How to Create WordPress Website?
WordPress is the most used CMS (Content Management System) that has captured over 35% of the entire internet. The reason behind its wide use is the convenience that it offers. Anyone can create WordPress website and manage it just by going through a few tutorials. You don't need any piece of coding or experience in website development.
If you are looking for a step-by-step guide for setting up a WordPress website, you are in the right place. Today, we will take you through each step so that you can create free WordPress website of your own without paying anyone for the service. Moreover, we will also share a bonus tip that will help you build a website like a professional. Let's start the discussion without further delay.
Steps to Create WordPress Website
1) Select a Domain Name
The first step to setting up a WordPress website is the domain name. You need to select a domain name according to your business. It is important to pick the domain name in the first place because domain availability is an issue. You might not get the domain you are thinking of, so it could take time to select the right domain name that is available.
In simple words, brainstorm a few name ideas and check their availability. Pick the domain that resembles your business and brand.
Keep in mind that you cannot change the domain name later; it is not easy. You might need to create WordPress website again if you want to change the domain name. So, pick the domain name seriously.
2) Get a Hosting Plan
Beginners are usually confused about the domain name and hosting plan. A domain name is the name of the website, while the hosting plan is a storage space to store the files of your website. So, these are two different things, and you need both for setting up a WordPress site.
Selecting a hosting plan is really an issue. There are dozens of hosting providers, so choosing one is a bit difficult. After all, you need to pick a reliable hosting provider so that your website can be live with excellent uptime. When you pick an unreliable service provider, your website faces downtime and other serious issues.
First, look for some reliable hosting providers, and then select one of their plans according to your budget. It is better to go with a yearly plan because it is economical. Some of the trusted WordPress hosting providers are
- Bluehost
- SiteGround
- HostGator
- A2 Hosting
- Namecheap
Make sure to check the services/benefits that they offer. You need to check the SSL certificate, whether you need to pay for it or it is free.
3) Install WordPress
The next step is installing WordPress on your hosting. Don't worry; it is very simple. If WordPress is not installed, you need to install it from the cPanel of your hosting. It would be like a one-click installing process, nothing more.
The best way is to check a blog post or guide of your hosting provider. You will get the exact steps to do that. Typically, you need to log in to your Dashboard (cPanel) and look for the Install WordPress option. You only need to follow the simple steps, and it will install WordPress automatically.
4) Select a Theme and Page Builder
There are many WordPress themes available. Some are premium, while some are free. You can select an appropriate theme according to your budget. A premium theme is better because it has more customization features. One of the popular themes is Divi because it has a simple website builder to create a stunning website. Moreover, there are many page builders as well, such as Elementor and Beaver Builder. You can use the website builder to customize the theme.
The theme should be according to your business or brand. Once you select a theme, you need to customize it. You need to add text, design web pages, and add anything you want on the web page.
5) Install Plugins
Once you create WordPress website, you need to manage it. Fortunately, WordPress has thousands of plugins that can help you manage your website with ease. You can install plugins for contact forms, SEO, analytics, website security, speed optimization, and many other things. These plugins make website management quite easy. Some of the popular and useful WordPress themes are,
- Yoast SEO (for Onpage SEO)
- Jetpack (for site statistics)
- WPForms (for creating a form on the page, such as a contact form)
- OptinMonster (for lead generation)
- WP Rocket (for website speed)
- Pretty Links Pro (for link management on your website)
- WooCommerce (for eCommerce)
- All In One WP Security (for website security)
These are only a few WordPress plugins; there are many more. Some plugins are free for limited use, but if you want more features, you can go with the premium plan.
Installing a plugin is quite easy; you only need to go to the Plugins tab on your WordPress. Select the plugin and click on Install. Moreover, you need to activate the plugin after installing it.
Bonus Tip: Creating a Website Prototype
The best way of building a website is to design it first before using any website builder or WordPress. Professional web developers create a website prototype to ensure the website design. It is difficult to think of a website design and implement it directly. There could be many errors and bugs, so you need to get rid of them before publishing your website.
If you want to create WordPress website without any errors, you must build its prototype first. Once your prototype is ready, you can check its functionality and start building the website. The website design helps you to launch a flawless website and save a lot of time. When your design is ready, you won't need much time to replicate it on a WordPress theme.
We recommend Wondershare Mockitt for website prototyping. It is a beginner-friendly tool that can help you build a functional prototype. You only need to drag and drop the items to create a design of your liking. You can even link the pages and add functionality to the widgets, such as buttons, without any hassle. After creating the web design, you can check it and solve the problems, if any. You can check the live preview of the website to ensure it's working.
We have discussed all steps to create WordPress website. By following the steps, you can create a website on your own.
