How to create a website: a complete guide for beginners

⏱️ Reading time | 📅 Published: March 14, 2026

When you decide to create a website, the main question arises: how to do it?

Over the past 5 years, I have helped create websites for 20+ projects. From simple landing pages to full-fledged online stores. And here is what I noticed:

People don't know where to start.

Some look for a builder (Tilda, Webflow). Others hire a freelancer on Upwork. A third group tries to do it themselves (DIY).

And in 80% of cases — they are disappointed.

Because they don't know what exactly is needed before starting.

In this article, I will tell you how to create a website that will not just be beautiful, but will sell. And which path you should choose.

Why do you even need a website in 2026?

I often hear: "Can I just use Instagram or Telegram?"

No.

Here is why:

Problem 1: Instagram gives traffic, and then takes it away

Social media rules change every month. Yesterday algorithms favored hashtags, today you need Reels, tomorrow there will be something new.

Do you own Instagram? No. It can close your access in one day, and you will lose 5 years of content.

Your website? That's yours.

No one can close it. You pay for the domain and hosting — and it remains in your hands.

Problem 2: People search for you on Google, and you are not there

Right now, at this very moment, someone is googling:

• "online psychologist"
• "photographer Prague"
• "affordable web designer"
• "marketing course"

If this is your niche, but you are not on Google — the client will find a competitor.

Website + SEO = you appear in search for the necessary queries.

Problem 3: Instagram doesn't show professionalism

A beautiful Instagram looks like a hobby.

A professional website with a portfolio, certificates, and reviews looks like a business.

Clients pay 3 times more if you look professional.

Problem 4: No control over impressions

On Instagram, you are one of 1000 feed posts a day.

On your site, all focus is on you. Design, text, photos — everything serves one goal: to show why they should choose you.

5 ways to create a website

There are several paths. Each has pros and cons.

Method 1: DIY — Site Builder (Tilda, Webflow, Wix)

Who it's for: Startups with a 0€ budget

Pros:

• Cheap (€5-50/month)
• Fast (a week or two)
• No technical skills needed

Cons:

• 👎 Template designs (competitors' sites look like yours)
• 👎 Limited functionality (can't do complex things)
• 👎 Loads slowly (SEO problems)
• 👎 Locked into a platform (hard to move to another)
• 👎 You pay every month (even if you don't use it)

Cost over 3 years: €180-1800 + 100 hours of your time

When to choose: If there is absolutely no money and you need a site right now

Method 2: Freelancer from Upwork

Who it's for: Those who want to save money but don't want to do it themselves

Pros:

• Cheap (€200-500)
• Custom design
• You don't need to do anything

Cons:

• 👎 Unpredictable quality (might be good, might be bad)
• 👎 Long revisions (freelancer might not respond or work slowly)
• 👎 Minimal support (did something break after delivery?)
• 👎 No responsibility (what if the site gets slow in a year?)
• 👎 They often forget SEO (beautiful, but invisible in search)

Cost over 3 years: €200 + 50 hours of communication

When to choose: If you have time to find a good freelancer and are willing to risk quality

Method 3: Web Agency (full service)

Who it's for: Those who need a site that will sell, not just stand there

Pros:

• ✅ Professional result
• ✅ Fast (good agencies work fast)
• ✅ Strategy (not just beautiful, but selling)
• ✅ Post-launch support
• ✅ SEO set up immediately
• ✅ Client is always guided through the process

Cons:

• 💰 More expensive (€500-3000)
• ⏱️ Requires your involvement (interviews, photos, info content)

Cost over 3 years: €600 + 10 hours of your time (minimum)

When to choose: If you seriously want to grow your business through the website

Method 4: In-house Developer

Who it's for: Large companies with constant needs

Pros:

• ✅ Always nearby
• ✅ Your person (knows the business)

Cons:

• 💰 Very expensive (salary €2000-5000/month)
• ⏱️ Requires management

Cost over 3 years: €72,000+

When to choose: If you are a corporation, not a startup

Method 5: Me — Hand Coding (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)

Who it's for: Those who need uniqueness, speed, and professionalism

Pros:

