Important Things to Know When Building a WordPress Website

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world. It’s actually been said that if you have a blog, you almost definitely use WordPress. Why? It’s incredibly flexible and has an incredible community.

Although WordPress is a widely-used CMS that allows for the publishing of almost any type of content, it’s not necessarily the right tool for everyone. If you’re looking to build a WordPress website for yourself or a small business, then this post is for you. Here are a few important things you need to know before you begin building your site.

Set A Budget

One of the first things you should do before starting any project is to set a budget. You don’t want to underestimate how much this project will cost if you want it to look professional and unique. It’s also worth noting that good web design doesn’t have to be very expensive.

For example, Squarespace makes it easy to get a professional-looking website for free. They also provide you with templates you can use to build your site with. So, if you’re looking to build a simple blog, then Squarespace might be the right choice for you.

Know Your Target Audience

Another important thing to consider before starting any project is to know your target audience. What do they want, need, and expect from your product or service?

For example, if you’re building a WordPress site for yourself, then you need to consider what content you’ll need to keep people coming back for more. If you’re looking to attract a certain audience, then you might want to consider using specific keywords in your content.

Also, if you have a blog with a large audience, then you might want to think about using your platform to promote products and services you think are relevant to your audience. When you do this, you’re technically performing “affiliate marketing” – which is when you earn a commission if someone clicks a promotional link or buys a product that’s promoted on your blog.

On the other hand, if you’re creating a site for your local business or church, then you might want to go with a free blogging platform like WordPress to keep things simple. Additionally, you can also use a service like Google Adsense to monetize your content. Doing this can be a bit more complicated, but it’s a great way to make money from your blog if you’re just getting started.

Start Small

Even though you might have grand ambitions of becoming a professional web designer, blogger, or marketer, you should still start small. Why? Because starting small allows you to learn the basics (of course, there are always exceptions) and also to build your portfolio. You can eventually move up level as you gain experience.

For example, if you’re looking to build a WordPress website, then you can’t go wrong starting with a basic blog template. Not only is it incredibly easy to use, but you also have the option of customizing it with your own images, videos, and other content. If you do end up choosing this route, then be sure to look into buying and using a service like Canva to make your life a little bit easier. Not only does Canva provide you with pre-made templates you can customize with your own content, but it also allows you to create and use graphics with no limitations.

Pick A Domain Name

One of the first things you should do after setting up your blog is to pick a domain name. This is the web address (URL) of your website. For example, if you’re building a WordPress site, then you could choose to use something.com or blog.com. If you go with something.com, then you don’t have to worry about whether or not your blog will be accessible to the public because, generally speaking, the public can’t access sites that start with something.com.

However, if you go with blog.com or any other.com-type domain, then people can access your site no matter where they are.

It’s worth noting that you should pick a.com-type domain because these are the most popular ones. If you want to make sure people can easily find your site, then you should choose a.com-type domain. Additionally, most hosting services (like Bluehost) come with a free domain name, so you don’t have to worry about paying for one.

Use A Payment Processor

Another important thing to consider when building a WordPress website is to use a payment processor. Why? Because when someone clicks a link or buys a product that’s promoted on your blog, there’s a chance they won’t show up on your sales record. If this happens, then you’ll need a way to track this transaction so you can report it to your accountant or business partner.

What’s more, if someone cancels their order without telling you, then there’s no way you’ll know about it. This is why it’s important to use a payment processor so you don’t get blindsided by unexpected charges on your credit card.

Invest In Good Quality Photos

Another important thing to keep in mind when building a WordPress website is to invest in good quality photos. Why? Because when someone visits your site, they’ll see pictures of your products or services first and be more likely to make a purchase if the photos are good. If you have a good eye for photography and know what your camera can and cannot do, then you can take pictures that will make your products or services jump off the page. If you feel like you’re lacking in this area, then you might want to consider purchasing a good camera to help take your blog to the next level.

Use Video

Finally, don’t forget about using video on your website. Why? Videos can boost your visitors’ engagement with your content and help make your site more appealing. Additionally, people love to watch videos, so you’ll gain more viewers if you use this tool on your site.

If videos aren’t your thing, then you can also use photos in a similar way. The difference is that photos can be more timeless, while videos can quickly become outdated. So, if you want to use videos, then make sure you use a high quality camera that can pull off good lighting and excellent sound.

With these tips for building a WordPress website in mind, you can start using this popular CMS to its fullest potential. Additionally, keep in mind that this is a long-term project that can take years to fully benefit from. So, don’t get discouraged if things don’t work out perfectly the first time you try something new.