Website Building FAQs: Answers for Beginners
Creating a website is easier than ever, even if you don’t know how to code. Thanks to no-code and AI-powered tools, you can design a professional site in minutes. Here’s what you need to know:
- Choose a Website Builder: Look for features like drag-and-drop editors (e.g., Squarespace, Hostinger), AI assistance (e.g., Wix, Lideroo), and strong support options (e.g., GoDaddy).
- No-Code Tools: Use AI to generate content, design layouts, and handle SEO automatically.
- Key Pages: Include essentials like a homepage, about page, product/services page, contact page, and blog.
- Domain and Hosting: Pick a short, memorable domain and choose hosting based on your needs (shared, WordPress, or builder hosting).
- Launch Checklist: Test performance, optimize for speed, and set up analytics before going live.
- Grow Your Audience: Focus on content marketing, SEO, email campaigns, and social media to attract visitors.
Quick Comparison:
| Feature | Website Builders | Traditional CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | Minutes to hours | Days to weeks |
| Technical Skills | Basic | Moderate to high |
| Customization | Limited but sufficient | Extensive |
| Maintenance | Automated | Manual updates needed |
| Learning Curve | Low | Steep |
| Best For | Small to medium websites | Complex, large projects |
With tools like Lideroo, Wix, and Squarespace, you can create a polished website without technical skills. Whether it’s a personal blog or a business site, these platforms make it simple to get started.
Website Building Basics
How to Start Building Your First Website
Creating your first website is easier than ever, thanks to AI-powered website builders. These tools handle the technical side of things, letting you focus on your ideas and design.
The first step is choosing the right website builder. Here are a few features to look for:
| Feature | Why It Matters | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-Drop Editor | Simplifies design | Squarespace (4.7/5), Hostinger (4.5/5) |
| AI Assistance | Speeds up the process | Lideroo, Wix |
| Support Options | Solves issues quickly | Squarespace (24/7 chat), GoDaddy (24/7 phone) |
| Template Selection | Provides a strong starting point | Squarespace, Wix |
After selecting a platform, pick a template that aligns with your website’s purpose. Platforms like Lideroo offer industry-specific templates with AI-recommended layouts and color schemes. Once the template is ready, no-code tools make customization simple, while features like SSL certificates and hosting are managed automatically in the background.
Next, let’s dive into how no-code platforms make the process even smoother.
Building Websites Without Coding
Did you know WordPress powers over 35% of all websites online? [3] This shows how accessible website creation has become.
AI website builders offer powerful tools to simplify the process:
- Smart Design Assistance: AI tools help with design, generate content, and handle SEO tasks like meta tags and sitemaps.
- Content Generation: Automatically create and optimize content for search engines.
- Technical Automation: Features like structured data and sitemaps are handled for you.
Website development expert Harry Guinness shares an important perspective:
“I don’t imagine for a second most people would be able to launch a legitimate site without doing some customizing themselves. That’s why I’d suggest finding an AI website builder that’s backed up by a solid non-AI website builder. It’s the best of both worlds.” [1]
When building a site without coding, keep these priorities in mind:
- Design Customization: Adjust layouts, colors, and fonts using drag-and-drop tools to match your vision.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your site looks great on any device - most builders include this automatically.
- Content Organization: Use pre-built sections and templates to create a logical structure.
- SEO Setup: Use built-in tools to boost your site’s visibility in search engines.
For those seeking more design flexibility, Webflow is a great option. As Monica Galvan explains:
“While learning the basics of code, like how HTML and CSS work, will help you understand how to design for the web, it’s no longer required knowledge if you want to be a web designer.” [3]
No-code platforms remove the technical barriers, allowing you to focus on creativity and design.
Choosing Your Website Builder
Website Builders vs CMS: What’s the Difference
When building your first website, you’ll typically choose between two main options: website builders or Content Management Systems (CMS). Knowing how they differ is key to picking the right one for your project.
Website builders, such as Lideroo, focus on ease of use and speed. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Website Builders | Traditional CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | Minutes to hours | Days to weeks |
| Technical Skills | Basic | Moderate to high |
| Customization | Limited but sufficient | Extensive |
| Maintenance | Automated | Manual updates needed |
| Learning Curve | Low | Steep |
| Best For | Small to medium websites | Complex, large-scale projects |
Now, let’s break down the factors that will guide you in selecting the best website builder for your needs.
