Building a Website Without Coding: Tools & Tips for Non-Techies
Building a Website Without Coding: Tools & Tips for Non-Techies
As most of us are well aware, it’s never been more essential to have a website. Whether you’re a business, a blogger, or simply want to establish an online presence, you absolutely need to have an amazing website.
That being said, the idea of developing your own website might be overwhelming, especially if you don’t possess any coding knowledge. However, there are so many tools at your disposal designed to make the website creation process accessible to all.
Thanks to these tools, you can start building your website, even if you don’t have any technical expertise.
Let’s take a look at what it takes to build a website without coding…
Why build a website?
Before we discuss the step-by-step process, it's important that you understand why you might need a website.
A website can help you to:
Sell products or services online
Provide information about your business or organisation
Create a community around your interests
Share your thoughts and ideas through a blog
Showcase your portfolio or resume
No matter what your goal is, you need a well-designed site to reach the right people and achieve your goals.
Choosing the right website builder
When it comes to building a website without coding, you first need to choose a website builder. These are tools that enable you to develop your own website using pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop editors.
Some of the most popular options include:
· Wix
Wix is a user-friendly website builder that comes complete with a wide range of tools for creating something amazing. Renowned for its flexibility and ease of use, it comes with hundreds of attractive, professional and contemporary templates. There are many customisation options, while it also comes with SEO support. What’s more, there’s no need to write a single line of code.
Wix comes with a range of apps to add functionality to your site, including contact forms, social media feeds and e-commerce features.
· Squarespace
Squarespace is a favourite among creatives due to its elegant, professionally-designed templates and features. It’s ideal for small business owners, bloggers and those looking to present their portfolio online.
The low code platform has a user-friendly interface, and its templates are mobile-responsive, ensuring your site looks great on any device. It also comes with 24/7 monitoring for website threats and vulnerabilities.
· Weebly
Weebly is another intuitive website builder with hundreds of templates to choose from. It has a simple drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components, and is suitable for businesses of all types and sizes.
Weebly has impeccable design flexibility. What’s more, a website built with Weebly will also perform well on all devices. Not just that, but their website speeds are super-fast too.
· WordPress
WordPress is easy to install and set up. It features a simple, straightforward usability, and is perfect for anyone who wants to start building a blog or simple website. It uses HTML CSS and JavaScript, although its core software is primarily written in PHP.
While some might argue that it has a slightly steeper learning curve than other builders, it does offer a wide range of tools, as well as greater flexibility and scalability.
Getting started with your very own website: Step-by-Step Guide
Choose a website builder
Step one is to choose a website builder. Do a thorough review of the above to determine which one is right for you. Alternatively, go for something totally different!
Sign up for an account
Chosen your website builder? Now it’s time to sign up for an account. Most platforms offer free plans with basic features. These can easily be upgraded to premium plans, which come with additional functionality and customisation options.
Choose a template
Once you’ve signed up, peruse the available templates. Yes, many website builders come with hundreds of templates, so this can be a time-consuming process (and difficult for those of you who are indecisive!). Take the time to choose a template that fits your site’s purpose and aesthetic. Also, find something that reflects the message you want to portray.
Customise your template
Fortunately, templates can be easily customised. Use the drag-and-drop editor to customise your website. You can add, remove and rearrange elements like text, images, buttons and videos. Take the time to switch up elements like colours, fonts and backgrounds to match your brand or personal style.
Add your website’s pages
If your website needs multiple pages, it’s time to get creating them. Add your Homepage, About page and Contact page as a minimum. Got the time to create a Blog section? Add one of those too. In the site builder’s backend, you’ll find plenty of tools to help you add new pages with ease. You’ll also be able to organise those pages in the site’s navigation menu.
Add your content
Your website needs to be brimming with high-quality, interesting content. It needs to be well-written and engaging. Use plenty of headings, subheadings and spacing to make it easy on the eye. Accompany your copy with high-quality images, and if you have them, embed videos too.
Set up essential features
Depending on your website’s purpose, you may need additional features.
Setting up an online store? Then you’ll need to set up product pages, a shopping cart and payment methods. Starting a blog? Then you’ll need to configure your blog settings and begin creating your first posts.
Optimise for SEO
The last thing you want is to go to all this effort, only to not rank well in Google and other search engines. Therefore, you need to implement search engine optimization (SEO).
Use your website builder’s SEO code tools to add keywords, meta titles and meta descriptions to your pages.
Also, make sure your site is mobile-friendly (in fact, this should be a priority). It’s also essential that your site loads quickly otherwise you risk losing site visitors.
Preview and test
Before publishing your site, be sure to preview everything.
Does everything look professional? Does it work as expected?
Test everything including all links, forms and interactive elements. View your site on different devices and screen sizes. Is it completely responsive? Does it adjust to size properly?
Publish your site
Once you’re happy with your site, it’s time to publish it! Click ‘publish’ and your site will go live online!
Most website builders provide a free subdomain (e.g., yoursite.wixsite.com), however, you can purchase a custom domain (e.g., www.yoursite.com) for a more professional looking website.
Tips for a successful site
Keep it simple
Apply a ‘keep it simple’ mentality to your site’s design. This makes for a far more attractive website, and is also easier to navigate through. Avoid overloading your site with too many elements or flashy features. Less is definitely more in web design!
Focus on user experience
Make sure your site focuses on UX. Navigation should be intuitive, and important information should be easy to find. Consider the user’s journey from the moment they land on your site to when they complete their desired action.
Use high-quality images
In an age where it’s difficult to maintain someone’s attention for more than a few seconds, images are vital. Use high-quality, high-resolution photos and graphics that match your content and brand image.
Be consistent
Consistency in design and content creates a cohesive look and feel. Use the same fonts, colours, and style across all pages. This helps reinforce your brand and makes your site look professional.
Regularly update your content
It’s essential to add new content to your site on a regular basis. This includes blog posts, news updates or new product listings. Not only does this keep your site fresh and relevant to your audience, but it also improves your site’s SEO.
Monitor performance
Track your site’s performance with analytics tools.
Most website builders have built-in analytics. Others allow you to integrate Google Analytics. Use these tools to monitor metrics such as traffic, bounce rates and user behaviour to identify what needs improving.
Are you ready to build a website?
Building a website without coding is entirely possible thanks to the plethora of user-friendly website builders available today. By choosing the right tool, following a step-by-step process, and keeping best practices in mind, you can create a professional-looking website that serves your needs and impresses your audience.
Whether you’re starting a blog, showcasing your portfolio, or setting up an online store, a well-designed website can help you achieve your goals and establish a strong online presence. So, don’t let the lack of coding skills hold you back—start creating a website without coding today!
EWM is a leading web design and development agency. We deliver scalable, robust digital marketing solutions with a focus on SEO, PPC and web design. Our services are designed to deliver a brand-new level of success to your business.
Reach out today to discuss your needs.