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This guide walks you through the complete process of how to build build a WordPress website from scratch. You’ll learn every essential step, from purchasing a domain name to customizing your site’s design and applying best web practices for an optimized online presence.
How To Build A WordPress Website: Tutorial Overview
This tutorial covers eight key steps:
- Buy a domain name
- Set up web hosting
- Configure DNS settings
- Install WordPress
- Navigate the WordPress dashboard
- Apply website best practices
- Design your website
- Install essential plugins
Some have further sub-sections to help you understand key features and concepts with WordPress. Each major section comes with an accompanying video lesson to help you put this guide into action.
I’m so excited to be teaching you today, let’s get started!
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1. Buy a Domain Name
A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. Here’s how to purchase and set up your domain:
Choosing Your Domain Provider
You can buy domains from many providers. While some hosting companies offer free domains with their hosting packages, these often require multi-year commitments. For more flexibility, consider purchasing your domain separately from your hosting. For this tutorial, I’ll be using Namecheap because they offer competitive pricing for domains and include free domain privacy protection.
Selecting Your Domain Extension
The domain extension is the part that comes after your domain name (like .com or .net). Here are key points about extensions:
- .com is the most recognized and trusted extension globally
- .net is widely used but less common than .com
- Country-specific extensions (like .co.uk) work well for regional websites
- Stick with .com for most business and blog websites
How to Purchase a Domain
- Visit a domain registrar (like Namecheap or similar providers)
- Enter your desired domain name in the search box
- Review available options if your first choice isn’t available
- Select your domain extension
- Add the domain to your cart
- Enable domain privacy protection (usually free)
- Skip additional services like:
- Premium DNS
- Email hosting
- SSL certificates
- Web hosting
- Complete your purchase
Tips for Choosing a Domain Name
Here are key principles for selecting a strong domain name, with examples:
Keep it simple and memorable
- Good: cookingbasics.com
- Avoid: theamazingcookingwebsite.com
Avoid numbers and hyphens
- Good: recipedaily.com
- Avoid: recipe-4-u.com or recipes-and-cooking.com
Make it relevant to your content
- Food blog: tastyhomekitchen.com
- Photography portfolio: clarksoncaptures.com
- Fitness coaching: strengthjourney.com
Consider alternate versions if your first choice isn’t available Original idea: foodieblog.com (taken) Alternative options:
- thefoodieguide.com
- foodiestories.com
- myfoodiespace.com
Check for trademark issues before purchasing Avoid using branded terms like:
- nikeshoes.com
- applefixing.com
- starbuckscoffeetips.com
After Purchase Setup
- Log into your domain registrar account
- Access your domain management dashboard
- Locate the DNS settings section
- Note the nameserver settings (default ones are fine for now)
- Keep your login credentials safe
Important: We’ll return to the DNS settings later when connecting your domain to your hosting. For now, your domain purchase is complete and ready for the next step.
Next up: We’ll cover how to set up reliable web hosting for your WordPress site.
2. Set Up Web Hosting
Web hosting is where your website’s files will live. You need reliable hosting to ensure your WordPress site runs smoothly and loads quickly for visitors.
Important Hosting Features to Look For
Before choosing a hosting provider, ensure they offer these essential features:
- SSD storage for faster performance
- Free SSL certificates
- Daily backups
- 24/7 support access
- cPanel access
- One-click WordPress installation
Understanding Hosting Plans
Most WordPress hosting providers offer several tiers of shared hosting plans. For this tutorial, we’ll use Iridium Hosting’s Solo plan, which costs $20 per month. Let’s look at what different hosting tiers typically offer:
Basic/Solo Plans
- Perfect for single websites
- Includes essential SSD storage
- Ideal for blogs and small business sites
- What we’ll use: Iridium Hosting Solo Plan ($20/month)
- Single website hosting
- SSD storage
- Suitable for regular visitor traffic
- Best choice for most new WordPress sites
Mid-Level Plans
- Support multiple websites (usually 5-10)
- Higher storage capacity
- Enhanced visitor capacity
Professional Plans
- Host many websites (10+)
- Maximum storage and resources
- Best for high-traffic sites
The Solo plan is perfect for following this tutorial and will provide everything you need to run a WordPress website effectively.
