Discovering WordPress: A Rookie’s Guide

WordPress is an incredibly popular Content Management System (CMS) that is responsible for propelling over 28% of all websites on the internet! It’s almost unbelievable how user-friendly, customizable and well-supported the CMS is. The WordPress community offers resourceful but tireless support round-the-clock for anyone seeking development resources.

Step 1: Pick an Incredible Domain Name

Starting up a WordPress website from scratch requires that you first pick a unique domain name. A domain name is like your website’s identity on the internet. It’s crucial to choose a domain name that is easy to remember, relevant to your business, and available to register. You want to avoid potential visitors having difficulty finding your site simply because they can’t remember your domain name. Therefore, try to keep it easy to pronounce and spell! Ultimately, select a name that can work hand-in-hand with your business’ operations, products or services.

What You Need to Consider When Choosing a Domain Name

• Simplicity
• Memorable name
• Relevance to your business

GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Bluehost are among the many places where you can register a domain name. Furthermore, some hosting service providers also offer domain registrations, so do thorough research and choose a credible provider.

Step 2: Pick a Reputable Hosting Provider

Now that you have your domain name, you will need to choose a hosting provider. Hosting is like renting space on a server that will host your site. There are various hosting services, which include shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. Shared hosting is the most affordable hosting service you can get. VPS gives you more control over your server and resources. Dedicated hosting essentially means renting an entire server for your site.

WordPress has some of the most efficient hosting services available, such as Bluehost, SiteGround, and WP Engine. These hosting providers have WordPress-specific hosting plans, which have advanced speed and operations.

Points to Consider When Choosing a Hosting Provider

• 24/7 customer support
• Uptime guarantee
• Fast page loading times
• Provider reputation and reviews
• Pricing and plans

Step 3: Install WordPress

Now it’s time to install WordPress. You can get WordPress in two ways. Firstly, you can opt for manual installation. This means that you have to download WordPress from WordPress.org and upload it to your hosting provider’s server. Secondly, you can use your hosting provider’s auto-install feature, which enables you to install WordPress with just a few clicks.

Plugins are an essential addition to give your WordPress site extra functionality and features. Some popular plugins include Yoast SEO, Jetpack, and Contact Form 7.

Step 4: Pick a Theme

Pick a theme to change the look and layout of your site. While WordPress does come with a few free themes pre-installed, there are a load of both paid and free themes available online. Make sure the theme you choose is mobile-friendly, responsive and complements your website’s general design.

There are various theme marketplaces, such as ThemeForest, Elegant Themes, and StudioPress, where you can browse and select from different themes. Once you pick a theme, you can install and activate it via the WordPress dashboard under Appearance.

Step 5: Install Plugins

Plugins are an essential addition to give your WordPress site extra functionality and features. Some popular plugins include Yoast SEO, Jetpack, and Contact Form 7.

How to Install Plugins

Head over to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Look for any plugin you like and install. Always ensure that all plugins are reputable and come highly recommended with frequent updates.

Step 6: Add Content

Now that your WordPress site has been set up, it is time to start adding your content. You can add pages, posts, images, and media. It’s highly recommended that you create some pages, such as an About page, Contact page, and homepage.

Search Engine Optimization

When adding content, it’s crucial to follow best practices. These include selecting relevant keywords, creating high-quality content, and using descriptive titles that provide value to your visitors.

Step 7: Promote Your Site

It’s essential to promote your website if you want to attract visitors. You can do this by making use of social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization. Promote your site as much as possible, and expect high traffic and visitors.

Creating a WordPress website in 2018 is mostly a breeze, thanks to the user-friendly platform and resources available online. By following these steps, you can create a website that is customized to your business, easy to navigate, and attractive to visitors.