Preparing on how to build a WordPress website: Your essential guide
Try MaxiBlocks for free with 500+ library assets including basic templates. No account required. Free page builder, theme and updates included. Start now
Building a website might seem challenging, but with the right preparation, it can be a smooth process. Whether you’re starting a blog, an online store, or a portfolio, here’s how to get ready to create your own site using a WordPress website builder.
Define your website’s purpose and goals
Before diving into the technical details, it’s important to clearly define why you’re building your website. Are you aiming to share your thoughts through a blog, showcase your work with a portfolio, or sell products online? Knowing your site’s purpose will guide many of your decisions as you move forward.
Setting specific goals can help keep you focused. For example, if you’re starting a blog, you might aim to publish a certain number of posts per month and attract a specific number of visitors. If it’s an online store, you might set sales targets. Defining these objectives will help you measure your success and stay motivated.
Choose a domain name
Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet, so it needs to be both memorable and relevant to your brand or business. Spend some time brainstorming names that reflect what your site is about and are easy to spell and remember.
Once you have a few ideas, check their availability using a domain registrar. If your preferred name is already taken, consider slight variations or different extensions like .co.uk or .net. Registering your domain is a straightforward process, and many web hosting providers offer domain registration services too.
Select a web hosting provider
Choosing a reliable web hosting provider is a very important step in setting up your website. Your host will store all your website’s files and make them accessible to visitors. Look for a provider known for good performance, security, and customer support.
Think about what type of hosting plan you need. Shared hosting is often enough for new websites, but if you expect a lot of traffic or need extra security, you might want to look into VPS or dedicated hosting. Many hosts offer plans specifically optimised for WordPress, which can make your life easier.
Plan your site structure and content
Before you start building, sketch out a rough outline of your site. Think about the main pages and sections you’ll need, like a homepage, about page, services or products page, blog, and contact page. This will help you organise your content and create a cohesive structure.
Next, create a content plan. This includes writing the text for each page and gathering images, videos, and other media. High-quality content is important for engaging your visitors and achieving your goals, so take your time to get it right. If writing isn’t your strong suit, consider hiring a copywriter.
Gather important resources
Collect all the materials you’ll need for your website. This includes your logo, branding guidelines, high-quality images, and any other media assets. Having these ready before you start will make the building process much smoother.
If you don’t already have these resources, now is the time to create them or hire professionals to help. A consistent look and feel are important for building trust with your audience, so make sure your branding is clear and professional.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Install WordPress
With your hosting set up and your domain registered, it’s time to install WordPress. Most hosting providers offer a one-click installation process, making it easy even for beginners. Follow the instructions provided by your host, and you’ll have WordPress up and running in no time.
Once installed, spend some time exploring the WordPress dashboard. Familiarise yourself with the settings and features available. This will make it easier to manage your site and take advantage of all the tools WordPress offers.
Choose and install a theme
Your website’s theme determines its overall look and feel. There are thousands of WordPress themes to choose from, so take your time finding one that fits your style and needs. Look for a theme that works well on both desktop and mobile devices and has good reviews.
After choosing a theme, install and activate it through the WordPress dashboard. Then, customise it to match your branding. This might include changing colours, fonts, and layouts. Many themes come with detailed documentation to help you through the process.
Install useful plugins
Plugins add extra functionality to your WordPress site. There are plugins for almost anything you can think of, from improving security to adding contact forms. Some useful plugins to consider are those for security, SEO, performance optimisation, and backups.
Install plugins directly from the WordPress plugin directory. Once installed, activate and configure them according to your needs. Be mindful not to overload your site with too many plugins, as this can slow it down and make maintenance more difficult.
Set up website analytics
To track your website’s performance, you’ll need to set up analytics. Google Analytics is a popular choice and can provide detailed insights into your visitors’ behaviour. Setting it up involves creating a Google Analytics account, adding your website, and installing a plugin to integrate it with WordPress.
Additionally, setting up Google Search Console can help you monitor your site’s presence in search results. This tool provides valuable information on how your site is performing in Google search and can help you identify and fix any issues.
Make sure your site is secure and backed up
Security is very important when it comes to running a website. Use measures like strong passwords, SSL certificates, and regular updates to keep your site safe. An SSL certificate, which encrypts data between your site and its visitors, is especially important and is often provided for free by hosting companies.