How to Purchase Hosting
- Choose a hosting provider
- If following along to this tutorial, use Iridium Hosting, click here to see their plans
- Select a plan that matches your needs
- Enter your domain name
- Create your hosting account:
- Provide contact information
- Set up billing details
- Create account password
- Complete your purchase
After Purchase Setup
Once you complete your hosting purchase, you’ll receive several important emails. The most crucial one is your Account Information email. Save this email immediately – it contains essential details you’ll need throughout your website setup:
- Account Information Email Contents
- Login Credentials
- Your client area username and password
- cPanel username and password
- Use these to access your hosting dashboard and control panel
- Server Information
- Your server’s IP address
- This is crucial for connecting your domain to your hosting
- You’ll need this in the next step when setting up DNS
- Nameserver Details
- Usually two or more nameserver addresses
- Alternative method for connecting your domain
- Format example: ns1.yourhostingprovider.com
- Control Panel Access
- Direct link to your cPanel
- This is your website’s command center
- You’ll use cPanel to install WordPress and manage your site
- Login Credentials
Access Your Control Panel
The hosting control panel (cPanel) is your website’s command center. Here’s how to access it and why it’s important:
- Log into your hosting account
- Use the client area login from your welcome email
- This gives you access to your hosting dashboard
- From here, you can manage your hosting service and access cPanel
- Access cPanel
- Look for the ‘cPanel’ or ‘Control Panel’ button in your dashboard
- cPanel opens in a new window
- This is where you’ll manage your website’s technical aspects
- Skip any “getting started” popups – we’ll cover what you need step by step
- Locate Your Server IP Address
- Find the “General Information” section on the right side of cPanel
- Look for “Shared IP Address”
- Select and copy this IP address
- You’ll need this IP to connect your domain to your hosting
- Without this connection, visitors won’t be able to reach your website
- Why This Information Matters
- The server IP address is like your website’s physical location
- You’ll use it in the next step to point your domain to your hosting
- This creates the connection between your domain name and your website files
- Keep this IP address handy for the DNS configuration step
Important: Don’t worry about exploring all of cPanel’s features right now. We’ll return to cPanel later when installing WordPress and managing your website.
Next up: We’ll learn how to connect your domain to your hosting using DNS settings.
3. Configure DNS Settings
In this section, you’ll learn how to connect your domain name to your hosting using DNS records. This process makes your website accessible when someone types your domain name into their browser.
What is DNS?
DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable domain names into server IP addresses. Think of it like a phone book that converts a name (your domain) into a number (your server IP) that computers can use to find your website.
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have:
- An active domain name (from Namecheap in this tutorial)
- Active hosting (from Iridium Hosting in this tutorial)
- Your server IP address from cPanel
Connect Domain to Hosting
Step 1: Access DNS Settings
- Log into your Namecheap account
- Go to your domain list
- Click “Manage” next to your domain
- Select the “Advanced DNS” tab
Step 2: Clear Existing Records
- Review current DNS records
- Delete any existing URL redirect records
- Remove any parking page records
- Keep the default nameserver settings from Namecheap
Step 3: Add A Records
You need to create two A records to properly direct your domain to your hosting:
- Create Root Domain Record:
- Click “Add New Record”
- Select “A Record” from the dropdown
- Host: Enter
@(represents your root domain) - Value: Enter your Iridium Hosting server IP
- TTL: Leave as default
- Click “Save”
- Create WWW Record:
- Click “Add New Record” again
- Select “A Record”
- Host: Enter
www - Value: Enter the same server IP address
- TTL: Leave as default
- Click “Save”
Wait for Propagation
After setting up your DNS records:
- Changes can take 30 minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate
- Most updates complete within 30-60 minutes
- You can check progress using an incognito/private browser window
How to Check If It’s Working
- Open a private/incognito browser window
- Enter your domain name
- If you see a 404 error from LiteSpeed Web Server (which is what Iridium Hosting uses for its servers), the connection is working
- This error is normal at this stage
- It means your domain is successfully pointing to your hosting
- We’ll install WordPress in the next step to replace this error page
Troubleshooting Tips
If your domain isn’t connecting:
- Double-check your server IP address is entered correctly
- Ensure both A records (
@) and (www) are set up - Clear your browser cache or use incognito mode
- Wait at least 30 minutes before troubleshooting
- Verify you haven’t accidentally changed nameserver settings
Next Steps
Once your DNS is properly configured and you see the LiteSpeed Web Server page (or 404 error), you’re ready to install WordPress. This error page confirms that your domain is successfully pointing to your hosting server.
