How to Build a Website Using WordPress: A Beginner’s Guide

Have you ever searched how to build a website using WordPress and found yourself drowning in complex guides?

Well, not this time!

Now that you’re in the right place, you can finally learn how to build a website using WordPress with straightforward, and easy-to-follow steps.

So are you ready to get started? Let’s make it happen.

A Step-by-step Guide on How to Build a Website Using WordPress

Approximately 43.5% of websites worldwide are powered by WordPress, making it one of the most accessible and user-friendly website builders available. Learning how to build a website using WordPress might be intimidating but with these simple steps, you’ll be launching a site faster than you can say, “Is it live yet?”

Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Hosting Provider

Before you learn how to build a website using WordPress, you’ll need a domain name like “www.domain_name.com” and a hosting provider.

After choosing your domain, you must pick a reliable hosting provider. Many options, like GoDaddy, Hostinger, and Bluehost, offer one-click WordPress installation, making the setup process seamless.

Tips for Picking a Domain Name

1. Keep it short and memorable.

2. Make it relevant to your business or brand.

3. Avoid numbers or special characters for simplicity.

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Step 2: Install WordPress

Now comes the fun part. Most hosting providers offer an easy way to install WordPress, which is critical if you’re learning how to build a website using WordPress. 

Once you’ve logged into your hosting account, find the “Install WordPress” button and follow the instructions or you can install WordPress manually by downloading it from WordPress.org if your hosting provider doesn’t have a one-click installation option.

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Step 3: Choose Your Theme

Choosing the right theme is essential because your WordPress theme is like the outfit for your website, dictating how it looks and feels. Luckily, WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes to suit any style or purpose.

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.

2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes > Add New.

3. Browse and preview different themes until you find one that suits your taste.

4. Click Install and then Activate.

Whether you’re building a portfolio, blog, or e-commerce site, there’s a theme for every need.

Step 4: Customise Your Theme

Customising your theme is an essential part of how to build a website using WordPress as it makes your site uniquely yours.

• Logo: Upload your logo under Appearance > Customize > Site Identity.
• Colour Scheme: Set brand colours to keep the website cohesive.
• Fonts: Use fonts that are easy to read and reflect your brand’s personality.

Some themes come with their customisation or settings, so play around until it looks just right.

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Step 5: Add Essential Plugins

Plugins are the apps of WordPress. They add extra functionality, like security, SEO optimisation, or e-commerce capabilities. A key part of learning how to build a website using WordPress is knowing which plugins you’ll need.

To install a plugin, go to Plugins > Add New, search for the plugin name, click Install Now, and then Activate. Here are some must-have plugins.

1. Yoast SEO: For better SEO ranking.
2. Wordfence Security: For anti-virus, Firewall and Malware Scan.
3. WPForms or Contact Forms: To add contact forms.
4. WooCommerce: If you want to sell products.
5. Site Kit Google: To analyse traffic and ranking.
6. WP Optimize: To clear the cache.
7. Smush: For image optimisation.

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Step 6: Create Essential Pages

Every website needs a few core pages. This part of how to build a website using WordPress focuses on what to include to make your site functional and informative.

To create pages, go to Pages > Add New, type in the title and content, and click Publish.

1. Home Page: The first impression. Introduce your brand and what you offer.
2. About Page: Share your story, mission, or the faces behind the brand.
3. Services/Products: Describe what you offer with clear descriptions.
4. Contact Page: Add a form or contact details to make reaching you easy.
5. Blog Page: If you’re planning on posting content regularly.

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Step 7: Setup Navigation Menu

Setting up menus is another crucial aspect when learning how to build a website using WordPress. A good navigation menu makes it easy for visitors to explore your site.

1. Go to Appearance > Menus.
2. Create a new menu and select the pages to add.
3. Arrange the pages in the order you want.
4. Save and assign the menu to a location (usually the header or footer).

Step 8: Optimise for SEO

Learning a few SEO basics is invaluable while building a website using WordPress because SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) helps your website rank higher on search engines.

1. Install Yoast SEO or a similar plugin to guide you through on-page SEO improvements.
2. Compress and optimise images by adding alt texts to speed up your site.
3. Add Meta Descriptions and Titles: For each page and post, create a concise description to make it easier for search engines to understand your content.

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Step 9: Set up Google Analytics

Google Analytics will help you track your site’s performance and by providing data on traffic, behaviour, and demographics it helps to understand how people interact with your website.

1. Sign up at Google Analytics.
2. Install a plugin like Google Site Kit or manually add the tracking code to your website.
3. Use this data to refine your content and improve user experience.

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Step 10: Publish and Go Live 

After following all these steps, you are ready to publish and go live with your website.

Final Thoughts

Congratulations! You know how to build a website using WordPress from scratch. As you can see, WordPress makes it easy to create a professional-looking site without coding knowledge. Whether you’re starting a blog, a portfolio, or a business site, following these steps will get you there.

But hold on! 

Imagine being able to not only build a stunning website but also market it effectively. By enrolling in our comprehensive digital marketing course, you won’t just learn the basics of web development; you’ll gain practical experience that empowers you to manage and grow your personal website effectively.

So why settle for just a website when you can build a complete online presence? Join our course now!

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