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You Can Build a
Website Yourself.

(Here’s how I do it, and how you could too)

A lot of people assume modern websites are locked behind expensive tools, subscriptions, or agencies. They are not. Almost everything you see online can be built with free or very low-cost tools. The real cost is time, patience, and learning how the pieces connect.

If you want to do it yourself, this page explains how I would approach it from scratch, using the same workflow I use professionally. Some parts may be overkill depending on your goals. Some parts you may never need. That is okay.

Think of this as a menu, not a checklist.
Foundation

First: What Are You
Actually Building?

Before touching any tools, decide what kind of site you need. A static website is the simplest and most common starting point. “Static” does not mean boring. It just means the pages do not change automatically based on user accounts.

Examples of static sites:

  • A landing page
  • A portfolio
  • A restaurant menu site
  • A small business info site
  • A blog with fixed pages

If someone clicks a link and sees a page, that is a static page. Most small businesses only need this. If you want users to log in, save data, earn points, or manage accounts, that becomes a dynamic site. That comes later.

Strategy: Start Static.

The Professional Workflow

Step 1: Get Your Ideas Out of Your Head

Before design or code, you need clarity. I usually start by writing or speaking out my ideas: What the site is for, who it is for, and what someone should do on each page. You can do this with pen and paper, or any AI chat tool like ChatGPT or Claude. AI tools are best used like a thinking partner. You talk. It organizes. You refine.

Step 2: Rough Design Without Coding

Before writing real code, I sketch the site. Screenshot websites you like, or use Stitch by Google—a useful visual thinking tool to map out your layout. Think of these as wireframes. You are planning rooms in a house, not decorating yet.

Step 3: Turning the Idea Into a Real Website

Once you have structure, you can generate a first version of the site. Tools like Google AI Studio are essential for this part. Focus on: Every link working, clear navigation, and mobile readability. Do not chase perfection yet.

Step 4: Saving and Publishing the Site

Think of GitHub as your hard drive and Vercel as the printer that publishes your site. You upload your site to GitHub, connect it to Vercel, and when you update files, the site updates automatically.

Step 5: Your Custom Domain Name

Your domain is your address. I recommend buying domains through Cloudflare because they sell them at cost. Once bought, Vercel gives you instructions to connect it through Cloudflare, and your domain points to your site.

Step 6: Contact Forms Without a Backend

If all you want is for people to contact you, you can use a simple mailto link. This avoids servers and security issues. Simple is powerful.

Step 7: Editing the Site on Your Computer

Eventually, you will want to edit files locally. I recommend using GitHub Desktop to sync your files, and choosing an AI code editor. You can use Cursor as your primary tool. It offers a powerful AI chat directly in your code, making experimentation and bug fixing incredibly fast. Both are excellent for rapid experimentation.

Step 8: Images and Performance

Large images slow sites down. Compress them, resize them, and keep filenames simple. For advanced performance, I use Bunny.net as a CDN, but it's unnecessary for beginners.

Step 9: Accounts, Logins, or Saved Data

If you want user accounts or saved menus, you will need a backend. Firebase is the gold standard for this. This introduces security rules and is where many DIY projects get complex.
Confused? I can help.

Let me build
it for you.

If this guide feels like another language, don't worry. I live in this code every day. Fill out the form below to get a free mockup of your site's new potential. We refresh in 7 days or less (usually less).

Official Studio Email

mas@filmclusive.com

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DIY Stack Reference

Tools & Platforms
Mentioned.

AI & Planning Tools

Design & Editing Tools

Code Storage & Deployment

Domains & Infrastructure

Backend & Data (Advanced)

Learning & Reference

Final Thought

"You do not need to overpay to exist online. You do not need permission to build. You just need clarity, patience, and the right tools."

If you want to do it yourself, I hope this gives you a real map.
If you want it done cleanly and fast, that is what I’m here for.
Both paths are valid.

Note: We are not paid by any of these tools or promotional items for any of these tools. These are just tools I use every day and would recommend to anyone who wants to take their digital presence into their own hands.