Next up: We’ll install WordPress on your hosting server.
4. Install WordPress
There are two ways to install WordPress on your hosting: requesting installation support or installing it yourself through cPanel. We’ll cover both methods to help you choose the best option for your comfort level.
What is cPanel?
cPanel is your hosting control center. Think of it as your website’s dashboard where you can:
- Install software like WordPress
- Manage files and folders
- Set up email accounts
- View website statistics
- Handle domain settings
- Monitor server resources
Many major hosting providers include cPanel. It uses a simple point-and-click interface, making it easy to manage your website without technical knowledge. This is what Iridium Hosting uses and what we’ll guide you through in this tutorial.
It’s becoming more common for hosting providers to create their own hosting control center software, so don’t be surprised if you pick a different provider and don’t hear it mentioned. The fundamental steps to getting WordPress installed are transferrable.
Method 1: Request Installation Support
If you’re new to web hosting or prefer assistance, you can request WordPress installation from your hosting provider. With Iridium Hosting, it’s as simple as opening a support ticket:
- Log into your hosting client area
- Click “Open Ticket”
- Fill in the ticket details:
- Subject: “Please install WordPress for me”
- Department: General
- Related Service: Select your domain
- Priority: Medium (or High if urgent)
- Message: Request WordPress installation
This method is perfect if you want to avoid technical steps and ensure everything is set up correctly.
Method 2: Self-Installation Through cPanel
If you’re comfortable doing it yourself, follow these steps to install WordPress:
- Access Softaculous Apps Installer
- Log into cPanel
- Scroll to the bottom section
- Look for “Scripts” or “Softaculous Apps Installer”
- Click the WordPress icon
- Configure Installation Settings
- Click “Install Now”
- Choose Protocol:
- Select
https://for secure connection (recommended) - Choose whether to include ‘
www‘ in your URL
- Select
- Choose Installation Directory:
- Remove any default directory (like ‘/wp’)
- Leave blank to install on root domain
- Configure Site Settings:
- Site Name: Enter your website name
- Site Description: Can be changed later
- Admin Username: Create a secure username
- Admin Password: Use a strong password
- Admin Email: Use a working email address you check regularly
- Additional Options
- Review pre-installed plugins
- Remove unnecessary plugins (like Softaculous WP Kit)
- Leave database settings at default
- Complete Installation
- Click “Install”
- Wait for the progress bar to complete
- Save your admin URL (usually yourdomain.com/wp-admin)
- Keep your login credentials secure
Verify Your Installation
After installation completes:
- Open an incognito/private browser window
- Visit your domain
- You should see the default WordPress theme
- Verify the SSL padlock appears in your browser
Important Notes:
- Save your WordPress admin access URL (usually located
/wp-admin/) for future access - Keep your login credentials secure
- The default WordPress theme and “Hello World” post are normal
- Don’t worry about customizing yet – we’ll cover that in later sections
Common Issues and Solutions
If you don’t see WordPress after installation:
- Clear your browser cache
- Try an incognito window
- Wait a few minutes and try again
- Verify your domain is still pointing to your hosting
- Check if your SSL certificate is active
Next up: We’ll explore the WordPress dashboard and learn how to navigate your new website’s control center.
5. Navigate the WordPress Dashboard
After installing WordPress, you’ll access your site’s administration area through the wp-admin URL. This area, known as the WordPress dashboard, is where you’ll manage all aspects of your website.
