How to Build a WordPress Website Before You Have a Domain Name
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) around, and for good reason. The tool is incredibly easy to use; it has a vibrant community who are always happy to help with any questions you might have; and it can be used to build a complete website with multiple pages in just a few minutes.
Like most technologies, WordPress has emerged as a fairly mature platform with many different options to suit different needs. Because it is so flexible, beginners can explore the many features with little to no technical knowledge, while experts can delve into the full power of the platform and become very familiar with its workings.
What Is a WordPress Website?
A WordPress website is a site owned and operated by WordPress itself. The tool automatically generates a unique free domain name for each website it creates, and the content is structured in a simple and modern manner using familiar page templates. WordPress websites are typically used for publishing content – anything from news articles to product reviews to event announcements – and are completely free to use.
WordPress also offers a premium version that offers additional features and a more traditional layout. If you want to personalize your website and would like to have a designer make some custom changes to the appearance, you can opt for the premium version, but for the most part, WordPress websites are very easy to oversee and maintain on your own. Even so, having a designer make some changes at no extra cost is sometimes a good idea.
Why Go With WordPress?
When it comes to choosing a CMS for your website, you have many options. Some of the more popular tools are Drupal, Joomla, and Magneto. All of these can be used to build a successful website, but for whatever reason, you might want to go with WordPress.
Why? Perhaps you have used or worked with WordPress in the past and want to explore its many options. Maybe you have heard of WordPress and its versatility, and you want to give it a try. Or perhaps you have a preexisting site and want to upgrade the CMS without losing all your content.
No matter the reasons behind your decision, WordPress is a very popular choice when it comes to building a website. If you’re looking to build a simple and functional website with a minimum amount of effort, you can’t go wrong.
How Do I Start?
As with most online technologies, WordPress is extremely accessible. All you need is a modern browser and you can sign up for a free account on the WordPress.com website. From there, you will be taken to the dashboard, which will display your blogs and other features. If you are looking to create a WordPress website for your own use, you can download the WordPress software (formerly known as WordPress.org) and install it on your local computer.
From the WordPress dashboard, you can click on the Get Started button at the top right of the page to create a new WordPress website. This will then take you to a page where you can enter a domain name for your website, along with other basic information like your name and email address. You can then choose the Theme you wish to use from a series of pre-made templates or you can browse through a number of different free themes available on WordPress.com. Once you’ve made your choice, click on Create My Website to continue to the next step of the process.
What About Hosting?
One of the most significant barriers to entry for new web users is the process of setting up a website. As a newcomer, you will need to consider the cost of hosting, as well as the domain name you choose for your site. One of the most popular and respected hosting providers for WordPress websites is Bluehost. With Bluehost, you get a free domain name, plus you can install WordPress on their high-performance servers, which run on reliable and stable Linux platforms. Other hosting providers, such as HostGator and DreamHost, offer similar services at a slightly higher price point. However, these prices are not for monthly sites, but for extensive plans that include hosting and a free domain name for one, two, or three years.
If you choose to go with WordPress, it is advisable to host your site on a dedicated server. This way, you can ensure that your content is always available and that you don’t experience any downtime.
Additional Resources
As a newcomer to WordPress, you might not know where to start when it comes to expanding your knowledge base and becoming an expert user. For that matter, WordPress has a very user-friendly Help Center that offers step-by-step instructions on various tasks and a place to ask questions whenever you need. In addition, the WordPress community is a wealth of knowledge on social media channels like Twitter and Facebook, where users are always available to lend a helping hand. Whether you have a question about how to use WordPress or need advice, the global online community is just a click or a tweet away.
WordPress is a powerful content management system that can be used to build a complete website with all the functionality you could want or need. If you’re looking for a tool to build a simple and useful website, you can’t go wrong with WordPress.