In previous blog posts, I shared how I began my digital marketing journey by selling websites to small businesses. Back then, I knew no programming languages and only had a basic understanding of HTML and CSS, which are markup languages, not programming languages. In early 2014, many businesses in smaller countries had yet to fully embrace digital marketing, so I learned as I went along, positioning myself as a problem solver for these clients.
I didn’t have high-paying clients who could afford premium tools, so over time, I gathered the best free and affordable tools to piece together the solutions they needed. I consistently delivered satisfactory final products without writing any code.
In this guide, I want to share my framework and checklist for building a website without code, whether for yourself or clients.
Choose a Platform
The first step is to choose a platform. I chose WordPress. While there are other platforms with potentially lower learning curves, I found WordPress to be the most affordable and flexible due to its open-source nature and extensive community support. Its vast library of plugins and themes makes it an excellent choice for building no-code websites.
Select a WordPress Theme
When using WordPress, you need to pick a theme. I use the free version of Astra. While we won’t be utilizing many of its design elements, it provides a solid functional base for us to build upon. Astra is lightweight, fast, and highly customizable, making it an ideal starting point for a no-code website.
Choose a Webpage Builder
Remember, our goal is to avoid coding. We need a drag-and-drop builder that offers a variety of functional widgets. WordPress, by default, is a content management system, not a drag-and-drop builder. However, Elementor is an incredible plugin that enables you to create layouts and features on your pages without coding. Additionally, consider using Elementor addons such as Elementor Royal, Essential Addons for Elementor, and Premium Addons for Elementor to expand its capabilities.
Enhance Your Website with Essential Plugins
Once you have a great-looking website, you’ll want to make it marketable and add essential functionalities that aren’t provided by Elementor or WordPress by default. Here are the plugins you need to install:
- Yoast SEO: This plugin guides you in optimizing your pages for SEO, which is crucial for ranking well on Google and ensuring people find your website without the need for paid advertising. Yoast SEO analyzes your content for readability and keyword optimization, providing real-time suggestions for improvement.
- WP-Optimize: This plugin enables caching, image compression, and cleanup of unused files, significantly improving your website’s speed—a critical factor since users have a low attention span and won’t tolerate slow websites. WP-Optimize also allows you to defragment MySQL tables, which can further enhance your site’s performance.
- UpdraftPlus: While most hosting companies offer limited backups, it’s essential to regularly back up your website. UpdraftPlus allows you to automatically back up your site to a storage location of your choice. I use a 2TB DropBox subscription to back up my clients’ websites and mine, providing peace of mind. This plugin supports various backup destinations, including Google Drive, Amazon S3, and more.
- Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights: This tool connects your website to your Google Analytics property, making it easy to track user behavior without manual configuration. Understanding your audience’s behavior is crucial for making informed decisions to improve your website’s performance.
- Elementor Header and Footer Builder: If you don’t have the Pro version of Elementor, this plugin lets you design custom headers and footers for free, bypassing the need to use the native theme options. Alternatively, Astra offers various free header and footer options, so you can choose what works best for you. This flexibility allows you to create a consistent and professional look across your site.
- WordFence: This security plugin provides essential protection for your website. It includes an endpoint firewall and malware scanner that are updated in real-time to keep your site safe from known threats. WordFence also offers features like two-factor authentication and login page CAPTCHA to enhance security further.
- WPForms: An easy-to-use form builder that integrates well with WordPress. WPForms allows you to create contact forms, survey forms, registration forms, and more with a simple drag-and-drop interface. It’s an essential tool for gathering user information and facilitating communication.
- WP Mail SMTP: Ensures your WordPress emails are sent reliably by configuring your site to use an SMTP server. Many web hosts are not properly configured to use the PHP mail function, leading to issues with email delivery. WP Mail SMTP solves this problem by routing emails through a proper SMTP server, ensuring they reach their destination.
- Classic Editor: Reverts the WordPress editor to the classic version, preferred by many users. Some users find the new Gutenberg editor challenging to use, so the Classic Editor plugin restores the familiar interface, making content creation easier for those accustomed to the older format.
- Classic Widgets: Restores the previous widget management interface. Similar to the Classic Editor, this plugin brings back the older, more straightforward widget management system, which some users find more intuitive and easier to navigate.
- SpamBee: Protects your site from spam comments and submissions. This lightweight plugin is effective in filtering out unwanted spam, ensuring your site remains clean and professional. It’s a valuable tool for maintaining the integrity of your site’s user interactions.
By following this framework and utilizing these tools, you can build a professional, functional website without needing to write a single line of code. This approach not only saves time and effort but also makes website creation accessible to anyone, regardless of their technical expertise.
