How to Build a Website Godaddy Step-By-Step

in web developmenttutorials · 6 min read

Step-by-step guide for beginners and developers on how to build a website with GoDaddy, covering domain, hosting, builders, WordPress, DNS, SSL,

Overview

This guide explains how to build a website godaddy and walk you through domain registration, choosing hosting, using GoDaddy Website Builder or WordPress, connecting DNS, securing HTTPS, and publishing. You will learn the practical steps, commands, and checks to move from idea to live site.

Why this matters: GoDaddy combines domain, hosting, and builder tools that let entrepreneurs and developers launch quickly. Understanding the steps prevents downtime, ensures security, and gives you control over future edits and scaling.

Prerequisites: basic familiarity with web concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript helps), a credit card for GoDaddy purchases, and a local computer for editing files. Time estimate: total 3-6 hours for a basic site; more for custom development. Individual steps include smaller time estimates.

Step 1:

Choose and register a domain (how to build a website godaddy - Domain)

Action: Pick and register a domain name on GoDaddy.

Why: Your domain is the public address visitors use. Picking a clear, brandable domain improves SEO and trust.

Steps:

  1. Go to godaddy.com and sign in or create an account.
  2. Use the search box to enter domain ideas.
  3. Compare extensions (.com, .net, .io) and availability.
  4. Add privacy protection (WHOIS privacy) if you want to hide personal info.
  5. Complete checkout and note the account order number.

Expected outcome: You own a domain listed in your GoDaddy Dashboard and can manage DNS and name servers.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Domain taken: try variations, hyphens, or different extensions.
  • Price surprises: promotional first-year pricing vs renewal rates; check renewal cost and consider multi-year registration.
  • Account verification: check email for GoDaddy verification link and complete it.

Time estimate: ~15 minutes

Step 2:

Select hosting or a site builder (how to build a website godaddy - Hosting vs Builder)

Action: Decide whether to use GoDaddy Website Builder, GoDaddy Managed WordPress, or external hosting.

Why: The choice affects control, scalability, performance, and development workflow. Builders are fast; WordPress and external hosts give more flexibility.

Options and when to choose:

  1. GoDaddy Website Builder - choose if you want drag-and-drop and fast setup with templates.
  2. GoDaddy Managed WordPress - choose for blog or CMS sites needing plugins and themes.
  3. cPanel hosting or VPS - choose for custom deployments, custom stacks (Node, Python), or ecommerce beyond builder limits.

Expected outcome: A hosting product or builder plan purchased and visible in your GoDaddy account.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Picking the wrong plan: review storage, bandwidth, and plugin support before purchase. Upgrade later if needed.
  • Mixed tooling: if you plan custom code, avoid builder plans that lock you into templates.

Time estimate: ~10 minutes

Step 3:

Set up your site using the GoDaddy Website Builder or WordPress

Action: Create site content in the chosen platform.

Why: This is where the visual layout, pages, and content are created.

If using GoDaddy Website Builder:

  1. From Dashboard, click Website Builder and choose a template.
  2. Edit pages: header, hero, services, contact.
  3. Configure navigation and footer.
  4. Add images and text, and set SEO meta titles and descriptions.

If using Managed WordPress:

  1. Install WordPress from your GoDaddy Hosting dashboard.
  2. Log in to wp-admin (yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
  3. Install a theme and essential plugins: SEO (Yoast), caching, security.
  4. Create pages: Home, About, Contact, Blog. Set a static front page if desired.

Code example: minimal local index.html to prototype locally

<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
 <meta charset="utf-8">
 <title>My GoDaddy Site</title>
 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1">
</head>
<body>
 <h1>Welcome</h1>
 <p>This is a prototype page.</p>
</body>
</html>

Expected outcome: Site pages built, content published to a staging or live URL.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Images not optimized: compress images (use TinyPNG or ImageOptim) to speed load times.
  • Plugin conflicts in WordPress: deactivate plugins one by one to isolate issues.
  • Themes not mobile responsive: choose a responsive theme or adjust CSS media queries.

Time estimate: ~45 minutes

Step 4:

Configure DNS and point the domain

Action: Connect your domain to the hosting or builder by editing DNS records or changing name servers.

Why: DNS maps your human-readable domain to the hosting server IP so visitors reach your site.

Steps:

  1. In GoDaddy Dashboard, go to Domains > DNS for your domain.
  2. If using GoDaddy Hosting/Builder, use default name servers or point the A record to the host IP.
  3. If using external host, update the nameservers to those provided by the host (e.g., ns1.examplehost.com). 4. For WordPress or a specific server, add/edit the A record:
  • Host: @
  • Points to: 192.0.2.123
  • TTL: 1 hour

DNS example record block:

Type Name Value TTL
A @ 192.0.2.123 3600
CNAME www @ 3600

Expected outcome: Domain resolves to your hosting IP or builder within DNS propagation time.

