I’ve had a lot of friends and clients ask, “How do I learn WordPress? Which tutorial should I choose? Which resources will help me understand what’s what?”
So over the last few months, I spent time exploring what’s available to learn WordPress online and I’m amazed by the sheer number of online resources available.
When I first decided to dive into WordPress 16 years ago, there weren’t many resources available. You had to figure out most of it on your own. But now there are hundreds of courses, tutorials, and forums!
While this abundance was initially exciting, it quickly became overwhelming and I understood why my friends and clients felt stuck without a clear path.
We’ve helped 3+ million people learn how to use WordPress the right way, so I can guarantee you there’s a better way.
Let’s skip the confusion and overwhelm that comes with piecing together random tutorials. Instead, let me show you the proven path that’s helped millions learn WordPress.
What’s In This Guide?
Here’s what I’ll cover in this guide:
- What is WordPress
- WordPress.org vs WordPress.com
- How to Learn WordPress
- What Do I Need to Start a WordPress Site?
- How to Use WordPress
- FAQs
Let’s start with the basics of what WordPress is. Having a basic understanding of WordPress is really helpful. It’s important to get a clear picture of what it offers before diving deeper into learning how to use it.
What is WordPress
WordPress is a tool that helps you create and manage websites easily. It’s known as a content management system (CMS). If you want to start a personal blog, set up an online store, or create a portfolio site, WordPress can help make it happen.
One of the best things about WordPress is how easy it is for beginners. This user-friendly aspect was what I loved most when I started out. The platform offers a straightforward interface and a vast collection of plugins and themes. This means you can build a site without having to learn coding.
At the same time, WordPress is powerful enough for developers who want to dive deeper into customizations.
WordPress is also constantly innovating and improving. A few years ago, they introduced the Block Editor and this changed how you can build pages and posts on your website using blocks.
Now you can simply search for a block such as “video”, add it to your page, and insert your file or URL. You’ll see the video appear on your page. It’s that simple now.
One thing that’s important to know is WordPress is open-source, which means any user can help improve it. There’s a big community of people around the world working on making WordPress better. This community has been a huge help to me while learning, as it offers lots of support and ideas to keep exploring what WordPress can do.
Now that you know what WordPress is, let’s talk about the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. These two options can be confusing for beginners, so let’s clear that up next.
WordPress.org vs WordPress.com
Many users get these two mixed up and end up investing in the wrong platform. Here’s what you need to know before you decide which platform is right for you.
WordPress.org
WordPress.org is the self-hosted version of WordPress. This means you have more control over your website and can customize it to your heart’s content.
However, you need to buy a hosting plan and domain name on your own. While this might sound overwhelming initially, the benefits
Self-hosting meant I had full access to all the fantastic plugins and themes available, and I could deeply customize my site as my skills grew.
Choosing WordPress.org is like having your own blank canvas. You can customize it however you want without restrictions, which was a huge advantage as I became more comfortable with WordPress.
Here’s a look at the dashboard where you can manage everything about your website:
I loved the flexibility of being able to monetize my site without limitations, access powerful SEO tools, and track analytics easily.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a hosted platform that takes care of the technical aspects for you.
You pay an upfront fee and they’ll take care of hosting for you. This means you don’t need to worry about hosting fees or the setup process.
WordPress.com is perfect for those who prefer a hands-off approach and are looking to create a simple blog or site without getting into customization.
In my experience, this seemed like a convenient option at first, but there are trade-offs. You have less control over customizations, and some monetization options are limited unless you opt for a paid plan.
Here’s the WordPress.com dashboard:
It’s quite similar to WordPress.org. What you see here will depend on the plan you’ve selected.
You can learn about the full difference here: WordPress.org vs WordPress.com »
In this guide, we’re talking about WordPress.org. It’s the one I recommend using because it’s free to use and gives you complete control and flexibility over your site.
Now, let’s move on to learning how to use this platform.
How to Learn WordPress
There are so many ways to learn WordPress. One way is to set it up for yourself and learn it on your own. This is really tough to do if you’re new to it. I remember staring at the dashboard, wondering what each button did, and fearing that a wrong click would unravel everything.
I’ve also tried WordPress’s official documentation, YouTube tutorials, and other blogs.
Personally, I prefer video tutorials. I’ve worked with many clients and friends and have helped them learn WordPress. Most of them preferred structured videos, although, some preferred following blog posts.
