What you actually need to start
Building your own website means choosing between three paths: using a website builder (Wix, Squarespace, Weebly), installing open-source software on your own server (WordPress.org), or using a hosted platform (WordPress.com, Shopify). Each path requires different skills and costs different amounts of money. The choice depends on how much control you want, how much you are willing to pay, and whether you want to learn technical skills or avoid them entirely.
You do not need to know how to code. Website builders handle the technical work for you — they provide templates, drag-and-drop editors, and hosting all in one place. If you choose WordPress.org, you will need to rent server space (called hosting) from a company like Bluehost or SiteGround, but you still do not need to write code. The trade-off is that open-source software gives you more control and usually costs less per month, while website builders are simpler but more expensive and lock you into their system.
Key Takeaways
- Website builders like Wix and Squarespace include hosting and templates in one monthly fee, making them the simplest path for beginners with no technical skills.
- WordPress.org requires you to rent hosting separately and install the software yourself, but costs less per month and gives you more control over your site.
- Your domain name (the web address) can be registered through your website builder, your hosting company, or a separate registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap.
- Monthly costs range from free (with limitations) to $15 to $50 per month for a basic site, depending on the platform and features you choose.
- You can change your mind later — moving a site from one platform to another is possible but takes work, so choose based on your current needs, not your imagined future ones.
Website builders: the all-in-one path
Website builders package hosting, templates, and an editor together. You pay one monthly fee and get everything included. Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, and GoDaddy Website Builder all work this way. You log in, pick a template that matches what you want your site to look like, and drag elements around to customize it. No server access, no file uploads, no command line.
The cost usually starts around $10 to $20 per month for a basic plan, though prices vary by platform and what features you add. Wix charges differently depending on whether you want e-commerce, a blog, or just a straightforward portfolio. Squarespace bundles more features into each plan. Most offer a free trial or free tier with limited features so you can test before paying.
The downside is that you are locked into that platform. If you want to move your site to a different builder later, you will have to rebuild it — the platform does not make it straightforward to export your content. You also have less control over how the site works behind the scenes, and you cannot install third-party plugins or code to extend functionality the way you can with WordPress.
WordPress.org: more control, more steps
WordPress.org is free software that you install on a web server. You rent the server space (hosting) from a company like Bluehost, SiteGround, or Kinsta, and you install WordPress on it yourself. This costs less per month than a website builder — usually $5 to $15 for basic hosting — but requires more setup work.
The setup process looks like this: you register a domain name, you sign up for hosting, you log into your hosting account and install WordPress (most hosts have a one-click installer), and then you log into WordPress and start building. You choose from thousands of free or paid themes (templates), and you can install plugins to add features like contact forms, image galleries, or search engine optimization tools. If something breaks, you are responsible for fixing it or paying someone to fix it.
WordPress.org gives you the most flexibility. You own your content and your site's data. You can move your entire site to a different host if you want to. You can customize almost anything if you learn a little code, or hire a developer to do it. The trade-off is that you have to manage updates, backups, and security yourself — or pay for managed hosting, which costs more but handles those tasks for you.
Domain names and where to buy them
Your domain name is your web address — the thing people type into their browser to find you. It costs $10 to $15 per year, though some registrars charge less for the first year as a promotion. You can register a domain through your website builder, through your hosting company, or through a separate registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.
If you use a website builder, registering through that builder is usually the simplest option because everything is in one place. If you use WordPress.org, you can register through your hosting company or through a separate registrar — it does not matter where you register as long as you point the domain to your hosting company's servers. Pointing means updating the domain's DNS records to tell the internet where your site actually lives.
Avoid registering your domain through GoDaddy if you are new to this — they make it harder than necessary to point your domain elsewhere, and their interface is cluttered with upsells. Namecheap and Google Domains are simpler. If you register through your website builder or hosting company, the pointing usually happens automatically.
