In the past, if you want to build your own website, you will need to get the help of a professional to get it up and running for you. If you’re a small business with a limited budget for digital marketing, you may end up putting this off for later, which could mean losing out on potential customers and revenue. Nowadays, however, it is possible to build your own website free of charge even when you don’t have the technical expertise to get a site up. This is made possible with the help of website builders.
Website builders such as Strikingly allow you to build your own websites free of cost and without writing a single line of code. These platforms get you started with a website template that you can customize and transform into a unique online space. Using a website builder is a great solution for small businesses and startups looking to build their own sites as well as individuals who want to try their hand at website design and development.
1. Create a free account with a reliable website builder
Many website builders allow you to build your own web site free of charge but they are not necessarily created equal. Free accounts are usually a way for platforms to introduce their services and encourage users to eventually sign up for a paid account so you might find some free account features a bit limited. For many platforms, you still have to pay extra if you want to get the most out of their services.
The idea is to choose a website builder that offers good value for money. Even when you build your own website for free, you want to make sure that you get access to as many features as possible to create a site that is fully-functional. For example, Strikingly allows you to create various types of websites - including an online store - something that is considered a paid feature in most other website builders.
2. Select a website template
Assuming that you already have a good idea of what type of website you want to create, the next step on how to build your own website for free is to select a website template that suits your content. Strikingly has a growing collection of free website templates that are suited for virtually every industry or niche. All templates are also mobile-responsive so you know your website will look great on all devices and screen sizes.
3. Customize your website template
Let your personality and your brand’s identity shine through by customizing your selected template. Choose custom color schemes according to the kind of image you want to project. Select fonts that are easy to read. Add other design details such as website icons and personalized logo.
4. Choose a unique website name
When you build your own website through Strikingly, you get to choose a free domain name for your site. Choose a website name that is easy to remember and stay away from using special characters. Most company websites use their company name as the domain name while others choose a keyword or keyphrase normally associated with their content.
5. Build your content
When it comes to building your brand on the web, content is king. Users spend an average of 7 seconds on a webpage before leaving for something else. Your website copy must be engaging enough to get them interested within these few seconds. Write content that is short but punchy, conversational but informative. With a free website that may not be as feature-rich as a professionally-built one, your content must have the ability to attract visitors and get them to stay.
