If you’re attempting to make money online — freelancing, selling products, etc. — a website is the best way to carve your presence into the Internet. Who knew, right!?
An effective website works for you even when you’re asleep. Clients can find the information they want without having to wait for you to return calls or emails (this is particularly good when you work in different time zones than your clients).
Whatever your chosen niche — proofreading, editing, writing, transcribing, reporting — whatever service you’re looking to provide, it’s 2019! You need a [professional-looking] website!
Can I Make Extra Money Online Without a Website?
Sure, you can absolutely make it work without a website, but having a website which clearly and professionally showcases the services you provide (and how to contact you) is paramount to building trust with your target market (clients).
When I first started freelance proofreading, I didn’t have a website, and I wish I did! It hurts to think I could’ve filled in some downtime with extra freelance work from clients who found me online. Not just proofreading work, but copyediting, logo design, writing — all the stuff I love doing!
Take this website as an example. I’ve got hundreds of thousands, probably getting close to a million words of content across my blog, courses, and FAQs — and that doesn’t include the hundreds of comment replies on those posts! What if I tried to build my business without any of that? It’d take a crap ton more work to make a name for myself. People would only hear about my services from word of mouth, then I’d have to answer the same questions and explain the complexity of what I do and how I do it to individuals over the phone or via email.
One at a time.
Over and over again.
When you’re trying to build a business, this is not a good use of your time. Websites change all of that.
MORE Perks of Having a Website
Besides saving time, websites help you earn people’s trust. By choosing to be visible online, you are automatically more accessible and more likely to be hired than people who choose to remain in the shadows of the offline world.
It should be a cinch to find answers and a cinch to contact you. If it’s not, you’ve got some work to do! Fortunately, I’ve put together this super-thorough tutorial — bookmark it! It’s a step-by-step how-to guide on setting up your freelance website.
The guide works for anyone offering any type of freelance service anywhere in the world.
Stick with me throughout this tutorial, okay? You’re going to learn a lot. Take it step by step, and trust me — it’s way easier to build a website nowadays than it used to be. Thank goodness we’re not in 2001 anymore, amiright?!
A Step-By-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Home Business Website
(8 Easy Steps!)
Step 1: Choose a hosting provider.
A hosting provider is your safe place to park your domain and build your website. You want to choose a good one.
For reliable hosting, my first recommendation is Bluehost.
Why? Because they really make it a no-brainer for freelancers to build websites. They have a 30-day, money-back guarantee, too, so if you don’t like it, you haven’t lost anything.
Best of all, with Bluehost, you can get a FREE domain and access to a free website builder.
Step 2: Choose a Plan
Bluehost has, well, a host of plans to choose from.
I recommend the Basic plan for your website. If you’re going to be using this website to build a gigantic blog with lots of posts, advertising, and visitors, go for the Plus or above.
| PA Promo Pricing for Basic Plan: | Regular Pricing for Basic Plan: |
| 12 Months: $4.95 | 12 Months: $5.45 |
| 24 Months: $3.95 | 24 Months: $4.95 |
| 36 Months: $2.95 | 36 Months: $3.95 |
Step 3: Choose a Domain Name
After choosing a plan on Bluehost, you’ll be able to choose your domain name (which is included for FREE in your annual hosting plan) — either a brand new one or you’ll have the option to transfer one you’ve already purchased.
If none of the options you want are available, try adding “proofreader” or “editor” (or whatever you do) on to the end of your name, as in caitlinpyleproofreader.com. You could also use a “.net” or “.biz” domain, BUT just keep in mind that most people automatically type in “.com” before even thinking of other endings.
Keep in mind the type of services you’re providing. Many of my proofreading students also offer other services like bookkeeping or virtual assisting, so choosing a domain name with only proofreading in it would be limiting. It’s always a good choice to own your own “name” as a domain.
Once you’ve settled on your domain, don’t wait to buy it. Even if you’re not ready to set up your website right now, you don’t want to risk losing the domain you want.