Based on this experience, I’ve created my recommended path to learning WordPress:
- Professional Online Courses
- Free Online Tutorials & Blogs
First, let’s talk about why professional courses like WP101 make a difference.
Professional Online Courses
Usually when people start learning WordPress, they bounce between YouTube videos and blog posts. Sure, they’re free, but many people who come to us tell us that they were spending more time searching for answers than actually learning. And often, the information was outdated or just plain wrong.
That’s why I think you’ll love what we’ve built at WP101. Our step-by-step course teaches you everything you need to know about WordPress through video tutorials. The course takes just under 2 hours!
No fluff, no outdated information, just clear guidance that works.
I recommend that you start with the Intro to WordPress course. It’s free and covers the essentials. It also gives you a taste of our teaching style so you’ll know if it’s right for you. Plus, you get access to a Sandbox site (a demo website) where you can practice without fear of breaking anything.
When you’re ready to go deeper, the annual All Access Pass opens up our complete library of tutorials.
Every tutorial is designed to be bite-sized lessons that are easy to learn and practice. You’ll learn the basics of setting up your website and then you can advance to courses on how to grow and monetize your website. Some of the courses include:
- How to use the WordPress dashboard
- Designing your site with modern page builders
- Setting up forms
- Optimizing for search engines
- Speeding up your website
- Creating an online store
- Managing email systems
- Adding custom features
- Selling digital products
- Accepting online payments
- Running successful giveaways
You’ll also get access to any new courses that are released from time to time.
The best part? Everything is explained in simple terms. No tech jargon, no confusion – just clear steps to follow.
Ready to start? Try our free Intro to WordPress course today »
Want the complete package? Get the All Access Pass and join 3+ million successful WordPress site owners in learning how to use this powerful platform:
Enroll and Start Learning Now »
Now WordPress is always changing. Once you’ve got the basics down with our courses, you’ll probably want to keep learning and trying new things. That’s totally normal – and actually pretty exciting.
Every week there’s something new in the WordPress world. A cool plugin that makes your life easier, a feature that saves you hours, or maybe a solution to that thing that’s been bugging you forever. That’s when those free tutorials and blogs come in handy.
Once you understand how WordPress really works (which is what we teach you), you’ll know exactly what to look for when you need specific answers.
It’s kind of like learning to cook. We teach you the fundamentals – how to use the tools, understand the ingredients, and master basic techniques. Then when you’re comfortable in the kitchen, you can confidently try new recipes and experiment on your own.
Free Online Tutorials & Blogs
There are free resources available to learn WordPress, however, you’ll need to make sure you follow reliable sources.
Not all free tutorials are created equal. The quality of information and accuracy can vary so it’s important to ensure that the source you’re using is reputable and provides accurate, up-to-date information.
Added to that, the WordPress platform is continuously evolving, with updates and changes being introduced regularly. Free tutorials might not always reflect the latest features, settings, or best practices, leading to confusion or even errors in your learning process.
Here are my top picks of reliable WordPress resources that I trust:
1. WPBeginner
is the biggest free resource for everything WordPress. It’s pretty much every WordPress user’s best friend – including mine. These folks have been around since 2009, and they’ve built up an incredible library of WordPress tutorials.
What I love about WPBeginner is how thorough they are. Say you’re trying to figure out how to add a contact form. They don’t just tell you “click here, click there.”
They explain why you might want different types of forms, compare the best plugins, and walk you through setup with screenshots of every step. And they keep their content fresh – so you’re not following instructions from 2015.
Here’s a cool feature they offer: if you’re stuck on something specific, they have this WPBeginner Glossary that breaks down WordPress jargon into normal human speak. You know those times when you’re reading about WordPress and feel like you need a tech translator? That’s what this is for.
They also do a great job with their beginner guides, plugin reviews, and theme comparisons. If you’re trying to decide between different tools for your site, their comparison articles are super helpful. WPBeginner is an awesome resource (seriously, bookmark it).
They have a bunch of free tools to generate blog ideas, analyzer headlines and run keyword research.
You can also join their Facebook Group to connect with a thriving WordPress community.
2. IsItWP
is less known than WPBeginner, but they’re one of my go-to resources when I need honest plugin comparisons or want to check out hosting options.
What makes them stand out is their no-nonsense approach to reviews.
They actually test the stuff they write about (which, believe it or not, isn’t as common as you’d think). When they compare WordPress tools, they break down the pros and cons in a way that helps you make smart choices for your site.
Their speed test tool is pretty handy too. Just plug in your website URL, and it’ll tell you how your site’s performing and what you can do to make it faster.
