Build a WordPress website: 20 creative tips to give it personality
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Updated 15th May 2025
How to build a WordPress website
With over 43% of all websites globally powered by WordPress, this platform has become a dominant force in the digital world. Whether you’re launching a personal blog, a creative portfolio, or a business site, standing out in such a saturated space is essential. One of the most effective ways to do that? Give your website personality.
A site with personality feels alive it reflects your brand’s voice, builds trust, and creates emotional connections with your visitors. In an online world where users form an opinion in just 0.05 seconds, a unique and engaging design can dramatically improve your first impression.
Why personality matters in WordPress design
A well-designed site goes beyond good looks. It tells your story, communicates your values, and invites users to stay, explore, and take action. According to recent data, 94% of a user’s first impression is based on design, and visitors are far more likely to engage with a site that feels visually cohesive and authentic.
Adding personality means injecting intentionality into your colours, typography, layouts, interactions, and even your microcopy. Whether your brand tone is playful, minimalist, bold, or quirky, every design element should reflect that identity.
How WordPress and MaxiBlocks help you stand out
WordPress is unmatched when it comes to flexibility and customisation. Paired with a visual builder like MaxiBlocks, you can bring your vision to life faster and more intuitively than ever no coding needed. MaxiBlocks gives you a huge library of professionally designed templates and blocks, all of which are responsive, easy to customise, and built to support modern visual storytelling.
You can change styles globally with one click, swap entire page sections effortlessly, and use smart design controls that ensure consistency across your site. It’s a powerful way to create a personalised website without needing to hire a developer.
Key takeaway
A website with personality doesn’t just look different it feels different. It resonates with your audience, keeps them engaged, and encourages action. With WordPress and intuitive design tools like MaxiBlocks, adding personality to your site is not only possible it’s easier than ever.
Add visual flair and brand identity
Make an engaging about page
Your about page is one of the most visited sections of your site and one of the most powerful. Rather than settling for a dry, corporate-style summary, use this space to share your story, values, and personality. Let visitors know who you are, what drives your work, and why they should care. Authenticity resonates. With MaxiBlocks, you can go beyond basic text by using interactive layouts and animations to bring your story to life.
Use custom icons
Icons are more than decorative they guide users, reinforce your brand identity, and break up blocks of text. Instead of default icons, use ones that feel original to your brand. MaxiBlocks includes a built-in library of over 13,000 SVG icons and shapes, all scalable and editable in real-time. Custom icons help your site feel cohesive and considered.
Integrate high-quality images
The visuals you choose can instantly shape how visitors perceive your site. Avoid cliché stock photos and, where possible, use original, high-resolution images that reflect your brand and audience. According to research, content with relevant images gets 94% more views than text-only content. MaxiBlocks makes image placement and styling easy, so you can upload, crop, and align visuals to fit your layout without fuss.
Use custom fonts
Typography adds tone. Whether you’re going for modern minimalism or playful and bold, custom fonts can help you express it clearly. Choose fonts that match your brand’s vibe but don’t sacrifice readability. MaxiBlocks gives you full control over font pairings, weights, sizes, and spacing ensuring consistency across all your pages.
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Design a distinctive blog
Your blog is more than a content feed it’s an extension of your brand. Instead of default templates, give it a custom look that reflects your voice and values. Use a layout that highlights your best posts, supports different content types, and keeps readers scrolling. With MaxiBlocks, you can build dynamic blog designs using pre-built layouts and flexible blocks that make your content shine.
Design an engaging footer
The footer is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most visited areas of a website. Make it work harder by including useful links, social icons, a short brand message, or even a newsletter signup. MaxiBlocks lets you design footers that are both functional and beautiful, using custom blocks to match your overall style.
Create custom error pages
A 404 page doesn’t have to be boring or frustrating. Use it to keep visitors engaged by offering helpful links, a lighthearted message, or even a fun animation. Custom error pages show attention to detail and add personality to your site. With MaxiBlocks, you can build these pages from scratch or start with a pre-designed template.