Common issues and fixes:

  • DNS propagation delay: allow up to 48 hours; usually updates in 15-60 minutes.
  • Cached DNS on local machine: flush DNS cache (Windows: ipconfig /flushdns; macOS: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache).
  • Incorrect A/CNAME settings: confirm values with hosting provider.

Time estimate: ~15 minutes (propagation may take longer)

Step 5:

Set up SSL and HTTPS

Action: Enable HTTPS by installing an SSL certificate or turning on automatic SSL.

Why: HTTPS secures user data, improves SEO, and is often required for payment processing.

Steps:

  1. For GoDaddy Website Builder and Managed WordPress, turn on the free SSL option in the product dashboard.
  2. For cPanel hosting, use Let’s Encrypt or GoDaddy SSL certificate in the Security or SSL/TLS manager.
  3. Verify mixed content: update HTTP links in pages to use HTTPS or relative URLs.

Expected outcome: Your site loads with https:// and shows a padlock in browsers.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Mixed content warnings: replace absolute HTTP asset URLs with https or protocol-relative URLs.
  • SSL not issued: verify domain points to the server and try reissuing certificate after DNS propagation.
  • Redirect loop after forcing HTTPS: check .htaccess or server redirect settings for conflicts.

Time estimate: ~10 minutes

Step 6:

Optimize, test, and publish

Action: Finalize settings, optimize performance, and publish the site.

Why: Optimization improves user experience and search ranking. Publishing makes the site live to the public.

Steps:

  1. Test mobile responsiveness and fix breakpoints.
  2. Optimize images and enable caching or CDN (Cloudflare integrates with GoDaddy).
  3. Set up analytics (Google Analytics / GA4) and Google Search Console.
  4. Publish or push the site live from the builder or remove staging password.

Expected outcome: A fast, indexed, and live website ready for visitors.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Slow load times: enable caching, minify CSS/JS, use a CDN.
  • Analytics not tracking: confirm tracking code present on all pages and publish updates.
  • Form submissions failing: verify form action URL and spam protection settings.

Time estimate: ~30 minutes

Testing and Validation

How to verify it works with checklist

Checklist:

  1. Domain resolves to your site (visit yourdomain.com).
  2. SSL is active and shows a padlock in the browser.
  3. Pages load on desktop and mobile; test common devices or use responsive design mode.
  4. Forms, links, and navigation work; submit a test form and confirm emails.
  5. Check site speed with Google PageSpeed Insights and run basic accessibility checks.
  6. Confirm analytics is receiving data and verify Search Console ownership.

Perform these checks in order and record any errors to fix before promoting the site in marketing channels.

Common Mistakes

3-4 pitfalls and how to avoid them

  1. Buying domain and forgetting renewal: enable auto-renew or set calendar reminders to avoid losing the domain.
  2. Skipping backups: enable regular backups for WordPress and hosting to recover from failures or hacks.
  3. Ignoring mobile: always test responsive layouts; many visitors use phones first.
  4. Not securing the site: enable SSL, keep plugins and themes updated, and use strong passwords with 2FA for account access.

Avoid these by creating an operations checklist and scheduling regular maintenance.

FAQ

How Long Does It Take to Build a Site on Godaddy?

A basic site using GoDaddy Website Builder can be live in 1-3 hours. A custom WordPress or developer-built site typically takes several days to weeks depending on content and integrations.

Can I Use My Existing Domain on Godaddy Hosting?

Yes. In GoDaddy DNS settings, either point the A record to your hosting IP or change the nameservers to the hosting provider. Wait for DNS propagation to complete.

Is Godaddy Good for E-Commerce?

GoDaddy’s Website Builder includes ecommerce features suitable for small stores. For larger stores with complex needs, consider WooCommerce on managed WordPress, Shopify, or a dedicated ecommerce host.

How Do I Switch From Godaddy Website Builder to Wordpress?

Export content where possible, backup current site, register hosting with WordPress support, install WordPress, choose a theme, and recreate pages or import blog posts via supported export formats. Update DNS to point to new host.

Do I Need to Buy SSL Separately on Godaddy?

Often no. GoDaddy provides free SSL for Website Builder and many Managed WordPress plans. For advanced or extended validation certificates, you may need to purchase a premium SSL.

Next Steps

After launching, focus on content strategy, ongoing SEO, and analytics. Create a content calendar, build key pages (About, Services, Blog), and set up email marketing and social profiles. Monitor performance metrics, user behavior, and conversion rates, and iterate on design and content monthly to improve traffic and conversions.

Further Reading

Sources & Citations

Tags: websites GoDaddy domain hosting WordPress HTML CSS JavaScript
Ryan

About the author

Ryan — Web Development Expert

Ryan helps beginners and professionals build amazing websites through step-by-step tutorials, code examples, and best practices.

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