When it comes to building websites, it has never been easier for the general population to create their own website without any prior knowledge or experience with coding. Today, several website-building platforms allow you to build a fantastic website with the ease of mostly a “drag and drop” and “copy/paste” method that many people can follow. However, although they ultimately achieve the same goal of allowing you to build a website with ease, each comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. We have chosen our top 4 website-building platforms and want to briefly break each of them down to explain why we believe that WordPress may be the best choice for your next website.
8 Easy Steps Anyone Can Follow To Build A Website with WordPress
Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Web Hosting Provider
- Choose a Domain Name: Select a unique and memorable domain name that reflects your website’s purpose. Use a domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap to register your chosen domain.
- Select a Web Hosting Provider: Choose a reliable web hosting provider such as GoDaddy, Bluehost, SiteGround, or HostGator. Consider factors like server performance, customer support, and included features. We’re big proponents of WP Engine, because it’s easy to use, fast and secure.
- Point Your Domain to Your Host: If you purchased a hosting service that is different from your domain name registrar, then you will need to point your domain to the hosts server. Your host will provide instructions to configure your DNS settings so that it’s pointing to the right server. (Note: For easy setup, we recommend using the same provider for hosting that you used to register your domain. That way you can skip this step altogether. Most providers like GoDaddy provide both services, as well as add-ons like email addresses and more.)
Step 2: Install WordPress & Log In To Your Site
- Access Your Hosting Account: Log in to your hosting account and locate the control panel. Most hosting providers use cPanel, where you’ll find an option to install WordPress.
- Install WordPress: Use the one-click WordPress installation feature provided by your hosting service. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your WordPress username and password.
- Access the WordPress Dashboard: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard using the credentials you created during the installation. The Worpdress admin dashboard is usually accessible through your hosting platform, or by simply typing in “/wp-admin” after your domain like so: “yourdomain.com/wp-admin”
Step 3: Create Regular Backups of Your Site
- Setup Automatic Backups with Your Host: Before you do any work on your site, you will need to make sure your hosting provider has regular backups available. If your site breaks at any point while you’re building it out, or worse, after you launch it, you won’t be able to restore it without a backup, and you’ll likely need to hire a skilled web developer to help you fix it. In some cases, your host’s support team will be able to locate a backup for you. (Note: Most hosting providers will offer automatic daily backups for your site, sometimes for an extra fee. This is a worthy investment. Make sure you know how to backup and restore your site using the features your hosting provider has available before you move forward. Contact your host’s support team if you’re unsure how to do this.)
Step 4: Configure Your Site Settings & Link Structure
- Access General Settings: In the dashboard, go to “Settings” > “General.” Set your site title, tagline, and other basic information.
- Access Permalinks: In the dashboard, go to “Settings” > “Permalinks.” This controls the structure of your website’s URLs. Choose a permalink structure that is SEO-friendly, such as “Post Name.”
Step 5: Choose a WordPress Theme or Build From Scratch
- Install a Theme: In the dashboard, go to “Appearance” and then “Themes.” Browse the WordPress theme repository or install a premium theme of your choice.
- Use a Pagebuilder Plugin: Alternatively, you can use a pagebuilder plugin like Elementor or Divi to custom build your website from scratch. Pagebuilders often provide templates for various pages, as well as headers and footers. We prefer Elementor. (Note: If you’ve already installed a theme and you want to use a pagebuilder plugin for further customization, you will need to use a pagebuilder that is compatible with your theme. Your theme’s documentation should provide more information on pagebuilder compatibility. Typically WordPress’s default themes are compatible with most page builders.)
Step 6: Customize Your Theme & Add Menus
- Customize Your Theme: In the “Appearance” menu, click on “Customize.” Here, you can modify site identity, colors, fonts, and other design elements.
- Create Menus and Add Pages: Create a menu by going to “Appearance” > “Menus” and add essential pages to it, like Home, About, and Contact. You’ll be able to see pages you’ve already created here so you can add them to your menus, or you can simply create new blank pages here.
Step 7: Install Essential Plugins
- Install Essential Plugins: In the dashboard, go to “Plugins” and then “Add New.” Search for and install essential plugins like Yoast SEO for search engine optimization, Akismet for spam protection, and a caching plugin like WP Rocket for performance.
- Install a Security Plugin: Strengthen your website’s security by installing a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri. Follow the plugin’s setup instructions to enhance your site’s protection.
Step 8: Launch Your Website
- Remove Default Content: Delete any default posts or pages that WordPress automatically creates, such as the “Hello World” post.
- Publish Hidden Content: There’s no official “launch” button in WordPress, but if you’ve hidden posts or pages from the public by putting them in “private” mode, you can go ahead and publish them. Alternatively, if you’ve set up a “Coming Soon” page, you can launch the site by setting your Homepage as the primary page for the site.
- Announce Your Launch: Once you’re satisfied with your website’s appearance and functionality, announce your launch through social media, email, or any other channels you prefer.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up your WordPress website. Remember to regularly update your themes, plugins, and WordPress core for optimal performance and security.
While we do believe that WordPress may be the superior platform, we want to emphasize that any of these platforms will help you create a fantastic website. It is important to choose the best platform that fits your needs and what you feel most comfortable with. Most of these platforms, if not all, offer a free trial period that we encourage you to take advantage of so that you can see for yourself which platform suits you the best. However, it is also important to note that all these platforms are typically best for more basic websites. With their user-friendly interface also comes a varying degree of limitations and restrictions.
Looking to Build a Professional- Grade Website?
At Metapixel, we have no limitations when it comes to the possibilities of designing an amazing website. We have designed dozens of professional-grade websites, some of which are showcased HERE on our portfolio web page. From clean and simplistic to robust and complex, we can turn your vision into a reality. Let our team of experienced developers do the heavy lifting for you so that you can focus on running and scaling your business! Schedule a call with us today to learn more about our website development services!
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