Learning path11 stopsAbout 3 hours
Your first website
A step-by-step route for complete beginners: from understanding how websites work to a secure site with email on your own domain. Free to follow.
This path takes you from a standing start to a real website on your own domain, with HTTPS, email and a backup. Each stop is a guide or a tutorial; do them in order and you won’t meet anything that hasn’t been explained first.
You don’t need to know how to code. You do need a domain name, which you can register with any registrar for a few pounds a year.
0 of 11 stops completed
Progress is saved in this browser only. Tutorials tick themselves off when you finish every step; guides tick off when you reach the end.
Stops on this path
- Guide
How a website actually works
Domains, DNS, servers and browsers, in ten minutes. Everything else makes more sense after this.
- Guide
Domain vs hosting
Two things you rent from two places. Get a domain from any registrar if you don’t have one.
- Guide
How the free trial works
What’s free, what happens on day 30 and why pointing your domain on day one matters.
- Tutorial
Log in for the first time
Find your welcome email, log in to the client area and DirectAdmin, and set new passwords.
- Tutorial
Connect your domain
Change three nameservers at your registrar, then check the change worked.
- Tutorial
Install WordPress (or upload your own site)
One click with Softaculous. Built your own site? Follow Upload a website instead.
- Tutorial
Make your site secure with HTTPS
Confirm the free SSL certificate, redirect to HTTPS and fix any mixed content.
- Tutorial
Create your email address
A mailbox on your domain, tested in webmail and added to your phone.
- Tutorial
Take your first full backup
Download it and keep it somewhere safe. You’ll thank yourself later.
Learn on the real thing, free for 30 days.
Every stop on this path works on a Traxio account. Start free, no card, then it’s £0.99 a month if you stay.
- £0 today
- No card required
- £0.99 a month afterwards
- Cancel any time