Godaddy How to Build a Website Step-By-Step

in Web DevelopmentTutorial · 7 min read

A practical, beginner-friendly guide to building a website with GoDaddy, covering domain, hosting, site builder, HTML/CSS/JavaScript, deployment,

Overview

The phrase godaddy how to build a website is included here to make the guide discoverable and to start you on a clear path. This guide teaches beginners, entrepreneurs, and developers how to register a domain, choose hosting or GoDaddy Website Builder, create pages with HTML/CSS/JavaScript, deploy files, and configure DNS and SSL so the site is live and secure.

You will learn: how to pick the right GoDaddy plan, how to use the Website Builder or upload custom code, how to edit HTML/CSS/JS, how to configure DNS and SSL, and how to test and troubleshoot common problems. This matters because a functioning, fast, and secure website converts visitors to customers and establishes your brand online.

Prerequisites: basic computer skills, a GoDaddy account (or willingness to create one), a text editor (VS Code, Sublime, or similar), and a modern browser. Time estimate: total about 3-6 hours for a simple site; each step contains its own estimate.

Step 1:

godaddy how to build a website - Choose a domain and plan

Action: Register your domain and select a GoDaddy product: Website Builder, Managed WordPress, or Web Hosting (cPanel).

Why: Your domain is the address people use. Hosting or a builder determines how you manage content and deploy files.

Checklist:

  1. Search domain availability on GoDaddy and complete registration.
  2. Compare products: Website Builder (drag-and-drop), Managed WordPress, or Linux Hosting with cPanel.
  3. Select plan based on expected traffic and features (SSL, email, backups).

Expected outcome: You own a domain and have an active GoDaddy product assigned to it.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Domain taken: try variations, use different TLDs, or use a domain broker.
  • Wrong plan: contact GoDaddy sales for an upgrade or switch products from your account dashboard.
  • Billing errors: verify payment method and billing address in account settings.

Time estimate: ~20-30 minutes

Step 2:

Set up hosting or start the Website Builder

Action: For Website Builder, launch a new site. For hosting, access cPanel and create an account or set up WordPress.

Why: This step prepares the environment where your files or CMS will live.

Checklist:

  1. Website Builder: click “Create Website” and choose a template.
  2. Managed WordPress: choose a theme and complete setup wizard.
  3. cPanel hosting: log in to cPanel from GoDaddy account, create an FTP or SFTP user, and check server IP.

Expected outcome: A working control panel or builder instance you can edit and publish.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Can’t access cPanel: confirm hosting is active and use the direct cPanel URL from GoDaddy.
  • Builder template looks different: templates are placeholders; replace text and images.
  • WordPress login not received: check spam folder for email and reset password from account dashboard.

Time estimate: ~15-30 minutes

Step 3:

Create pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (developer option)

Action: Build a basic static site locally using HTML, CSS, and optional JavaScript.

Why: Custom code gives full control for performance, SEO, and unique design.

Example HTML and CSS (save as index.html):

<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
 <meta charset="utf-8">
 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1">
 <title>My GoDaddy Site</title>
 <style>
 body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; max-width: 900px; margin: 2rem auto; padding: 1rem; }
 header { border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; padding-bottom: 1rem; }
 nav a { margin-right: 1rem; color: #0366d6; text-decoration: none; }
 </style>
</head>
<body>
 <header><h1>My Business</h1><nav><a href="/">Home</a><a href="/about.html">About</a></nav></header>
 <main><p>Welcome to my site hosted with GoDaddy.</p></main>
 <footer><small>Copyright 2026</small></footer>
</body>
</html>

html and any other pages you need, ready for upload.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Local images not loading: use relative paths and ensure images are in the same folder as index.html.
  • Layout issues: check browser console for CSS errors and verify responsive meta tag is present.
  • JS not running: ensure script tags are after content or use DOMContentLoaded handlers.

Time estimate: ~30-90 minutes depending on complexity

Step 4:

Deploy files to GoDaddy hosting (FTP or cPanel)

Action: Upload your site files to GoDaddy hosting using cPanel File Manager or FTP/SFTP.

Why: Uploading makes your local site live on the domain you registered.

Checklist:

  1. In GoDaddy, go to My Products -> Web Hosting -> Manage -> cPanel Admin.
  2. In cPanel, find FTP Accounts or File Manager.
  3. Upload index.html to public_html (or the domain’s document root).
  4. Set correct file permissions (files 644, folders 755).

Example SFTP command (replace with your host, user, and path):

sftp username@your-host.example.com
put index.html
put -r assets/
exit

html page.

Common issues and fixes:

  • 404 errors: confirm files are in public_html and index.html exists.
  • Permission denied on upload: create or reset FTP credentials in cPanel.
  • Wrong document root for addon domain: check domain aliases and their assigned folders.

Time estimate: ~15-30 minutes

Step 5:

Configure DNS, point domain, and add SSL

Action: Point your domain to your hosting IP or configure DNS records for GoDaddy Website Builder; enable SSL certificate.