Why Should I Have a Personalized Domain?
What’s the advantage of a personalized domain over a subdomain (like caitlinpyle.blogspot.com)? Because subdomains are not as polished and professional looking, and if you use a “free site builder” without your own domain, you’ll be left with ads at the bottom of your website. Yes, a free site with tacky ads is better than no site at all, but ads can slow your site down and call into question whether you’re a real business. Purchasing your own domain is so inexpensive (and tax deductible!) — there’s no good reason to not have one.
Ask yourself: would you view ProofreadAnywhere as a lesser business if my website was proofreadanywhere.freesite.com? You probably would. Your own “dot com” legitimizes you far more than a subdomain ever will.
What if it had ads on it like this?
See what I mean? Custom domains are essential to projecting a professional business image.
PRO TIP! With your own hosting and domain, you also get your own email address with your domain — not just a Hotmail, Yahoo, or Gmail address. A real domain email address SCREAMS “I’m a real business!” As you can see in Step 2, five email accounts are included in your hosting plan — you only need one! — and did you know you can use your FREE Gmail account to send and receive with your personalized domain address? See Google’s step-by-step instructions to set this up when you’re ready.
Don’t Be Cheap!
I know it may be tempting to pinch pennies when it comes to this kind of thing, but remember: it’s tax deductible and you’re investing in the professional image of your business. It’s worth it — and if one client stays on your website longer or decides to contact you because of its fast loading time and super-professional look, it’s definitely worth it. I don’t think using a free site with a subdomain (and tacky ads!) is worth the risk of looking cheap or unprofessional. If you’re not sure you’re going to be doing the same type of service forever, be “safe” when choosing your domain, and just go with your name.
Step 4: Enter Your Contact Info
This is an easy step! Don’t worry; they’re not trying to steal your identity! Bluehost is a legit, award-winning hosting company whose very livelihood depends on their clients’ security.
Step 5: Choose Add-Ons
After you provide your contact info, you’ll have a few options to choose from.
You can stick with the Basic package at $2.95/month, or you can choose to add on some extra security features. You don’t pay for them unless you choose them, and I encourage you to click the “More information” button to see if it’s something you feel you need or not. If you’re unsure, just remember these features are always something you can add on later.
Step 6: Enter Billing Info
This is the payment step. Super easy — just add in your payment info and click “Next”
Step 7: Choose Your Website Builder
Congrats! You just got your domain and hosting. You’ve reached a crossroads! The rest of this tutorial will go over how to install WordPress on your new domain, but Bluehost also has a few other totally free website builders you can use — these website builders do not add tacky ads on your site.
(For the record, my website is built on WordPress and I use the Genesis theme.)
Here’s a screenshot of where you’ll need to go once you’re “inside” your hosting account. You’ll need to click “hosting” in the blue bar, then “cpanel” in the bar below it.
Step 8: The SUPER-EASY WordPress Install
WordPress is the bomb. And it’s free (people who say it’s not are probably referring to the need to have a hosting provider and a domain in order to use the WordPress.org system 🙂 Just ignore them. Using WordPress on your domain will ALWAYS be free!).
So this is the screen you’ll see right after clicking “Install WordPress” in Step 7 above.
Click start…
then choose your domain from the dropdown…
… then give your site a title + enter your Admin details.
Click the box to indicate you’ve read the terms and conditions, then click “Install Now”.
This is the screen you’ll see after you click “Install Now”.
That’s it! You’ve got your freelance website up and running!
Wait… What Now?
Once WordPress is installed on your site, the fun begins — now you can start customizing it!!
BUT FIRST… let’s go through some WordPress navigation basics.
Navigating WordPress
Signing in: When you install WordPress in Step 8 above, you’re going to get an email. This email is important! Save it. It contains your unique WordPress login URL which is how you’ll access your site in order to start customizing it.
Adding a New Post or Page: Once you are logged in, you’re in the “Dashboard.” In the left-hand side, mouse over to Pages and choose “Add New”. This process is the same for posts (if you choose to blog on your site); just choose Posts and “Add New” instead.
