Are you trying to learn WordPress but feel like you’re the only one struggling with it?
While everyone else seems to breeze through it, you’re left wondering if you missed the “easy” button.
If you’ve been trying to wrap your head around WordPress with no prior experience, you’ve likely discovered a harsh truth: it’s not as simple as some make it out to be. At least, not without the right resources and guidance.
The truth is, WordPress can be both simple and complex. It’s user-friendly enough for beginners to create basic websites, but it also has depths that can challenge even experienced developers. The key to mastering WordPress isn’t just diving in blindly – it’s finding the right resources to guide you along the way.
That’s where this list comes in. I’ve compiled the top 10 websites that offer WordPress tutorials, ranging from free beginner guides to paid advanced courses. These sites have helped countless individuals, including myself, navigate the sometimes confusing world of WordPress.
Whether you’re struggling to install a plugin, create a website menu, or publish a blog post, these resources will help you.
So, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or frustrated in your WordPress learning journey, don’t worry – you’re not alone, and help is at hand. Let’s explore these fantastic learning resources that can transform your WordPress experience from confusing to confident!
There are free and paid WordPress tutorials and courses available. Let me tell you what you can expect with both so that you can decide whether you want to take the free path or you’d prefer to pay for a professional course.
Free vs Paid WordPress Tutorials and Resources
When it comes to learning WordPress, you’ve got two main paths: free resources that won’t cost you a dime, or paid tutorials that might set you back a few bucks.
But is spending your money really worth it when there’s so much free info out there? Let’s break it down.
Free WordPress tutorials cover everything from beginner basics to advanced tutorials for developers. You’ll find tons of WordPress blogs like WPBeginner that are reliable and give you clear tutorials. There are also plenty of YouTube videos and online community forums packed with helpful info. The catch? Sometimes you’ll have to piece things together yourself, and the level of expertise and quality can be hit-or-miss.
What I’ve found really frustrating is that most free tutorials, especially on YouTube, take you to WordPress.com and not WordPress.org. There’s a big difference between these two and it can lead to a lot of confusion for beginners. I’ll cover the difference between these two in the next section.
Now on the flip side, paid WordPress resources offer structured courses, in-depth content, and direct support. You’re paying for organization, expertise, and often more up-to-date information. Plus, there’s usually someone to answer your questions when you get stuck.
But here’s the kicker: the line between free and paid isn’t always clear-cut. Some free resources rival paid ones in quality, while some paid options might leave you wanting more.
In this guide, we’ll dive into both free and paid WordPress learning resources. I’ve chosen ones that are worth your time and money.
First, it’s really crucial that you know the difference between tutorials that teach you to use WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
Understanding the Difference Between WordPress.org vs WordPress.com Tutorials
WordPress.org is the self-hosted version that gives you full freedom over your site.
You can download it at no cost and use it to make any kind of website you want. Here are the main things you need to know:
- You’ll need to buy your own domain name and hosting plan to use WordPress.org. You can get this for around $1.99 to $2.75 per month. Check out our pick of the Best WordPress Hosting.
- You’ll get a website with a domain like wp101.com or mysite.com.
- You can change anything and everything about your site.
- There are thousands of add-on tools (called plugins) and designs (called themes) to customize your site the way you want it.
- You’ll need to handle updates and backups yourself.
- Want to make money from your site? You have full freedom to do it however you want, without restrictions.
WordPress.com is a hosted platform. It takes care of technical aspects of your site like updates and backups but it limits your control and customization options.
This is a paid service but there’s a free plan available. The catch on the free plan is that your domain will carry the WordPress.com branding. So your domain will look like myblog.wordpress.com or allrecipes.wordpress.com.
These kinds of domains are okay for personal blogs or portfolios. But if you want users to take your website seriously, then you need a professional-looking domain name like allrecipes.com.
If you want to use your own domain name on WordPress.com, you need to buy a plan starting at $5 per month. For more features and customization options, the price increases.
This is great for users who want a completely hands-off approach to website building where WordPress.com will handle all the technical stuff while you simply create and manage the content and design.
This distinction is often glossed over in free tutorials, leaving many learners stuck with the wrong version of WordPress for their needs.
This highlights a key drawback of some free resources: they may not always provide the most accurate or comprehensive information. It’s not uncommon to find outdated tutorials, incomplete guides, or advice that’s simply not applicable to your specific WordPress setup.
To avoid these pitfalls when using free resources:
- Always double-check which version of WordPress the tutorial is covering.
