Want to start your own website, but not sure where to begin? You don’t have to go to web design school to understand the basics of website building! One of the most popular, simple-to-use platforms for quick website development is WordPress. If you’re interested in using WordPress to launch your new site, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll show you how to create a website on the WordPress platform in just 10 easy steps.
1. REGISTER YOUR URL
The first step in learning how to create a website is to register the URL (or domain name) for your website. This will serve as the “address” people will use to reach your site.
Your site’s domain name is very important to your branding process. So, be sure to choose a URL that represents the brand properly. Also, make sure that it’s easy to spell and that it’s memorable, so people can quickly return to your site. Your first step to website building is as simple as that!
2. PURCHASE A WEB HOSTING PACKAGE
The web host is where all the files needed for your website to function and exist are stored (or hosted). Your web host is also where you’ll establish your domain’s email addresses and install different types of software on the site, such as WordPress, shopping carts, online store, etc.
Some hosting companies allow you to pay-per-month. Others make you pay for web hosting for 6-12 months in advance.
3. INSTALL WORDPRESS
Now, it’s time to install WordPress to your domain. These days, most web hosts have some type of 1-click integration for installing WordPress, which can be found in the control panel. If not, you’ll have to install WordPress manually.
When considering your website building and hosting options, any web host that doesn’t have 1-click WordPress installation may not be an innovative host. You may want to move your domain to another host at the end of your billing cycle.
4. CHOOSE YOUR WORDPRESS THEME
Once WordPress is installed, your site will be really plain and dry. You’ll need to install a theme you like in order to customize the look of the site:
- Log into your site at https://yoursite.com/wp-admin
- Click Appearance >>> Themes
- Browse and search using keywords and other criteria until you find what suits you
This makes web design super simple! Customize your theme if it comes with that option. If so, that’s where you should be able to add your brand’s logo, favicon, header image, background image, social media links, etc.
5. SETUP BRAND INFORMATION
Your next step in website building is further customization. Go to Settings and add information about your brand or about yourself. This includes the site title and the tagline. This is very important because Google and other search engines use this info to understand what you site is about when adding it to search results.
6. INSTALL PLUGINS
WordPress sites can stand-alone without any frills, but they’re much better with them. In WordPress sites, these frills are known as plugins. They can include anything from social sharing buttons, polls, surveys, backup/restore features, SEO tools and more.
7. SETUP WIDGETS
Those cute little boxes and buttons and tools in the sidebars of websites are called widgets. You have the power to add, remove and edit them to customize your site as you please. This is where most site owners add a short form where users can subscribe to their blogs.
8. CREATE PAGES
Add new pages to your site’s web design. Some popular pages include home, blog, about us, contact us, how it works, FAQ, store, terms of use and privacy policy.
9. DESIGN FRONT PAGE
Add extras to your front page (home page). These could be images, social follow/share tools, videos, boxes, etc. You’ll also need to add some text content to let visitors (and search engines) know what the site is all about upon hitting your front page.
10. CREATE POST
Now, it’s time to publish your first post, if you plan to have a blog attached to your website. Not all sites need a blog. But, it’s a great way to add fresh, new content to your site regularly, which helps bring traffic to the site.
LEARN HOW TO CREATE A WEBSITE FROM THE WEB DESIGN PROGRAM AT F.I.R.S.T. INSTITUTE
Here at F.I.R.S.T. Institute, we strive every day to be of service to our students and provide them with the very best that we can offer — from a faculty made up of experienced industry professionals to a broad spectrum of courses and a dedicated Career Development department, we do all we can to ensure that our students receive the best possible educational opportunities. We give students access to everything they need to succeed, both in class and on the job.
If you’d like to know more about our web design program where you’ll learn about website building in depth, please give us a call or send us an email! Our admissions team are standing by to answer any questions you might have.
