Want to build a WordPress website but don’t know where to start? Creating a website from scratch can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re new to web development. But the good news is, with WordPress, the process is much simpler than it appears.
This will walk you through the whole process. Whether you’re a complete newbie or just looking to improve your skills, this blog will teach you step-by-step how to create a WordPress website.
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Why Use WordPress for Your Website
WordPress is the platform for beginners and pros. Over 40% of websites are on WordPress as it’s the most popular content management system (CMS) globally.
Even if you don’t have any coding knowledge, you can still create a stunning website, thanks to its vast selection of themes and plugins. Whether you want to start a blog, an online store or a portfolio WordPress can grow with you.
How to Build a WordPress Website
Building a WordPress website can seem daunting but by following these steps, you’ll have your site up and running in no time. Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Hosting Provider
Your domain name is your website’s address on the web (like www.yourwebsite.com). It should be your brand or the purpose of your site, memorable, and ideally include keywords for your niche.
Next, you need web hosting which stores your website’s data and makes it available to users. For beginners, it’s best to choose one that fits your niche. GoDaddy, Namecheap or Google Domains are popular domain registrars that can help you get a domain that’s affordable and fits your brand.
Step 2: Install WordPress
Most hosting providers have a one-click install for WordPress. Once you log in to your hosting account go to the WordPress installation section, follow the prompts and you’ll have WordPress up and running in minutes.
Step 3: Choose and Install a Theme
Your website’s look and feel starts with a theme. WordPress has thousands of free and paid themes to choose from. Once you’ve found a theme that fits your style, you can install it from your WordPress dashboard. If you’re wondering how to create a WordPress website, this is the key for beginners because themes do most of the design work for you.
From your WordPress dashboard go to Appearance > Themes and click “Add New”. Here you can browse themes by popularity, layout, or even niche (like eCommerce, blogging, portfolios, etc.).
Once you find one that suits your style click “Install” and then “Activate” to make it live on your site.
Step 4: Customise
Now you’ve installed your theme, it’s time to customise. WordPress lets you change everything from colours to fonts. Use the WordPress Customiser to see live changes.
Go to Appearance > Customise to get started. Most themes allow you to tweak the header, background, menus, and even the homepage layout.
For more advanced edits you can install page builder plugins like Elementor or WPBakery which have drag-and-drop functionality to build custom pages without any coding.
Step 5: Add Plugins
Plugins are add-ons that add functionality to your WordPress site. To install plugins, go to Plugins > Add New in your dashboard. Search for the plugin you need, install it, and activate it. Some must-have plugins for beginners include:
- Yoast SEO: Optimise your site for search engines.
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WPForms: Create contact forms.
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UpdraftPlus: Backup your site.
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Jetpack: Improve site security and performance.
When you are about to build a WordPress site easily, plugins take a lot of the hard work out of adding features to your site.
Step 6: Create Pages and Posts
Pages and posts are the two main content types in WordPress. Pages are static (like your homepage or contact page), and posts are more dynamic and used for blog entries. To get started with your site, create essential pages like About, Services, and Contact.
To add new pages, go to Pages > Add New, then give your page a title, add your content, and click “Publish”. Start with essential pages like:
- Home: Introduce your visitors to your site or business.
- About: Share your story, mission, or background.
- Services/Products: What you offer.
- Contact: Give people an easy way to get in touch.
Step 7: Enable SEO
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is important to get your site ranking on search engines like Google. Use plugins like Yoast SEO to handle the basics of SEO, meta tags, and site readability.
Step 8: Secure Your WordPress Site
Security is important even for beginners. Install a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri Security which have features like firewall, malware scanning, and login security. Additionally, be sure to update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins regularly as outdated software can be a vulnerability.
Step 9: Go Live
Before you go live, double-check your site for any errors or missing elements. Preview your pages, and test links, and ensure that your contact forms are working.
When you are ready, hit the Publish button! Your site is now live for the world to see. Don’t forget to share your site on social media, email newsletters, or any other platform where your audience resides. With this, your query on how to create a WordPress website comes to an end!
What’s Next?
Creating a WordPress website for beginners doesn’t have to be complicated. By following this step-by-step guide, even beginners can build a fully functional, professional site with ease. From choosing the right domain name to securing your site, WordPress makes the entire process straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know coding on how to build a WordPress website?
You don’t need to know how to code to build a WordPress website. WordPress is easy and with thousands of themes and plugins, you can customise your site without writing code.
How much does it cost to build a WordPress website for beginners?
WordPress is free but you may need to pay for a domain name and hosting. Additional costs come from premium themes or plugins but you can start with free ones.
Can I have an eCommerce website with WordPress?
WordPress has plugins like WooCommerce where you can create and manage your online store.
What does a WordPress tutorial for beginners include?
A WordPress tutorial for beginners includes step-by-step guidance on setting up a website, choosing themes, installing plugins, and managing content. It also covers basic customisation and site optimisation.
