Creating your own website might sound technical, but trust me, it’s easier than you think. I’ve built many websites from scratch and I’ve learned all the tricks to make the process simple and fun.
You don’t need to be a tech expert or have a big budget. With so many AI tools and smart platforms available, anyone can create a professional-looking website with just a few steps, and I’m here to help you every step of the way.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to set up a WordPress website from scratch. I’ll cover everything from choosing a domain name to launching your site, all explained in easy-to-understand terms so you can follow along without any hassle.
Whether you’re planning to start a blog, a business site, or an online portfolio, you’ll find all the tips and tools you need right here.
Let’s jump in and get your new website up and running!
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Since this is an extensive guide, here’s a table of contents with quicklinks to help you navigate the post easily.
What’s In This Tutorial Guide?
- Choosing the Right Platform to Build Your Website
- Getting The Essentials You Need
- Installing WordPress
- Configuring Basic WordPress Settings
- Choosing and Installing a WordPress Theme
- Installing Essential Plugins
- Customizing Your Site’s Appearance
- Creating Key Pages (Home, About, Contact)
- Adding Content to Your Site
- Optimizing Your Site for Search Engines (SEO)
- Setting Up Security Measures
- Backing Up Your Site
- Launching Your Website
- Maintaining Your Website
1. Choosing the Right Platform to Build Your Website
Before you start building your website, it’s crucial to choose the right platform. The platform you select will serve as the foundation for your site, impacting everything from ease of use to customization options and scalability. There are many website builders out there, but WordPress.org stands out as one of the best choices, especially for beginners and those with intermediate skills.
Why Choose WordPress.org?
Apart from being free (the best reason), WordPress.org is the most popular platform to build a website. It powers over 43.5% of all websites on the internet. That’s huge!
It’s popular for good reason. Here’s why I have personally chosen WordPress.org for my own websites:
- User-Friendly: WordPress is designed to be easy to use, even if you have no prior experience with website building. Its intuitive interface allows you to create and manage your site effortlessly.
- Highly Customizable: With thousands of themes and plugins available, you can customize your WordPress site to look and function exactly how you want. Whether you need a simple blog or a complex eCommerce site, WordPress has you covered.
- SEO-Friendly: WordPress is built with SEO best practices in mind, making it easier for your site to rank higher in search engine results. Plus, there are plenty of SEO plugins available to further optimize your content.
- Strong Community Support: WordPress has a large, active community of users and developers. This means you can find a wealth of tutorials, forums, and support resources to help you along the way.
- Scalable: Whether you’re starting small or planning to grow your website over time, WordPress can scale with your needs. You can easily add new features and functionalities as your site expands.
- Cost-Effective: WordPress itself is free to use, and there are plenty of free themes and plugins to get you started. Even premium themes and plugins are generally affordable, making it a cost-effective solution for building your website.
That said, what works for me may not work for everyone else. Plus, I’d like you to have options so I’ll give you other recommendations you can try out.
Other Popular Website Platforms
While WordPress is my top recommendation, it’s worth noting a few other popular platforms:
- Wix: Known for its drag-and-drop interface, Wix is another user-friendly option. However, it can be less flexible than WordPress when it comes to customization and scalability.
- Squarespace: Squarespace offers beautiful, professionally designed templates and is great for visually stunning websites. However, it lacks the extensive plugin ecosystem that WordPress has.
- Shopify: If you’re focused on building an online store, Shopify is a strong contender. It’s specifically designed for eCommerce, but it can be more expensive and less flexible than WordPress for non-eCommerce sites.
In this tutorial, I’ll focus on WordPress because of its versatility, ease of use, and extensive customization options. Now that we’ve chosen our platform, let’s move on to the first step: choosing and registering a domain name.
2. Getting The Essentials You Need
Before you start building your WordPress website, you need two essential things:
- A domain name
- A web hosting plan
Getting them set up is the first step in your website creation journey.
Why You Need a Domain Name
A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It’s what people type into their browser to visit your site, like www.yourwebsite.com. Our domain is wp101.com and it appears in the address bar of your browser like this:
Choosing a good domain name is crucial because it represents your brand and makes it easy for visitors to find you.