Adding Images: Go to “Media” in your Dashboard area and click “Add New”. To get your image into a post or page, you’ll need to go to that Post or Page and click the “Add Media” button. Make sure your cursor is blinking where you want the image.
Adding Sidebar Stuff: Mouse over to “Appearance” and click “Widgets” — this will allow you to add nifty stuff to the sidebar of your website (more on that later). Don’t worry too much about this stuff yet until you’ve chosen your theme.
Definitely take some time to click around on things on your new WordPress site. “Just doing it” isn’t some lame marketing slogan — it’s true! Learn by doing.
Put Up an “Under Construction” Page
While working on your new website, put up an “under construction” or “coming soon” sign to greet any visitors. It can take some time for Google to index your new site, but you don’t want any potential clients or readers to Google your name and find a half-finished site.
To set up a little sign that says “under construction,” just go to Plugins –> Add New in your Dashboard and search for Under Construction. Choose the plugin with the highest star rating and you’ll be good 🙂 You can even include a link to your social media profiles on your Under Construction page — that way, visitors have an alternate way of getting in touch with you. When you’re ready to share your website with the world, simply deactivate and delete this plugin (to do this, go to Plugins –> Installed Plugins).
More on plugins later!
Choose a Theme
Now we’re getting to the fun stuff!
Your theme determines what your website actually looks like, and you’ve got a lot of options in this department! Yes, there’s a wide range of free themes, but if you’re serious about this website, the customization and support offered by paid themes can’t be beat. When I first started ProofreadAnywhere, I used a free theme, and I didn’t even have the option to upload my own logo!
On ProofreadAnywhere, I use Genesis, which is one of the most widely used themes out there because it’s so easy to use — plus the pre-made “child” themes make it super quick to get a professional looking site. Another popular and ultra-flexible theme is Thesis. I also recommend Elegant Themes, which has a wide selection of gorgeous themes at very reasonable prices. All of these themes come with unlimited support — essential when you’re starting a website.
Create a Logo to Use for Your Website and Marketing
If you truly want your website to look professional, it’s worth it to create a custom logo. You can ask your favorite graphic designer or create something yourself with PicMonkey.
The easiest option? Order one on Fiverr (if you’re new to fiverr, use this link for a free $5 service — that’ll pay for your logo! You’re welcome ;-)).
Use your logo in your emails, your Facebook profile, and of course, your website!
Here’s an example of a classy logo that was made on PicMonkey:
Write Your Page Content
On WordPress, you can easily create “Pages” (remember that “Pages” are different from “Posts,” which are the entries you publish on your blog, if you choose to write one.)
Here are some pages you may want to create as a freelancer:
About: The about page is frequently touted as one of the most-viewed pages on blogs, so don’t overlook it. Include a photo and brief bio. Be sure to clearly state what you’re offering. What makes you an expert? How can you help them? Don’t be afraid to let the “real” you shine through — websites are personal, and being weird is cool! Remember this post?
Services: What are you offering? Describe it in detail here. Screenshots or examples of what you can do are also great to include here.
Rates: You can combine this with the Services page or make it its own separate page. Create a table of your services and rates together. Take a screenshot of your table and crop it as needed using a free photo editor. You can even add frames!
Reviews: Are people happy with your work? Awesome! You can create a page or a post with comments enabled in WordPress and invite your clients to leave comments about your work.
Contact: Make it EASY to contact you!! It doesn’t have to be fancy, but avoid putting your full email address on your site because spambots could find and abuse it. To work around that, you can use a plugin to create a contact form, or just write something like “yourname AT yoursite DOT com.”
GDPR compliance: Sometimes the legal stuff is the least fun, but it is just as important as the rest. To protect your business and show you are protecting the privacy of anyone who gives you information, make sure you’re in compliance with GDPR. For more help, you can learn more information from Bobby Klinck here.