Dashboard & Updates Basics
Welcome to Your Dashboard
When you first log in, you’ll see the main dashboard screen. This serves as your website’s control center, displaying:
Welcome Message
- Shows your WordPress version
- Highlights new features
- Can be dismissed after reading
Dashboard Widgets
- Site Health Status
- At a Glance (posts, pages, comments count)
- Activity (recent content and comments)
- Quick Draft (for quick post creation)
- WordPress Events and News
Customizing Your Dashboard View
You can personalize your dashboard layout:
Screen Options
- Click “Screen Options” in the top-right corner
- Toggle different information boxes on/off
- Control what information you see
Widget Arrangement
- Click and drag widgets to reposition them
- Create your preferred layout
- Widgets automatically save their new positions
Understanding WordPress Updates
The Updates section (Dashboard > Updates) is crucial for maintaining your site:
Types of Updates
- Core WordPress updates
- Plugin updates
- Theme updates
Update Information
- Current WordPress version
- Last update check time
- Automatic update settings
Automatic Updates
- Default setting: Security and maintenance updates only
- Can be configured for all updates
- Consider your site’s complexity before enabling full automatic updates
Update Best Practices
When managing updates, keep these points in mind:
Update Considerations
- Updates can occasionally cause compatibility issues
- Plugins and themes need to be compatible with new WordPress versions
- Developers usually test compatibility before major updates
Safety Measures
- Always maintain regular backups before updating
- Consider testing updates on a staging site first
- Monitor your site after updates for any issues
Update Notifications
- Red notification badges indicate available updates
- Check updates regularly for security
- Keep track of what gets updated and when
Important: While automatic updates are convenient, they should be approached with caution on complex or business-critical websites. Always ensure you have a backup system in place before enabling automatic updates.
Next up: We’ll explore the Posts and Pages section of your WordPress dashboard.
Posts, Categories & Tags
Understanding how posts, categories, and tags work together is crucial for organizing your WordPress content effectively.
Posts Overview
Posts are the building blocks of your blog content. They:
- Display in reverse chronological order
- Include publication dates
- Can be categorized and tagged
- Appear in blog archives
- Show author information
- Allow comments by default
Unlike pages (which we’ll cover later), posts are meant for timely content like blog entries, news updates, or regular content additions.
Accessing Posts
Find posts in the left sidebar menu of your dashboard:
- All Posts: View and manage existing posts
- Add New: Create a new post
- Categories: Manage post categories
- Tags: Organize posts with tags
When viewing posts, you can:
- Hover over a post title to see options (Edit, Quick Edit, Trash, View)
- Use screen options to customize your post list view
- Filter posts by categories, dates, or authors
Screen Options
Remember you can customize your post management view:
- Click “Screen Options” at the top right
- Toggle different columns on/off
- Adjust how many posts show per page
- Save your preferences for future sessions
Understanding Categories
Categories help organize your content into main topics:
Key Features:
- Every post must have at least one category
- Default category is “Uncategorized”
- Categories can have hierarchies (parent/child relationships)
- Categories appear in your site’s navigation and archives
Creating Categories:
- Click “Categories” in the Posts menu
- Enter category name
- Create a URL-friendly slug (or let WordPress generate one)
- Optionally set a parent category
- Add a description (helpful for SEO and some themes display these)
Example Category Structure:
Cooking (Parent Category)
├── Baking (Child Category)
│ ├── Gluten-Free
│ └── Keto
└── Main Dishes
├── Vegetarian
└── Quick MealsUsing Tags
Tags are optional, more specific labels for your content:
Key Differences from Categories:
- Tags are optional
- No hierarchy
- More specific and granular
- Can have multiple tags per post
- Useful for connecting related content
Best Practices for Tags:
- Use sparingly
- Only create tags you’ll use multiple times
- Consider SEO impact
- Check if your theme displays tags
- Don’t duplicate category names as tags
When to Use Tags:
- For specific topics within broader categories
- To connect posts across different categories
- For filtering or searching specific content
- When your theme utilizes tag functionality
Pro Tip: While categories are essential for site structure, tags are optional. If you’re just starting, focus on creating a solid category system first. Add tags later if they provide value to your visitors.
