Leaven MKT

How to make a website: 7 steps for beginners

By , CEO of Leaven Marketing · Code verified at checkout on

To make a website, you choose a platform, get a domain and hosting, pick a design, add your pages and publish. You don't need to code. If you host it on Hostinger, the coupon code JX9LEOSPEPWF takes 20% off the first term for new customers.

Hostinger coupon code

JX9LEOSPEPWF

Paste it in the coupon field at checkout. The “O” is a letter, not a zero.

Affiliate disclosure: the Hostinger links on this page are affiliate links. Leaven Marketing may earn a commission if you buy through them or with our referral code, at no extra cost to you.

Start your website on Hostinger with 20% off

Opens Hostinger with the code applied. Check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary.

The 7 steps at a glance

StepWhat you do
1Define the goal of the site
2Choose WordPress or a website builder
3Pick a domain name
4Get hosting (and apply code JX9LEOSPEPWF)
5Choose a design
6Add your pages and content
7Publish and check the basics

Step 1: define the goal

Write one sentence: who the site is for and what you want visitors to do. Contact you, buy, read, book. That sentence decides which pages you need and which platform fits.

Step 2: choose WordPress or a website builder

  • Website builder: drag and drop, hosting included, the fastest way to a good-looking site. Hostinger’s AI website builder can generate a first draft from a description.
  • WordPress: the most used website platform, with thousands of themes and plugins. More flexible, a little more to learn.

For a portfolio or a small business site, a builder is enough. For a blog, a store with special needs or a site you’ll grow for years, WordPress gives you more room.

Step 3: pick a domain name

Keep it short, easy to spell and close to your brand. Prefer a .com or your country’s extension. Many hosting plans include the domain free for the first year. See domain vs hosting if the difference isn’t clear.

Step 4: get hosting with code JX9LEOSPEPWF

Shared web hosting is the right start for almost every new site. On Hostinger, Premium hosts up to 3 websites and includes a free domain for the first year, free SSL and email accounts.

Choose a 12-month or longer term, enter JX9LEOSPEPWF at checkout and check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary. Step-by-step help is in how to buy Hostinger.

Step 5: choose a design

Pick a theme or template close to what you want, then change the colors, fonts and logo. Simple and readable beats flashy: most visitors are on a phone.

Step 6: add your pages and content

Most small sites need:

  • Home: what you do and for whom, with one clear call to action.
  • About: who’s behind it and why to trust you.
  • Services or products: what you offer.
  • Contact: a form, email, phone or WhatsApp.

Write for your customer, not for yourself, and add real photos when you can.

Step 7: publish and check the basics

  • The padlock (SSL) shows in the browser.
  • The site works well on a phone.
  • Contact forms reach your inbox.
  • You’ve connected Google Search Console so Google can find your pages.

Sources

Read next

FAQ

Can I make a website without coding?

Yes. A website builder or WordPress with a theme lets you build a full site without writing code.

How long does it take to make a website?

A simple site with a few pages can go live in a day. A store or a larger site takes longer, mostly because of the content.

Should I use WordPress or a website builder?

A website builder is faster and simpler. WordPress is more flexible and has thousands of plugins. Both run on Hostinger's web hosting plans.

Can I make a website for free?

Free plans exist, but they usually show the platform's ads and don't use your own domain. For a business, paid hosting with your domain looks more professional.

Start your website on Hostinger with 20% off

Opens Hostinger with the code applied. Check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary.