I Used to Build Websites.
Now I’ll Show You How.
I’m Diane, a retired web developer who spent years building and fixing websites for small businesses.
I created this guide because I still see far too many good local businesses without a website. In many cases, it isn’t because they don’t want one. It’s because the whole process feels too expensive, too technical, or too full of confusing choices and unnecessary add-ons.
It doesn’t have to be that way, THAT is why i decided to create this guide.
This guide is meant to walk you through the process step by step, from choosing a domain name and hosting account to installing WordPress, setting up your pages, and getting your website online.
Why I’m Doing This
I’m retired from building websites for clients, so this is not a sales pitch for web design services.
My goal is to show small-business owners how much of this they can do themselves, even if they have never built a website before.
I’ll also point out the places where beginners are commonly pushed toward upgrades, add-ons, subscriptions, and services they may not actually need.
Just because there’s a button doesn’t mean you need to click it.
What You’ll Find Here
This guide focuses on practical, straightforward website building without unnecessary complexity.
- How to choose and register a domain name
- How website hosting actually works
- How to install and set up WordPress
- How to create the basic pages a small-business website needs
- How to avoid common upsells and unnecessary expenses
- How to get your site ready for customers and search engines
About Recommendations and Affiliate Links
Some links in this guide may be affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
That does not mean I recommend something simply because it pays a commission. The whole point of this guide is to help you avoid wasting money.
If I recommend a product or service, it is because I believe it is useful for the type of website we are building.
You Can Do This
You do not need to become a web developer.
You just need to understand what each piece does, take it one step at a time, and avoid letting the internet convince you that building a basic business website has to be complicated.
That’s what this guide is here to help you do.