Why You Need Web Hosting
Web hosting is the service that stores your website’s files and makes them accessible to visitors online. Without web hosting, your website can’t be seen by anyone. Think of it as renting space on the internet for your website.
Recommended Domain and Hosting Providers
To make things easier, many web hosting providers offer packages that include a free domain name for the first year. Here are three popular and reliable hosting providers to consider:
1. Bluehost
Officially recommended by WordPress.org, Bluehost offers affordable hosting plans and reliable service. Their plans include features like malware scanning, secure online payments, and domain privacy protection. Plus, you get a free domain for the first year, SSL certificate, and CDN when you sign up for a hosting plan.
2. Hostinger
Hostinger is one of the most secure hosting providers with features like vulnerabilities and malware scanner, enhanced DDoS protection, and secure access manager. Their plans are budget-friendly and come with a free domain WHOIS privacy protection for the first year.
3. SiteGround
Known for ultra-fast web hosting, SiteGround is another fantastic option. Their plans come with enhanced security features such as an AI anti-bot system. SiteGround also offers a free domain for the first year with their hosting packages.
Now there are free web hosting options that are tempting to try, but you need to be careful not to compromise your site’s security or reliability. Free hosts often have limitations on storage, bandwidth, and features that could hinder your website’s growth and performance.
Additionally, you might face issues like slow loading speeds, intrusive ads, or poor customer support, which can negatively impact your visitors’ experience and your site’s credibility.
Here are reliable free and affordable web hosting options. And here are the Best WordPress Hosting that I recommend.
By choosing one of these hosting providers, you can easily get your domain name and hosting set up together, saving you time and effort.
Registering Your Domain & Hosting Plan
I know getting started with a website can quickly become expensive so I want to help you set up your site even on a low budget. The WP101 team has worked out a deal with Bluehost to get you a web hosting plan at just $1.99 per month.
The great thing about this plan is that it includes everything you’ll need including a domain, SSL, CDN, and email. There are many web hosts that have cheaper plans but you’ll have to purchase these essentials separately. Overall, it works out more expensive when you do that.
For this tutorial, I’ll show you how to register your domain and hosting plan on Bluehost.
Visit our special Bluehost offer and click on the ‘Get Started’ button.
Choose your plan and head to the next step.
Here, you can pick out a domain name. If you’re having trouble coming up with a name, try out this Free Domain Name Generator.
Then, review your plan details, and complete your purchase.
Once done, you should have access to your hosting dashboard.
3. Installing WordPress
Installing WordPress on Bluehost is straightforward, thanks to its user-friendly interface and one-click installation process. When you log into your account, you can click on the Add Site button and Bluehost will handle the rest for you.
How to Use One-Click WordPress Installation Tools in Your Web Host
Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation that makes setting up your website quick and effortless.
Start by logging in to your hosting provider’s account and go to the cPanel (control panel).
Look for an option labeled “One-Click Installs or Auto Installer”. This feature is commonly found in the control panel.
Many web hosts also offer the Softaculous Apps Installer that makes it easy to install WordPress in a few clicks.
Choose the domain name where you want to install WordPress. If you have multiple domains associated with your hosting account, select the one you intend to use for this website.
Some hosting providers will ask you to configure your installation by entering details such as your site name, admin username, password, and email address. Fill in these fields as required.
Once you’ve configured the installation settings, click on the “Install” button or a similar option to begin the installation process. The installer will set up WordPress on your chosen domain automatically.
After installation completes successfully, you’ll receive a confirmation message.
You can now access your WordPress dashboard by visiting your domain followed by “/wp-admin” (e.g., www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin). Log in using the admin credentials you set during installation.
Using the one-click WordPress installation tool provided by your hosting provider saves time and eliminates the need for manual setup. It’s a convenient way to get WordPress up and running quickly so you can focus on building and managing your website effectively.
4. Configuring Basic WordPress Settings
Once you’ve logged in, I recommend configuring a few important settings right away.
1. General Settings:
From the admin menu on the left, go to Settings » General.
Here you can set your Site Title and Tagline. This is what visitors will see when they visit your site.
