Just a few months ago, I had no clue what terms like “DNS,” “SSL,” or “cPanel” meant. I just wanted a simple website to showcase my photography and maybe get a few clients. What started as a confusing search for “how to make a website” turned into one of the most empowering learning experiences I’ve had in a while.
If you’re like me—a complete beginner who doesn’t want to hire a web developer—this post is for you. Here's how I built my first website from scratch, step by step.
💡 Step 1: Buying My Domain (The Easy Part)
The first thing I did was grab a domain name. I used Namecheap and found that lunaslens.com was available. It cost me around $9 for the first year.
I didn’t know this then, but it’s better to buy a domain from a trusted registrar instead of a random cheap site. You want support and DNS control, trust me.
🖥️ Step 2: Choosing the Right Hosting (The Confusing Part)
This part was overwhelming. There are so many hosting types—shared, cloud, VPS. I almost gave up.
Eventually, I went with Hostinger, mostly because of good reviews and a clean dashboard. It was under $3/month and included a free SSL and email.
Once I bought the plan, I connected my domain (Namecheap) to my Hostinger account using DNS nameservers. Took me 20 minutes of Googling, but I got it done.
🧱 Step 3: Installing WordPress (One Click, Zero Stress)
Hostinger offered a one-click WordPress install. I clicked, waited two minutes, and boom—my site was live at lunaslens.com, with the default theme.
I logged into the WordPress dashboard and started exploring. It felt like having my own control room.
🎨 Step 4: Customizing My Site
I didn’t want anything fancy, so I picked the Astra theme. Clean, fast, and super customizable.
To edit the homepage, I installed Elementor, a drag-and-drop builder that’s perfect for non-coders. Within hours, I had a working homepage with my portfolio, an About section, and a contact form.
🔐 Step 5: Securing and Optimizing
Here’s where I learned a lot:
-
I installed Wordfence for security.
-
I added Rank Math SEO to help me get found on Google.
-
I used LiteSpeed Cache (Hostinger has it built-in) to speed up the site.
Also, setting up my own business email—like hello@lunaslens.com—made everything feel legit.
🚀 Step 6: Going Live and Getting My First Client
After a week of tweaking and watching tutorials, I finally shared my site online. I posted it on Facebook, Instagram, and in a few local photography groups.
Within 3 days, I got a message from someone asking for a shoot—and that paid for my first year of hosting.
🔚 Final Thoughts: You Really Can Do This
If you’re thinking of building a website but feel stuck, just start. You don’t need to be technical. Just follow one step at a time, Google a lot, and be patient.
In 2025, tools are designed to help beginners succeed. All you need is a name, a purpose, and a little persistence.
