*This page contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase to help support my site — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally used and/or trust.
Website Building from the Ground Up
Course Overview
This course provides a practical overview of what’s required to launch and manage a personal or small business website. Topics include choosing the right hosting provider, understanding how content management systems work, and driving traffic to your site for long-term success.
Below are links to the services and topics covered in the “Website Building from the Ground Up” course, along with some reference links, apps and tools to help get you started building your website.
Enjoy building your website!
Beginner Website Stack
A recommended list of tools to get you started building your website.
- SEO: Rank Math
- Security: Wordfence
- Backups: UpdraftPlus
- Email Marketing: Mailchimp
- Analytics: Google Analytics & Search Console
Books and Reference
WordPress Addons
Themes, plugins and patterns add additional enhancements and functionality to your WordPress website.
Themes
Themes are the design template to your WordPress site. Choose from nearly 10,000 designs!
Plugins
Plugins extend your WordPress experience. Add photo galleries, sliders, and much more!
Patterns
Add a beautifully designed, ready to go layout to any WordPress site!
Hosting & Domains
Namecheap
Register domain names and manage DNS settings.
GoDaddy
Domains, hosting, email, and website services.
Bluehost
Beginner-friendly hosting with WordPress integration.
SiteGround
High-performance hosting with excellent support.
Shopify
Build and customize online stores and sell across web, mobile, in-person, pop-ups, and multiple channels.
Hostinger
Web hosting that drives online success with advanced servers, professional support, and a seamless experience.
WP Engine
Advanced visual website design and development platform.
Design & Marketing
Elementor
Visual page builder for WordPress websites.
Divi
Website builder with extensive design options.
Corel
Graphics, productivity, photo, and video editing software.
Canva
Create logos, graphics, social media posts, and website images.
Adobe Photoshop
Professional image editing and graphic design.
Mailchimp
Build an email list and stay connected with your audience outside of YouTube.
WPForms
Simple drag-and-drop contact form builder.
Beaver Builder
Stable, beginner-friendly page builder used in professional builds.
Final Thoughts
Building a website today is more accessible than ever, but success comes from choosing the right tools and creating a solid foundation. Whether you’re launching a personal blog, portfolio, small business website, or online store, the resources on this page can help you register a domain, build your site, create content, improve performance, and grow your audience.
Remember that a website is never truly finished—it evolves as your goals, content, and audience grow. Focus on creating valuable content, maintaining a professional appearance, optimizing for search engines, and regularly updating your site. With the right strategy and tools, your website can become a powerful platform for sharing information, building credibility, and achieving your personal or business objectives.
Frank DeBlasi
Course Instructor
Enjoy the Class?