Post Editor
The WordPress post editor, also known as the Block Editor or Gutenberg, is where you’ll create and edit your content. Understanding how it works is crucial for effective content management.
Understanding Blocks
The WordPress editor uses a block-based system where each element of your content is a separate block:
- Each paragraph is a block
- Each image is a block
- Each heading is a block
- Each list is a block
Think of blocks as building blocks for your content – like digital Lego pieces that snap together to create your page. This system makes it easy to create complex layouts without knowing code.
For example, you can quickly build a professional-looking blog post by combining a heading block for your title, an image block for your feature image, paragraph blocks for your text, and a quote block to highlight important points.
The block system is particularly powerful because:
- You can click and drag blocks to instantly reorganize your content
- Each block can be individually styled without affecting others
- You can save block combinations you frequently use
- Complex layouts (like columns or galleries) become simple to create
Main Editor Interface
Top Bar Navigation (Left to Right)
- WordPress Logo
- Returns to dashboard
- Quick access to exit editor
- Add Block Button (+)
- Opens block inserter panel
- Shows all available blocks
- Organized by categories:
- Text (paragraphs, headings, lists)
- Media (images, galleries, videos)
- Design (buttons, columns, spacers)
- Widgets (calendar, latest posts)
- Tools Menu
- Toggle between Edit and Select modes
- Edit: Normal content creation
- Select: Easy block selection without editing
- Undo/Redo Buttons
- Reverse recent changes
- Restore reversed changes
- Document Overview
- Shows block hierarchy
- Displays word count
- Shows estimated reading time
- Lists all headings as table of contents
- Preview Button
- View post before publishing
- Check different device views:
- Desktop view
- Tablet view
- Mobile view
- Settings Menu (Gear Icon)
- Opens right sidebar panel
- Toggle between post and block settings
Right Sidebar Panel
Post Settings Tab
- Document Settings
- Status and visibility
- Publishing date
- URL permalink
- Featured image
- Categories and tags
- Discussion settings (comments)
- Block Settings
- Changes based on selected block
- Shows options specific to current block type
Working with Blocks
Adding Blocks
- Click the (+) button or type ‘/’ in a new line
- Search for block type or browse categories
- Click to insert selected block
- Begin editing block content
Block Toolbar
When selecting any block, a floating toolbar appears above it with:
- Block Type Indicator
- Shows current block type
- Option to transform to different block type
- Block Controls
- Alignment options
- Formatting tools
- Block-specific settings
- More options (three dots menu)
Moving Blocks
- Drag and Drop
- Click and hold block mover (six dots)
- Drag to new position
- Release to place
- Up/Down Arrows
- Use toolbar arrows
- Move blocks one position at a time
Advanced Features
Block Patterns
Block patterns are pre-designed combinations of blocks that help you create professional-looking layouts quickly. They’re especially useful when you want to maintain consistent styling across your site or when you’re not sure how to achieve a specific design effect.
Common uses for patterns include:
- Creating professional “About Me” sections
- Building consistent blog post headers
- Designing call-to-action sections
- Structuring team member profiles
- Crafting testimonial layouts
- Access Patterns
- Click (+) button
- Switch to Patterns tab
- Browse categories by content type or purpose
- Using Patterns
- Pre-designed block combinations ready for instant use
- Click to insert the entire pattern at once
- Customize text, images, and styling after insertion
- Save time by starting with a professional design structure
When choosing patterns, look for ones that match your content goals. For example, if you’re creating a services page, look for patterns with columns and icons. For a blog post introduction, consider patterns with featured images and text overlays.
Groups and Columns
Understanding how to use groups and columns effectively can transform your content from basic to professional-looking layouts.
- Group Blocks Groups are like containers that hold multiple blocks together. They’re invaluable when you need to:
- Create sections that should stay together when moving content
- Apply consistent styling to multiple blocks at once
- Build reusable content sections
- Maintain clean, organized layouts
- Team member profiles with image and bio
- Feature boxes with icon, heading, and description
- Testimonial sections with quote and author info
- Product highlights with image and specifications
- Column Layouts Columns help create sophisticated page layouts without complex coding. They’re perfect for:
- Comparing products or services side by side
- Creating feature grids
- Building pricing tables
- Displaying team members in a grid
- Start with a clear purpose for your columnar layout
- Consider how columns will stack on mobile devices
- Keep content in each column balanced
- Use consistent styling across columns
- Don’t overcrowd columns with too much content
Remember that columns automatically stack on mobile devices, so always preview how your layout looks on smaller screens.
