How to Use WordPress: Ultimate Guide to Building a WordPress Website
How do I start WordPress for beginners?
WordPress is the backbone for more than 40 percent of all websites. Learn how you can leverage the incredibly popular content management system to build an attractive, powerful website.
If you’re ready to get started with WordPress, take a look at our top picks for WordPress hosting services, particularly those aimed at small businesses. And our How to Create a Website primer has lots of useful information that may be applicable to your WordPress site, too.
Getting started with WordPress is a straightforward process, and it’s one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) for building websites. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up your WordPress website:
1. Choose a Domain Name and Hosting:
Domain Name:Choose a unique and memorable domain name for your website. You can use domain registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Bluehost to purchase a domain.
Hosting: Choose a reliable hosting provider. Some popular options include Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator. Many hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installations.
2. Install WordPress:
One-Click Install (Example using Bluehost): If you choose a hosting provider with one-click WordPress installation, it’s a straightforward process. Bluehost, for example, has a simple setup wizard.
Manual Installation: If your hosting provider doesn’t have a one-click installation, you can download WordPress from the official website (https://wordpress.org/) and follow the installation instructions.
3. Configure Basic Settings:
Login: After installation, log in to your WordPress dashboard using the admin credentials you set during installation.
General Settings: Go to “Settings” > “General” and set your site title, tagline, and other basic settings.
4. Choose a Theme:
Themes: WordPress themes control the look and feel of your site. You can choose from thousands of free and premium themes. Go to “Appearance” > “Themes” to install and activate a theme.
5. Customize Your Site:
Customizer: Use the WordPress Customizer (found in “Appearance” > “Customize”) to personalize your site’s colors, fonts, and other design elements.
6. Install Essential Plugins:
Plugins: Plugins add functionality to your site. Install essential plugins such as Yoast SEO (for SEO optimization), Akismet (for spam protection), and a caching plugin (e.g., W3 Total Cache).
7. Create Your First Pages and Posts:
Pages: Create important pages like Home, About Us, Contact, etc. Go to “Pages” > “Add New.”
Posts: Start creating blog posts if your site includes a blog. Go to “Posts” > “Add New.”
8. Set Up Navigation:
Menus: Create a navigation menu by going to “Appearance” > “Menus.” Add your pages and arrange them in the desired order.
9. Configure SEO:
SEO: Install and configure an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO to optimize your site for search engines.
10. Regularly Update and Back Up:
Updates: Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated for security and performance.
Backups: Regularly backup your website. Many hosting providers offer automatic backups, or you can use plugins like UpdraftPlus.
11. Learn and Explore:
Resources: Explore WordPress tutorials, forums, and documentation to enhance your skills.
WordPress is user-friendly, and there are many resources available online to help you with any specific questions or challenges you may encounter. Good luck with your WordPress website!
WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com
WordPress.org and WordPress.com are two different platforms that use the same underlying WordPress software but offer different hosting and management options. Here are the key differences between the two:
WordPress.org:
Self-Hosting:
With WordPress.org, you download the WordPress software and host it on your own web server or a third-party hosting provider of your choice.
Flexibility and Control:
You have full control over your website, including themes, plugins, and code. This is ideal for users who want maximum flexibility and customization.
Customization:
You can install custom themes and plugins, modify the code, and have complete control over your site’s design and functionality.
Monetization: You can monetize your site through various methods, including ads, sponsorships, and eCommerce.
Cost: While the WordPress software itself is free, you need to pay for a domain name and hosting services.
Maintenance: You are responsible for maintaining your site, including backups, security, and updates.
WordPress.com:
Hosted Service: WordPress.com is a hosting service provided by Automattic, the company behind WordPress. Your website is hosted on their servers.
Simplicity: It’s a more straightforward solution for users who want a hassle-free setup. You don’t need to worry about hosting, backups, or software updates.
Limited Customization: While you can choose from a variety of themes and some customization options, you have more limited control over the design and functionality compared to WordPress.org.
Monetization Restrictions: Free plans have limitations on monetization options. To use ads or other monetization methods, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Subdomain: Free plans come with a subdomain (e.g., yoursite.wordpress.com). To use a custom domain, you need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Maintenance: Automatic updates and backups are handled by WordPress.com, reducing the maintenance burden on the user.
The difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com has to do with who is actually hosting your website.
You host your own website or blog on WordPress.org, through a third-party hosting provider. You also have to download your WordPress software, buy a domain name on a third-party site, and manage your server. It’s a much more hands-on experience than with WordPress.com.
WordPress.com offers to host your website for you. You also don’t need to download any software or manage a server. If you choose WordPress.com, your website’s URL will look like this: www.mywebsite.wordpress.com. However, you have the option to also upgrade your WordPress.com account and buy a custom domain from a third-party provider (meaning your URL will look like this: www.mywebsite.com).
How to Choose Between WordPress.org or WordPress.com
You may be wondering whether WordPress.org or WordPress.com would be a better fit. Let’s review a few more of the pros and cons that come with both options, so you can make an informed decision.
WordPress.org is ideal if you want full power over customizing and controlling your website. However, there is a lot more responsibility that comes with managing a WordPress.org website. You have to purchase and set up your own domain name, upload and install plugins and a theme, edit your website’s code, and manage your website’s security. WordPress.org is free to use, but you have to pay for everything else that goes into having a website.
WordPress.com is preferable if you’re looking for an all-in-one option that has most of the hard work done for you. You’ll never need to manage your server, pay for your hosting, or buy a domain. There are also a number of customization options that come with a WordPress.com plan to help you make your website look the way you want it to.
WordPress.com has a free and paid version. If you stick with the free version, you can’t upload any custom themes or plugins, and you will have a WordPress subdomain. However, there is always the option to pay for premium upgrades and other plans that provide you with even more features and control, as well as the option to buy a custom domain through a third-party site.
FAQ
How to Use WordPress in 9 Simple Steps (Beginner's Guide)
Get a domain name and hosting.
Install WordPress.
Familiarize yourself with the UI.
Optimize your settings.
Select and customize your theme.
Build your basic pages.
Install these essential plugins.
Start creating content.
Is WordPress easy to use for a beginner?
WordPress is fairly easy to learn, but you’re bound to have questions when you first start. Fortunately, the internet is full of resources to help you master this popular CMS. The best way to learn the platform depends on your skill level, your learning preferences, and how much you’re willing to pay.
Is WordPress easy to use for a beginner?
WordPress is fairly easy to learn, but you’re bound to have questions when you first start. Fortunately, the internet is full of resources to help you master this popular CMS. The best way to learn the platform depends on your skill level, your learning preferences, and how much you’re willing to pay.
Can I learn WordPress on my own?
Learning WordPress is easy as long as you are willing to commit a few hours each day for a week. You would need some very basic search skills (i.e know how to use search engines like Google), and the ability to follow instructions. No, you don’t need to know HTML or other programming languages to code a website.1
Can you get a job with just WordPress?
A WordPress developer can be employed by a company or choose to be a freelance developer. For those seeking freelance opportunities, several job-seeking platforms exist to connect WordPress developers and potential clients—for example, WordPress Jobs (the official WordPress jobs listing platform) and Codeable.io.