, making this an important feature.
- Free SSL Certificates: Many hosting providers, like SiteGround and Bluehost, offer free SSL certificates.
- Paid SSL Certificates: For advanced security, paid SSL certificates range from £50 - £100/year.
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D) Website Maintenance
Once your site is live, it’s essential to perform regular maintenance to keep it secure, up-to-date, and running smoothly. This can include software updates, plugin management, and fixing bugs.
- DIY Maintenance: Free if done independently, though it requires time and technical know-how.
- Managed Maintenance Plans: Agencies or freelancers can manage this for you, with plans ranging from £50 to £500 per month, depending on the complexity of your site and the level of support you need.
Upfront Website Costs Breakdown (UK)
- Domain Name: £0.99 - £20/year
- Website Hosting: £5 - £30/month
- SSL Certificate: £0 - £100/year
- Plugins & Integrations: £0 - £100/month
- eCommerce Functionality: £20 - £100/month
- Ongoing Maintenance: £50 - £500/month (optional)
3. Choose Your Website Budget
After setting your goals and business plan, your website budget is the second most important factor in building your website. It’s crucial to have a realistic budget tailored to the size and complexity. A website is an investment not an expense, since you're expecting a return on your investment.
A) Professional or DIY website builder
This decision will largely depend on your budget and technical skill set.
- Hiring a professional gives you a bespoke, high-quality website with tailored functionality and design.
- DIY website builders, such as Squarespace, WordPress (with Elementor) or Wix, offer more budget-friendly options, but the learning curve and limitations might affect the overall design and performance.
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B) Number of pages
The cost of your website design will also depend on the number of pages and the complexity of the content. The cost ranges from £300 - £500/page.
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C) Other site services
While building the website is the initial investment, don’t forget about the branding, SEO, digital marketing, and maintenance that will follow. These services are often essential for driving traffic, converting leads, and ensuring your website remains functional.
Standard (5-10 pages) Website Design Price
- DIY: Using platforms like WordPress or Wix, a small business website can cost £100 - £500 annually, including domain registration and hosting.
- Freelance Designer: £1,000 - £3,000 for design and development.
- Web Design Agency: £2,000 - £5,000 for a more custom and professional look.
eCommerce Website Design Price
- DIY: Using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce (plugin for WordPress), you can expect to spend £500 - £1,500 annually for basic functionality.
- Freelancer: £1,000 - £3,000 for a fully functional online store with product listings, payment integrations, and shipping features.
- Web Agency: £3,000+ for a custom-built eCommerce platform tailored to your brand and specific business needs.
4. Plan Your Site Content & Architecture
Before diving into design, map out your website’s structure and content. This ensures a smooth user experience and aligns with your business goals.
- Content Strategy: Identify key pages like Home, About, Services, and Contact. Plan and create content that speaks to your UK audience. Use AI tools like ChatGPT for content ideas, but review them to match your brand voice.
- Mobile-First Design: With over 73% of UK adults browsing on mobile, prioritize responsive design. Ensure fast loading speeds and easy navigation with minimal clutter to meet Google’s mobile-first indexing standards.
- Voice Search Optimization: With more UK users relying on voice search, integrate conversational keywords (e.g., "best café in Manchester"). Optimize for local SEO to improve visibility for voice queries.
- Site Architecture: Keep your site structure simple and user-friendly. Group related content and use internal links to guide users. A clear hierarchy and XML sitemap help both users and search engines navigate easily.
5. Freelancer vs Agency Website Building
When building a website in the UK, deciding between hiring a freelancer or a design agency depends on your budget, project scope, and specific needs.
A) Hire a Freelancer
A freelance web designer is an individual who works independently, often managing all aspects of your website's design and development. Some freelancers focus on design, while others are better at development or SEO. Find someone who matches your project requirements.
- Find Freelancers: Sites like LinkedIn, PeoplePerHour, Upwork and Fiverr allow you to browse freelancers’ portfolios and reviews.
Pros vs Cons
- Cost-Effective: Freelancers typically charge lower rates than agencies, £15 - £35/hour or £500 - £2,000 for a small business website.
- Flexibility: They offer more flexible working hours and may provide a faster turnaround.
- Communication: You deal with one person who is building your site.
- Limited Capacity: A freelancer may struggle with larger or more complex projects.
- Varied Expertise: Some freelancers may lack experience in areas like SEO, security, or complex development.
- Availability: They might juggle multiple projects since they offer low-cost services, leading to potential delays.
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B) Hire an Agency
A web design agency is a team of professionals specializing in different aspects of web design, development, and marketing. They are highly skilled and experienced in their field and can offer a wide range of services to help you create and maintain a strong online presence.