- Look for recent publication dates to ensure the information is current.
- Cross-reference information from multiple sources.
- Pay attention to the comments section, where other users often point out errors or provide updates.
- Choose reputable sources like the official WordPress.org documentation and WPBeginner when in doubt.
With that distinction made clear, let’s dive into the best free and paid WordPress.org tutorials.
Free WordPress Tutorials and Resources
1. WPBeginner
WPBeginner was founded in 2009 by Syed Balkhi and over the years, it has grown into the largest free WordPress resource site on the web.
I first stumbled upon WPBeginner when I was starting out with WordPress myself. At the time, I was trying to set up a simple blog and felt overwhelmed by all the options and technical jargon.
What I found incredibly helpful about WPBeginner was its straightforward, step-by-step approach. Their tutorials broke down complex processes into manageable chunks, often with screenshots that made it easy to follow along.
I also love their plugin recommendations and comparisons. As a newbie, it was hard to know which plugins to trust, and these in-depth reviews helped me make informed decisions.
Over time, as I became more experienced with WordPress, I found myself returning to WPBeginner less frequently for basic information. However, I still find their site valuable for staying up-to-date with WordPress news and for their in-depth guides on specific topics or new features.
Overall, I’d say WPBeginner lives up to its name – it’s an invaluable resource for WordPress beginners, and even experienced users can find useful information there. It’s definitely a site I’d recommend bookmarking if you’re just starting out with WordPress.
Here are some of the top tutorials you can get started with:
» How to Make a WordPress Website (Ultimate Guide)
» How to Start an Online Store
» Free WordPress Workshop for Beginners
» WordPress Speed & Performance
They also have a whole list of tools that are free to use that include domain name generator, blog idea generator, SEO analyzer and so much more. Check it out:
» Free Business Tools for Small Businesses
2. IsItWP
IsItWP launched in 2013 as a tool to detect if a website is using WordPress and what themes or plugins it might be using.
The team regularly publishes a range of tutorials covering various aspects of WordPress. These are generally beginner to intermediate level, focusing on practical, step-by-step guides.
They also offer detailed reviews of popular WordPress plugins and themes. You’ll also find resources on recommended tools for various purposes, such as SEO, email marketing, or website optimization.
One thing that IsItWP excels at is WordPress Deals and Coupons. They secure exclusive deals and discounts on WordPress-related products and services.
Here are the top tutorials to get started with WordPress.org:
» How to Make a Website From Scratch
» How to Start a WordPress Blog
» The Best and Most Popular WordPress Themes
» The Best WordPress Plugins [Mostly FREE!]
» The Best WordPress Hosting Companies
3. WordPress.org
WordPress.org maintains the WordPress Codex which is the official resource for all things WordPress.
The documentation covers everything from basic usage to advanced development topics. It’s particularly helpful when I need to understand a specific WordPress function or feature in depth.
For beginners, I’d recommend starting with the basic user guides and gradually exploring more advanced topics as you become more comfortable with WordPress.
Overall, while it may not be as beginner-friendly as some other resources, the WordPress.org documentation is an essential tool for anyone serious about mastering WordPress, especially for developers and power users.
Keep in mind, the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. Some sections can be quite technical and may be challenging for non-developers to understand.
4. BlogTyrant
BlogTyrant is a popular online resource for bloggers and digital entrepreneurs. The website publishes a wide array of content focused on helping individuals start, grow, and monetize their blogs effectively.
Their articles cover various aspects of blogging, including WordPress tips, SEO strategies, content marketing techniques, email list building, affiliate marketing, and social media optimization.
BlogTyrant’s content is known for its practical, actionable advice, often backed by personal experiences and real-world case studies. The content is generally well-researched and detailed.
While BlogTyrant offers a lot of WordPress-related content, it’s important to note that it’s not exclusively a WordPress resource. It covers blogging and online marketing more broadly, which can be beneficial for getting a wider perspective on growing your online presence.
One thing that stands out about BlogTyrant is its focus on sustainable, long-term strategies rather than get-rich-quick schemes.
Overall, I’d recommend BlogTyrant as a solid resource for bloggers, particularly those who are looking to monetize their blogs or improve their marketing strategies.
Get started with their Beginner’s Guide to Start a Blog »
You’ll also like these guides:
» How to Start an Online Store
» How to Start Affiliate Marketing
5. SeedProd
SeedProd is a popular WordPress plugin that specializes in creating coming soon pages, maintenance mode pages, and landing pages.