PRO TIP! Once you’ve set up all your pages, make sure they’re visible on the home page. If they’re not showing up, you may have to adjust your menus.
Unless you prefer to show off your latest blog posts on the homepage, you will want a “static” homepage, and you’ll need to choose which page you want to be your homepage. Check out this WordPress tutorial on how to set it up properly.
Install Essential Plugins
Plugins are what expand WordPress’s functionality. They’re especially useful for people like me — the type of people who aren’t so comfortable with the technical stuff but who’ve still managed to set up a self-hosted website. Think of them as apps for your website: they’re free tools you can install to add function to your site.
These are three plugins that will help you maximize your website’s effectiveness — for free!
WP Google Analytics: This plugin tracks the visitors to your site so you can see what people are interested in and how they’re finding you.
WP Super Cache: Caching allows your website to load faster — this makes both your readers and Google happier 🙂
Yoast SEO: If you’re blogging on your freelance website, look into this one. This all-in-one SEO plugin helps you optimize your post content, upping your chances of getting organic traffic from search engines.
Install Useful Widgets
If your blog has a sidebar, you might want to spruce it up with a few widgets, which are the nifty thingamabobs on the right- or left-hand side of your page. There are some widgets built in to WordPress; others you can download as Plugins. My favorite is Image Widget — you can easily upload an image and turn it into a clickable button.
Don’t forget social media icons! Make it easy for your visitors to find and follow you on social media by including links to your profiles in the sidebar. Here’s a basic tutorial for adding custom social media icons.
Consider Purchasing Backup Software
This may not seem like something to be concerned about, but that’s just because you haven’t experienced the sweaty palms and racing heartbeat when you think your site has crashed and you don’t have a backup! All your hard work — gone in an instant.
Free options to back up your site are out there, and something is better than nothing. More robust, backup options include VaultPress, BackupBuddy
Proofread and Promote!
Once you’ve finished your website design and content, make sure you have it proofread for any stray errors — this is especially important in the world of writing, editing, and proofreading! Even a single typo or poor grammar can cost you a client. Don’t skip this step!
Don’t forget to submit your URL to Google for indexing.
Put your website address everywhere. This is another big reason you want a personalized domain — caitlinpyle.freewebsitebuilder.com doesn’t look very professional plastered all over your social media or email signature, does it?
One of my favorite things to do is doctor up a professional profile photo using PicMonkey.
You can check out my video tutorial for creating an image like this here.
Stuck? Get Help!
If you feel super stuck at any point, you’re not alone!
Learning to build a website isn’t rocket science, but if you’re new, it can be like a whole new language. Don’t be afraid to use Bluehost’s around-the-clock support or invest in a low-cost reference book. Sometimes a little outside help is all you need for this website stuff to “click” 😉
You can also comment on this post, and I’ll do what I can to help!
WordPress Design:
- WordPress Web Design for Dummies by Lisa Sabin-Wilson
- WordPress to Go: How to Build a WordPress Site on Your Domain Even if You’re a Complete Beginner by Sarah McHarry
Marketing Help:
- The LinkedIn Code by Melonie Dodaro (or see a free 60-minute webinar)
- 500 Social Media Marketing Tips by Andrew Macarthy
Additional Resources:
- 21 Tools Proofreaders Use
- 4 Keys to Growing Your Freelance Business
- 7 Ways I Stay Focused Working at Home
- 15+ Work-at-Home Job Ideas for Detail-Oriented People
- Proofread Anywhere Recommends… Check out this resource page where I talk about my favorite tools and resources for building your website, running your freelance business, and even keeping fit!
YOUR TURN!
Do you make extra money online by having a website? How are you using it to grow your business?
Interested in Freelance Proofreading?
Enroll in the free 7-day intro course to learn more.
This post is fantastic! I’ve read a lot about creating a blog/website, but this is the first post I’ve ever seen that clearly addressed every question/topic I was curious about. Looking forward to putting this all into practice soon! Thanks again!