- Find Agencies: Clutch, GoodFirms and Google Search e.g. type in “web design agency London"
Pros vs Cons
- Full-Service: Agencies tend to provide comprehensive services, including design and content creation, user experience and SEO.
- Scalability: They can handle any type of project, and many website builders from WordPress websites to Webflow and more.
- High Quality: They've dedicated experts, who ensure quality, security, and performance.
- Cost: Agencies charge more ranging between £2,000 - £5,000 for a small to mid-sized business website.
- Longer Timelines: Due to their structured workflows, agencies may take longer to complete projects.
6. Optimize Your Website For Search Engines
To drive traffic and rank well in search results, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is critical for your website’s success. You should consider both onPage and OffPage SEO strategies to ensure a comprehensive optimization approach.
A) On-Page SEO
Optimize titles, meta descriptions and headings with UK-specific keywords. For example, target long-tail keywords like “best coffee shop in London.” Add descriptive alt text and use structured data (schema) for your images to increase visibility.
- Tools: SEObility, Ubersuggest, Lookkle, SEOmator
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B) Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO focuses on increasing your website's authority and reputation through external means. This includes backlinks, social media engagement, and brand mentions. Create shareable, high-quality content in the form of blog posts, infographics, or videos that resonate with your audience.
- Tools: Moz, Ahrefs, SemRush, SpyFu
7. Test & Launch Your Website
Before launching, thoroughly testing your website is crucial to avoid issues that could impact user experience and search rankings.
A) Cross-Browser Testing
Ensure your site functions properly across all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. With over 66% of UK users using mobile, make sure your site is responsive on desktops, tablets, and various mobile devices.
- Tools: BrowserStack, SauceLabs, LambdaTest
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B) Functionality Testing
Test all forms, buttons, and interactive elements to ensure they work properly. For UK businesses with eCommerce, double-check that the checkout process works smoothly with popular payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe, and ensure compliance with UK consumer laws.
- Tools: Pingdom, Wave, Catchpoint
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C) Mobile & Speed Optimization
Prioritize Core Web Vitals and use lazy loading and CDNs like Cloudflare to ensure fast load times. With 73% of UK traffic on mobile, ensure a seamless mobile experience.
- Tools: Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, Webpagetest, Yellowlab
Once testing is complete, it’s time to launch! Promote your site using email marketing, social media, and press releases to attract attention. If you have a UK-based business, ensure your site is listed on local directories like Yell or Google My Business to increase visibility.
8. Digital Marketing Strategy
A solid digital marketing strategy is key to driving traffic and growing your online presence. Here's how to craft an effective UK-focused plan:
A) Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Target UK-specific keywords like “best camping chair” on your product pages
- Focus on Local SEO with tools like Google My Business and directories like Yell
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B) Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
- Use Google Ads and Bing Ads with location-based targeting
- Typical UK costs: £1 to £3 per click
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C) Social Media Marketing
- Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok
- Tailor content to UK events and holidays like Bank Holidays and Glastonbury
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D) Email Marketing
- Use tools like Mailchimp to send personalized content. Ensure GDPR compliance
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E) Content Marketing
- Create UK-focused blogs, videos, and infographics. Example: best hotels in Cornwall
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F) Influencer Marketing
- Partner with UK influencers. Costs range from £100 to £1,000 per post
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G) Affiliate Marketing
- Use UK-based networks like Awin to promote products
Website Builder vs Make a Website From Scratch
You have two main options for building a website: using a website builder or creating a site from scratch with code. Each option offers different levels of control, cost, and complexity, making it essential to choose based on your needs and skill level.
1. Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify)
Good for beginners, small businesses, and individuals without coding knowledge.
Advantages: Easy drag-and-drop interfaces, AI-powered design suggestions, built-in hosting, and low setup costs.
Cons: Limited customisation and control compared to coding or no-code platforms, especially as your site grows.
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2. No-Code/Low-Code Platforms (Webflow, WordPress with Elementor)
Good for startups and businesses needing more customisation without coding expertise.
Advantages: More design freedom, and better scalability than website builders, without needing deep coding skills.
Cons: More setup time and learning curve than builders; third-party plugins or maintenance required.
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3. Custom Build (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
Great for startups and businesses that require full control, advanced features, custom website creation process or bespoke designs.
Advantages: Unlimited flexibility and scalability. Custom-built sites are tailor-made, offering complete control over design, performance, and SEO.
Cons: Requires coding expertise or a professional developer, more time-intensive, higher upfront and maintenance costs.
