Please note that the most recent updates to No Man's Sky make this document relatively obsolete; Ships found at crash sites will have damaged slots, reducing the likelyhood that you'll be able to carry the equipment necessary to repair as you go.
Before you start, make peace with leaving your existing ship behind; you won't have the luxury of being picky about what your next ride looks like.
Additionally, it is highly recommended (but not strictly necessary) that you upgrade your exosuit as far as possible; it will help carry the materials you'll need for your final ship.
Lastly, pick a planet that you won't mind spending a lot of time on. Don't do this on an EXTREME planet, for example.