Personalise call-to-action buttons
Your call-to-action (CTA) buttons play a critical role in user engagement. Instead of generic text like “submit” or “click here,” try more specific, conversational CTAs that match your tone like “get started” or “show me the guide.” Studies show that personalised CTAs convert 202% better. MaxiBlocks makes it easy to create standout buttons with custom shapes, icons, hover effects, and typography.
Engage through multimedia and interactivity
Include engaging video content
Video is one of the most effective ways to capture attention and convey your message. Use it to introduce yourself, showcase your services, or share customer testimonials. Videos add personality and increase time spent on your site. With MaxiBlocks, you can easily embed and customise video blocks that match your layout and design.
Add interactive features
Interactive content invites users to engage more deeply with your site. Quizzes, polls, and surveys can break up long text and make the experience feel more two-way. These elements not only boost engagement but also help you gather useful feedback. MaxiBlocks includes ready-to-use interactive blocks that you can drag, drop, and customise with ease.
Add micro-interactions
Micro-interactions like hover effects, button animations, and tooltips enhance your site’s polish and guide user behaviour in subtle ways. They make a website feel smoother and more thoughtful. MaxiBlocks gives you control over animations, transitions, and hover states so you can add motion and feedback without overwhelming your visitors.
Tell your story
People connect with stories, not just services. Sharing your brand story adds authenticity and helps visitors relate to your mission. Whether it’s a timeline, a founder bio, or customer success stories, narrative content builds trust and keeps people interested. MaxiBlocks offers blocks and layouts designed to support storytelling with visuals, text, and motion. Research shows that people are 22 times more likely to remember a story than a standalone fact.
Build like a pro
Build trust and community
Showcase testimonials with photos
Testimonials are one of the most powerful tools for building credibility. Featuring quotes from real clients adds social proof, and including their photos takes that trust to the next level. Visitors are more likely to believe testimonials when they can see a real face behind the words. With MaxiBlocks, you can display testimonials beautifully using pre-built blocks that pair text with images in a visually engaging layout.
Encourage user-generated content
Letting your audience contribute to your site whether through comments, reviews, guest blog posts, or photos fosters a sense of community and involvement. User-generated content not only increases engagement but also strengthens the authenticity of your brand. MaxiBlocks makes it easy to collect and showcase this content, helping you build a site that’s created with your audience, not just for them.
Build a community space
Creating a dedicated space where visitors can connect, ask questions, or share experiences helps turn your website into a hub rather than just a brochure. This could be a simple comments section, a full forum, or a gated membership area with exclusive content. MaxiBlocks supports integrations and layouts to help you set up these areas quickly and without coding.
Integrate social media feeds
Bringing your social media activity onto your WordPress site helps keep it lively and up to date. Embedding feeds from Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook can show your audience what you’re up to in real time. It also makes it easier for visitors to connect with you on different platforms. With MaxiBlocks, you can seamlessly integrate social feeds into your pages and customise them to match your site’s look and feel.
Social media integration creates a smoother experience for users who already engage with you elsewhere and adds credibility by showing consistent, active content. According to HubSpot, websites with social sharing buttons generate seven times more mentions than those without so it’s a small step with big potential returns.
Final thoughts: bring your WordPress site to life with personality
By applying these creative strategies, you can transform your WordPress website from a generic template into a unique, memorable digital space that speaks directly to your audience. From custom icons and engaging CTAs to community spaces and real-time social media feeds, it’s these small but meaningful touches that add real personality.
Using tools like MaxiBlocks, you can simplify the entire process. Its drag-and-drop builder, built-in library of blocks, and responsive design tools let you focus on what matters most telling your story, showcasing your work, and connecting with your audience.
Key takeaways:
- Websites with personality are more memorable and more engaging.
- Storytelling, visuals, and interactivity help humanise your brand.
- Social proof and community features build trust and encourage return visits.
- Small touches like micro-interactions and custom fonts can make a big impact.
- Tools like MaxiBlocks make customisation easy, even without coding skills.
Your website is more than a business card it’s an experience. Make it one your visitors will remember. Explore what’s possible with MaxiBlocks and the MaxiBlocks Go theme and start building a WordPress site that truly reflects who you are.
Explore how to create a powerful WordPress website
Learn how to design, build, and optimize your WordPress website from start to finish.
