Did you know that there are over 25 million WordPress websites in the world? This content management system has grown in popularity because it’s so easy to use, and it’s packed with plenty of useful features that can help you build a beautiful website quickly and easily, even if you don’t have any coding or design experience. With WordPress, you can create a high-quality site for your business, blog, online store, or portfolio in just five simple steps. Here’s how to create WordPress websites!
Setting up hosting
One of the most important things you can do for your business is making sure you have a web host. You’ll want an account with plenty of space, reliable service and an easy-to-use platform. You don’t need anything fancy — WordPress will run on any shared hosting plan (and if it doesn’t, try self-hosting).
I recommend Blue host, which has great customer service and lets you host unlimited domains from one account. If you choose Blue host as your web host and purchase a domain through my link, they'll give me a referral fee at no cost to you — so thank you! For more information about choosing a web host, check out How to Choose a Web Host.
Choosing the theme
Not all themes are
created equal. If you’re serious about building a professional-looking website,
it’s worth taking some time to research and read reviews before choosing your
theme. That way, you can be sure that you’re getting a premium product, which
will not only perform well but will look good too. When researching themes,
look at both free and paid products. Many premium themes offer features that
may cost an arm and a leg with other providers, but are included for free as
part of a theme purchase—like easy customization options or mobile-friendly
designs. The more money you invest upfront, however, the less risk there is
down the road if something goes wrong. For example, if you have to pay $50 for
a premium theme and then another $150 to hire someone else to customize it
because it doesn’t include any customizability options on its own, that could
end up being more expensive than just purchasing a simpler theme up front. It
also means you won't need additional help down the road when things inevitably
go wrong (and they always do).
Installing the Theme
Start by choosing a theme for your website. This might seem like an overwhelming process, but you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is. First, log into your site dashboard and click on Appearance. Next, select Themes from that page. Then choose an option from either Premium or Popular sections—both will have tons of themes that range in terms of price and ease of installation. Once you've clicked on a theme you like, click Install. You'll then be prompted to download and install a new file (usually only takes one or two minutes) before clicking through instructions on how to activate your new theme. To learn more about how to create WordPress websites, check out our guide here.
In most cases, these files come as ZIP folders with files inside that must be extracted before they can be installed. However, some of them are self-installing packages which means you don't need to extract anything; instead, all you need to do is browse to where they're saved and run them as executable files. One thing to keep in mind when installing WordPress themes is that not all file types are compatible with every web host. It's a good idea to check with your hosting provider first if you aren't sure what format your selected theme's files should be in.
Installing Plugins
Now that you’ve installed
a theme and written your first post, it’s time to create a fully functional
WordPress website. Plugins are third-party applications that can extend what
your website can do. Some plugins add features like contact forms or photo
galleries, while others help with more technical aspects of running a site like
backing up your content or allowing search engines index it. With so many
options out there, knowing which plugins will best meet your needs can be
tough. Here are five steps for installing third-party plugins for your new
site: 1. Install the Plugin through Your Dashboard 2. Activate The Plugin 3.
Configure Settings 4. Customize Your Website 5. Test & Maintain you should
always read through a plugin’s documentation before installing it. Each plugin
is different, but most offer detailed setup instructions on their homepage. If
you don't see any installation instructions, try Googling Plugin Name +
Installation. Remember to keep your WordPress core (the platform) updated as
well!
Creating Posts & Pages
WordPress is a popular
CMS for many reasons, but arguably its most-used feature is its simple user
interface. Once you’ve signed up and set up your site, creating content
couldn’t be easier—just follow these steps: 1. Click Posts > Add New from
your dashboard. 2. Type in a post title, write a short description (optional),
and choose what category it belongs to. 3. Click Publish Now! Before you hit
publish, make sure you are happy with everything on your page (the title and
description may have changed since you began typing). If there are any errors,
click Edit and make any corrections before moving on to step 4! 4.