I’m so glad you found it helpful!! Feel free to share with anyone who is stuck on how to start up. I know it would’ve been super helpful for me starting out!!
Wow, Caitlyn! Thank you so much for all of this great information and for the time and effort you put into helping others’ success, not just in proofreading, but any small business startup!
Glad you found it helpful!! You’ll always receive only the best from me 🙂
I have not finished the course work yet, but I am trying to do a little planning ahead for when my marketing time comes. Is there anyone who would be willing to leave a link to their website? I have no idea where to start when it comes to building content. Any extra help would be greatly appreciated!
Caitlin,
Excellent!! If this is any indication of your thoroughness as an instructor, I can’t wait to start your course.
Thank you!
Julie N.
I’m crazy thorough. No stone is left unturned 😀
Wow you really took the time to lay out the details. One of the best tutorial’s I’ve seen on this. Thank you so much!
Cringing at the fact I put an apostrophe ‘s’ on tutorials above. LOL.
Caitlin, Thank you for writing this awesome post. This was great and much needed information. I can’t wait to put it to use. Keep up the great work.
Thank you for this fantastic information. I’m talking the course and trying to come up with a name. I already own the domain with my name and I may use that, so I can add services at a later time. I will probably switch to Bluehost too. My current provider took away my free email and the monthly charge is not worth it. I haven’t mastered WordPress, but this makes it seem less daunting. Thank you again!
Awesome!! You are very welcome.
This is great, Caitlin! Thank you.
Thank you, Caitlan. This post is full of helpful information that gives me confidence to start my own website . . . sooner than later!
Oops! I’m typing on my iPad, and hit an m instead of an n in my email address. I caught the mistake, but the message was already zooming into cyberspace. Lesson learned: slow down and proofread!!! ? Ramona
But you did not tell how will my clients find me , my website I mean ?
Hey, Shaurya! The SEO plugin will help you with that. SEO stands for “search engine optimizer” and helps you target the right audiences, including potential clients. And, of course, your website is just one tool in your marketing toolbox! Good luck!
Hello Caitlin Pyle
I must admit that these helpful tips can not be found in free places. Just few paid courses may teach you this kind of info.
Thanks so much for sharing this guide
Omar
Thank you SO much. This is the first complete and understandable post I’ve EVER read on setting up your website!
Great information here Caitlin. Very easy to follow. Thank you!
I find this lesson on website development inspiring. It is a step to in right direction. At what stage of biz set up is it needed?
Wadanya
You should definitely wait until after your training is complete in whatever you’re doing before you set up your website. After that, it’s up to you. Most people like to have a website set up right away to refer people to when they start marketing. Others will wait a while, and some won’t create a website at all.
Excellent point Amy. My main focus is deciding whether I will move forward with the program. I’m not the best proofreader but I am persistence. Today I listened to a Grammar Girl podcast and found it extremely helpful. I’ll deal with marketing and websites after training.
Hi Caitlin,
Thanks for the very helpful article! I just wanted to let you know that I’m going through the process of setting up a new website using the Bluehost + Install WordPress process… but found that the “Install WordPress” option is NOT free 🙁
It’s $99 for their cheapest option. Which is a bummer, as I wasn’t expecting to have to pay more than the Bluehost fee… just wondering if I’m missing something, or if the article perhaps needs to be updated? Just wanted to check!
Thanks and best,
Johanna
Don’t forget step 8! : ) The option to install WordPress is still free. You definitely will have options to pay more and upgrade, but if you follow the steps and click on Install from Mojo Marketplace, the option shown above will have WordPress for free!
Thank you so much for your very detailed and informative article. I have attempted Google searches and have asked my LinkedIn connections, but the information has been vague at best.
I am on Upwork and Freelancer, but I want to build my business and my availability to potential clients. Your information will prove to be very helpful.
Is the Under Construction plugin free?
Be sure to make your domain private when setting it up or you will receive a lot of spam mail and a ton of unwanted phone calls.
