“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong.”

–N. R. Narayana Murthy

Building your own website—it’s not as hard as you think. Seriously, if you can type an email, you can build a website. And if you’ve ever spent an entire afternoon trying to untangle your headphones, trust me, you already have the patience needed to get this done.

Now, let’s be real. You might think your website is the single most important part of your business. Nope. That’s a myth. I’ve bought plenty of products and services from businesses that didn’t even have a full website—just a simple landing page. But your website is where you keep your customers engaged. This is where you introduce new products, offer deals, share updates, and showcase what makes your business awesome.

Who Is This Guide For?

If you’re just getting started, running a business making under $60K in online revenue, or if dropping $2K-$5K on a web designer makes your wallet break out in hives, this is for you. You can build your own website without selling a kidney. You just need the right tools and a little bit of guidance (which is exactly why you’re here).

So, let’s get to the fun part—how to build your own website without needing a degree in computer science.

Step 1: Choose Your WordPress Theme (Without Losing Your Mind)

Keyword: WordPress themes

The theme you choose determines how your website looks and feels. Think of it as the interior design of your online home. You wouldn’t decorate your house with mismatched furniture and neon green walls (or maybe you would—no judgment). Your website needs to look clean, professional, and you.

Where to find WordPress themes:

• Visit the WordPress.org repository. There are thousands of free themes.
• You can find premium themes ($30-$97) on sites like ThemeForest or Elegant Themes.
• Pick one that’s been updated in the last six months (trust me, outdated themes = future headaches).

Installing a WordPress theme is as easy as installing an app on your phone. It’s a one-click install, and boom—you’re halfway to an amazing website.

Quick Tip:

Some free themes have limited functionality, but you can still make them work. If you want more customization, invest in a paid theme.

Step 2: Install Must-Have WordPress Plugins

If themes are the design of your website, plugins are the power tools. They help you do everything from collecting emails to securing your site from hackers. You don’t need a million plugins—just a few essential ones to get started.

Here’s what you must install:

• SEO Plugin: Rank Math or Yoast SEO (to help your site rank on Google)
• Backup Plugin: ManageWP (so you don’t lose your hard work)
• Security Plugin: Wordfence or iThemes Security (because hackers are real)
• Email Marketing Plugin: Mailchimp or AWeber (to start building your email list)
• E-commerce Plugin (if selling products): WooCommerce (because Shopify costs $$$)

Installing and setting up plugins is usually just a matter of clicking “Install” and “Activate.” Most have helpful documentation or video tutorials (because nobody likes reading complicated manuals).

Pro Tip:

Free versions of plugins work great, but if you need more features, premium versions are available. Just don’t go overboard—too many plugins can slow down your site!

Step 3: Back Up Your Website (So You Don’t Cry Later)

Listen, I learned this the hard way. After building a gorgeous site, I made one tiny change and poof—my entire database crashed. I had to start over. (Yes, I cried. No, I’m not ashamed.)

Here’s how to avoid this tragedy:

• Use ManageWP (free) for automatic backups.
• Always back up your site before making major changes.
• Test your site before backing it up—you don’t want to save a broken version.

It’s like saving your work before your computer crashes—except your website is way more important.

Bonus Tips for a High-Converting Website

Because I like you, here are some extra goodies to make sure your website isn’t just functional—but actually works for your business.

Optimize for SEO (Or Stay Invisible)

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is how you get found on Google. If your site isn’t optimized, it’s like throwing a party but forgetting to send invites. Nobody’s showing up.

• Use Rank Math or Yoast SEO (both have free versions).
• Focus on keywords—sprinkle them naturally throughout your site.
• Write blog posts (like this one) that answer common questions your audience has.
• Make sure your website loads fast (Google hates slow sites).

Use a Website Builder for Blog Templates

A website builder like Elementor or Divi makes it easy to create blog templates. That way, you’re not starting from scratch every time you post new content. Consistency = professionalism.

Set Up Email Marketing (Because Social Media Isn’t Reliable)

Social media algorithms change all the time, but an email list is yours forever. Services like Mailchimp or AWeber let you collect emails and send newsletters—for free (up to 500 subscribers).

• Install their plugin on your site.
• Add a signup form to your homepage.
• Offer something valuable in exchange for their email (a free PDF, discount, etc.).

Learn As You Go (Without Going Broke)

Building your own website means you’ll run into questions. The good news? There are tons of free resources to help you out.

• YouTube: Darrell Wilson’s tutorials are gold.
• Lynda & Udemy: Online courses for deeper learning.
• Google: Your best friend when troubleshooting.

And if all else fails—shoot me an email or leave a comment on my site. I’ll help you out. 😉

Final Thoughts

Building your website can be fun, easy, and affordable if you follow these steps. And the best part? Once you do it yourself, you’ll never be at the mercy of a web designer again.

So, are you ready? Start planning your pages, install WordPress, and take action. And if you need more guidance, check out my High-Converting Website Program—it’ll save you hours of trial and error.

Now go forth and build something awesome. 🚀