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WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) used to create websites. It’s easy to use, and there are many tutorials available online that can help you get started.
With over 75 million websites, WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS). WordPress is popular among businesses due to its many customization possibilities, making it ideal for almost any kind of business. It works for both new and established small enterprises as well as big, globally known corporations. Building a site using WordPress no longer requires technical expertise or coding knowledge, but there are a few steps to take, so keep reading.
In ten easy steps, you may create a WordPress website:
1. Purchase web hosting
You must first buy web hosting before you can begin creating your WordPress website. To link a custom domain name and be accessible online, all WordPress.org websites need third-party web hosting. You can save money by obtaining a free domain name, free SSL certificate, and free business email by beginning with web hosting, and you can save time by using one-click WordPress installation, which removes the need to manually link your domain to WordPress.
The following are the best web hosting companies:
- Bluehost is the best low-cost, feature-rich web hosting service, providing everything you need to start a new website for around $3 per month (with a long-term plan).
- DreamHost is the best web hosting service for people who seek quick and dependable web hosting without having to commit to a long-term contract.
- HostGator: The cheapest web hosting service for people creating media-heavy websites, since all plans include unlimited storage and bandwidth.
2. Purchase a domain name
Next, acquire a domain name, or web address, for your WordPress website, such as www.yourbusiness.com. If you bought a web hosting package that includes a free domain name, your web hosting company will ask you to choose a domain name. If you currently have web hosting but need a domain name, you can buy one from a registrar like GoDaddy or receive one included in your web hosting package.
Here are some suggestions for selecting a domain name:
- Keep it brief.
- Examine various domain extensions.
- To your domain, add your location or a keyword.
3. Download and install WordPress.
On Bluehost, you can install WordPress with a single click.
The next step after obtaining web hosting and a domain name is to install WordPress or to link your web host and domain to WordPress. All of the major web hosting companies provide a one-click WordPress installation tool that instantly connects your hosting and domain to WordPress. Go to your site hosting dashboard and look for the “one-click WordPress installation” option. You’ll be sent to your WordPress dashboard as a result of this.
4. Select and Install a Theme
Install a theme for WordPress.
WordPress themes are website templates that provide users a fully designed site that they can simply update and modify. It’s critical to choose a theme that best reflects not just how you want your site to appear, but also how you want it to operate, including custom integrations and features that cater to certain website objectives or company kinds. Themes may be purchased directly from WordPress or through third-party vendors.
Installing a WordPress Free Theme
From your WordPress dashboard, use the following shortcut: Themes > Install > Activate (Appearance > Themes > Install > Activate)
WordPress has a lot of themes available for download. Free themes are ideal for companies creating a simple website or individuals who have expertise in developing a WordPress website since they are very basic in terms of style and functionality. To locate and install a theme, go to “Appearance” in your WordPress admin dashboard’s left-hand menu and select “Themes.” Click “Install” and then “Activate” after you’ve chosen a theme you like.
Installing a Third-Party Premium Theme
Download Theme > WordPress Dashboard > Appearance > Themes > Upload > Upload Theme > Choose File > Install > Activate Shortcut: Download Theme > WordPress Dashboard > Appearance > Themes > Upload > Upload Theme > Choose File > Install > Activate
Many people consider the small upfront cost of a premium theme to be well worth the money because it not only ensures that your site looks and functions well, but it also helps cut down on the time it takes to create a WordPress site if you choose a theme that includes everything you need, such as built-in event calendars, an online booking or reservation system, or the ability to list, manage, and sell products online.
Use a site like ThemeForest to select and install a third-party theme. It offers hundreds of custom-built themes covering almost every style and use case, from legal offices to school themes, fitness facilities, and hotels. You may buy and download the theme of your choice from a third-party theme vendor.
Go to your WordPress dashboard once you’ve downloaded your third-party theme. From the left-hand menu, choose “Appearance,” then “Themes,” and then the “Upload” option at the top of the themes page. Select your downloaded theme from your files and click “Install Now” after clicking the “Upload Theme” button. Click “Activate” after it’s done installing.
5. Locate and install plugins
Plugins > Add New > Install Now > Activate (shortcut)
Installing WordPress plugins, which provide extra functionality for anything from enhanced security and search engine optimization (SEO) to the ability to sell event tickets, is the next fundamental step before creating your site. There are plugins you should utilize no matter what kind of company website you’re creating, and the good news is that the majority of them are free.
Here are seven plugins that should be installed on any business website:
- Akismet: This is a security plugin that helps minimize spam, which is something that all websites are vulnerable to and must strive to prevent.
- Jetpack: One of the most popular plugins, Jetpack is a WordPress toolkit plugin with a variety of functions ranging from web design to site security and analytics.
- Yoast SEO: Optimize your site so that it not only appears in search results but also ranks highly. This plugin takes the guesswork out of SEO and allows users to quickly build search-engine-friendly websites.
- Google XML Sitemap: This plugin generates a Google sitemap, allowing Google to more quickly scan, read, and comprehend your site’s content, allowing it to be discovered in search.
- Elementor Page Builder: Use a drag-and-drop site builder plugin like Elementor to quickly construct a professional-looking website.
- WP Super Cache: Having a site that doesn’t load quickly enough is a quick way to lose visitors. This plugin helps to prevent this and guarantees that your site loads quickly.
- WPForms: Every WordPress website should have some kind of contact form, but creating one without coding may be tough, therefore there are contact form plugins like WPForms that make it simple for anybody to create one.
