Using WordPress to Build a Website? This is the First Step
WordPress is one of the most popular Content Management Systems (CMS). Many people use it as a platform for their personal websites, portfolio, or blogs. Many small businesses and/or bloggers have also chosen to use WordPress to build their websites. But what is the best way to use WordPress? The answer to this question is actually quite simple, and it starts with creating a WordPress account.
Why should you create a WordPress account?
If you’re using WordPress to build a website, then you’ll need to register for an account. Why? Simply put, WordPress has many features and options that you can’t use without having an account. The best part is that you can create a free account using your Facebook profile. If you use Twitter, then you can use the same account to log into WordPress as well.
As a WordPress user, you’ll also need to take care of the platform itself. This means you’ll have to keep it updated with the latest plugins, and ensure that your website looks good on all devices (desktop, tablet, and mobile phone). If you use a free WordPress account, then this is easily done by logging into your dashboard and clicking on the ‘Activate’ button.
How do I create a WordPress account?
To create a WordPress account, you’ll need to visit the dashboard of your website. Once you’re in the dashboard, you’ll see a button that says ‘Create New Account’. Click on this button to begin the process.
You’ll be asked to enter a username and password, and you’ll need to make sure that you use something that isn’t already in use on your site. Once you’ve entered this information, click on the ‘Create Account’ button. You’ll see a short-term email that has been sent to your inbox. The next step is to click on the confirmation link in this email. This will complete the process and give you access to the WordPress dashboard.
What is the difference between a free and a premium account?
A free WordPress account is great for testing purposes. If you’re just building a blog or a small business website, then you can use this account to try out different themes and plugins before committing to a purchase. The downside to a free account is that it has limited features. These features can be enhanced by signing up for a premium account. The main difference between the two is that with a premium account, you’ll have access to many more features. Some of these features are:
- Unlimited pages
- SEO settings
- Jetpack
- Premium themes
- Access to private forums
- Create and manage your own groups
- Custom fields
- …and more
What is WordPress security?
Security is a major issue with WordPress. Due to the open nature of the platform, this issue has become prominent. Fortunately, WordPress has taken steps to address this issue. Many credit cards now offer 1-year free SSL certificates as a benefit to their customers. This is a security measure that encrypts your website’s data, preventing cyber-attacks and ensuring that your visitors’ information remains private.
If you’re looking for a way to protect your WordPress site’s security and you’re comfortable using SSL, then this is an easy way to do it. Just go to your dashboard’s ‘Settings’ section and look for the option that says ‘Security’. From here, you’ll see a menu with three options:
- Self-Signed Certificate
- Auto-Encypt
- Purchase SSL Certificate
If you’ve chosen the ‘Self-Signed Certificate’ option, then click on the ‘Generate’ button next to it to begin the process. You’ll be asked to enter your credit card information and click on the ‘Purchase’ button to complete the process. You’ll see a success message once the certificate has been generated.
Should you use WordPress to build a website?
In most cases, yes. The best thing about WordPress is that it is a relatively simple yet powerful CMS. If you’re looking for an easy way to build a website with content that you can update yourself, then you should consider using WordPress. Even if you think you might need some help at first, the amount of control that you have with WordPress is much greater than with most other platforms. This being said, with WordPress, you’ll also need to be responsible for maintaining the platform. Updating plugins, keeping your theme(s) up-to-date, and keeping your site secure are all required and can be quite the undertaking if you’re not careful.
On the other hand, if you are comfortable with your existing staff and you don’t think that you’ll need additional help to keep the site updated and secure, then you can go ahead and use WordPress for your site’s content.
Should you use a free or a premium WordPress account to build a site?
It doesn’t really matter which one you’ll use since either one will suffice. However, in most cases, an account with limited features will be sufficient. When you’re first getting started, it’s advisable to go for a free account and build your experience with WordPress. Once you’ve established yourself as a reliable source of content, then you can move up to a premium account that has more features. If you’ve decided to use a premium account, then you can enable the additional features through the ‘Upgrade’ button at the top of your dashboard.
So when should you use WordPress to build a site? If you’re still in the process of deciding, then you can use WordPress to build a basic site for free. Once you’ve established yourself, then you can use the premium account that comes with many features to build a more expansive site. To learn more, visit WordPress.com and click on the ‘Get Started’ button at the top right corner of the screen. You’ll be taken to their homepage where you can click on the ‘Get Started’ button to begin the process.
To conclude, WordPress is an easy-to-use and incredibly powerful CMS. If you’ve decided to use it to create a site, then take some time to familiarize yourself with its dashboard. Once you’ve established yourself as the content creator of your site, then you can take the necessary steps to secure it. In most cases, this will involve purchasing an SSL certificate and installing it onto your site.