How to Launch Your First Website on Shared Hosting (Even If You’re Non-Techy)

Launching your first website can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t consider yourself tech-savvy. The good news? With modern shared hosting services like KnownHost, the process is simpler and more accessible than ever. 

In this step by step guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing your hosting plan to getting your site live, using KnownHost’s user friendly features and expert support.

Why Shared Hosting Is Perfect for Beginners

Shared hosting is the most popular way to get started online. It’s affordable, easy to use, and doesn’t require any server management skills. It also keeps costs low by letting your website share server resources with other sites while still delivering impressive speed and reliability, especially when you choose a reputable provider like KnownHost.

Step 1: Choose the Right Shared Hosting Plan

KnownHost offers a range of shared hosting plans designed for everyone from bloggers to small businesses. Here’s what makes us stand out:

• High Performance: Powered by LiteSpeed servers, LSCache, and NVMe storage for lightning-fast website loading.
• Free Features: Every plan includes free SSL certificates, cPanel access, daily backups, and domain privacy for life.
• Dedicated Resources: KnownHost allocates guaranteed resources to each account, ensuring that other websites won’t slow down your site’s performance.
• 24/7/365 Support: Friendly, expert support is always available to help you with any questions or issues.

How to pick your plan:
To get started, head over to KnownHost’s Shared Hosting page and review the available plans: Basic, Standard, Professional, and Premium. Next, choose the one that best matches your needs and budget. However, for most beginners, the Basic or Standard plan offers more than enough to launch a reliable and fast website.

Step 2: Register Your Domain Name

Your domain is your website’s address (like yoursite.com). KnownHost makes domain registration easy:

• Register a new domain: Search for and register your desired domain directly through KnownHost’s website.
• Domain privacy included: Enjoy free domain privacy for life, protecting your personal information from public databases.
• Already have a domain? You can transfer it to KnownHost or simply point it to your new hosting account by updating the DNS settings.

Step 3: Set Up Your Hosting Account

Once you’ve chosen your plan and registered your domain, KnownHost will send you an email containing your cPanel login details. From there, you can access cPanel’s user-friendly dashboard to manage every aspect of your website such as files, emails, databases, and backups.

What you can do in cPanel:

• Upload website files
• Create email accounts (e.g., info@yoursite.com)
• Install applications like WordPress
• Manage backups and security settings

Step 4: Install WordPress (or Another Website Builder)

You don’t need to know how to code to build a beautiful website. KnownHost’s shared hosting includes Softaculous, a one-click installer for popular website platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and more.

How to install WordPress:

1. Log in to cPanel (link provided in your welcome email).
2. Find the “Softaculous Apps Installer” section.
3. Click on WordPress and follow the prompts to install it on your domain.

Within minutes, you’ll have a fully functional WordPress site ready for customization.

Step 5: Customize Your Website

With WordPress installed, you can:

• Choose a theme (design template) from thousands of free and premium options.
• Add pages (Home, About, Contact, Blog, etc.).
• Install plugins for extra features like contact forms, SEO tools, and image galleries.

Step 6: Secure Your Website

Security is crucial, even for beginners. If you’re unsure how to secure your website, KnownHost provides:

• Free SSL certificates: Encrypts data between your site and visitors, building trust and improving SEO.
• Imunify360 protection: Advanced security suite that blocks malware and cyber threats in real time.
• Daily backups: Your site is automatically backed up, so you can restore it if anything goes wrong.

No technical setup is required. These features are included and activated automatically.

Step 7: Set Up Professional Email

A custom email address (like info@yoursite.com) looks more professional than a generic Gmail or Yahoo address. KnownHost allows you to create email accounts (exactly how many depends on your plan) right from cPanel.

How to create an email account:

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Click “Email Accounts.”
3. Choose your domain, create your address, and set a password.

You can access your email through webmail or set it up on your phone or computer.

Step 8: Test and Launch Your Site

To ensure a smooth launch and a great first impression, it’s important to double-check your site thoroughly. So before announcing your website to the world, make sure everything works as expected:

• Check all links and navigation.
• Test forms (contact, newsletter signup, etc.).
• Preview your site on mobile devices for a responsive experience.

Once you’re happy, your site is live! Share your new website with friends, family, and potential customers.

Step 9: Get Ongoing Support and Upgrades

Even after your site is live, KnownHost’s support team is available 24/7 to help with any questions or issues. As your website grows, you can easily upgrade to a higher plan or explore other services like:

• WordPress Hosting: Optimized for WordPress sites with extra performance and security features.
• VPS or Dedicated Hosting: For larger, high-traffic sites needing more resources.
• Migration Assistance: If you ever need to move your site, KnownHost’s experts will handle the process for you, minimizing downtime and hassle.

Why Choose KnownHost for Your First Website?

Here’s a quick recap of what sets KnownHost apart for first-time website owners:

• Simplicity: Everything from signup to site launch is designed for beginners.
• Performance: Fast NVMe storage, LiteSpeed servers, and built-in caching mean your site loads quickly.
• Security: Free SSL, daily backups, Imunify360 protection, and DDoS defense give you peace of mind.
• Value: Affordable plans with no hidden fees, plus free features like domain privacy and SSL certificates.
• Support: 24/7 expert help, plus migration assistance if you’re moving from another host.

Final Thoughts

Launching your first website can be a smooth and manageable process. KnownHost offers a practical balance of ease of use, reliable performance, and responsive support, all at an affordable price. Whether you create a blog, portfolio, or small business site, our plans give you the essential tools to start and grow your online presence.

Ready to get started?
Head to our home page, pick your plan, and launch your website today. It’s a straightforward process designed to get you online quickly and confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need technical skills to launch a website with KnownHost?
No, KnownHost’s shared hosting is built for beginners. The cPanel dashboard, one-click installers, and friendly support make it easy to get started, even if you’ve never built a website before.

Can I build a website without WordPress?
Absolutely. With Softaculous, you can easily install a wide range of website builders and content management systems (CMS), including Joomla, Drupal, PrestaShop, and more.

What if I already have a website elsewhere?
KnownHost offers free migration assistance for most websites using control panels like cPanel, Plesk, or DirectAdmin. If your current hosting setup doesn’t use a supported control panel, a small fee may apply. Our experts will handle the migration with minimal downtime.

Is my website safe?
Yes. KnownHost’s shared hosting includes daily backups, free SSL certificates, Imunify360 security, and DDoS protection at no extra cost.