To discover and install plugins, go to the WordPress dashboard’s left-hand menu and choose “Plugins,” then “Add New.” Browse or search for the plugins you’re looking for. After you’ve found the plugin you want to install, click the “Install Now” button next to it, and then “Activate.”
6. Customize & Add Pages
Individual web pages come together to form websites. Your homepage, as well as pages such as goods or services, about us, and contact us, are examples of these. Each page is made from scratch. Create a new web page for each of the pages you wish to include in your website. To do so, go to the left-hand menu and choose “Pages,” then “Add Pages.”
WordPress allows you to create new pages.
Optional: Those who installed the drag-and-drop site builder plugin Elementor may quickly build up pages by selecting “Edit with Elementor.”
Elementor is a WordPress page editor.
Learn how to design your website for user experience (UX) so that it may be used as a marketing tool for your company. To enhance your site, have a look at these nine UX web design concepts.
7. Create menus and navigation
Appearance > Menus > Shortcut Choose “Main Menu” from the drop-down menu > Add pages to the menu by dragging and dropping them > Save the Menu
Next, personalize the menus that act as the site’s navigation. Menus are often included in both the header and footer of a website, allowing users to browse throughout the site regardless of whether they are at the top or bottom of any particular page. Go to “Appearance,” then “Menus,” and then “Main Menu” from the drop-down menu to start building your menus. You may then drag, drop, and rearrange your menu to fit your company’s website.
Note that not all themes allow users to modify the site navigation design. If you want to alter the navigation in your theme but it doesn’t allow it, you’ll need to install a new theme that matches the navigation style you want or pick one that permits modifications.
8. Personalize the Header and Footer
Appearance > Header > Edit Settings (shortcut)
Templates > Theme Builder > Header > Add New > Elementor From the drop-down menu, choose “Header” and then “Create Template.”
Elementor allows you to change the header of your WordPress site.
9. Get Your Site Ready to Go Live
Even though you’re tempted to go ahead and launch your new site right away, it’s critical to do your homework and make sure it’s ready to go. To do so, go through the site and look for grammatical mistakes, design inconsistencies (such as color variations outside of the color scheme or odd typefaces), verify all links, build a 404 page, test your site on various devices kinds, and double-check that it’s search-engine-friendly.
Here are seven things you should do to get your site ready for launch:
- Every page of the website should be proofread.
- Look for any broken or missing connections.
- Make a page that redirects to a 404 error.
- Make sure the website is mobile-friendly.
- To make sure your site is search engine optimized, use the Yoast SEO tool.
- With an SSL certificate, you can make your website more secure.
- Create a form for generating leads.
10. Go Live with It
Pages > Publish (shortcut)
It’s time to go live with your site once you’ve created it and prepped it for launch. To do so, go to each of your pages and click the “Publish” button. This will make your website go online. You may check this by putting in your website’s URL and seeing it online. Even if your site has been launched successfully, your job isn’t done. It’s time to submit your website to Google for indexing, build social sites like a Google My Business page, schedule site backups, advertise and promote your site, and develop a content calendar.
After you’ve published your WordPress website, there are five things you should do:
- Submit your website to the Google Search Console for indexing.
- Create social media pages for your company, such as Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook Business Page.
- Schedule website backups to protect your site.
- Increase traffic to your website by promoting it.
- Make a content schedule.
After your site has been established, the most essential thing to do is promote it so that it receives traffic and visitors. To begin generating visitors, use these simple website marketing techniques.
Alternatives to WordPress
When it comes to creating a company website, WordPress isn’t the only choice, and it’s certainly not the simplest. It’s worth your time to figure out whether WordPress is the greatest match for your company and website. For example, individuals who have never created a WordPress site and want a quick and easy method to get one up and running can check into all-in-one site builders such as Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, or GoDaddy.
Because site builders were not as SEO-friendly as WordPress in the past, many people thought WordPress was the best option. Site builders, on the other hand, are now intended to be discovered in the search, so they are not only much simpler to use, but they also get found in search. Find out more about the top WordPress alternatives to make it easier to create your website.
What Is the Price of WordPress?
Even though WordPress is a free CMS, there are expenses associated with creating and maintaining a WordPress website—even if you create it yourself. For those wanting to create a professional WordPress website, they’ll require web hosting ($3 to $10 per month), a custom domain name ($12 to $15 per year), an SSL certificate, and, for many, a premium theme, premium plugins, and even bespoke code development.
The following are the expenses of creating and maintaining a WordPress website:
- Web hosting (costs between $3 and $10 per month)
- (roughly $12 to $15 per year) domain name
- Premium theme (costs between $20 and $80)
- Premium plugins (costs between $5 and $15 per month)
The price of a WordPress website varies significantly depending on the kind of company. The most significant cost consideration is whether the site is created in-house or by a web designer. A professionally created website may range in price from a few hundred dollars for a basic site to tens of thousands of dollars for a sophisticated and highly customized site with unique features.
Most Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)
WordPress vs. Squarespace: which is better?
You may be thinking about whether you truly need WordPress for your website or if Squarespace would suffice. Consider Squarespace if you want a hassle-free method to create a website that is both affordable and fast. WordPress can be search engine optimized, and it’s one of the simplest methods to create almost any kind of website.
What is the greatest drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress?
It may be tough to select one of the numerous drag-and-drop site builders that have recently become available. Elementor, WP Bakery, and Beaver Builder are among the best in terms of overall performance. Check that a page builder plugin is compatible with your theme before installing it since certain themes—especially premium themes—are intended to work with specific page builder plugins and therefore aren’t compatible with all plugins.
