Launch Your Website series: Part 3 of 7
In Part 1 we said every website needs “land” to stand on, called hosting. Here’s how to choose it without getting lost.
Your two choices
Choice A: A website builder (recommended for beginners)
Examples: Wix, Squarespace, Shopify (for online shops), WordPress.com, Hostinger Website Builder.
- Hosting is included.
- You design with drag-and-drop: no code.
- They handle security and updates for you.
- Cost: about $0–25 per month.
Best for: almost everyone starting out.
Choice B: Regular hosting + WordPress
Examples: Bluehost, Hostinger, SiteGround with the free WordPress software installed.
- More freedom and often cheaper over time.
- But you’re responsible for updates, backups and fixing problems.
Best for: people who enjoy tinkering, or who have a web designer to set it up for them. (This is what we build at Wetherby Media: you get a WordPress site you own, set up and ready to edit.)
Which website builder should I pick?
| If you want… | Try |
|---|---|
| The easiest drag-and-drop | Wix |
| A beautiful, modern look | Squarespace |
| To sell products online | Shopify |
| A blog or lots of articles | WordPress.com |
| The lowest price | Hostinger Website Builder |
Honestly, all of them work well. Don’t spend more than an hour deciding. Almost all have a free trial, so you can try one and switch if you don’t like it.
How to sign up (the same for most builders)
- Go to the builder’s website and click Get Started or Start Free.
- Create an account with your email.
- Answer a few questions (“What is your website for?”).
- Pick a template. A template is a ready-made design. Choose one that looks close to what you want; you’ll change the words and photos later.
- You’re now in the editor, where you’ll build your pages in Part 4.
Picking a plan
- The free plan is fine for practicing, but it shows the builder’s ads and won’t let you use your own domain.
- When you’re ready to launch, upgrade to the cheapest paid plan that allows a custom domain. That’s all most small sites need.
- Paying yearly is usually cheaper than paying monthly.