Comparing costs and time commitment
| Platform | Monthly Cost | Setup Time | Technical Skill Needed | Can You Move Your Site Later? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | $10–$27 | 30 minutes to 1 hour | None | Difficult; requires rebuilding |
| Squarespace | $12–$33 | 30 minutes to 1 hour | None | Difficult; requires rebuilding |
| WordPress.org + basic hosting | $5–$15 | 1–2 hours | Minimal; mostly clicking buttons | Yes; you can move to any host |
| WordPress.org + managed hosting | $20–$50 | 30 minutes to 1 hour | None | Yes; you can move to any host |
Website builders are faster to set up and require no technical knowledge. You pay more per month, but you do not have to think about hosting, updates, or backups. WordPress.org costs less per month but takes longer to set up and requires you to manage more moving parts. Managed WordPress hosting splits the difference — it costs more than basic hosting but less than a website builder, and it handles updates and backups for you.
The table shows real pricing as of now, though these numbers change. Check the current prices on each platform's website before you decide — a $5 difference per month adds up to $60 per year.
What to do before you start building
Before you pick a platform, write down what you actually need your site to do. Do you need a blog, a contact form, a photo gallery, or an online store? Do you need to accept payments? Do you need to send newsletters? Do you need search engine optimization (SEO) features? Different platforms handle these things differently, and some charge extra for them.
Look at three to five sites that do something similar to what you want to build. Notice what you like about how they look and how they work. This helps you choose a template that will feel right to you. Most website builders and WordPress themes let you preview how your site will look on phones and tablets, so test that too — most of your visitors will be on mobile devices.
Start with a straightforward version. You can always add features later. A common mistake is trying to build the perfect site before you launch it. Launch something straightforward, get feedback from real people, and improve it over time. This is faster and cheaper than trying to plan everything in advance.
Security and ongoing maintenance
Website builders handle security for you — they update their servers, they manage SSL certificates (the lock icon in your browser), and they back up your data. You do not have to think about it. This is one reason they cost more.
If you use WordPress.org, you are responsible for keeping the software updated, keeping plugins updated, and making backups. Most hosting companies offer automatic backups, but you should check. You should also use a strong password for your WordPress login and consider installing a security plugin like Wordfence. These tasks are not hard, but they are things you have to remember to do.
Either way, you should monitor your site occasionally to make sure it is working. Check that pages load, that forms submit, and that links work. If something breaks, you will want to know quickly. Set a reminder to check once a month — it takes five minutes and saves you from discovering problems weeks later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a website for free?
Yes, but with limitations. Wix, Weebly, and WordPress.com all offer free plans, but they include ads, limited storage, and a subdomain instead of your own domain name (like yourname.wixsite.com instead of yourname.com). If you use WordPress.org, the software is free, but you still have to pay for hosting and a domain name. Free hosting exists but is unreliable and often includes ads.
What if I want to sell things on my site?
Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify all have e-commerce features built in. WordPress.org requires you to install a plugin like WooCommerce or straightforward Digital Downloads. All of them charge transaction fees or require you to use a payment processor like Stripe or PayPal. Compare the fees before you choose — they add up if you sell a lot.
Do I need to know HTML or CSS to build a website?
No. Website builders and WordPress themes handle all the code for you. You can build a professional-looking site by dragging and dropping elements. If you want to customize something that the editor does not let you change, you can hire a developer to do it, or you can learn some basic CSS — but it is not required to get your free guide.
What happens if I change my mind about which platform to use?
Moving from a website builder to another builder is difficult because the builders do not make it straightforward to export your content. Moving from WordPress.org to another host is straightforward — you can export your entire site and import it into a new host. Moving from a website builder to WordPress.org is possible but requires rebuilding your site. Choose based on what you need now, not what you might need in five years.
How long does it take to build a basic website?
A straightforward five-page site with a contact form usually takes 4 to 8 hours if you are working alone and have never done it before. Most of that time is writing content, taking photos, and deciding how you want things to look. The actual building in the editor is usually faster than you expect. You can launch something basic in a few hours and improve it later.