Step 1: Sign Up
Go to carrd.co and click "Get Started". Choose a free or paid plan:
- Free: One site, basic features, Carrd subdomain
- Paid ($99/year): Unlimited sites, custom domain, advanced features, email forms
Start free and upgrade later if you need custom domains or more features.
Step 2: Choose Your Site Name
Pick a memorable name for your site. This becomes your Carrd URL if using a free plan (e.g., yourname.carrd.co).
Tip: Keep it short, easy to spell, and relevant to your business or brand.
Step 3: Choose a Template or Start Blank
Carrd offers templates for common use cases (portfolios, businesses, landing pages). You can:
- Use a template: Fast start, professional design, customizable
- Start blank: Full creative control, more setup required
- Use a third-party template: Browse our directory of Carrd providers for paid premium templates
Step 4: Build Your Site
Carrd's editor is drag-and-drop and beginner-friendly. Add sections like:
- Header (title, tagline, hero image)
- About/Bio section
- Services or products
- Portfolio or gallery
- Contact form or CTA
- Footer with links
No coding required! Just click, type, and customize colors and fonts.
Step 5: Customize Your Design
Make your site unique by:
- Changing colors and fonts
- Uploading your own images
- Adjusting spacing and layout
- Adding buttons and links
Carrd sites are mobile-responsive by default, so preview on phone to ensure it looks good.
Step 6: Add Your Content
Fill in your text, links, and contact details. Make sure to:
- Write clear, benefit-focused copy
- Include a strong call-to-action (CTA) — "Contact Me", "Shop", "Learn More"
- Add working links to social media, portfolios, or external sites
Step 7: Test & Preview
Before publishing, test your site:
- Preview on desktop and mobile
- Click all links to ensure they work
- Test contact forms if you have them
- Check loading speed
Step 8: Publish
Once you're happy, hit "Publish". Your site is now live!
If using a free plan, your site lives at yourname.carrd.co. Upgrade to a paid plan to use a custom domain.
Step 9: Share & Promote
Your site is live! Now share it:
- Add the link to your social media bios
- Share on relevant communities (Reddit, Discord, Twitter)
- Email it to your network
What's Next?
After publishing, consider:
- Custom domain: Upgrade to a paid plan and connect your own domain
- Optimization: See our SEO guide to make your site discoverable
- Advanced design: Learn about plugins and custom CSS
- Professional help: Browse our directory of Carrd designers and developers
Common Questions
Can I use a template from a provider?
Yes! Many providers in our directory sell templates and premade designs. These are faster to set up and often more professionally designed than starting from scratch.
Do I need to know coding?
No. Carrd is fully visual and no-code. You can customize everything with the drag-and-drop editor.
How much does Carrd cost?
Carrd is free to start. Paid plans cost $99/year for custom domains and advanced features.
Can I sell products on Carrd?
Yes. On a paid plan, you can add e-commerce features to sell products or services directly.
How do I get more visitors?
See our SEO guide for tips on making your site discoverable in search engines.