How to Build a Website with WordPress – A Step by Step Guide
I’ve always dreamed of being able to design and build a website, and when I finally got the itch to do something about it, I immediately went looking for a way to build my own website. I found a lot of great, free tools out there that make it pretty easy to get things done, but because there are so many different options and tools out there, I wasn’t sure where to begin. If you’re looking to build a website too, then this post is for you because we’re going to walk you through the steps to get started building your own website using WordPress.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a free and open-source content management system built for writing blogs and online articles. While there are other content management systems out there that suit writing blogs, WordPress was designed from the ground up to be used as a simple, easy-to-use blogging platform. WordPress is continually enhanced and updated to keep pace with the latest trends and technologies, so as the website owner, you’ll want to make sure that you’re always using the latest version.
Why should you use WordPress?
WordPress is a fantastic option for those looking to build a website. It’s extremely flexible and customizable, and because it’s open-source, you have complete control over the design and the end product. Let’s walk through some of the key reasons why you might want to use WordPress to build your website.
Flexibility
One of the things that make WordPress so great is its flexibility. It was designed to be as versatile as possible so that any type of website could be constructed with it. This means that you, the website owner, have total control over the design and the appearance of your website. Even better, you don’t have to hire a professional designer to help you build your site; with WordPress’ flexible and robust design, it’s easy for anyone to accomplish. If you’re looking for a free and open-source alternative to expensive, proprietary CMSs (content management systems), then WordPress is the way to go.
Ease of Use
Another fantastic thing about WordPress is how easy it is to use. It was built with simplicity in mind, and that shows in how straightforward it is to get things done. There’s no learning curve associated with using WordPress because the platform is so intuitive and user-friendly. When you compare it to other content management systems out there, like Joomla and Drupal, you’ll see a huge difference in how easy they are to use. You won’t have to hire a web developer to set up your blog or website because everything can be done with simple HTML and CSS. If you have little to no experience with web design or coding, then this is an ideal option for you.
Customizability
Last but not least, we have the customizability. Websites today need to be able to adapt and evolve with the changing times and the different devices that people use to view them. WordPress was built with this in mind, and that shows in its robust customizability. With WordPress, every part of the website can be tweaked to fit a person’s needs and the situation they’re in. If you have a specific look or theme that you want to use for your site, you can go ahead and create a child theme that will give you all the customizations you need without having to make major structural changes to the site.
Before You Begin: Setting Up Your WordPress Blog
Before you start laying out the design for your WordPress site, you’ll want to take some time to set it up correctly. This means choosing the right theme for the site, adding in some additional plugins that will enhance the functionality, and connecting your site to the right online community.
Choosing a WordPress theme for your site can be a tricky decision because there are so many different options out there. Before you make your decision, you should have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in terms of design and functionality. Do some research online and read reviews of the themes that interest you. This way, you’ll be able to make the right choice and not get frustrated later on when you can’t figure out why something isn’t working as it should.
Step 1: Decide on the Design
When it comes to building a website, there are many different options for designs and layouts that you can use. One of the first things you’ll want to do is decide on the basic design of the site. This can be done by either choosing a theme for the site or designing the layout yourself. Let’s discuss each option in turn.
Themes
Themes for WordPress range from simple and clean to elegant and contemporary. As the name would suggest, a theme is a set of formatting tools that you can use to stylize your content and the overall look of your site. Themes can also be used to change the layout and the appearance of your site. Some examples of popular themes are TwentyFour, Festival, and Night Owl.
While it’s great to have many different themes to choose from, this can quickly get out of hand. It’s quite easy to go from one theme to another simply because their design is similar or the same. Switching between them is usually done with the CMS (content management system) itself, which we’ll discuss next.
Layouts
Layouts are more or less the same as themes, but they’re used to build the basic structure of your website. There are many different types of layouts available for WordPress, so you’re sure to find one that will suit your needs. Some examples of popular layouts are three-columns, four-columns, and one-column.
Choosing a layout for your website can be a bit tricky because you need to think about how you’ll use the site. If you’re looking for an easy option, then the one-column layout might be a good choice because it keeps things simple and easy to understand. Another option is the three-column layout, which is frequently used for news websites or magazines. The four-column layout is great when you want to do something more sophisticated because it gives you more space for content.
CMS (Content Management System)
To be 100% honest, if you’re reading this, you probably don’t need an introduction to CMSs. If you’re not familiar, a content management system is a tool that allows you to create and maintain websites without needing to know advanced HTML or CSS. There are many different kinds of CMSs available for WordPress, each with their own special features and advantages. Some examples of popular CMSs are Beaver and Elementor.
A CMS will make the process of creating and maintaining your website much easier and less time-consuming. It can take care of the dirty work for you, and all you have to do is come up with the content and ideas for your site. To learn more, check out this detailed tutorial on how to create a basic WordPress website using the Beaver CMS.
Step 2: Choose a Hosting Service
Once you’ve decided on the design for your website, the next step is to choose a host. A host is, in simple terms, the website that you’ll use to make your site available to the world. There are many different kinds of hosts to choose from, each with their own perks and features. Before you make your decision, it’s good to do some research and read reviews of the various hosting services available.
Choose a Linux-Based Hosting Service
If you’re looking for a host that’s completely free, then the best option is to go with a Linux-based service. These types of hosts are absolutely free, and you don’t need to pay a dime to use them. Some examples of Linux-based hosting services are Bluehost, Pressfit, and SiteGround. All you need to do is visit their websites and click on the Get Started button to get started with their services. Once you’ve made your selection, you’ll be able to continue with the sign-up process and set up your free website as soon as possible.