Websites play an integral role in how we navigate the online space. These websites provide the content we consume daily. Every website has its own unique selling points that make users come back. Some websites provide answers to questions, while other websites provide space to showcase portfolios.
If you want to create a website, there are various ways to accomplish this. However, most resources online would lead you to costly methods of website development.
Fortunately, there’s a free website builder that offers a wide array of tools, functions, and features that allow users to create a website in a short time.
If you want to learn more about the intricate steps of creating a website, you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll give you the complete and specific steps to achieve your dream website.
How to Create a Website Using Strikingly
Strikingly is a website builder that boasts extremely powerful tools in website building. This free website builder is the best thing you can use to develop your very first website. Remember, all the steps listed in this step-by-step guide are unique to Strikingly, meaning you cannot apply them to any other website builder. But why would you choose a different builder when Strikingly already offers the best?
Before we proceed to the steps, here’s a quick guide on you can conceptualize your website:
- Define your website goals
- Know your target audience
- Identify content that your audience needs
- Find a niche on the internet
- Brainstorm website names
- Develop your creative assets (logo, typography, color scheme, etc.)
- Know website management and maintenance techniques
Once you’ve defined all these things, you can now create a website with Strikingly. Follow the steps below to get started:
1. Create a Strikingly Account
Image taken from Strikingly product
To build a website, you must first visit Strikingly on your browser. You will then see the image above. Provide all required details such as your First Name and Email. Then, create a password. Make sure your password is strong and secure. Finally, click on “Get Started.”
If you’re done with these steps, you can now use your account to create a website. This stage is absolutely free, and you won’t be charged a single cent.
2. Select “Create New Site” To Add Content
Image taken from Strikingly product
Sign in to your Strikingly account. You will then see your Dashboard. Refer to the image above to see what a fresh dashboard looks like.
Select “Create New Site”. This will then prompt you to select a template. Read step three to find out how to select a template.
3. Select a Template For Your Website
Image taken from Strikingly product
Most free websites created with Strikingly were made from these templates. As you can see in the image above, there are various template categories to create a website. There’s Store, Business, Startup, Creative, Personal, and Blog. Make sure to select a template that fits your website concept and content.
To find a template, just browse through the wide selection of templates by scrolling down on the page. You’ll find a wide variety of templates to choose from. You can always change the template you’ve selected if you change your mind. Each template can then be edited. Watch out for the next steps to know how.
4. Add New Sections Based On Your Content
Image taken from Strikingly product
Add New Section to create a website with an organized structure. Refer back to what kind of website you want and what type of content you want to deliver.
To add a new section, look at the blue arrow pointing to “Add New Section” in the left side menu. Click it to reveal a variety of sections to choose from. We’ll talk about sections you can add from steps 6 to 10.
5. Change Background to Solid Color, Image, Or Video
Image taken from Strikingly product
You can also change the background of your free websites. Look at the settings enclosed in the red box. You choose among three options: Color, Image, and Video.
If you want to create a website with a solid background color, select color. Then select any color you like from the color panel.
For image backgrounds, see the image above. You can upload an image, edit or remove an image. To add a video background, you can upload a video or embed a URL from youtube.
6. Add Contact Forms To Your Website
Image taken from Strikingly product
To build a website, you need to have relevant sections like the contact form. First, click on “Add a New Section” (refer to step 4). Then you will see the window displayed in the image above.
Select “Contact & Forms”. To its left, you can find various contact form types. You can choose a Contact Us page, a Custom Form, or a Sign-Up Form.
7. Add A Social Media Page
Image taken from Strikingly product
A social media page is vital to create a website. To add one, select “Contact & Forms”. Then select the very first one. It’s the one where you can see the icons from various social media channels.
Once you’ve added that to your website, you can easily change its visuals too. You can change the social media icons to fit your website. You can also change their respective names.
A key thing to remember is that the social media channels you will link to your free websites must be active. Each channel must also be regularly updated. You cannot create a reliable network for your audience if your social media pages aren’t up-to-date.
8. Add a Footer to Your Website
Image taken from Strikingly product
A footer is extremely essential to create a website that is reliable and honest. From the left side menu, click on “Settings”. Then, you’ll see a series of settings to choose from. Click on “Header and Footer”. Make sure that the box that says “Display a footer at the bottom of the page” is ticked.
Here are some elements that you can add to your website footer:
- Logo
- Sitemap
- Contact Us
- About Us
- Terms & Conditions
- Copyright Protection
Image taken from Strikingly product
A website footer would look something like the image above. To find this, scroll down to the bottom of your website template. As you can see in the image above, there are already certain website footer elements applied. To find out more about website footers, you can read look at these website footer elements to use in your website.
9. Add A Simple Store to Monetize Your Website
Image taken from Strikingly product
Strikingly continues to prove that it’s the best free website builder out there today. It’s even capable of making your website a source of revenue.
If you want to create a website that earns money, consider monetizing your website. You can do this by tapping into ecommerce websites and start selling your products online.
To do this, you need to add a simple store to your site. From the left side menu, click “Add New Section” (refer to step 4). Then choose “Store and “Products”. Afterward, select the very first one called “Simple Store”.
Once you’ve added a simple store, you can add products to your website. You can start selling your own merch or sell products through dropshipping. If you want a more in-depth tutorial at selling products, you can refer to our blogs here at Strikingly.
10. Add a Blog Section to Drive Traffic
Image taken from Strikingly product
You want to create a website that drives traffic, right? Unlike a mac website software, Strikingly offers tools that allow you to increase website traffic to your free websites.
One of the best ways to do this is to start blogging. First, you need a blog section. Refer back to step 4 or select “Add New Section” to add a blog page. Choose “Blog”, then select “Simple Blog”.
After adding a blog section, you can now add blogs to your website. Just make sure that they’re relevant to your target audience. If you’re unsure how to add blogs, read our guide to blogging.
Also, don’t forget to use SEO practice to increase your website’s traffic. Strikingly also has an SEO Checklist you can use.
11. Connect a Custom Domain
Image taken from Strikingly product
Finally, to create a website that stands out from the rest, you need to have a custom domain. Having a custom domain is also great for search engine optimization. It also makes it easier for your audience and visitors to find you.
If you want to get a free domain that’s good for one year, upgrade your free Strikingly account to a Pro Year Plan. We promise that you will definitely get your money’s worth.
Apart from all these fantastic sections, you can add more special features to your website. You can add membership options, a live chat, and a newsletter option. All these amazing features would boost your website’s potential.
Here’s a quick summary of the step-by-step guide on how to create a website:
- Create a Strikingly Account
- Select “Create New Site” To Add Content
- Select a Template For Your Website
- Add New Sections Based On Your Content
- Change Background to Solid Color, Image, Or Video
- Add Contact Forms To Your Website
- Add A Social Media Page
- Add a Footer to Your Website
- Add A Simple Store to Monetize Your Website
- Add a Blog Section to Drive Traffic
- Create a Custom Domain
The best way to create a website is by using a free website builder like Strikingly. So, what are you waiting for? Head on to Strikingly, create your free account, and build your first website today.
