WordPress is the most popular content management system in the world. It offers free software to build websites of any kind. Even if you have zero prior experience, it is quite simple to start with. That’s why so many people choose it.
You can build an eCommerce store, a personal blog, or a portfolio; the options are almost endless. Many students start their own businesses and use WordPress to create company websites. Of course, it takes some time to get a hand on all the features. But one doesn’t need any coding skills to do so.
Surely, students do not always have a lot of free time. They have to navigate college with an endless number of written assignments and projects. However, it is possible to get help with that. One can get assistance from a professional write my research paper platform with any part of their college work. Whether you struggle with writing, editing, or proofreading, the academic writing experts will help in no time.
And while they do so, you can focus on building a personal or company’s website with WordPress. Here is an easy guide to doing it right.
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Choose Between WordPress.org and WordPress.com
The first step is to choose one of the two options. The decision depends on your goals and how much control of your website you want. The main difference between those two is who is hosting it.
WordPress.com hosts it for you. Here you won’t have to download any software or manage a server. The address will have wordpress.com at the end. You can still customize it; there are both free and premium plans. But you won’t have full control over it.
WordPress.org allows you to host your own website with third-party hosting. Think of hosting as a house where the website is. Here you’ll have complete control of the platform. You’ll also have to download software and set it up yourself.
It is possible to get upgraded from the first option to the second one, so maybe first-time WordPress users will prefer a simpler option. Yet, if you are serious about your platform, it is always better to be in control of it.
How to Build the Website Yourself
If your choice is WordPress.org, here are the steps to set up and get your platform running.
Step 1. Choose Domain Name
This one is easy – the domain name is the title of your platform. If hosting is a home, then the domain name is the address, for example, “www.domainname.com.” Research what names are already taken and what can be used.
Select a title that represents the site and the brand. It should be easy to remember and easy to find as well. You can register it on many domain registration platforms. Now it is yours.
Step 2. Select Hosting
Overall, there are three types of hosting out there:
- Shared one – many sites share the same server of a provider. It is the most basic, popular, and cheap option;
- VPS hosting – you get a separate unit in a server of many units;
- Dedicated hosting – you get a separate server. This one makes sense for large corporations with a lot of financial resources.
It is pretty much a standard to choose shared hosting for all beginners. It is more than enough, and it is affordable. Some of the popular providers are:
- Bluehost;
- Kinsta;
- WP Engine;
- GoDaddy.
You go to one of their platforms and select a subscription right for you. Make sure that they offer PHP (language WP is written with) version 7.4 and higher, MySQL (database used in WP) version 5.6 and higher, and HTTPS support (security protocol).
All of that ensures that your website will perform well.
Step 3. Install WordPress Software
To connect your domain with the CMS, you usually need to install the software. However, providers like WP Engine and Kinsta do not require that – the software is pre-built in.
To install it, go to your hosting account, log in, and find “options & settings.” There among “popular apps,” you will find WordPress and click “install.” That’s it, but remember that installation might take a while.
Step 4. Set Primary Domain
After the installation is complete, you need to set your domain as primary. It means that internet users will be able to find it.
Go to WordPress – My site – Domains. Here select the one you want to make a primary domain. And click “make primary.”
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Step 5. Apply the Theme
The theme is the layout of the platform. WP usually applies the default one, which is pretty basic. There are hundreds of thousands of themes created for this one. There are free ones as well as paid-for ones. Overall, there are plenty of WordPress hacks and tricks. Still, it is always easier for a beginner to stick to the basics before getting more experience.
Select the one you like and go for the specific functions you need. There are separate themes for blogs, online stores, portfolios, etc.
To find and apply a new theme, go to the admin dashboard. Click Appearance – Themes. There you have a library of them. Select the suitable and install. Remember that you can also customize it after.
Step 6. Add Pages and Posts
Your site is already running, but it lacks content. So, you can simply create pages – static ones or posts – dynamic ones.
Pages are great for something like “about us.” Posts are great for news, blogs, or portfolios, as the last ones are presented first.
To add any of them, go to the admin dashboard and choose “posts” or “pages,” and click “add new.” You can write and edit it before publishing.
Step 7. Add Plugins
Plugins are separate software blocks that add functions to your website. There are plenty of useful WordPress plugins out there, so it is easy to go overboard. But remember to use only necessary ones, as they affect the site‘s speed.
Some of the popular ones are:
- Yoast SEO – SEO optimization;
- HubSpot plugin – pop-ups, forms, live chats;
- WooCommerce – sell products/services online;
- WordFence Security – firewall and malware protection.
Go to a dashboard – add new – search for a plugin – install now. After installation, you need to click “activate.” Here you go – the platform is ready for the world to see.
Conclusion
Anyone can create a custom platform for their needs in these seven steps. Of course, after that, there is maintenance, SEO, and performance optimization. But the hardest work is already done.
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