Previewing Content
Preview Methods
Previewing your content before publishing is crucial for ensuring a professional appearance across all devices. With more than half of web traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s essential to verify your content looks great everywhere.
- In-Editor Preview
- Switch between device views (desktop, tablet, mobile)
- Perfect for quick layout checks while editing
- Use this to catch obvious layout issues early
- Helps you make real-time adjustments to spacing and formatting
- New Tab Preview
- Opens in new browser tab to show exactly how your post will appear live
- Most accurate representation of your final content
- Essential for testing interactive elements like:
- Menu dropdowns
- Button hover effects
- Form interactions
- Test responsive design thoroughly:
- Resize browser window to see how content adapts
- Check mobile appearance for readability
- Verify column stacking works properly
- Ensure images scale appropriately
- Test all interactive elements
Always preview your content on multiple devices before publishing. Pay special attention to:
- Text readability on smaller screens
- Image scaling and placement
- Menu and button accessibility
- Form functionality
- Overall spacing and alignment
Block Customization
Style Options
- Typography
- Font size adjustment
- Custom sizes available
- Text color options
- Spacing
- Padding controls
- Margin settings
- Space between blocks
- Borders
- Border style
- Border width
- Border radius
- Color options
Advanced Settings
- HTML Anchor
- Create jump links
- Internal page navigation
- Additional CSS Classes
- Custom styling
- Theme integration
Best Practices
- Organization
- Use groups for related content
- Maintain clear block hierarchy
- Use appropriate block types
- Mobile Optimization
- Preview all content on mobile
- Ensure readable text sizes
- Check column stacking
- Regular Saving
- Use auto-save feature
- Preview before publishing
- Check all device views
We’ve covered so much, are you feeling smarter about WordPress already? Let’s keep going and learn about the Media Library.
Media Library
The Media Library is your central hub for managing all images, videos, documents, and other media files in WordPress. Understanding how to effectively manage your media will help you create more engaging content and maintain an organized website.
Accessing and Adding Media
The Media Library can be accessed from the left sidebar of your WordPress dashboard. Here you’ll find all your uploaded media files and tools to manage them.
Adding New Media
- Upload Methods
- Click “Add New” button
- Drag and drop files directly into the library
- Select files from your computer
- View Options
- Grid View: Visual thumbnail display, perfect for image-heavy websites
- List View: Detailed information including author, upload date, and file attachments
- Switch between views based on your current needs
Managing Media Files
When you hover over any media file, you’ll see several important options:
- Quick Actions
- Edit: Modify file details and properties
- Delete Permanently: Remove file from library
- View: See the full-size version
- Copy URL: Get direct link to media file
- Download: Save file to your computer
- File Information
- Title: Helps organize and identify media
- Filename: Original file name
- Upload date
- File dimensions
- Attachment status (if linked to posts/pages)
Editing Media Properties
When editing a media file, you can modify several crucial properties that affect how your media appears and functions on your site:
- Title and Description
- Change the title for better organization
- Original filename remains unchanged for URL stability
- Add descriptions for internal reference
- Alternative Text (Alt Text) This is crucial for several reasons:
- Accessibility: Screen readers use this text to describe images
- SEO: Search engines use alt text to understand image content
- Backup: Displays if image fails to load
- Be descriptive but concise
- Include relevant keywords naturally
- Describe the image’s content and purpose
- Example: “MacBook laptop and iPhone on dark wood flooring” rather than just “laptop”
- Captions Captions appear below images on your site and serve several purposes:
- Provide additional context
- Credit image sources
- Add explanatory text
- Support journalistic or academic content
- Basic text descriptions
- Source attribution
- HTML code for links
- Formatting based on your theme’s styles
Image Editing Tools
WordPress includes basic but essential image editing tools:
- Cropping
- Resize and reposition images
- Create perfect squares for social media
- Remove unwanted portions of images
- Maintain aspect ratios for consistency
- Scaling Important considerations:
- Only scale images down, never up
- Maintain aspect ratios for proper proportions
- Scale before other edits for best results
- Consider original image size for quality
- Rotation
- Fix image orientation
- Make quick adjustments
- Basic but essential when needed
Best Practices
- File Organization
- Use descriptive titles
- Add proper alt text immediately
- Include captions when relevant
- Maintain consistent naming conventions
- Image Optimization
- Scale images appropriately before upload
- Use appropriate file formats
- Consider image dimensions for your theme
- Balance quality with file size
- Library Management
- Regularly review and delete unused media
- Keep track of image sources and credits
- Maintain organized file structure
- Back up media files regularly
Using Media in Content
While we’ll cover this more in the post and page sections, remember that the Media Library is integrated throughout WordPress:
- Insert media directly into posts and pages
- Set featured images for content
- Create galleries and collections
- Embed media in widgets and menus
6. Apply Website Best Practices
This section is coming soon! Subscribe to learn when it’s ready.