Regular backups are also necessary. They ensure that if something goes wrong, you can restore your site to a previous state. Many plugins can automate the backup process, making it easy to keep your site safe without constant attention.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to build a successful WordPress website. Taking the time to plan and gather everything you need before you start will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Set up website analytics
To track your website’s performance, you’ll need to set up analytics. Google Analytics is a popular choice and can provide detailed insights into your visitors’ behaviour. Setting it up involves creating a Google Analytics account, adding your website, and installing a plugin to integrate it with WordPress.
Additionally, setting up Google Search Console can help you monitor your site’s presence in search results. This tool provides valuable information on how your site is performing in Google search and can help you identify and fix any issues.
Ensure security and backup measures
Security is paramount when it comes to running a website. Implement measures like strong passwords, SSL certificates, and regular updates to keep your site safe. An SSL certificate, which encrypts data between your site and its visitors, is especially important and is often provided for free by hosting companies.
Regular backups are also essential. They ensure that if something goes wrong, you can restore your site to a previous state. Many plugins can automate the backup process, making it easy to keep your site safe without constant attention.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to build a successful WordPress website. Taking the time to plan and gather everything you need before you start will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.
FAQs on how to build a WordPress website
What are the steps on how to build a WordPress website?
To learn how to build a WordPress website, follow these steps: choose a domain name and hosting provider, install WordPress on your hosting account, select a WordPress theme that suits your website’s purpose, customise your website’s design and functionality using plugins and widgets, create essential pages such as Home, About, Services, and Contact, and publish your website and promote it.
How can I create a WordPress free website?
Creating a WordPress free website involves signing up for a free account at WordPress.com, selecting a free theme for your website, customising your site with available free plugins and widgets, and publishing your site and sharing it. This is a good starting point when learning how to build a WordPress website.
What is a website builder WordPress?
A website builder WordPress refers to the tools and plugins available within the WordPress ecosystem that facilitate the creation and management of websites without needing extensive coding knowledge. These tools provide drag-and-drop functionality, pre-designed templates, and customisation options to simplify the process of how to build a WordPress website.
What is the best website hosting for WordPress?
The best website hosting for WordPress depends on your specific needs, such as site traffic, storage, and budget. Some popular hosting providers for WordPress include Bluehost, SiteGround, and WP Engine. These providers offer optimised hosting environments for WordPress, ensuring better performance and security. Understanding the best hosting options is crucial when learning how to build a WordPress website.
How do I build a WordPress website step by step?
Learning how to build a WordPress website step by step involves choosing and registering a domain name, purchasing a hosting plan and installing WordPress, selecting a theme and installing it, adding essential plugins for functionality, creating and publishing content for your pages and posts, and customising your website’s appearance and settings.
What are the basics of building a WordPress website?
The basics of building a WordPress website include installing WordPress on your hosting account, selecting and installing a theme, adding necessary plugins, creating pages and posts, customising the site’s appearance and layout, and ensuring the site is optimised for search engines. Mastering these basics is essential when learning how to build a WordPress website.
What should I consider when building a WordPress website?
When building a WordPress website, consider your website’s purpose and target audience, choosing the right theme and plugins to meet your needs, optimising your site for performance and security, ensuring your content is high quality and SEO-friendly, and regularly updating your site and its components. These considerations are key to understanding how to build a WordPress website effectively.
Can I get a free WordPress website?
Yes, you can get a free WordPress website by signing up for an account on WordPress.com. This allows you to create a basic website with limited features. However, for more advanced customisation and functionality, you might consider upgrading to a paid plan. Starting with a free website can be a good way to begin learning how to build a WordPress website.
Where can I find website templates for WordPress?
Website templates for WordPress, also known as themes, can be found in the WordPress Theme Directory, as well as on third-party websites like ThemeForest, Elegant Themes, and more. These templates provide pre-designed layouts and styles that you can customise to fit your website’s needs. Using templates is a helpful step in understanding how to build a WordPress website.
How do I create a website for my business with WordPress?
Creating a website for your business with WordPress involves choosing a professional domain name and hosting provider, installing WordPress and selecting a business-focused theme, adding essential pages like Home, About, Services, and Contact, integrating business tools such as contact forms, booking systems, and e-commerce functionality if needed, and optimising your site for search engines and local searches. This process is a practical application of how to build a WordPress website for business purposes.
What are the steps for building a website with WordPress?
The steps for building a website with WordPress are to register a domain name and set up hosting, install WordPress on your server, choose and customise a theme, install and configure necessary plugins, create and publish content, and optimise the site for performance and SEO. Following these steps will help you learn how to build a WordPress website efficiently.
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.
You may also like
