How to Build a WordPress Site Without a Programmer
Back in 2011, WordPress was still a mystery to most people. It was a content management system, which meant that it could be used to easily create websites. But it could also be used to create a blog, for example. Most likely, you’ve heard of WordPress and know what it is, but if not, you should probably look into it more. It powers about 28% of the world’s websites, so it’s definitely a popular choice. In fact, it was the most popular CMS (Content Management System) in 2019.
But what is a CMS, and why should you care? A content management system is a website platform that makes content creation easy for non-developers. A content management system is a software application that uses a content delivery network (CDN) to provide content hosting, caching, distribution, and management. Sounds complicated? That’s what made WordPress so magical. With its simplified interface and drag-and-drop content editor, even Joe Bob, the average user, could (or should) be able to build a functional website in no time.
WordPress is open source, which means that it is free and accessible to anyone. You don’t need to buy anything to use it. It is generally accepted that open source projects like WordPress benefit the entire web community because they make it easier for everyone to build websites.
How to Build a WordPress Site Without a Programmer
Do you want to build a WordPress site but don’t have the time or the skills to do it yourself? Or, perhaps you’ve tried to build a WordPress site before and weren’t happy with the results. In that case, it’s time to give it a try again, but this time you should use a different approach. Let’s take a look at how to build a WordPress site without a programmer, shall we?
Hire A Developer
If you’re looking to build a WordPress site, the very first thing you should do is to hire a (software)developer. A developer is a person who specializes in creating software applications and websites, and typically has at least five years of professional experience. A developer will be able to get your site up and running in no time and tell you what’s wrong with it. They will also be able to help you fix it so it functions the way you intended it to.
There are plenty of freelancers online that you could hire to help with your WordPress website. You can click here to see some of the top developers who specialize in WordPress.
Install WordPress In A Separate Folder
When hiring a developer, they will typically ask you if you have a separate folder for hosting your website. This is a security measure that prevents the developer’s computer from getting infected by a malware virus, etc. It also prevents you from accidentally uploading harmful files to the wrong folder.
Even if you don’t have a security team to help you out, you should still do this. It’s highly recommended that you isolate your WordPress installation in a separate folder. This will make it much easier to update, should the need arise. Updating a WordPress site can be a daunting task, and it’s easy to make mistakes that could end up rendering your site completely useless.
Avoid Using The Same Username For Different Accounts
One of the first things a developer will ask you is whether you have an existing account with the web host or any other social media site. They will then ask you for the username and password for these accounts. Make sure that the username for each account is different. For example, if you have an account on Twitter called “@JoeSmithBlog”, don’t use the same username for your WordPress site (e.g., joe12345).
Using the same username for different accounts is a major security risk. In most cases, this could result in your accounts being compromised. If a hacker manages to discover your password for one account, they will be able to access all your accounts, including your WordPress site, with that single username and password. That’s all it takes to wreck your digital life. Avoid creating an account with the same username for all your social media sites. Of course, you can create as many usernames as you want for different social media sites, but it’s still best to avoid using the same one.
Set A Budget And Stick To It
When hiring a developer, they will typically ask you for the amount of money you can spend on the project. This is another security measure. There are plenty of low-cost freelancers out there, but you will sacrifice speed and flexibility if you choose this route. You don’t want to choose a developer because they are relatively affordable. You want to choose them because they are the best in their field.
Setting a budget and sticking to it is important, especially when hiring freelance work. It’s very frustrating to choose a developer who is willing to work for your budget, only to find out that they are not up to date with the latest technologies or have poor performance skills. So, try to hire a freelancer who is confident that they can complete the project on time and within your budget. This will save you both time and money in the long run.
Choose A Hosting Provider That Is Authoritative
When hiring a developer, they will likely ask you which web host you are using. You can click here to see a comparison of some of the best web hosts, or you can visit this site to see a full review of Bluehost, one of the most popular hosting providers.
If possible, you should choose a web host that is well-established and has a good reputation. Even though you are paying for the service, you don’t want to end up with a web host that is down all the time. You want to avoid this as much as possible, as it would break your site. The best web hosts are reliable and offer premium support, along with a money-back guarantee, if you are not satisfied with their service.
Use An SSL Certificate
The first thing a developer will ask you when you hire them is whether or not you have an SSL certificate installed on your site. An SSL certificate is a security measure that encrypts your website’s data, preventing third-party hackers from tampering with or stealing your website’s traffic, credit card details, etc. As a result, your website’s data is (hopefully) more secure when transmitted over an encrypted connection.
If you don’t have an SSL certificate, it is highly recommended that you get one. There are plenty of free SSL certificates out there that you can install on your site. Just make sure that you notify your website visitors that your site is safe to use and that their personal information will be kept private. In most cases, visitors will appreciate this extra security measure.
Create A Backup Of Your WordPress Site
When hiring a developer, they will ask you if you have a back-up of your site. Having a back-up is vital, especially if you are changing something substantial. When you make changes to your website’s code (HTML, CSS, or PHP), you are creating a new version of your site that is not protected by any kind of backup. This means that if something goes wrong, you could lose all the work you done.
Even if you’re using a cloud-based back-up solution, such as Norton Cloud or Backupper, you should still create a local back-up, as well. This will help you recover from unexpected crashes or system errors, as well as provide you with a version of your site that you can restore should your site be deleted or damaged by a hack.
Make Sure That The “Contact” Page Points To A Working Email
When hiring a developer, they will likely ask you if you have provided them with a way to contact you. This is mainly so that they can get in touch with you if they run into any problems. In most cases, this will mean providing them with your email address so that they can send you messages. It is also advisable to provide them with a way to contact you on social media sites, such as Twitter or Facebook.
If you don’t have a way to get in touch with the developer, it could be difficult to fix any problems that might arise. It’s always better to provide a way for the developer to contact you, even if it’s just through your email.
Create A Plan For The Next Step
As a final step, after you hire a developer, you will need to work together to plan out the next step. This is going to be the most time-consuming part of the project, so don’t rush into it. It is a good idea to sit down with the developer and plan out the entire process. This will ensure that nothing gets forgotten and that all the details are covered.