WordPress, at its core, is an open-source blogging platform designed using PHP code and MySQL databases. It empowers users to effortlessly create and manage websites through account setup and user-friendly settings.
Now, let’s delve into the essential steps for crafting your own WordPress website.
Step 1: Choose and Purchase Shared Hosting and a Domain
Investing in shared hosting and securing a domain is the foundation of your website creation journey. Fortunately, this initial investment isn’t overly expensive and is well worth it for launching your website.
As a beginner, WordPress shared hosting is the simplest option, sparing you the complexities associated with VPS or dedicated servers.
Moreover, it comes at an affordable price, with some hosting providers offering plans for just a few dollars per month. However, I recommend selecting a hosting plan for your WordPress website that costs no less than $4 per month; remember, you get what you pay for.
Starting with shared hosting is straightforward, and you can explore options like Fastcomet, a reliable cloud shared hosting service that’s easy to manage.
The next crucial step is acquiring a domain. While some websites may operate with free hosting and domain names, I strongly advise against this approach. Opting for a free domain can compromise your website’s professionalism, which can deter readers or customers.
To avoid this, invest in a reputable domain name. Websites like Namecheap offer domain names starting at just $9.8 per year, a reasonable price for enhancing your website’s credibility.
I recommend using Namecheap due to its user-friendly interface, simplifying the process of purchasing and managing domains. Even if you’re not well-versed in DNS settings, Namecheap provides straightforward management options.
Pro tips: You should not buy a domain at the same company with your hosting firm. In case, you do not like the features of hosting services, you can move to another one easily without any troubles and worries.
Step 2: Linking Your Domain and Hosting
Your website can only go live when your domain and hosting are seamlessly connected. To achieve this, follow these straightforward steps:
* Add your domain to your hosting account, typically done through your hosting management dashboard. Most hosting companies will handle this step for you, especially when you purchase shared hosting for your initial website. So, no need to stress about it when launching your first site.
For example, if you’re using Sectorlink as your host, adding a domain is a breeze. Just select “Add Website,” and a simple form will appear, prompting you to provide the necessary information for domain integration. It’s a quick and hassle-free process, and this is one of the compelling reasons why I recommend Sectorlink.
* Connect the IP or DNS from the domain to the host, this setting is done in the domain dashboard. With the domain on Namecheap, you login into the dashboard of the domain, go to the domain which you want to start, choose the manage tab, then customize DNS, add DNS to the domain.
There are common 2 couples of DNS: ns1.hostingdomain.com & ns2.hostingdomain.com. This DNS is supplied by the hosting companies, which comes to your email when you register to buy hosting.
Remember to save it when you finish editing. Wait few minutes up to 48 hours for all DNS updating. For using Sectorlink and Namecheap, it just needs to wait for under one hour with my experience.
Step 3: Proceed to install the WordPress platform for running the website
After the domain and hosting have been connected, you continue proceeding to install the WordPress platform on the host to run your website, which will allow you to edit and customize the website.
Starting in step 3, you need to create a database of MySQL on the hosting. Navigate to the Database or MySQL area and begin establishing the database name and user. Then, you connect them together.
You can check the example as below below, but note that at different hosting suppliers, the way to create the database is a little different, but not too difficult.
A database name, username, and password should be written down for using it later when you install the WordPress platform.
There are two ways to install the WordPress platform:
One-click or automatic installation: Most of the hosting companies have one-click or automatic WordPress installation section and you just need to install it in a few simple easy steps. You find the installer at the software section, and you see the icon of WordPress. That is the feature to start installing WP automatically.
Manual installation: You can also install WordPress software manually using FTP Filezilla, Core FTP, or come directly to the File Manager of Control Panel of hosting management.
When you start installing it, the system will ask you the information, for example, database name, username, password, admin, and admin email of website… You follow these questions to finish installation.
Step 4: Select an interface or a theme for your website
After installing the WordPress platform, your website has a simple default theme. You can change another one to help your site look more beautiful and professional.
Themes for WordPress websites have two basic types: Free and Premium themes which you will pay for. You can see here to choose the best WordPress themes for bloggers.
Free themes offer directly on wordpress.org. To select one of them, you move to the dashboard of WordPress, Appearance, then Themes, Add new. Immediately, hundreds of free themes show out. Choose it, and install, and Active the theme. Done!
Premium themes are also found on wordpress.org, but most of them come from other companies on other websites. Paid templates have more features and great designs. Many theme services give you plenty of choices. I like to get them from these places: themeforest.net, theme-junkie.com, elegantthemes.com.
I have been a lifetime member of theme-junkie.com for a long time. So, if you want to get one of the themes from theme-junkie.com, please tell me! I can give it to you, install a theme like a demo and guide you to use it with a small fee. Contact me!
After having a favorite theme, you begin to edit and customize the interface to make your website suitable for your business.
Step 5: Install essential WordPress plugins
WordPress Plugins are tools that have specific features, which WordPress source codes do not integrate. Like themes, the WordPress Plugins have two types of paid and free ones. You can choose one or more of them to fit your needs.
The essential WordPress plugins which I recommend to use are Yoast SEO Plugin for doing SEO, TJ Custom CSS for customizing CSS, Autoptimize plugin for optimizing your site by aggregating, minifying and caching scripts and styles and injecting CSS.
>> You may want to learn how to install a shortcode in wordpress.
In conclusion
This post tells you all the basic steps to create your own WordPress website. After setting up the website, the next jobs you have to do are to develop content, customize the interface, optimize the content for Search Engine Optimization including on-page and off-page, speed up WordPress Website…. There is plenty of work that requires you to invest your time and mind.
For now, if you have any questions or difficulties while installing and setting up the WordPress sites, please tell me as below!
Leave a Comment