How to Set Up a Website on Hostinger: Step-by-Step Beginner Guide

Buy a Hostinger plan, claim or connect a domain, choose WordPress or Website Builder in hPanel, add your pages, confirm SSL is active and launch. Most beginners can do it in one sitting.

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• a domain name idea (or a domain you already own);
• a payment method that is not cryptocurrency if you may want a refund (refund policy);
• your logo, a few photos and the text for your main pages;
• a budget that includes the renewal price, not just the intro price.

1. Choose a plan and term. Pick Premium for one to three small sites or Unlimited for daily backups and more storage. Longer terms have lower monthly prices but are paid upfront.
2. Create your account and pay. Sign up, review the cart, including the renewal price and any add-ons, then complete payment.
3. Claim or connect your domain. Use the free first-year domain included with eligible plans, or connect a domain you already own by pointing it to Hostinger.
4. Choose WordPress or Website Builder. The onboarding in hPanel lets you install WordPress or start with Hostinger Website Builder.
5. Pick a design and add content. Choose a theme or template, then add your home, about, services or blog and contact pages.
6. Check SSL and security. Make sure the free SSL certificate is active so your site loads over HTTPS, and turn on two-factor authentication for your account.
7. Launch and test. Open the site on desktop and mobile, test forms and links, then share it.

Plan prices are explained in our Hostinger pricing guide, and our coupon guide shows how to pay less at checkout.

Going with WordPress? Read our Hostinger WordPress hosting review or our full guide to starting a blog.

1. Turn on two-factor authentication for Hostinger and WordPress (2FA guide).
2. Check how your backups work and keep an extra off-site copy.
3. Compress images before uploading (image guide).
4. Set up a professional email address on your domain.
5. Add your site to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
6. Note your renewal date in your calendar.

• choosing a plan only by the intro price and being surprised at renewal;
• installing many plugins at once, which can slow the site;
• skipping backups before big changes;
• leaving the default admin username and a weak password.

For help, Hostinger offers 24/7 chat support and a library of tutorials and help articles. For the bigger picture, read our Hostinger review.

• Hostinger pricing and refund policy, checked October 20, 2026.
• Hostinger tutorials and help center.

Hostinger updates its dashboard and onboarding regularly, so screens may look slightly different from the steps above.