How to Create a Free Website Using Canva: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Published by Lakmal Fonseka on

How to create a website using canva

Have you ever tried using Canva for creating a website? It’s an incredible web design tool that’s super easy to use, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

I actually just created my own website using Canva, and it was a game-changer. Seriously, no coding or design experience needed.

You can drag and drop elements, use their beautiful templates, and customize everything to fit your style. Plus, it’s free!

Think about it! a few clicks here, a little tweaking there, and you’ll have a professional-looking website ready to showcase your work or promote your business.

Do you have a few minutes? Let me show you exactly how it works. I promise, by the time we’re done, you’ll feel confident enough to create your own site from scratch.

What is Canva and Why Use It for Creating a Website?

Canva is a powerful graphic design tool that’s loved for its simplicity and ease of use.

Originally designed for creating social media graphics, presentations, and posters, Canva has expanded its features to include website creation.

This means you can design a website using the same drag-and-drop functionality that Canva is famous for.

Why should you consider using Canva for your website? Here are a few reasons…

Ease of Use

Canva’s intuitive interface makes it easy for anyone to create a website, regardless of technical skill level.

Its drag-and-drop editor allows you to place elements exactly where you want them, with no coding required.

Professional Templates

Canva offers a wide range of beautifully designed templates that you can customize to fit your needs.

These templates are created by professional designers, ensuring that even beginners can produce high-quality designs.

No Coding Required

You don’t need to know HTML, CSS, or any other coding languages.

Everything is handled through a visual editor, making the process accessible to everyone.

Free to Use

You can create and publish a basic website for free, which is perfect if you’re just starting out or need a simple online presence.

This includes hosting your site on a free Canva subdomain, though you can also connect a custom domain if you prefer.

Signing Up for Canva and Accessing the Website Design Feature

Getting started with Canva is straightforward. Here’s how you can sign up and start creating your website.

Step #1 – Sign Up for Canva

Go to Canva’s website and sign up for a free account. You can use your email address or log in with Google or Facebook.

The sign-up process is quick and straightforward, and once you’re in, you’ll have access to a wide range of design tools and templates.

Step #2 – Navigate to Website Templates

Once you’re logged in, click on the “Templates” section on the left-hand menu.

Use the search bar to look for “website templates.” Canva categorizes its templates to help you find the right one quickly.

Whether you’re looking to create a portfolio, a blog, or a business site, you’ll find templates tailored to these needs.

Step #3 – Choose a Template

Browse through the available templates and select one that matches the style and purpose of your website.

Whether you’re creating a portfolio, a landing page, or a simple informational site, there’s a template for you. These templates are designed to be highly customizable, so you can modify them to perfectly fit your vision.

Step #3 – Customize Your Template

Click “Customize this template” to start editing. You can change colors, fonts, images, and text to align with your brand or personal style.

Click on any text box to edit the text, or use the left-hand menu to drag and drop new elements like images, text, and buttons.

For example, you can replace placeholder images with your own photos by dragging them from your computer or using Canva’s library of stock images.

You can access Canva photos and buttons by clicking on “elements” on the left-hand menu. Then you can find them easily using the search bar or just scrolling down.

Canva’s library is packed with thousands of free and premium images and graphics. You can also upload your own photos using “Upload” function on the left-hand menu.

To add an image, simply drag it from the library onto your design.

You can resize, crop, position and edit images as needed using the top bar that appears once you click on your image.

To edit the text on your website, click on text boxes and type your own content. Or you can click on “Text” on the left-hand menu and drag-and-drop a text box anywhere you want and type your content.

Canva offers a wide range of fonts. You can adjust the size, color, and spacing of your text to ensure it fits perfectly within your layout.

You can also add various effects and animations to your texts. You can do all these using the top bar that appears once you click on your text.

Canva’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to add and arrange elements.

If you wish to add more pages to your website you can do so by simply clicking on “+” on the bottom bar. And you can switch between pages and do all the edits you need.

Step #3 – Add Functionality to Your Website

Enhance your website by adding external links to your social media profiles, contact forms, or other resources.

You can add a link to a text by selecting the text and clicking on the link icon that appears. You can add a link of a contact form that you can create using a free platform like jotform.

If you want to add a link to an image you can do so by right clicking on the image and then clicking on Link.

You can also embed videos from platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, and add high-quality images to make your site more engaging.

Step #4 – Selecting a Domain Name for Your Website

Domain name is your site’s name that appears on your site’s URL.

For example, if your site name is Awesome Website, then you you can have the domain name www.awesomewebsite.com

Canva allows you to publish your website with a free Canva domain.

However, for a more professional look, you can purchase a custom domain. This makes your website easier to find and more memorable.

To go to the step where you can get a domain, click on “share” then click “more…”

Then Click on the “website” icon.

Then you will get to the following options shown in the screen capture.

If you wish to go with a free Canva domain, type your domain name in the Website URL box.

If you are planning to buy a custom domain, you can do so buy clicking on “Use a custom domain”.

Step #4 – Publish Your Website

Once you are done with selecting a domain, you can click on “Publish website” button on the screen(Check out the image).

Just like that, your website is live on the internet. Isn’t it cool? I felt a small bloodrush after hitting publish.

Then Canva will indicate that your website is live. And your website link will be displayed. You can click ”copy” to copy it directly. Then you can share it on your social media.

You can click the “view website” button to visit your website. Isn’t is the best thing? you have created a website for yourself in minutes.

Final Thoughts on building a website on Canva

Creating a website using Canva is genuinely one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to get your ideas online.

Remember when we first started talking about it? It seemed like an overwhelming task, right? But now, you can see how straightforward and intuitive the process is with Canva.

From selecting a professional template to customizing every element to suit your brand, Canva takes the guesswork out of web design.

Think about it! with just a few clicks, you can have a stunning, fully-functional website ready to showcase your content, products, or services.

And the best part? You can get started for free. That means no upfront costs, no hidden fees, just pure creativity and the satisfaction of seeing your vision come to life.

Whether you need a portfolio, a landing page, or a simple site to share your passions, Canva has everything you need to get started.

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Lakmal Fonseka

Hi! I'm a no-code web design and WordPress enthusiast. I’m passionate about making web design accessible to everyone, no technical skills required. On my blog, you'll find easy-to-follow guides and tips for building beautiful websites and successful blogs. I love sharing what I learn and hope to inspire you to create with confidence.

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