Creating a website from scratch can seem like a daunting task, especially if you don’t have any prior experience in web development.
However, with the right tools and knowledge, anyone can build a professional, efficient, search engine optimized website.
Planning and goal setting
Before you start coding, it’s crucial to plan and clearly define the goals of your website. This is the time to ask yourself important questions, such as:
What is the purpose of the website? (e-commerce, blog, portfolio, corporate website, etc.)
Who is the target audience?
Market reference
According to HubSpot , websites that have a clear goal from the start are 13 times more likely to have a positive ROI. Therefore, this planning step is vital for long-term success.
Choosing a domain name and hosting
The next step is to choose a domain name and a hosting service. The domain name should be memorable, relevant to the content of your website, and preferably contain keywords related to your niche. The hosting service should be selected based on speed, security, cost, and customer support.
Types of hosting
Shared Hosting : The cheapest and recommended for small and medium-sized websites.
VPS (Virtual Private Server) : Offers more control and dedicated resources, ideal for medium-sized websites.
Dedicated Hosting : For high traffic websites, provides full telegram data control over the server.
Cloud Hosting : Scalability and reliability, great for e-commerce or large websites.
Hosting Statistics
According to a report by BuiltWith , by 2024, around 40% of websites will use shared hosting, while 35% will opt for cloud solutions. VPS and dedicated hosting account for 15% and 10%, respectively.
Choosing a development platform
There are several platforms for developing a website, and the choice depends on the specific needs of the project.
Popular CMS and Platform Options
WordPress : Over 40% of websites on the internet are built with WordPress. It is a flexible, easy-to-use, and highly customizable platform.
Wix and Squarespace : Drag-and-drop tools that are easy for beginners but offer less customization flexibility.
Joomla and Drupal : Robust CMSs, ideal for large sites that require more application of neural networks in the work of marketers control over functionality and security.
Custom Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Angular, Vue.js) : For those who want complete control over every aspect of their website, this is the ideal choice.
Website structuring
Once you’ve chosen a platform, it’s time to structure your website. A website’s architecture directly affects user experience and SEO. The structure should be logical, easy to navigate, and allow for a natural flow of information.
Page structure
Home Page : Should be informative and inviting, with a clear summary of what the site offers.
Service/Product Pages : Details about what is being offered.
Blog/Content Section : Important for SEO and twd directory authority strategies.
Contact Page : Including forms, maps and contact information.
About : Explain who you are, your mission and values.
Design and User Experience (UX)
The look and feel of your website are key factors in its success. An attractive design combined with an intuitive user experience can significantly improve conversion rates.
Design principles
Responsiveness : The website must be adaptable to any device (computers, tablets and smartphones). About 55% of all web traffic is generated by mobile devices, according to Statista .
Loading Speed : Fast websites have a much lower bounce rate. Google recommends that a page load time be less than 3 seconds.
Accessibility : Accessible websites serve a wider audience and are ranked higher by search engines.
Clean and Intuitive Design : Use readable typography, contrasting color schemes, and simple layouts.
Front-end development
The front-end part involves developing everything that the user interacts with directly. Common tools and languages include:
HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Structures the page content.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Responsible for design, layout and responsiveness.
JavaScript : Adds interactivity and dynamic functionality to the website.
Frameworks and libraries (React, Vue.js, Angular) : Help build user interfaces in an efficient and scalable way.
Front-end development best practices
Clean and semantic code : Makes maintenance easier and optimizes SEO.
Using CSS preprocessors : Like Sass and LESS for more efficient coding.
Version control tools : Like Git to collaborate and manage code changes.
Image and file optimization : Use modern formats like WebP and techniques like Lazy Loading to improve site speed.
Back-end development
The backend involves developing server logic, database, and API integration.
Common technologies
Programming languages : PHP, Python, Ruby, JavaScript (Node.js), Java.
Frameworks : Django (Python), Ruby on Rails (Ruby), Express (Node.js), Laravel (PHP).
Database : MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB.
APIs and integrations : RESTful APIs, GraphQL, integration with third-party services (payments, CRM, etc.).
Back-end development best practices
Security : HTTPS implementation, protection against SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), etc.
Scalability : Design scalable systems to handle increased traffic.
Maintainability : Modular and well-documented code.
SEO (search engine optimization)
SEO is crucial to the visibility and success of a website. Good SEO starts during development and continues through content creation and optimization.
On-page SEO practices
Keyword research : Using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs .
Meta tags and descriptions : Create optimized titles and descriptions.
Friendly URL : Short, clear and descriptive URLs.
Internal and external links : Structure the site so that links flow naturally.
Content Optimization : Create original, relevant, high-quality content.
SEO Statistics
According to data from BrightEdge , approximately 53% of web traffic comes from organic search, highlighting the importance of investing in SEO early on.
Testing and quality assurance
Before launching your website, it is crucial to perform extensive testing to ensure everything works properly.
Types of tests
Functionality testing : Ensure that all functionality (forms, links, etc.) works as expected.
Cross-browser compatibility testing : Testing the website on different browsers and devices.
Performance testing : Check loading speed and resource optimization.
Security Testing : Check for security vulnerabilities.
Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights , GTmetrix , and
