ContentsEight chapters

1. 1

   Themes

   3 guides

   Themes and templates on every platform, sorted by kind of site and by look, for first-timers choosing the design their site starts from.

   In this section

   Themes by kind of siteWordPress themesShopify themesSquarespace and Wix templatesFree versus paid themesRestaurants, salons and local servicesPortfolios for photographers and creativesCoaches, consultants and nonprofitsSingle-theme reviewsTheme marketplaces comparedSwitching themes without breaking a siteWhat a theme costs over the years

2. 2

   Website Builders

   1 guide

   Wix, Squarespace, Framer, Webflow and the rest, compared for first-timers deciding whether an all-in-one builder or WordPress suits their site.

   In this section

   Builders comparedWixSquarespaceFramer and WebflowBudget buildersAI website buildersOne-page sites and link-in-bio pagesBooking, forms and membershipsPlans and pricingMoving between buildersBuilders versus WordPress

3. 3

   WordPress

   1 guide

   WordPress for people who are not developers: setup, the block editor, page builders, plugins, and keeping a site safe, fast and up to date.

   In this section

   WordPress.com versus WordPress.orgInstalling WordPressThe block and site editorsBlock and classic themesPage buildersEssential pluginsCustomizing a themeChild themesBackups and updatesSecurity basicsSpeeding up WordPressFixing common errors

4. 4

   Online Stores

   1 guide

   Selling from your own site, for makers and small shops: Shopify, WooCommerce and builder stores, store design, payments, shipping and digital products.

   In this section

   Shopify for beginnersWooCommerceSquarespace and Wix storesEtsy versus your own storeStore design and product pagesProduct photosPayments and checkoutShipping and sales tax setupDigital productsPrint-on-demand storesStore apps and plugins

5. 5

   Web Design

   2 guides

   Making a site look right without a designer: fonts, color, layout, photos and the small details, for owners doing it themselves.

   In this section

   Font pairingsColor palettesHomepage layoutsNavigation and menusPhotos and stock imagesLogos and simple brandingIcons and illustrationsDesigning for phonesAccessibility basicsDesign inspiration and examplesDesign tools for non-designers

6. 6

   Hosting & Domains

   1 guide

   The plumbing under a site, explained plainly: domain names, hosting, email at your own address, and what each costs after the first year.

   In this section

   Choosing a domain nameRegistrarsShared, managed and cloud hostingWordPress hostingEmail at your own domainSSL and securityDNS basicsMoving to a new hostPrices after the intro offerSupport and uptime

7. 7

   Blogging

   First guides soon

   Starting and running a blog or newsletter on your own site, from platform and design to writing and earning, for small businesses and solo writers.

   In this section

   Blogging platforms comparedGhost, Substack and BeehiivA blog on WordPressNewsletter toolsBlog designWriting for the webEditorial calendarsImages for postsMaking money from a blogEmail lists and sign-up forms

8. 8

   SEO & Growth

   1 guide

   Getting a new site found and used after launch: search basics, analytics, speed, local search and turning visitors into customers, without the jargon.

   In this section

   SEO basics for new sitesGoogle Search ConsoleAnalytics toolsSite speedLocal SEO and Google Business ProfileKeyword research for beginnersWriting pages that rankContact forms and lead captureConversion basicsAI search and answer enginesSEO tools compared