How to Build a WordPress Website with a Base Level Design
The most popular content management systems (CMS) used for website development are WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Each one offers something different and useful when it comes to creating and maintaining a website. However, each one also has its downsides which make them non-ideal when it comes to establishing a completely new website from scratch.
Building a wordpress website with a base level design is a great way to get started as it is completely free and open source. However, as nice as WordPress is, creating a website with this CMS is not as simple as it seems. There are a lot of aspects to consider, and not all of them are obvious. In this guide, we will discuss the various things you need to think about before launching the first ever blog on the internet.
The Name Of Your Blog
The name of your blog is one of the first things people will see when they visit your website. Therefore, it is of crucial importance that you choose a domain name that is relevant to what you are planning to blog about. After all, you can have the most talented and skilled writers in the world, but if your blog’s name isn’t relevant to what you are writing about, people will have a hard time making the connection between the two.
For example, let’s say you decide to blog about food. One of the first things people will see when they visit your website is a list of your blog posts titled “Top 20 Foods You Should Try When You Visit Portugal”. While this may sound like a great idea, in reality it’s a bit dull. Not only is it not relevant to what most people are searching for, but it doesn’t tell them much about the kind of blog you are running. If your aim is to create intrigue and curiosity, choose a blog name that will attract visitors to your site. Never, ever, ever choose a blog name that is similar to that of a well-known website. This will cause a major chunk of your readers to feel alienated and confused.
Curate Content For Your Blog
Once you have established your blog with a name and a nice design, it’s time to start creating content. The first step is to choose a topic for your blog. Once you have done this, it’s time to start looking for potential topics for your blog. This should be something that you are genuinely passionate about. If you aren’t passionate about a topic, it’ll be hard for you to tackle it in a way that will interest and inspire your readers. If you are able to accomplish this, the rest is fairly simple. Once you have written a few posts on different topics, you will start to see a pattern emerge. This is a good thing because it means you are on the right track and your readers will continue to engage with your content.
Keep in mind that not all content is created equal. Sometimes you may have a topic that isn’t particularly interesting to the average person, but to someone in a certain niche, it could be a goldmine. For example, if you are passionate about fashion, it could be a great topic for a blog. However, if your aim is to appeal to the general public, save this topic for later. To find the perfect niche, use the following rule of thumb: if you can’t explain it in two words, it’s probably a niche worth exploring.
Choose A Platform For Your Blog
Now that you have a blog with content, it’s time to choose a platform. When it comes to blogging platforms, there are two varieties to choose from: CMS-based platforms and control panels. CMS-based platforms are a bit like WordPress.com. Once you login to your WordPress.com dashboard, you will see a series of menus and icons along the top. These are your dashboard’s features; the ones you will use the most. You might choose to use the standard features, such as the ones above the menu, to create and organize your blog. However, if you want to take your blogging to the next level, consider checking out some of the premium features.
On the other hand, control panels for blogs are much like WordPress.org. When you log in to your WordPress.org dashboard, you will see a series of menus and icons along the top. These are your dashboard’s features; the ones you will use the most. To create and manage your blog, you will use these menus and icons extensively. To find the perfect fit for your blog, search for a control panel that has all the necessary features you need and looks clean and simple.
Establish A Schedule For Blog Posting
Blogs post on a schedule; they don’t happen overnight. To establish a schedule for your blog posts, you will want to use a content schedule. Content schedules help you plan out a schedule for your content and stick to it. They can also help you determine how often you should post in relation to other platforms. If you are new to blogging, it might be a good idea to post once a week. Alternatively, there are a number of options in between including a monthly post or a quarterly post. You should choose a schedule that will feel natural to you and that you will feel motivated to stick to. As you establish your blog, you will slowly realize what works best for you and your schedule will shape accordingly.
Pro-Tip: If you are using WordPress.com, the WordPress.org interface is virtually the same. The process is the same. You will find yourself using the same icons and menus for the most part. Ultimately, the choice is yours and what works best for you. Just make sure you are aware of the differences in the two platforms before you make your decision.
Make Sure You Have Enough Content To Be Visible
When you have chosen a topic for your blog and established a schedule for blog posts, it’s time to populate your blog with content. This content should be relevant and on point. To figure out how much content you will need, look at the number of words in the topic you have chosen. If this is less than 500, you can probably fit the majority of your content within a single post. Alternatively, if the topic is longer, consider breaking it up into several posts. Ultimately, the decision is up to you.
With a bit of research and strategizing, it is possible to create a wordpress website with a base level design. However, if you want your blog to be able to reach its full potential, you will need to put in the time to establish it. By doing this, not only will you be able to provide your readers with content they can use, but you will also be able to curate content that is relevant and interesting to your target audience. Good luck out there on the interwebs!