I especially like their WordPress deals section. If you’re looking to save some money on plugins, themes, or hosting, they keep track of all the good discounts. Just make sure you actually need what you’re buying – a good deal on something you don’t need isn’t really a deal at all.
3. BlogTyrant
has a ton of resources dedicated just to blogging. You’ll find tools, themes, tips, and tricks for bloggers.
It’s a bit different from your typical WordPress resource – and that’s exactly why I like it. Instead of just showing you how to use WordPress, they focus on the bigger picture: how to actually make your blog successful.
What I really appreciate about BlogTyrant is their focus on strategy. Sure, they’ll tell you which plugins to use or how to set up your site, but they go deeper. They’ll explain why certain approaches work better than others, and how to avoid the mistakes that most new bloggers make.
Their guides on SEO, email marketing, and content creation are gold. And unlike some blogs that feel like they’re written by robots, BlogTyrant’s content feels like advice from someone who’s been in your shoes and actually wants to help.
4. All in One SEO
is an SEO tool for WordPress sites. It gives you everything you need to optimize your site.
The reason I’ve added it here is because once you publish your site, you’ll want to get noticed on Google.
AIOSEO publishes some of the best step-by-step tutorials and guides that you can follow to learn more about WordPress SEO.
I’ve found it to be a goldmine if you’re serious about getting your WordPress site found on Google.
What I love about their blog is how they break down complicated SEO concepts into steps that actually make sense.
You know how some SEO advice feels like it’s written in a different language? AIOSEO doesn’t do that. They explain things in a way that helps you take action, not just scratch your head.
Their tutorials aren’t just about their plugin either (though those are super helpful if you use AIOSEO). They cover everything from writing content that ranks to technical SEO stuff like schema markup. And they stay on top of Google’s constant changes, so you’re not following outdated advice.
You can find a full list of reliable WordPress tutorials here: Free & Paid WordPress Tutorials »
Now that I’ve covered the roadmap to learn WordPress. I’ll help you get started with the basics. There are 2 ways you can set up WordPress to learn how to use the platform:
- Create a local installation on your MacBook or Windows computer. This is an offline site that is not visible to other users on the internet. If you just want to learn it for free without ever launching your site, this is the best option. If you do decide to launch your site in the future, there are ways to move a local site to a live site.
- Buy a hosting plan and domain name, install WordPress, and start using it. This is a live site that can be viewed by the public. If you plan on creating a website that you want to launch soon, then you need to follow this option.
You can follow the links to set up WordPress on your local computer. Below, I’m going to show you how to create a live site by buying your own hosting and domain.
What Do I Need to Start a WordPress Site?
It’s important to set up a solid foundation for your site by getting the basics right. Here’s what you need in order to start building a WordPress site:
Web Hosting: Think of web hosting as the land where you’ll build your digital home. It’s where all your website’s files, images, and content will reside. It’s important to choose a reliable web hosting provider that offers good performance, security, and customer support.
Popular options include Bluehost, SiteGround, and Hostinger.
Many hosting providers offer easy one-click installations for WordPress, making the setup process a breeze.
Learn all about Web Hosting 101: How to Choose The Best Web Hosting Service »
Domain Name: Your domain name is your online address – it’s what users will type into their browsers to find your website.
Choose a domain name that’s easy to remember and relevant to your brand and site’s content. Web hosts like Bluehost give you a free domain name when you sign up for their hosting plan. You can also register a domain name with dedicated domain registrars like Domain.com.
WordPress Installation: Once you have your web hosting and domain set up, you’ll need to install WordPress. Most hosting providers offer a simple one-click installation process.
For instance, Bluehost lets you create a new site by just clicking a button.
You’ll need to enter a few details about your site such as the title and tagline. You’ll also create login credentials to access your WordPress dashboard.
Once WordPress is installed, you can visit your site’s wp-admin page that’s usually yourdomain.com/wp-admin, enter your username and password to log into the WordPress dashboard.
Now that you have your WordPress site set up, let’s explore the basics of using it.
How to Use WordPress
Below, I’ll take you through the basics of using WordPress.
Step 1: Explore the WordPress dashboard
When you log into your WordPress site, you’ll be greeted by the dashboard – your website’s control center. Here’s what you’ll find:
On the left is a taskbar that lets you navigate to different features and functionalities. I’ll cover the basics:
Dashboard Overview: Get an overview of your site’s activity, including recent posts, comments, and statistics.