I am so thankful to have discovered your awesome course and tutorials that I am almost in tears. I am an army veteran with disabilities that preclude my working in the fields for which I have been trained. I have 20 years of military service and two masters degrees, one of which I completed two years ago in special education. The other one is in legal studies. I owe $180,000 in student loans. I have been searching and searching for a career that I can do at home – a home business – and had been considering Court Reporting, but I didn’t want to invest that amount of time – or money. Since I love reading, writing, and research, I was looking for something relative to those areas, and your course seems to fit the bill. Your website is extremely professional, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly; your instruction is clear and thorough, and your fees are beyond reasonable. Plus you even offer a payment plan!! I cannot thank you enough. May God bless you in your life, work, and all of your future endeavors.
This is true. I set up a website and before the next morning, I had phone calls, voice mails, and several emails asking to hire them to help me with my site. it was all so overwhelming that I cancelled everything and am going to try again in a few months.
Yikes! Definitely a good reminder to pay attention to the privacy settings so your information stays private until you want to share it. 🙂
very googd article keep good working
Wow, such a thorough & informative post!
Thanks Caitlin 🙂
I started using WordPress (quite a few years ago)
but ended up finding Weebly and really like it!
(I found Weebly didn’t have as much of a learning curve
and I was able to make my blog look a little ‘prettier’
than with the WordPress using Fotoflexer, Pixlr & Canva.
I think there’s a lot more choice now with WordPress
so I’ve been considering giving it another try
(seeing how it’s considered
‘The Most Powerful Blogging Platform in the World’!)
Note: the weebly website I’ve indicated is given just as an example!
It’s on temporary hiatus… 🙂
Heads up, team! It’s 2018 now (do a find and replace for 2017). Also, you can purchase your own domains on Weebly now. I ended up going that route after reviewing all the comments in the PA Grad group about WordPress difficulties and Weebly love. Someone even posted a comparison chart of the two which I found helpful in selecting a hosting and website option. I think it might be a different lesson that this one, but there’s a comment about Weebly being a subdomain option. Might be time to update in case there are others that would prefer that option.
Thanks for the heads up!
Thanks for posting this tutorial! I personally decided to buy my domain from Name.com in case I ever want to change hosting provider. Usually your name is a good domain name, but I just had the experience of not being able to contact someone because I misspelled their surname which is in their domain name. (Was that one ‘n’ or two?) Also, I Googled and found another person with my surname doing similar work, so I want to be different enough yet easy to remember. Oh and another reason to buy the domain right away is that coming back later you may find the price is higher because other people (you) are searching for this! Take it from a major procrastinator!
This is exciting, and scary at the same time hehe. I feel like i would so lost with words the minute I create my own website. I wouldn’t know what to type about myself. But I truly feel it’s worth the shot.
I would be so lost*
Great info! Thanks! However, I do have a question. I already have a website as a novelist, but I’m not real happy with it. Should I repurpose it into my proofreading website?
That’s completely up to you. You could repurpose it if you don’t have too much content uploaded already. It might depend on what your goals are for your website. Do you want to attract proofreading clients or market your books?
At the moment, I feel it’s more important to get clients.
You could always keep a page on your website advertising your books.
Excellent post! Thanks!
I don’t own a computer or a printer. What kind do I need to start my business. I’m on a limited budget. I have been using a Windows computer at the library. I can do email and Microsoft Word.
That will do, Ray! Be sure to bring along a USB (even a tiny one will hold several dozen files!) to save your work since saving it to the library’s computer probably isn’t an option.
The website is definitely a must, and I will definitely follow up on these points. I'm going to be doing a lot, and learning a lot.
You are a Godsend, Caitlin! I need to set up my own website(s) to present all that I offer. And this information came at just the right time! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! And Bless you, too.
I'm not anywhere near this stage, just having completed Module 3, but this post is so informative and detailed that I think that I'll be able to create my own website when I get to that point. I'm bookmarking this right now. Thank you.