Creating A Website From Scratch Mistakes To Avoid
Building a website from scratch can be an exciting but challenging process. To ensure your site’s success, it’s crucial to avoid common pitfalls that can hinder performance, usability, and SEO.
1. Skipping the Planning Phase
Diving straight into design without defining your website’s goals, target audience, and content structure can lead to confusion and delays. Always create a clear plan, including a sitemap and content strategy, before starting.
2. Choosing the Wrong Platform
Many startups and beginners opt for complex platforms when a simpler solution would suffice. Choose a platform that matches your technical skills and needs—whether it's a no-code builder like Webflow, or something custom if you have development resources.
3. Ignoring Mobile Optimization
With 73% of UK traffic coming from mobile devices, neglecting mobile responsiveness is a major mistake. Always prioritize a mobile-first design to ensure a seamless experience for all users.
4. Overlooking SEO from the Start
SEO isn’t something to think about post-launch. Failing to optimize for SEO during the build can result in poor rankings and missed traffic. Ensure that your site structure, meta tags, and alt text are optimized from the beginning.
5. Using Low-Quality Images and Media
Slow-loading, unoptimized images and videos can kill user experience and site speed. Compress your media files, use descriptive alt text, and ensure fast load times with tools like TinyPNG or Cloudflare for content delivery.
6. Cluttered Design & Poor Navigation
A cluttered design with too much content or poor navigation will confuse visitors. Keep your design clean and intuitive, with clear calls to action. Use an easy-to-navigate menu, particularly for users unfamiliar with your business color palette.
7. Skipping User Testing
Launching your new website without testing can lead to broken links, form errors, and poor performance. Test thoroughly on all browsers and devices before going live. Use tools like BrowserStack to simulate user experiences across platforms.
8. Neglecting Website Security
If your website isn’t secure, you risk losing trust and ranking. Ensure your site has an active SSL certificate and regular updates to avoid vulnerabilities. For UK businesses, compliance with GDPR is essential, also ensure your contact page is transparent.
Final Tip:
Take the time to plan, optimize, and test before launching your site. Avoiding these common mistakes will help ensure your existing website is user-friendly, high-performing, and ready to meet your goals.
Design Your Website FAQs
Read about our frequently asked questions on how to design your site, pages and content to represent your brand and social media profiles. Building your own website can be an exciting and rewarding process, but it often comes with a range of questions and challenges.
=> CAN A BEGINNER LEARN WEB DESIGN?
Yes, but working with a professional ensures a higher standard of design and functionality. While platforms like Wix or Squarespace allow beginners to create simple websites, they often lack the polish and customisation a professional designer can bring. For a business, first impressions matter—a professional website designer will ensure your site is engaging, user-friendly, and optimised for conversions.
=> CAN I BUILD MY OWN WEBSITE FOR FREE?
Free website builders are available, but they come with significant limitations. Ads, restricted features, and subdomains (e.g., yoursite.wixsite.com) can hurt your brand’s credibility. If you're serious about your online presence, it's worth investing in a professional web designer. A professional will:
- Secure a custom domain.
- Integrate advanced features.
- Tailor your site to your brand’s specific needs, ensuring you stand out from competitors.
=> DO I NEED CODING KNOWLEDGE TO BUILD A WEBSITE?
No coding knowledge is needed with DIY builders, but without professional expertise, you might miss out on important elements like advanced SEO, mobile optimisation, and security. A professional web designer ensures your site is built with best practices, is future-proofed, and can grow with your business. Investing in a professional guarantees you get a high-performing, polished site from day one.
=> WILL A PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED WEBSITE HELP WITH SEO?
SEO is critical for driving traffic, and a professional will ensure your website is built to rank well on Google. They’ll structure your site properly, optimise content, images, and meta tags, and ensure fast load times—all things that DIY builders often overlook. A professional will also stay updated on the latest SEO practices, giving you a long-term advantage.
=> WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH A PROFESSIONAL?
By hiring a professional, you’re not just investing in a good-looking whole website you’re investing in long-term business success.
- Scale with your business needs and guide your design
- Save you time with ongoing support and updates to achieve a successful website
- Maintain security and compliance with evolving web standards or website settings
- In the long run, this can save you money and help your business grow more efficiently
Conclusion
To create a successful website, start by choosing an easy-to-use website builder that suits your needs. Design with your target audience in mind, including essential elements like contact forms and engaging content. Ensure reliable hosting to keep your site running smoothly, and test regularly to meet your goals, such as increasing traffic.
If building an online store, consider using an AI-powered builder for tailored solutions. Free templates and domains can help you get started with minimal costs. Prioritize user experience with a clean layout and intuitive navigation to make your website truly effective.