FAQs – Build a WordPress website
What are the steps to build a WordPress website?
To build a WordPress website, you begin by choosing and registering a domain name and selecting a hosting provider. After that, you install WordPress on your hosting account, choose a theme that suits your needs, and install any necessary plugins to enhance your site’s functionality. From there, you create essential pages such as Home, About, Services, and Contact, customise the design and layout, and then publish your site and begin promoting it.
How can I build a WordPress website for free?
You can create a free WordPress website by signing up at WordPress.com. Once your account is set up, you can select a free theme, customise the layout using the provided tools and features, and then publish your site. While it’s free to get started, you’ll have limited access to advanced design options and won’t be able to upload custom themes or plugins unless you upgrade.
What is a website builder in WordPress?
A WordPress website builder refers to tools and plugins like MaxiBlocks that allow you to visually build pages without needing to code. These builders include drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-designed templates, and easy customisation options, making it much simpler for beginners to build and manage a WordPress site.
What is the best host for a WordPress website?
The best hosting provider for a WordPress website depends on your specific needs, such as how much traffic you expect, what type of content you’ll be offering, and your budget. Popular choices include SiteGround, Bluehost, and WP Engine, all of which offer WordPress-optimised features that improve performance, security, and ease of use.
How do I build a WordPress website step by step?
To build a WordPress website step by step, you would first register a domain name and sign up with a hosting provider. Then you install WordPress on your server, pick a theme that fits your brand or project, and install any essential plugins for added features. After that, you add and publish your content, customise the look and feel of your site, and make sure everything is optimised for mobile devices and search engines before launching it to the public.
What are the basics of building a WordPress website?
The basics include installing WordPress through your hosting account, selecting a theme that aligns with your goals, installing plugins that provide key functions like contact forms or SEO, and then creating the pages and content that make up your site. You also need to ensure that your site loads quickly, works well on mobile, and is optimised for search engines so people can find it.
What should I consider when building a WordPress website?
When planning your WordPress website, consider what you want it to achieve and who it’s for. Choose a design and structure that suits your audience, ensure the theme and plugins you use are reliable and regularly updated, and make sure the site is secure, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. Quality content, regular updates, and a good hosting environment are also essential factors to keep in mind.
Can I build a WordPress website for free?
Yes, you can start a free website using WordPress.com. It provides a basic site setup that’s perfect for personal blogs or simple projects. However, if you want to have more control over design, add custom plugins, or run an online store, you’ll eventually need to upgrade to a paid plan or use self-hosted WordPress.org with your own hosting provider.
Where can I find WordPress website templates?
You can find WordPress templates, also known as themes, in the WordPress Theme Directory directly through your dashboard or on third-party marketplaces such as ThemeForest or Elegant Themes. Builders like MaxiBlocks also offer large template libraries with professionally designed layouts that you can customise to suit your brand.
How do I build a business website using WordPress?
To build a business website using WordPress, you start by choosing a professional domain name and setting up hosting. After installing WordPress, select a business-oriented theme that supports your brand’s identity. Create the necessary pages, add functionality like contact forms or booking tools through plugins, and make sure your site is optimised for search engines and mobile devices. Once everything is set up and tested, you can go live and begin promoting your business online.
WordPress itself
Official Website
wordpress.org – This is the official website for WordPress, where you can download the software, find documentation, and learn more about using it.
WordPress Codex
codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page – This is a comprehensive documentation resource for WordPress, covering everything from installation and configuration to specific functionality and troubleshooting.
WordPress Theme Directory
wordpress.org/themes – The official WordPress theme directory is a great place to find free and premium WordPress themes. You can browse themes by category, feature, and popularity.
maxiblocks.com/go/help-desk
maxiblocks.com/pro-library
www.youtube.com/@maxiblocks
twitter.com/maxiblocks
linkedin.com/company/maxi-blocks
github.com/orgs/maxi-blocks
wordpress.org/plugins/maxi-blocks
Kyra Pieterse
Author
Kyra is the co-founder and creative lead of MaxiBlocks, an open-source page builder for WordPress Gutenberg.
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