The team behind SeedProd knows all about creating WordPress websites and their on a mission to make it super easy for anyone to launch their own site. Aside from their website builder, they also regularly publish helpful tutorials on their site to help you get your site up and running.
Check out some of their top blog posts:
» Create a real estate website
» Create a photography website
Those are my top picks for free WordPress tutorials and resources. Next, I’ll tell you all about the paid tutorial course for WordPress.
Paid WordPress Tutorials and Courses
WP101
At WP101, we’re on a mission to make learning WordPress as easy as pie.
We get it – WordPress can seem pretty confusing when you’re just starting out. All those menus, settings, and tech terms can make your head spin. That’s exactly why we created WP101.
Since 2008, WP101 has helped more than 3 million beginners learn WordPress in a couple of hours.
We take all that complicated WordPress stuff and break it down into bite-sized, easy-to-understand video lessons. We walk you through everything step-by-step.
We’re not about boring you with long lectures or drowning you in tech jargon. Nope, we keep things short, sweet, and to the point. Our videos show you exactly what to click, where to go, and how to make WordPress do what you want it to do.
The WP101 courses are right for you if you:
- Prefer video-based learning and step-by-step instructions for mastering new skills.
- Want to start your own website or blog using WordPress and need to understand how to use the platform effectively.
- Prefer to build and manage your own websites rather than hiring a professional.
- Want to expand your skills to include WordPress site creation and management.
- Want to gain the confidence to troubleshoot common WordPress issues on your own.
If that sounds good, here are beginner courses to get you started:
» Introduction to WordPress (Free)
» WordPress 101 (+ free practice website)
» How to Set Up an Online Store
» How to Sell Digital Products
» How to Speed Up Your Website
» How to Optimize SEO
You can sign up for the free course that introduces you to WordPress to decide if WP101 is right for you and then upgrade to an All-Access Pass. This unlocks all current and future courses! Get your All-Access Pass today!
There’s a 7-day free trial along with a 14-day no-risk money-back guarantee so you can join with peace of mind and start learning today.
Start Learning WordPress 101 »
If you’re still deciding whether to hand off WordPress website creation to a professional service, read on.
BONUS: Get a Custom WordPress Website Created by Pros
If you’re new to WordPress, short on time, or need a complex site with custom features, then hiring a professional service can be a worthwhile investment. They can ensure a polished result, handle SEO and performance optimization, and provide ongoing maintenance.
However, if you have a simple project, are willing to learn, and have the time to dedicate, building the site yourself can be a rewarding experience and save you money. Consider your immediate needs versus the learning curve, and remember that you can always start with a DIY approach and upgrade to professional services later if needed.
Here are my top picks of professional WordPress services:
1. WPBeginner Pro Services
WPBeginner Pro Services will design and launch a custom WordPress website for you, giving your site a unique, professional look.
Your site creation will be handled by a skilled team of WordPress professionals, including designers and developers, who collaborate to create custom websites. Their experts combine technical know-how with creative talent to build sites that not only look impressive but also perform efficiently.
Other services they offer include:
- If your current site is running slow, they offer speed optimization services to improve loading times.
- For those concerned about security, they provide hardening services to protect your site from threats.
- WPBeginner offers SEO optimization services to help improve your search engine rankings.
- They also provide ongoing maintenance services, taking care of updates, backups, and monitoring to keep your site running smoothly.
These services could be particularly helpful if you’re short on time or technical expertise. WPBeginner’s team handles the complex WordPress tasks, allowing you to focus on your core business.
2. Seahawk Media
Seahawk Media offers custom web design that is all about making your website stand out. They don’t just use pre-made templates. Instead, they create a website that’s unique to your business.
First, they talk with you to understand what your business is all about and who your customers are. This helps them get a clear picture of what your website needs to do.
Then, they start designing. They make sure your website looks good and works well on all devices – computers, tablets, and phones. They also focus on making it easy for people to use your site and find what they’re looking for.
The team at Seahawk Media also thinks about how to make your site show up in Google searches. They build your site in a way that helps it rank better in search results.
If you need special features on your website, like an online store or a booking system, they can add those too. Everything is built to match your brand’s style and colors.
In the end, you get a website that’s totally unique to your business. It’s not just about looking good – it’s about having a website that helps your business grow online.
Here are more WordPress Services and Support Agencies »
That’s the list of the best WordPress free and paid resources and tutorials out there.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your skills, these options offer something for everyone.
Ready to master WordPress so that you can design, launch, and grow your website?
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