Choosing the Best Way to Build a Website
How to Make a Website: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started
TL;DR: Building a website? Decide between a static or dynamic site, and consider hosting, maintenance, and potential traffic. For beginners, free tools like GitHub Pages, Vercel, and Netlify are great starting points, especially if you're learning front-end development and want basic interactivity. If you expect high traffic, be aware that costs may increase as usage scales. This guide walks you through key questions, tools, and tips to get your website up and running.
So, You Want to Build a Website?
Building a website is easier than ever with modern tools, but the choices can feel overwhelming. This guide will give you a sense of direction, outlining the main types of websites, costs to consider, and free tools that can get you started without much hassle. Keep in mind that while there are plenty of free options, virtually all sites require some maintenance, either in terms of time or cost, to keep them running smoothly.
Two Main Types of Websites: Static vs. Dynamic
When choosing how to build your site, it’s helpful to understand the two main types of websites and how they differ in structure, cost, and maintenance needs:
- Static Sites
- Description: These sites are made up of pre-generated files. Because they don’t need a server to generate pages dynamically, they are faster and more cost-effective.
- Pros: Cost-effective, easier to host, and ideal for portfolios or small, content-heavy sites.
- Cons: Limited interactivity; may require third-party services for more advanced features like forms or e-commerce.
- Best for: Simple sites that don’t need user interaction, like blogs, portfolios, or informational pages.
- Dynamic Sites
- Description: Dynamic sites require a server to handle real-time user interactions (e.g., logging in, form submissions, or saving products in a cart).
- Pros: Can handle complex functionality, ideal for interactive experiences.
- Cons: Higher hosting costs and more maintenance (especially for security), which can increase significantly with traffic.
- Best for: Sites requiring frequent updates, real-time interaction, or advanced e-commerce functions.
Key Considerations Before You Start
- Who Will Maintain the Site?
- Content Management: If you or someone else will be updating the content frequently, a Content Management System (CMS) may be useful.
- Technical Comfort: Basic sites are relatively easy to update, but if your site needs frequent changes and features, it may require a more advanced setup.
- Site Complexity
- A simple site may be perfect as a static site, especially if you’re just starting out and have limited technical knowledge.
- For more complex, feature-rich sites, you may need a dynamic framework or platform.
- Expected Traffic and Hosting Needs
- For beginner-friendly, free hosting, services like GitHub Pages, Vercel, and Netlify are ideal options, particularly for entry-level front-end developers. These services allow you to deploy static sites with ease and even offer some level of interactivity.
- Traffic Considerations: Both Vercel and Netlify offer free tiers, but if your site grows and traffic increases, hosting costs may rise. Both platforms charge based on server resources (like bandwidth and server time) which scale with higher traffic.
Best Free Tools for Entry-Level Developers
These platforms offer robust free options with plenty of room to explore and learn while providing the flexibility to grow as your project’s needs increase.
- GitHub Pages: Ideal for static sites, GitHub Pages hosts your code directly from GitHub and serves it as a static site. Great for personal projects, small portfolios, and learning version control with Git.
- Vercel: Highly recommended for front-end developers, Vercel is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with frameworks like Next.js. Its free tier supports moderate traffic and basic interactivity, but costs increase with high bandwidth or advanced features.
- Netlify: Netlify offers a powerful free plan with built-in CI/CD, serverless functions, and the ability to handle more interactive static sites (e.g., JAMstack). Perfect for smaller sites, but costs can grow with high-traffic levels or extra features.
Best Free Tool For Building a Website with a Builder
- Google Sites: Google Sites offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop builder ideal for users who want a hands-off coding experience.
Paid Platforms for Greater Control and Flexibility
If you outgrow free options or want more control over design and customization, consider one of these popular paid platforms:
- Squarespace: Excellent for those who want a polished look with minimal setup.
- Wix: Known for its customization flexibility, Wix is user-friendly and works well for personal sites or small businesses.
- WordPress.com: Highly customizable and versatile, WordPress offers both free and paid tiers, with plugins for e-commerce, SEO, and advanced functionality.
Is It an E-commerce Site?
If your site will process payments, a dedicated e-commerce platform is often the best route:
- Shopify: Easy to set up with built-in payment options, Shopify is a top choice for e-commerce beginners.
- WooCommerce: An open-source WordPress plugin, WooCommerce allows for flexible customization but may require more technical knowledge.
Summary: Choosing the Right Tools for Your Website
If you’re a developer just starting out, using tools like GitHub Pages, Vercel, or Netlify will give you hands-on experience in front-end development. These platforms offer free plans but can scale with your project as it grows—just remember that high traffic may lead to increased costs. For a polished, low-maintenance experience, paid platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and Shopify are solid choices.
For those aiming to code their site from scratch, static sites are ideal. But if your project requires interactivity and complex functions, you may want to consider a dynamic site setup on a robust platform like WordPress or a custom setup on Vercel or Netlify.
Further Resources
- GitHub Pages Setup Guide – A free solution for hosting static sites directly from your GitHub repositories.
- Google Sites Documentation – Build free sites with the Google Sites page builder.
- Vercel Documentation – Learn how to deploy and manage web projects with Vercel.
- Netlify Tutorials – Get insights and examples for using Netlify to deploy sites.
Disclaimer
This guide provides general recommendations and advice. Your choice of platform should depend on your unique needs, goals, and experience. Costs, traffic requirements, and maintenance needs can vary widely, so be sure to choose a solution that fits your specific project requirements and expected audience.