How to Set Up a Simple Website with WordPress
If you’re looking to create a simple website with WordPress, then this article will tell you everything you need to know.
Why WordPress?
WordPress is the most popular blogging platform out there, and with a decent amount of features built-in, it makes setting up a quick and simple site very easy. Additionally, there are thousands of free themes and plugins available for download from WordPress.com, which makes styling your site very easy as well.
If you’re new to this, then we recommend heading over to WordPress.com and trying the free version out to see how easy it is to use. If you decide that you want to continue with WordPress, the next step is to figure out what type of site you want to create. Do you need something professional looking with lots of features or a simple blog style site with no frills? WordPress makes it easy to create either type of site.
Choosing a Hosting Service
A good hosting service is essential for any site, whether it’s a massive media site or a personal blog. The fact is that WordPress can’t function without a good host to serve the content from. Luckily, HostGator offers some fantastic hosting prices with lots of features included, which we think makes this a must-consider if you’re looking into creating a simple WordPress site.
If you’re deciding between shared hosting and premium hosting, shared hosting should be your first choice. It’s super affordable (especially compared to a premium plan), and it comes with all the features you need. If you’re not sure what type of hosting to choose, then we recommend heading over to HostGator’s website and trying out their hosting plans to see which one suits you best.
Install WordPress
Installing WordPress is as simple as copying the html from the.zip file you downloaded earlier and pasting it into your own hosting account. If you’re using wordpress.com’s free version, then all you have to do is sign up for a free account and get the installation URL from them. For Pro users, you’ll need to download a.zip file and unzip it to your desktop. Then, you’ll need to head over to the WordPress site and click the button that says “Install WordPress” to begin the process.
Once you’ve installed WordPress, you can begin styling your site with a free theme from Theme Forest, or download a premade theme from WordPress.com and integrate it into your account. There are hundreds of free and premium WordPress themes and plugins available, which you can use to spice up your site.
Get a Domain
A good domain is essential for any site. Whether you publish regular blogs or only write very niche content, a good domain can enhance your brand name and make it easy for visitors to find your site. If you’re using WordPress.com, then you can choose from over 50 domain extensions to suit your needs. For example, if you own a fitness website, then you might want to try out.fitness or.gym.
If you’re hosting your own WordPress site or using WordPress.com’s free version, then you can choose from a large selection of.com domains for sale from GoDaddy at affordable prices. Plus, you can use their handy domain management tools to keep track of your domains and manage your DNS settings easily.
Set Up The Basics
Once you’ve got WordPress installed and your domain name, you need to set up the basics of your site. Your website’s name is going to be the basis for your branding, so think of a good name that accurately represents your site. Then, pick a good domain name that isn’t already being used by another site. Also, install a useful free plugin from WordPress.com that can help with SEO (search engine optimization), and enable HTTPS (secure HTTPs) on your site. Finally, create an about page that briefly describes your site and has an area for your users to leave a comment.
Keep adding content to your site as you see fit, whether it’s blogs, images, or videos. You can use the free WordPress.com demo to get inspired and start creating content without having to worry about payment.
Style Your Site
After you’ve set up the basics of your site, you can begin styling it with a free theme from Theme Forest or download a premade theme from WordPress.com. If you choose to use a premade theme, then you’ll need to make a few small edits to it to fit your needs. Then, head over to ThemeForest and download a theme that suits you.
If you choose to use a free theme, then you’ll need to make a few small edits to it to suit your needs. Don’t worry—the community of WordPress users is very helpful, and you’ll find plenty of tips and guides online to help you along the way. For example, if you want to customize the appearance of your site, then you can find tons of free tutorials on how to do exactly that.
Secure Your Site
If you’re serious about securing your site, then you’ll want to implement a few extra measures. First, you’ll need to ensure that your site is password protected—this can be easily done by installing a free plugin from WordPress.com that provides a login form for your users to use.
Next, download the free Let’s Encrypt certificate from WordPress.com to create a secure connection between your visitors’ browsers and your site.
Then, you can use a plugin like HTTPS Everywhere to make sure that whenever your visitors browse the web, they’re always browsing a secure site.
Last but not least, you’ll want to make sure that your site is not only protected from intruders but that it’s also hidden from search engines. If you’re on WordPress.com’s free version, then you can use their free privacy service to keep your content private. If you’re self-hosting, then you can use a plugin like Privacy Pro to achieve the same effect.
WordPress makes it very easy to create a basic website, even if you have no design experience. Plus, with so many premium themes and plugins available, you can change the appearance of your site to fit your needs and brand.
If you’re looking to create a simple website with WordPress, then this article will tell you everything you need to know.