How to Pick the Best Website Builder
Finding the right website builder starts with evaluating these key factors:
Cost and Value
Website builders come with different pricing tiers. For instance:
Core Features to Look For
Make sure the builder offers these must-have features:
| Feature | Why It Matters | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Responsiveness | Over half (52.2%) of web traffic is mobile [5] | Squarespace (4.7/5), Hostinger (4.5/5) |
| Support Options | Crucial for beginners | GoDaddy, Shopify (24/7 support) |
| AI Capabilities | Speeds up site creation | Hostinger, GoDaddy |
| SEO Tools | Boosts search rankings | Wix, Squarespace |
For example, Hostinger’s AI builder can create a website in under 60 seconds, while GoDaddy’s takes just a few seconds [2].
“It’s super easy to use – it’s hard to go too wrong with it. I think most people who are making websites don’t care about making a website, but they need it as a business tool. And, for that reason, it functions really well.” [2]
Other considerations include scalability for future growth [4], integration options with essential tools [4], robust security features [4], and access to a supportive community [4].
While traditional CMS platforms allow for more customization, AI-driven website builders like Lideroo offer a streamlined, beginner-friendly solution for fast website creation. By understanding pricing, features, and support, you’re ready to dive into designing a professional-looking site.
Website Design and Structure
Must-Have Pages for Your Website
Certain pages are essential for any website to function well and make a strong impression. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key pages and what they should include:
| Page | Purpose | Key Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Homepage | Acts as the main hub and first impression | Clear value statement, navigation menu, and call-to-action |
| About | Builds trust and tells your story | Company background, team details, and mission |
| Products/Services | Highlights what you offer | Features, benefits, and pricing information |
| Contact | Makes it easy to connect with you | Contact form, business hours, and location info |
| Blog/News | Shares updates and expertise | Recent articles, categories, and search option |
With tools like Lideroo’s AI-powered builder, you can create these pages effortlessly. The platform tailors page layouts to your industry and business goals, saving you time and effort.
Now, let’s dive into designing these pages like a pro.
Creating Professional Designs for Beginners
Even if you’re new to web design, AI tools make it possible to create polished, professional layouts. In fact, 93% of web designers use AI tools [6].
Here are some basic design principles to keep in mind:
- Clear visual hierarchy: Organize content to guide the viewer’s eye.
- Consistent spacing and alignment: Keep everything neat and balanced.
- Strategic use of white space: Avoid clutter for better readability.
- Mobile-friendly design: Ensure your site works on all devices.
- Smart content placement: Position key information where it’s most effective.
Take Ramp, a finance startup, as an example. After using AI tools to redesign their website, they saw a 26% boost in page views and a 6% increase in pages visited per session.
Modern AI-powered builders make design easier by offering features like:
- Automatically generated color palettes based on your brand
- Personalized layout recommendations
- Automatic resizing and placement of images
- Pre-organized content blocks for easy editing
While 71% of consumers expect a personalized experience [7], keeping your design simple is crucial. Clean layouts with clear navigation naturally guide visitors to the most important actions.
If you’re using Lideroo, its drag-and-drop editor lets you tweak AI-generated suggestions without needing coding skills. This means anyone can create a professional-looking website with ease.
Domain Names and Hosting
Understanding Web Hosting
Web hosting is what allows your website’s files to be stored and accessed worldwide. For those just starting, there are a few hosting options tailored to different needs:
| Hosting Type | Best For | Starting Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | Small websites | $2.95/mo | Budget-friendly, easy to set up |
| WordPress Hosting | Blog/content sites | $3/mo | Optimized for WordPress, auto updates |
| Website Builder Hosting | DIY websites | $17/mo | All-in-one solution, includes builder |
Most small business websites use less than 1GB of storage space [10]. This means basic hosting plans often provide all the resources you need to get started.
“I recommend beginners start with one of three hosting types: shared hosting, WordPress hosting or website builder hosting” [9].
Next, let’s dive into picking and setting up a domain name that reflects your brand.
Choosing and Setting Up Your Domain
Your domain name is your online address. It should represent your brand clearly and be easy for people to remember.
