Are you looking to create a WordPress website, or update your old one? Starting a website with WordPress can be a daunting thought, but I can assure you that I am here for you every step of the way! Check out some of my favorite resources to get you started, and be sure to contact me if you are interested in learning more about how I can help you create something wonderful.
Beginners Guide to Creating a WordPress Website.
If you are considering building your website on WordPress, there are several benefits.
WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. Its user-friendly interface and extensive library of themes and plugins make it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced web developers alike.
If subtle animation is something important to you, WordPress is your go-to. Themes are much more customizable with animations like the fade-in effect you see throughout my website and really stand out from the crowd when comparing to a completely static website.
WordPress is great for finding a specific theme for your business. On Envato ThemeForest, you can find thousands of themes for your industry. Search and narrow down to find the perfect design for your yoga website, construction business, or even something as unique as a trade show company! (All websites I have designed!)
Another great feature of WordPress is the third-party plugin support. If you need more than a basic website, WordPress gives you the addition of using plugins to allow for things like calendar scheduling, countdowns, analytics and insights, marketing forms, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and more!
When you are working on your website you need to think about how people are going to find you. At the base of everything, your domain, or website URL needs to be easy to spell, short and sweet, and avoid numbers and too many pronouns.
Do you want to remember notyouraverageadventures.wordpress.com or something shorter and easier to remember, idoadventureco.com? This was my first real-life example when I realized how important domains are when I transferred my blog from the free WordPress to a self-hosted WordPress site. Your domain name is your identity on the web; you want to make sure you choose a domain name that not only fits your business, but is also easy to find and promote. Read more in GoDaddy’s 10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Domain Name.
I always advise my clients to start with a search on ThemeForest for their specific industry.
This allows you to get an idea what the best selling themes are out there if you aren’t quite sure who your competition is. Next, consider what you like about a particular theme. Do you like full width pages with stunning imagery? Do you want a magazine-style layout for your blog with featured posts? Check out this post on do’s and don’ts when picking your WordPress theme.
When we work together on a website project I will typically give you 2-3 themes that I like and think would work for your project and together we discuss what functionalities we would carry through to the final design.
Now that your website is starting to take shape, it’s essential to choose a reliable hosting provider to ensure that your site is fast, secure, and always accessible to your visitors. There are many hosting providers that offer WordPress hosting plans, each with its own features and pricing.
When choosing a hosting provider, look for one that offers 24/7 customer support, automatic WordPress updates, daily backups, and fast loading speeds. Popular hosting providers for WordPress include GoDaddy, Bluehost, SiteGround, but feel free to research and compare different providers to find the best fit for your needs and budget. I have experience using all three of these hosting providers, and they are listed in my preferred order.
Once you’ve selected a hosting provider, follow their instructions to set up your hosting account and install WordPress. Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation, making the process quick and painless.
Before launching your site, be sure to thoroughly test it to ensure that everything is working correctly and looks as you intended. Check for any broken links, formatting issues, or other errors that may detract from the user experience.
Once you’re satisfied with your website, it’s time to share it with the world! Promote your website on social media, email newsletters, and other channels to attract visitors and grow your online presence.