Why: Correct DNS resolves the domain to the server; SSL (HTTPS) secures traffic and is required for modern browsers and SEO.

Checklist:

  1. In GoDaddy, open DNS Management for your domain.
  2. For hosting: set A record for @ to your hosting IP; set CNAME for www to @.
  3. For external hosting: set nameservers to the host provider if instructed.
  4. Enable free SSL (GoDaddy AutoSSL or via cPanel) or install Let’s Encrypt if provided.

Expected outcome: The domain resolves to your site, and HTTPS is active after propagation.

Common issues and fixes:

  • DNS changes not visible: DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours; often it is much faster (minutes to a few hours).
  • SSL not issued: wait a few minutes after DNS propagation or force reinstall in cPanel SSL/TLS manager.
  • Mixed content warnings: update HTTP links on pages to HTTPS to avoid mixed content blocking.

Time estimate: ~15-60 minutes (DNS up to 48 hours to fully propagate)

Step 6:

Add content, SEO basics, and analytics

Action: Create meaningful content, add meta tags, submit sitemap, and set up analytics.

Why: Content attracts visitors, SEO helps them find you, and analytics measures results.

Checklist:

  1. Add title tags and meta descriptions to each HTML page or via builder/WordPress SEO plugin.
  2. Create a sitemap.xml and robots.txt. Example sitemap link: yourdomain.com
  3. Register Google Search Console and submit sitemap.
  4. Add Google Analytics or other tracking snippet to your pages or via builder settings.

Expected outcome: Search engines can index your site and you can track visitor behavior.

Common issues and fixes:

  • Pages not indexed: check robots.txt and meta robots tags; request indexing in Search Console.
  • Analytics not showing data: confirm tracking ID is correct and the tracking snippet is included on all pages.
  • Poor SEO: improve page load speed, use descriptive headings, and add structured content.

Time estimate: ~30-90 minutes

Testing and Validation

How to verify your site works with checklist:

  1. Open your domain in multiple browsers and devices to confirm layout and responsiveness.
  2. Check HTTPS by visiting yourdomain.com and looking for the padlock icon.
  3. Use the browser console (F12) to check for JavaScript errors and missing resource 404s.
  4. Test DNS propagation with tools like dig or online checkers (e.g., whatsmydns.net).
  5. Run a basic Lighthouse or PageSpeed Insights audit to identify performance issues.

Expected outcome: The site loads securely, content displays correctly, and diagnostics show no critical errors.

Time estimate: ~15-30 minutes

Common Mistakes

  1. Not waiting for DNS propagation: DNS changes can take hours; avoid repeated edits and verify propagation before troubleshooting.
  2. Uploading to the wrong folder: confirm public_html or domain-specific directory; use cPanel path shown in the dashboard.
  3. Forgetting SSL or keeping mixed content: always use HTTPS links and enable SSL to avoid browser warnings.
  4. Using large unoptimized images and scripts: compress images, minify CSS/JS, and enable caching to improve load times.

How to avoid them: follow the checklists, test after each change, and use developer tools to inspect issues immediately.

FAQ

How Long Does It Take to Get a Godaddy Site Live?

After you upload files and set DNS, many sites are live within minutes, but DNS propagation may take up to 48 hours. SSL issuance can add a short delay.

Can I Use My Own HTML/CSS with Godaddy Website Builder?

No. The Website Builder is a drag-and-drop system and does not accept raw site uploads. For custom HTML/CSS use cPanel hosting or Managed WordPress where custom themes and files are supported.

How Do I Add SSL to My Godaddy Site?

GoDaddy provides free SSL on many hosting plans via AutoSSL. Enable it in cPanel under SSL/TLS. For other setups, you can use a certificate from GoDaddy or a free Let’s Encrypt certificate if your plan supports it.

What are the Best Practices for SEO on Godaddy Sites?

Use unique title tags and meta descriptions, add structured data where appropriate, submit a sitemap to Google Search Console, ensure mobile responsiveness, and optimize page speed.

How Do I Move a Site From Godaddy Website Builder to Hosting with Files?

Recreate your pages in a custom site by exporting content where possible, or copy text and images, then build the HTML/CSS locally or in a CMS and upload to hosting. There is no direct full export feature from the Website Builder.

Next Steps

After publishing and validating your site, focus on continuous improvement: create a content plan, optimize images and code for speed, set up backups and monitoring, and refine SEO based on analytics. Consider adding email accounts, forms for leads, and integrations like payment processing or CRM. Schedule periodic checks for security updates and performance audits to keep the site professional and reliable.

Further Reading

Sources & Citations

Tags: godaddy website hosting html css javascript tutorial
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.

Recommended Web Hosting

The Best Web Hosting - Free Domain for 1st Year, Free SSL Certificate, 1-Click WordPress Install, Expert 24/7 Support. Starting at CA$2.99/mo* (Regularly CA$8.49/mo). Recommended by WordPress.org, Trusted by over 5 Million WordPress Users.

Try Bluehost for $2.99/mo