Choose your preferred WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL). Usually, these are the same unless you’re moving your site to a different domain. You can also set your preferred time zone and date format.
2. Permalink Settings:
Permalink Settings in WordPress control the structure of URLs for your posts, pages, and other content types. It helps search engines understand your content better and it also makes your links way easier for humans to read and remember
Go to Settings » Permalinks. Choose your permalink structure. A common and SEO-friendly option is “Post name,” which uses your post title in the URL.
3. Discussion Settings:
Discussion Settings in WordPress control how users interact with your site through comments and notifications. These settings are crucial for managing user engagement and maintaining a healthy, spam-free discussion environment on your WordPress site.
Go to Settings » Discussion.
Configure settings related to comments on your posts and pages, such as whether to allow comments, comment moderation, and notification options.
4. Reading Settings:
This section is particularly important for controlling the appearance of your blog posts and pages. Go to Settings » Reading.
Set your homepage displays. Choose between displaying your latest posts (great for blogs) or a static page as your homepage. Configure the number of posts shown per page.
5. Writing Settings:
Writing Settings in WordPress control how you compose and format your posts and pages. This section typically includes options for the default post category, default post format, and content editor settings.
Go to Settings » Writing.
Configure default post categories, post format preferences, and other writing-related options.
After making any changes in each settings section, don’t forget to click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page to apply your settings.
Configuring these basic settings ensures that your WordPress site is set up correctly and optimized for your needs.
Next, I’ll dive into customizing your WordPress site further with themes and plugins.
5. Choosing and Installing a WordPress Theme
WordPress themes determine how your site looks to visitors and how easy it is to navigate.
When choosing a theme, consider factors like responsiveness (how well it adapts to different devices), design aesthetics, and compatibility with plugins you might use.
To browse and install a theme from within WordPress, start by logging into your WordPress dashboard. Navigate to Appearance » Themes.
Here, you’ll find a collection of free themes available directly from WordPress.org. You can use the search and filter options to narrow down themes based on your preferences—whether it’s layout, features, or niche-specific designs.
If you have a specific theme in mind that’s not listed on WordPress.org, you can opt for a third-party theme provider like SeedProd or ThriveThemes. So for instance, inside SeedProd, you’ll get a whole library of theme kits that you can install on your site. They come with all the essential landing pages you’ll need:
To install a third-party theme, download the theme ZIP file from the provider’s website.
Then, in your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance » Themes and click on the “Add New” button.
From there, select Upload Theme and choose the downloaded ZIP file. Once uploaded, click “Install Now” and then “Activate” to apply the theme to your site.
Choosing a WordPress theme is an exciting step in building your website. Take your time to explore different options, preview themes to see how they look with your content, and ensure they align with your site’s goals and branding.
Remember, a well-chosen theme can greatly enhance your website’s appeal and functionality without the need for extensive customization.
6. Installing Essential Plugins
While WordPress is a great platform to build your website, it doesn’t come with all the features you may want. To add more features and functionality, you need to use plugins.
These are tools that you can add on top of WordPress to get features such as contact forms, testimonials, SEO tools, security scanners and performance optimization.
To add new plugins, go to Plugins » Add New from your WordPress admin menu.
Use the search bar to find plugins by name or browse featured, popular, or recommended plugins. Once you’ve found a plugin, click on the “Install Now” button.
After installation, click “Activate” to enable the plugin on your site.
Some plugins may require initial setup or configuration. Follow on-screen prompts or visit the plugin’s settings page under Plugins » Installed Plugins to configure options according to your needs.
Here are essential plugins to consider:
- All in One SEO to optimize your site’s search engine visibility
- WPForms for creating user-friendly contact forms
- Duplicator for automated backups
I also created this Ultimate Guide of WordPress Plugins every website must have. Check it out to find the right plugins for your site.
Choose plugins that align with your site’s goals and regularly update them to maintain performance and security standards.
Need more help installing plugins? Follow our complete tutorial on How to Install a WordPress Plugin (Beginner’s Guide)
7. Customizing Your Site’s Appearance
Customizing the appearance of your WordPress site is essential to reflect your brand identity and engage your visitors effectively.