Posts and Pages: Create and manage your content by clicking on “Posts” for blog articles and “Pages” for static content like your homepage, about page, and contact page.
Media Library: Upload and manage images, videos, and other media that you’ll use in your content.
Appearance: Customize your site’s look and feel by choosing themes, customizing menus, and adding widgets to sidebars.
Plugins: Add plugins (that are tools or software) to add specific features and functionality to your site such as a contact form, chat button, or speed booster.
Settings: Configure various settings related to your site’s general information, permalinks, discussion settings, and more.
Step 2: Customize your WordPress Theme
The first thing you’ll want to do is add a theme that suits your style, goals, and branding.
WordPress makes it so easy to find and install a theme that you like. Head over to the Appearance » Themes tab.
Here, you can browse thousands of free and premium themes. Simply choose the one you like and activate it. WordPress will import the design for you.
Next, to customize the theme, you can use the built-in block editor but this has limited options. We recommend using page builders like SeedProd, Thrive Theme Builder, and Divi.
They make it easy to drag and drop new content using a visual builder. So you’ll be editing the front end of your website and can see exactly what things are going to look like when the page is live.
Step 3: Add WordPress Plugins
Plugins are like magic tools that can add a wide range of features to your website without any coding.
Go to Plugins » Add New to search for and install plugins.
Popular plugins include AIOSEO for search engine optimization, Akismet for spam protection, and WPForms for creating forms.
Once installed, activate the plugin and follow any setup instructions.
Learn How to Install a WordPress Plugin »
Step 4: Create a Blog Post
If you’re like most WordPress site owners, you’ll want to create a blog where you can share your thoughts, ideas, and expertise with your audience.
WordPress lets you add blog posts under the Posts » Add New tab.
This opens up the block editor where you can write and format your content.
Here, you’ll be able to add headings, paragraphs, images, videos, and more using different blocks.
Once you’re satisfied with your post, hit the “Publish” button to make it live on your site.
Now, rinse and repeat to create more blog posts.
With that, I’ve covered the absolute basics of learning WordPress. But there’s so much more!
To master WordPress, check out our video tutorials:
Enroll and Start Learning Now »
Frequently Asked Questions on Learning WordPress
How long does it take to learn WordPress?
Everyone learns at their own pace, but with our structured courses at WP101, you can master the basics in about 2 hours. Getting really comfortable with WordPress might take a few weeks of actually using it. That’s why we give you a Sandbox site to practice on – it’s the best way to learn.
Do I need to know coding to use WordPress?
Nope! That’s one of the best things about WordPress. You can build a great-looking, functional website without touching a single line of code. Sure, knowing some HTML or CSS can be helpful down the road, but it’s definitely not required to get started.
What’s the biggest mistake beginners make?
Trying to learn everything at once. That’s why we break everything down into bite-sized lessons. Start with the basics, get comfortable, then move on to the fancy stuff. Trust me, it’s much less overwhelming this way.
Is WordPress really free?
WordPress.org itself is free, but you’ll need hosting and a domain name to get your site online. Think of it like a free car – you still need to pay for gas and insurance. You might also want some premium plugins or themes later, but those are optional upgrades, not requirements.
Can’t I just learn from YouTube tutorials?
Can you? Sure. Should you? Well, that depends on how much time you want to spend searching for reliable, current information. YouTube’s great for specific tips, but for actually learning WordPress, you want something structured and up-to-date. That’s what we provide at WP101.
What if I get stuck?
That’s the beauty of learning with WP101 – you’re never alone. Unlike random tutorials, we’re here to help if you hit a roadblock. You can post your question in the help forum and we’ll help you get back on track.
Learning WordPress doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. We’ve helped thousands of people just like you build amazing websites, and we’d love to help you too.
Helpful WP101 Resources & Related Guides
Here are some of our most popular free resources that you may find helpful in your WordPress journey:
- The Ultimate WordPress Toolkit
- Find an affordable shared hosting plan
- Choose the right WordPress theme
- Secure your website from the start
- Start a membership site
- Start a charitable or fundraising website
- Create an online community
- Improve your site’s performance with CDNs
- Learn how to restore your website from a backup
You can bookmark these guides and use them when you need them.
If you would prefer to hand off your website creation and customization to professionals, you can check out Pro Services by WPBeginner.
They have a team of WordPress experts who can help you build a website, improve site performance, and handle WordPress maintenance.
I hope you found this guide helpful.
Ready to start learning WordPress the RIGHT way?
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