• ✅ Premium design (only for you, no templates)
• ✅ Loads fast (hand-coded = speed)
• ✅ SEO ready from day one (structure, meta tags, schema)
• ✅ Turnkey (texts, design, launch within 3 days)
• ✅ You know what to expect (Figma mockup before coding)
• ✅ Support for the first 7 days (free revisions)

Cons:

• 💰 More expensive than a builder (€299-799)
• ⏱️ Requires time to communicate (briefing call)

Cost over 3 years: €600 + 10 hours of your time

When to choose: If you want a result that will work for years

What needs to be done BEFORE ordering a site

No matter which path you choose — prepare this first:

1. Clear Goal

Don't: "I need a website"

Do: "I am a psychologist. I want to attract 5 new clients a month through the website via Google and recommendations."

Or: "I am a photographer. I want to show my portfolio and get bookings for photo shoots."

2. Target Audience

Describe your ideal client:

• Age
• Problem you solve
• Where they seek solutions (Google? Instagram? Friends?)
• What will make them choose you over a competitor

3. USP (Unique Selling Proposition)

Why you?

• I'm a psychologist specializing in anxiety (there are 100 in the city)
• I'm a photographer who shoots lifestyle (not studio)
• I'm a developer who builds sites in 3 days (not a month)

4. Materials

Prepare:

• Professional photo (for the "About Me" page)
• Examples of work (case studies, portfolio, before/after)
• Reviews (if any)
• Info about yourself (education, experience, certificates)

5. Examples of sites you like

No need to copy a design. Just show the style you prefer.

Typical mistakes when creating a site

Mistake 1: "Let's do it cheap"

Result: a cheap designer makes a site in a week. It looks beautiful, but:

• Loads slowly (bad code)
• Not optimized for SEO (Google doesn't see it)
• Doesn't sell (no strategy)

Summary: there is a site, but no clients.

Correct: Choose by results, not by price (look at the portfolio).

Mistake 2: "Too much information"

The site turns into a 100-page catalog.

People don't want to read. They want to quickly grasp: is this for me?

Correct: Most important things on the homepage. Details on separate pages.

Mistake 3: "Why do I need a mobile version?"

80% of people view sites from a smartphone. If the site looks bad on mobile — they leave.

Correct: A mobile version is not a bonus, it is mandatory.

Mistake 4: "Beautiful means it sells"

A website can be beautiful, but nobody will book.

Because:

• No CTA ("order", "book now")
• Unclear what you offer
• No proof of competence (reviews, case studies)

Correct: Beautiful AND strategic (selling).

Mistake 5: "SEO is a separate expensive service"

In fact, basic SEO (meta tags, structure, speed) is done during site development.

It adds 5% to the price and 50% to results.

Correct: Demand SEO during development (included in price).

Mistake 6: "After launch, the site will bring clients itself"

No. A site is a tool, not magic.

You need to:

• Optimize for Google (SEO)
• Tell people it exists (social media, recommendations)
• Update content (articles, case studies)

Correct: A site is the beginning, not the end.

How I create websites

If you chose method #5 (hand coding), here is how it works:

1. Briefing Call (40-60 minutes)

I ask questions:

• Who are your clients?
• What is your main problem (no clients, no trust, small check)?
• What makes you unique?
• What examples of work do you have?

You explain. I take notes and build a strategy.

2. Content Creation (Day 1)

I write all the texts myself:

• Headings and subheadings
• Service descriptions
• About you (from the interview)
• FAQ (frequently asked questions)
• CTA (calls to action)

You approve, I make revisions.

3. Design (Days 1-2)

• Figma mockup (you see how it looks)
• We make edits together
• I code in HTML/CSS

4. Coding and Optimization (Days 2-3)

• Turn the mockup into a working website
• Optimize speed (tests show 90+ speed)
• Add SEO-markup
• Integrate forms and buttons

5. Launch (Day 3)

• Connect domain
• Test every button
• Deliver the finished site
• Teach you how to update content

Result: A sales-ready website in 3 days.

My advice: Start now

The best website is the one that is already online.

Don't wait for the perfect design. Don't wait until you have 100 case studies.

Launch the site with what you have. Then constantly improve it.

I have created sites for psychologists, photographers, coaches, shops, and freelancers.

And I know that:

A website is an investment that pays off in 2-3 months if everything is done correctly.