Gutenberg, WordPress’s default block editor, uses a block-based approach. You can add blocks for text, images, videos, and more, rearrange them, and customize each block’s settings.
Here’s a look at the default block editor:
It’s intuitive for beginners and integrates seamlessly with WordPress themes and plugins. While it offers basic customization options, you may find it limited for advanced design needs.
I recommend exploring other powerful page builders like SeedProd, Thrive Theme Builder, and Beaver Builder for more extensive customization.
- SeedProd
Known for its drag-and-drop interface and pre-built templates, SeedProd allows you to create custom landing pages, coming soon pages, and maintenance mode pages easily. - Thrive Theme Builder
Thrive Theme Builder offers a visual theme editor to customize every aspect of your WordPress theme without coding. - Beaver Builder
Beaver Builder is renowned for its simplicity and versatility in creating responsive layouts with its drag-and-drop editor.
Keep in mind there are plenty of WordPress Website and Page Builders to choose from.
Customizing your site’s appearance with these builders allows you to create unique layouts, landing pages, and designs that align perfectly with your brand and business goals.
7. Creating Key Pages (Home, About, Contact)
Most themes come with key pages already created for you. You simply need to customize the design and content. These include Home, Blog, About, Contact, and so on, and you’ll usually see them linked to a header menu like this:
In case your theme doesn’t come with these pages, you can use a page builder like the ones I mentioned above.
So for instance, with SeedProd, you can create the pages on your own by going to SeedProd » Pages in your WordPress admin menu.
Click on “Add New Landing Page” to create a new page. Choose a template that fits your needs or start with a blank page to design from scratch.
Then you can use SeedProd’s drag-and-drop editor to customize each page. Add sections, text, images, videos, and other elements as desired.
The builder also lets you configure settings specific to each page, such as SEO settings, page title, and meta description.
Once you’re satisfied with your page design, click on the “Publish” button to make it live on your website.
What I love about SeedProd is that it’s an all-in-one solution. You get a theme for your website, premade templates for individual pages and posts, and a drag and drop visual builder to make your own customizations.
Plus, this builder includes Coming Soon and Maintenance Mode. So you can put your site into these modes with just a click. Then SeedProd will hide your site and display a beautiful placeholder page for visitors.
This is great for when you’re working on your site or fixing errors and you don’t want visitors to see broken pages.
9. Adding Content to Your Site
Adding compelling content is key to engaging your audience and achieving your website goals. Here’s how you can effectively add and manage content on your WordPress site:
Creating New Posts and Pages:
To create a new post, go to Posts » Add New in your WordPress dashboard. For pages, navigate to Pages » Add New.
Enter a title for your post or page and add content using the Gutenberg editor or your preferred page builder.
Formatting Content:
Use formatting options like headings, paragraphs, lists, and blockquotes to organize your content. Insert media such as images, videos, and audio files to enrich your posts and pages.
Setting Featured Images:
Assign a featured image to each post or page to visually represent it when shared on social media or listed in archives.
Managing Categories and Tags:
Categorize your posts into relevant categories and add tags to improve navigation and SEO. Use categories to group related content and tags to highlight specific topics or keywords.
Publishing and Scheduling:
Preview your content to see how it will appear to visitors before publishing. Edit drafts and update published content as needed to keep it relevant and engaging. Decide whether to publish your content immediately or schedule it for a future date and time. Use the publishing options in the editor to set the desired publication date and time.
By following these steps, you can create and manage content effectively on your WordPress site. Regularly updating your site with fresh and valuable content helps attract visitors, improve search engine rankings, and achieve your website’s objectives.
10. Optimizing Your Site for Search Engines (SEO)
Optimizing your site for search engines (SEO) ensures that your content is discoverable and ranks well in search results, driving organic traffic to your site.
I recommend using All in One SEO for this.
It gives you actionable insights and recommendations to improve your content’s SEO performance right inside your WordPress dashboard.
On the pro version, you can access advanced features like WooCommerce SEO, local SEO, and schema markup to enhance your site’s search engine ranking.
