WordPress for Dummies: Setting Up Your First Website

It might seem that it’s impossible to build a website without any technical background. That is definitely not the case with the self-hosted WordPress. One of the reasons WordPress is the most popular CMS (content management system) in the world is the ease of use it provides in addition to good hosting. This short WordPress guide will help you to jump-start your website even if you don’t have any previous experience.

Building Your First WordPress Website: The Basics

There are three main things you need to build your WordPress website – WordPress software, web hosting, and a domain name. Luckily for the beginners, web hosting providers usually provide all of those in one pack. In the long run, you might need to invest in some more amenities, like premium plugins or themes. But first, let’s get down to basics.

Right Hosting is The Key

So, you have the free open-source WordPress software. But you need to buy a place to host it on. There are plenty of options for cheap WordPress hosting since almost all web hosting companies support WordPress. Among many others, here are the two most popular choices for beginners: shared web hosting and managed WordPress hosting.

 

 

Assuming this is your first website, you might want to go for the cheapest option, which is shared hosting. Cheap does not equal bad in this case. It accommodates all the essential needs of a new website. It’s also the more flexible choice of the two, allowing a wide variety of customization options using plugins.

 

But if you have money to spare and have high hopes in terms of traffic to your website –  go for the managed WordPress hosting. While it does come with a higher price tag, you get increased page-load speed and performance, regular backups as well as improved security. Also, all the technical aspects of your website will be taken care of.

 

So, spending more money means having less maintenance to do and more time to concentrate on your content. The right type and reliable web hosting will make your life easier in the long run.

 

Domain Name: Choose Carefully

 

Choosing the domain name is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when creating your website. After all, your website’s name is how you’re visitors are going to remember you. Keep it catchy, short and memorable. You can switch between different CMSs and hosting providers, but changing a domain name is tough if it’s already recognizable.

 

 

To register your domain name, you will need a domain registrar. You don’t need to look for this on your own (although you can if you want to) – your hosting provider probably has you covered here. The majority of web hosting companies also provide a domain registrar alongside hosting plans.

 

Installing WordPress – a 5 Minute Task

 

Now that you have a domain and web hosting under your belt, it’s time to install the WordPress itself. The process here is very simple and straightforward – your hosting of choice most likely offers one-click installation. When you log in, look for something similar to “Auto Installer” or a button with a WordPress logo on it. The installation will differ depending on a provider but it should be easy to understand and carry out.

This should take you to a similar page where you should type in the URL of your website, username, password of your choice and other basic information.

 

And that’s WordPress installation completed. It might not take even those 5 minutes I’ve mentioned in the title. Go to:

yourwebsite.com/wp-admin and if everything’s works as intended, you’ll be greeted by a WordPress logo and asked for your credentials. Log in and let’s take a look at the dashboard you’ll have to work with.

 

Get Acquainted With the Dashboard

 

That’s where the management of your website happens. From the content you publish to the look of your website – get to know the dashboard you’ll spend a good amount of time working with.

Along with the main Dashboard screen, the left-hand navigation menu is where the majority of functionality lies. Here you can find links to the media library, pages, comments, etc. When starting out, you’re gonna have to spend some time on the Appearance page. That’s where you edit the theme of your website, customize the layout as well as add or remove widgets.

 

The interface is very user-friendly and easy to understand. It shouldn’t take you a long time to get used to it or learn how to navigate.

WordPress for Dummies: It’s Easier Than You Think

 

The bottom line – creating a basic WordPress website doesn’t take a lot of effort or time. The interface is extremely clear and user-friendly. Even more, the web hosting you choose will handle a big chunk of the hassle for you.

Pick the hosting and a domain name – it’s time to get building!