“Can I build a website myself?” Short answer: yes, you can. For a simple presentation site you don’t need to know how to code today. Longer answer: some things are worth doing yourself, and some will cost you more time and nerves than they’re worth.
This guide walks you through 7 realistic steps of building a website and honestly points out where DIY stops being a good idea.
Step 1: Choose and register a domain
Your domain is your site’s address (e.g. yourcompany.com). Tips:
- Short and memorable, ideally your business or industry name.
- A local extension (like
.hr) builds trust in your market;.comif you go broader. - Register it with a reputable registrar (Cloudflare, Namecheap, or a local one).
- Cost: around €10–20/year.
Step 2: Get hosting (or a platform that includes it)
Hosting is the “space” your site lives on. Two options:
- Website builder / SaaS (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify): hosting is included in the monthly subscription. Easiest for beginners.
- Your own hosting (for WordPress or a custom site): more control, but more responsibility (security, updates).
Cost: builder subscription ~€10–30/mo, classic hosting ~€5–15/mo.
Step 3: Choose how to build it
This is the key decision. Three main paths:
| Approach | For whom | Upside | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website builder (Wix, Squarespace) | beginners, simple presentation | no code, fast, all in one place | limited customization, slower, monthly dependency |
| WordPress (ready theme) | those who want control and growth | flexibility, thousands of themes/plugins | needs maintenance and updates |
| Custom (Astro, Next.js) | serious projects, speed, SEO | fastest, most secure, unique | needs a professional |
If you’re choosing WordPress or a modern approach, see the comparison in WordPress or Astro for a small business.
Step 4: Plan structure and content
Before you design anything, decide which pages you need and what they say. For most small businesses this is enough:
- Home: who you are, what you offer, a clear call to action
- Services / products: what exactly you do and for whom
- About: story and trust (important for Google and visitors)
- Contact: form, email, phone, location
Content is a job in itself. Quality copy and sharp photos are the difference between a site that sells and one that merely exists.
Step 5: Design that converts (the basics)
It doesn’t have to be “pretty”, but it has to lead the visitor to an action:
- One clear call to action above the fold (e.g. “Request a quote”).
- Mobile-first: most traffic is on phones.
- Enough whitespace, a readable font, consistent colors.
- No more than 2–3 colors and 2 fonts.
Step 6: Build in SEO basics from the start
So Google can find you at all:
- Page titles and meta descriptions with your keywords
- A logical structure of URLs and headings (H1, H2)
- Speed and mobile optimization (Google rewards it)
- Set up Google Search Console and submit a sitemap
- More on cost and the role of SEO: how much does a website cost
Step 7: Publish, test and maintain
Before publishing, check: do all forms work, does it look good on mobile, does it load fast, any typos. After publishing, the site needs occasional maintenance: updates, security, fresh content.
When is it worth paying a professional?
DIY is great for a simple business card or while you test an idea. But a professional pays off the moment the site needs to sell, not just exist:
- you want a custom design that sets you apart
- you need serious SEO and top speed
- you’re building a webshop, bookings or integrations
- you need multiple languages
- you’re short on time, and your time is worth more than the saving
We break down realistic prices by site type in how much does a website cost, and timelines in how long does a website take.
Conclusion
You can build a website yourself today, handling the domain, hosting, a builder, content, basic SEO and publishing. For a simple presentation that’s entirely doable and a useful experience. But the moment the site becomes a tool for growing the business, it’s worth investing in a professional build that pays for itself through new clients.
Not sure whether DIY or a professional build makes sense for you? Fill out the short questionnaire and we’ll tell you honestly what makes sense for your case and a ballpark price, no obligation.