The Guide to Building a Website in 2026 | Part Two

This is the 2026 guide of how to build a website by yourself

Now for one of the most simple, yet critical pieces of your website, your domain name.

This is your company’s digital address. If your website is a beautiful new store, your domain name is the elegant sign out front. The best names are short and easy to recall. Think instantly recognizable and relevant, kind of like name.com.

Take, for example, if you’re selling artisanal pickles. You wouldn’t want thegherkingrottoofdillandcucumber.com. That’s long. But aim for something sexier like gherkingrotto.store.

There are two main domain types

Generic domains, or gTLDs, which stands for generic top-level domain, like .com, .net, and .org, and also new generics, ngTLDs, also known as descriptive domains, like .pro, .fyi, and .xyz.

Generic domains are the trailblazers of the internet, here before time and before the great evolution of the web. .com is obviously the most well-known, but because of that, the chance of you getting your exact match is slim. .net is also a classic, and now more relevant for tech, and .org is great for purpose-driven organizations and nonprofits.

New generics came in with their loud music and baggy pants and shook things up a bit. nTLDs allow for a larger swath of options, especially if your first choice is taken. Across numerous categories, descriptive domains allow you to choose a name that showcases your digital identity to a T. It is also easier to find a direct match and short enough to make your domain clear, concise, and memorable.

There are hundreds of options out there for domain extensions, so don’t skip right to the familiars when your first choice is taken and start adding words. Look through the list. Name.com has an intuitive search tool that’ll give you multiple options right off the bat so you can find that perfect domain name for your business.

Now, you have two options for securing that domain name.

Many website builders let you find and register your domain right from that platform. The other option is going straight through a registrar, like name.com. If you already own your domain, any reputable website builders will offer you instructions on how to connect your domain, and our dedicated support team will hold your proverbial hand as we skip merrily through the fields of code together.

‘Cause we’re best friends till the end. Now, you wouldn’t show up to a business meeting in your spaceship jammies, so why use a goofy, generic email address?

A professional website demands a professional email address.

Using your own domain, like ben@gherkingrotto.store instantly makes your email more credible and trustworthy.

It’s the difference between looking like a legitimate business owner or somebody just selling pickles out of their basement, which sounds unsanitary, just like benthebasementgherkin@hotmail.com. Similar to domains, website builders will often offer an email product. A key point, WordPress does not.

And also a word of caution, not all email products are created equal, and a proprietary email service may not have the same functionality that you’re used to. Name.com offers great options, like Gmail and Titan email, that can be managed all through your name.com account and connected to your site from there as well.

A real all-in-one platform we got going on here. Imagine a street performer who plays all those instruments at the same time, except you’re the street performer, and we’re just providing you with the tambourine, kick drum, and harmonica. 

So there you have it. Learning how to build a website in 2026 doesn’t need a huge budget, doesn’t need coding experience. It just needs grit and commitment and the tools to get you there. A little research and this video, and me and us, ’cause we’re friends. 

Here’s your five-step plan to build a website. 

1. Secure a domain
2. Choose your platform or hosting provider
3. Start designing
4. Connect a custom email
5. Launch

Do that, and go forth and launch with confidence, and you’ll have a professional online home that helps your idea or your business grow. 

We’ve given you the roadmap, but if you want the fast pass, you can find domain search, website solutions like Wix and WordPress hosting, plus email solutions like Gmail and Titan email, all in one spot at name.com.

Now, which platform do you think is best for your idea or your business? 

Thanks for joining me and becoming my best friend. I’ll see you on the next one. Bye.

Check out more videos on our YouTube channel.