7. Design Your Website
This section is coming soon!
8. Install Essential Plugins
This section is coming soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WordPress good for building a website?
WordPress is an excellent platform for building websites, currently powering over 43% of all websites on the internet. The platform provides a user-friendly content management system with thousands of customizable themes and extensive plugin options. WordPress regularly releases security updates and maintains a strong community support system. The platform creates naturally SEO-friendly websites that work well on all devices, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and professionals.
Can a beginner build a WordPress website?
Beginners can successfully build WordPress websites without any coding knowledge or technical experience. The platform comes with visual page builders and pre-made templates that make website creation straightforward. WordPress includes step-by-step setup wizards and drag-and-drop interfaces that guide new users through the process. The extensive online tutorials and active support communities ensure beginners can find help whenever needed.
How much does it cost to build a WordPress website?
Building a WordPress website requires some essential costs and optional investments. The minimum required costs include a domain name at $10-15 per year and web hosting starting at $5-30 per month. Most hosting providers include free SSL certificates. Optional costs might include a premium theme ranging from $30-100 as a one-time purchase and professional plugins costing between $0-200 per year. For a basic website, the total startup cost typically ranges from $100-500, though custom development can increase this cost significantly.
What types of websites can I build with WordPress?
WordPress supports the creation of virtually any type of website imaginable. Users can build professional business websites, full-featured e-commerce stores, personal blogs, news sites, photography portfolios, membership platforms, online courses, community forums, restaurant websites, real estate listings, and educational platforms. The platform’s flexibility allows it to adapt to any website purpose through its extensive theme and plugin ecosystem.
What are the steps to build a WordPress website?
Building a WordPress website follows a clear sequence of steps that ensure a professional result. The process begins with purchasing a domain name and hosting service, followed by installing WordPress on your hosting server. Next, you select and customize a theme that matches your vision, install essential plugins for functionality, and create your main website pages. After adding your content and configuring your settings, you thoroughly test your website before launching it to the public.
Is WordPress free to use?
WordPress offers its core software completely free of charge, but building a functional website requires some investment. While the WordPress software, basic themes, essential plugins, and regular updates are free, you must pay for a domain name, web hosting, and SSL certificate to make your website accessible on the internet. These essential services typically cost between $100-300 per year for a basic website.
What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.com and WordPress.org serve different needs in website creation. WordPress.com operates as a hosted platform with built-in features and limited customization options, charging a monthly subscription for managed service. WordPress.org provides the free software for self-hosted websites, offering complete control and customization options while requiring you to manage your own hosting and maintenance.
How long does it take to build a WordPress website?
The time required to build a WordPress website depends largely on the project’s complexity and your preparation. A basic website typically takes 4-7 days to complete, with 1-2 days for initial setup and 3-5 days for content creation and refinement. More complex websites requiring custom features and extensive content might take 3-6 weeks to complete. The timeline varies based on factors such as website complexity, content preparation, custom feature requirements, developer experience, and client feedback cycles.