Beginner's guides
Plain-English explanations and full walkthroughs for people starting from zero.
How Much Does an Astro Website Cost? (Real Numbers)
An Astro site can cost $0 a year. Here's what's free, what costs money, and what we actually pay for this site, so you can plan before you start.
Domain Name vs Web Hosting: What's the Difference?
A domain name is your site's address. Hosting is the computer your site lives on. Here's how the two connect, in plain words, and what each one costs.
How to Back Up an Astro Site (It's Easier Than You Think)
An Astro site is a folder of files, so the backup is GitHub. Here's why that's complete, how to do it in two clicks, and the one thing it doesn't cover.
How to Make Money With an Astro Blog (7 Honest Ways)
A static Astro site can earn money the same ways a WordPress blog can, and it costs nothing to run. Here are seven ways that work, what each needs, and what to skip.
How to Learn Astro for Free in a Week
A seven-day plan that takes you from nothing installed to a live Astro site you understand. About an hour a day, all free, with the exact pages to read each day.
Astro vs Wix: Which Should a Beginner Choose?
Wix is drag and drop for a monthly fee. Astro is free, fast, and yours to keep, but you work with files. Here's an honest look at cost, ease and when Wix wins.
Astro vs Squarespace: Which Should a Beginner Choose?
Squarespace gives you pretty designs for a yearly fee. Astro is free, fast and yours, but you work with files. An honest look at cost, ease and who should pick which.
Astro SEO: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Found on Google
Everything an Astro site needs to rank: titles, descriptions, canonical links, a sitemap, social previews and structured data, with code you can copy.
Astro vs Next.js: Which Is Better for Beginners?
Astro and Next.js are both popular, but they're built for different jobs. Here's which one to learn first, and why.
What Are Astro Islands? A Plain-English Explanation
Islands are the idea that makes Astro fast. Here's what they are, in plain words, and what happened when we built a page with four of them.
Do You Need React With Astro? When a Script Tag Is Enough
Astro lets you add React. Most beginner sites don't need it. Here's how to add clicks and toggles with a plain script, and when a framework earns its place.
How to Make a Website With Astro (Step by Step)
Build and publish your first website with Astro in about an hour. No coding experience needed, just a computer and a free account.
What Is Astro? A Plain-English Explanation
Astro is a free tool that makes fast websites. Here's what it does, who it's for, and how it compares to WordPress, in words anyone can follow.
Astro vs WordPress: Which Should a Beginner Choose?
A plain look at Astro and WordPress on cost, speed, security and ease of use. Also when WordPress is the better choice.