Here are some tips for choosing a strong domain name:
-
Keep It Short and Simple
A short, easy-to-remember domain makes it easier for people to return to your site or recommend it. Ben Donovan, founder of Brand Builder University, puts it this way:
“A domain that’s easy to remember sticks in people’s minds and makes it simple for them to return or recommend it. Shorter domains are especially helpful, precisely because they’re easier to type and share” [8].
-
Protect Your Brand
To safeguard your brand identity, consider buying additional domain variations. For example, if your main domain is yoursite.com, you might also secure:
- Common misspellings
- Other extensions like .net or .org
- Location-specific versions
-
Focus on Usability
Jeffrey Gabriel, CEO of Saw.com Incorporated, offers this advice:
“Try to find a domain that is easy to spell and remember, in a domain extension your audience is comfortable with, and matches the brand of the business” [8].
A great example comes from Recall, whose COO Sanks Nair shared:
“Short and sweet was essential. The name needed to be easy to say, two syllables max, and roll off the tongue effortlessly. A short, memorable name strengthens brand recall and spreads faster through word of mouth” [8].
For beginners, services like Hostinger stand out. Their shared hosting starts at $3/month, and they make it simple to purchase a domain, set up WordPress, and manage servers [9].
Website Launch and Growth
Website Launch Checklist
Before launching your website, make sure everything is in order with these steps:
- Technical Setup: Ensure your hosting is configured with daily backups, an SSL certificate, accurate DNS settings, and a staging environment for testing.
- Performance Optimization: Boost site speed by compressing images (tools like TinyPNG can help), enabling browser caching, using a CDN, minifying code, and deferring non-essential scripts.
- Cross-Platform Testing: Test your site’s mobile responsiveness, browser compatibility, form functionality, payment processes, and navigation flow. Tools like BrowserStack make this easier.
- Analytics Setup: Set up tracking tools like Google Analytics (with conversion goals), Google Tag Manager, and Google Search Console to monitor performance from day one.
Once your site is fully functional and optimized, it’s time to focus on driving traffic.
Getting More Website Visitors
A polished, error-free website is just the beginning. To grow your audience, you need strategies that deliver results. For example, blogs can increase website traffic by 55% [11].
Content Marketing Strategy
Blogging is a powerful tool. It can generate 97% more inbound links, cut costs by 62%, and triple lead generation [13]. If you’re just starting out, tools like Lideroo’s AI-powered features can help you:
- Write evergreen content that stays relevant over time.
- Craft attention-grabbing headlines (which can drive up to 500% more traffic) [12].
- Use AI for content ideas.
- Add multimedia like images and videos to engage readers.
SEO Optimization
Search engine optimization is key to getting noticed. Focus on:
- Targeting specific long-tail keywords.
- Fine-tuning meta descriptions and title tags.
- Building an internal linking structure.
- Adding Schema markup to improve search visibility.
- Regularly updating content to keep it fresh.
Email Marketing
Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to convert visitors. With conversion rates of 2.8% for B2C and 2.4% for B2B companies [14], it’s worth the effort. Use Lideroo’s tools to:
- Launch a newsletter with website updates.
- Automate welcome email sequences.
- Segment your audience for personalized content.
- Track engagement metrics to refine your approach.
Social Media Presence
Social media can amplify your reach. Focus on:
- Sharing your content on platforms where your audience is active.
- Using targeted hashtags to increase visibility.
- Connecting with industry influencers.
- Posting at times when your audience is most active.
- Creating content tailored to each platform for better engagement.
Top 3 AI Website Builders: How to Create A Website in Minutes
Conclusion
Building your first website has never been easier, thanks to no-code platforms and AI-driven tools. With 75% of websites now created using website builders [16], these tools have reshaped web development, allowing anyone to establish a polished online presence without writing a single line of code [15].
AI-powered builders, like Lideroo, streamline the process by cutting development time by up to 80% [16]. They achieve this by analyzing design trends and user behavior - a feature that 40% of businesses now rely on [16].
However, launching your site is just the beginning. To stay ahead, you’ll need to focus on regular updates, monitor performance, maintain security and speed, and optimize for SEO. These steps are crucial to keeping your online presence effective and competitive.
