How to host your own website in 2024 : Simple beginner's guide

Hosting your own website may seem complex, but it's accessible to anyone and offers cost savings and increased control. Learning to host your site is straightforward, even without prior web development experience. Follow these steps to connect your site to a web hosting provider quickly.

Below are five steps to host your own website:

Step 1: Select a Content Management System (CMS)

If you're yet to determine the platform for building your website, your first task is to choose a content management system (CMS). The choice of hosting will hinge on the CMS you opt for. For most individuals, the decision typically boils down to two main types of platforms: WordPress or all-in-one website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify.

WordPress and website builders differ in terms of ease of use, customization options, and cost. WordPress, being a free and open-source CMS, necessitates third-party web hosting. It offers greater flexibility, enabling users to create diverse types of websites with varied functionalities. However, it entails a steeper learning curve and is more complex to navigate. Conversely, website builders are crafted to simplify website construction. They integrate web hosting, eliminating the need to purchase and connect hosting from an external source.

Step 2: Invest in a Web Hosting Service

For WordPress users, the subsequent step involves selecting a web hosting service. Various providers, like Bluehost, DreamHost, Hostinger, and IONOS, offer similar yet slightly varied features such as storage capacity, bandwidth limits, uptime assurances, speed, contract durations, and pricing.

For new website hosting, opt for a plan encompassing features like a complimentary domain name, SSL certificate, and one-click WordPress installation, as offered by Bluehost. Conversely, if you're migrating an existing site, prioritize a web host providing a free WordPress site migration service, such as Hostinger.

Step 3: Obtain a Domain Name

If you haven't secured a domain name yet, acquire one from reputable domain registrars like Namecheap, Domain.com, or Google Domains. Alternatively, consider registering your domain through your web hosting provider, which might offer a free domain name as part of your account. This eliminates the need to pay registration fees for the first year of operation and streamlines the process by avoiding the manual connection of your domain to your web host.

Step 4: Link Your Domain to Your Web Host

Connecting your domain name to your web host varies based on where you obtained your domain. If you acquired your domain through your web hosting provider, it's automatically linked to your web host. However, if you already own a domain, you'll need to manually connect it to your web host.

To do this, access the website where you purchased your domain (e.g., Namecheap or GoDaddy). Navigate to your domain's settings and point your domain to the hosting server. In your web hosting account, you'll find name servers (domain name servers or DNS) provided by your web host. These are the addresses where you direct your domain so that visitors land on your hosted content.

After locating the name servers, log in to your domain's settings and access the "DNS Settings" tab. Replace the current domain name servers with those provided by your web host. Saving these changes will redirect your domain to your host server within a few hours, with the process sometimes being instantaneous.

Step 5: Set Up WordPress (or Migrate an Existing Site)

The final step is to either install WordPress on your domain via your web hosting account or migrate an existing site. Many top web hosting providers offer free one-click WordPress installation, simplifying the process for users to link their domain and hosting plan to WordPress effortlessly. Accessing the one-click installation feature typically depends on your chosen web hosting provider, but it's usually accessible through your hosting account or cPanel.

If you already have a WordPress website and are transferring to a new hosting provider, the simplest method is to utilize a WordPress migration service. This service is often provided for free by your web hosting provider, although some hosts may charge an additional fee for this migration service.