Want to explore more SEO plugins? Here’s a round-up of the Best WordPress SEO Plugins to Boost Rankings and Traffic.
11. Setting Up Security Measures
Without good security, hackers could mess with your site, steal data, or even use it to attack others. Plus, it keeps your visitors safe and shows them you’re serious about protecting their data.
Install the Sucuri Security plugin from your WordPress dashboard.
Activate the plugin and Sucuri will automatically scan your site to check for malware and suspicious activity. To configure security settings, including firewall protection, malware scanning, and brute-force attack prevention, Sucuri gives you onscreen instructions that you can follow.
Regularly monitor security logs and audit trail to detect and respond to any security threats promptly.
For more options, see the Best WordPress Security Plugins to Shield Your Website
12. Backing Up Your Site
If something goes wrong – like a hack, a plugin update gone bad, or even just a silly mistake – a backup is your safety net. It lets you restore your site quickly, saving you tons of time and stress. Plus, it’s way easier than rebuilding everything from scratch. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later if you ever need it!
You can install a backup plugin on your site that will handle this for you. Here’s the easiest way to do this:
Install the Duplicator plugin from your WordPress dashboard.
Use Duplicator to create manual or scheduled backups of your entire WordPress site, including files and database.
Store backups securely in cloud storage or download them to your local computer for safekeeping.
Learn How to Backup Your WordPress Site (The Right Way!)
13. Launching Your Website
Congratulations on reaching the final step—launching your website! For a smooth and successful launch, here’s my checklist:
Final WordPress Website Launch Checklist
- Test all pages and functionality
- Check mobile responsiveness
- Optimize site speed
- Set up SSL certificate
- Install and configure security plugins
- Create a full backup
- Update all plugins and themes
- Remove any dummy content
- Set up Google Analytics
- Review SEO basics (titles, meta descriptions, etc.)
- Check all forms and contact information
- Ensure legally required pages are present (Privacy Policy, Terms of Service)
- Double-check all links work correctly
- Proofread all content
- Test site in different browsers
By completing this checklist, you’ll ensure a successful and seamless launch for your WordPress website, setting the stage for growth and engagement with your audience.
14. Maintaining Your Website
Keeping your WordPress website well-maintained is essential for its security, performance, and user experience. Follow these key practices to ensure your site remains in top shape:
- Regular Updates: Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated to the latest versions to patch security vulnerabilities and ensure compatibility. You may want to enable automatic updates where possible to streamline the process.
- Backup Routine: Continue to create regular backups of your website using plugins like Duplicator to safeguard against data loss. It’s wise to store backups securely offsite or in cloud storage for added protection.
- Security Audits: Regularly audit your website’s security settings and make sure there’s a security plugin actively monitoring your site to detect and mitigate potential threats.
- Content Updates: Update and refresh your website content regularly to keep it relevant and engaging for your audience. You’ll want to optimize content for SEO and user experience based on analytics and feedback.
- Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitor website performance using tools like Google Analytics to track traffic, page load times, and user behavior. Here’s how to connect your site to Google Analytics easily.
- User Feedback:
- Regularly ask for user feedback to improve website usability and functionality.
- Implement suggestions and enhancements to enhance user satisfaction.
By consistently maintaining your WordPress website, you ensure it remains secure, performs optimally, and continues to meet the needs of your audience effectively.
Congratulations on successfully creating and launching your WordPress website! You’ve taken the first step towards establishing your online presence and reaching your audience effectively.
Throughout this guide, I’ve covered everything you need to know—from setting up your domain and hosting to customizing your site’s appearance and optimizing it for search engines.
By following these steps, you’ve not only built a functional website but also ensured it’s secure, optimized, and ready to attract visitors.
Remember, launching your website is just the beginning. Regular maintenance, updates, and content optimization will be crucial to its long-term success. Keep an eye on performance metrics, listen to user feedback, and adapt your site to meet evolving trends and needs.
Next you may also want to monetize your site either by setting up eCommerce or by selling digital goods.
And to make sure you have everything you need to setup, grow, and manage your website, I’ve created this guide for you: The Ultimate WordPress Toolkit: Everything You Need For Your Website.
Happy website building!
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