How To Make a Website With WordPress (Beginners Tutorial)

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating a WordPress website from scratch. Designed for beginners, this step-by-step guide will take you through getting a domain name and hosting, installing WordPress, customizing your site, and much more—no coding is necessary!

Step 1: Get a Domain Name and Hosting

• Visit Hostinger's website to purchase a domain and hosting plan.
• Choose a domain name that reflects your brand or purpose.
• Select a hosting plan that suits your needs, then complete the purchase.

Step 2: Install WordPress

• Log in to your Hostinger account and access the hosting dashboard.
• Look for the option to install WordPress (usually found in the website section).
• Follow the prompts to install WordPress on your domain.

Step 3: Log Into WordPress Admin Dashboard

• Access your WordPress admin dashboard by visiting yourdomain.com/wp-admin.
• Enter your credentials created during the installation.

Step 4: Uninstall Default Plugins

• In the dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
• Deactivate and delete any default plugins that you don’t plan to use.

Step 5: Update WordPress

• Go to Dashboard > Updates.
• Click on the "Update Now" button if a new version is available.

Step 6: Add and Modify Users

• Navigate to Users > Add New.
• Fill in the required fields to create new user accounts.

Step 7: Update Permalinks

• Go to Settings > Permalinks.
• Choose a permalink structure that suits your website (e.g., Post name for SEO).

Step 8: Install a WordPress Theme

• Go to Appearance > Themes.
• Click on “Add New” and search for OceanWP or another theme of your choice.
• Install and activate the theme.

Step 9: Install Plugins

• Go to Plugins > Add New.
• Search for essential plugins (e.g., for SEO, security, and backups) and install them.

Step 10: Install a Demo Template

• Go to Appearance > Import Demo Data (if your theme supports it).
• Choose a demo to import and follow the prompts.

Step 11: Backup Your Website

• Use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus to set up regular backups.
• Configure backup settings to store files securely.

Step 12: Customize Your Website

• Begin personalizing your site through the WordPress Customizer (Appearance > Customize).
• Modify your site's title, tagline, and general settings.

Step 13: Create a Custom Logo

• Use tools like LogoMakr to design your logo.
• Upload your logo through the Customizer under Site Identity.

Step 14: Update General Colors

• In the Customizer, navigate to Colors.
• Choose a color palette that matches your brand.

Step 15: Add a Favicon

• In the Customizer, go to Site Identity.
• Upload a small icon to be displayed in the browser tab.

Step 16: Edit Website Content

• Use the WordPress editor to modify existing content.
• Make changes to text, images, and layout as desired.

Step 17: Add Custom Elements with Elementor

• Install and activate the Elementor plugin.
• Use Elementor to drag and drop custom elements onto your pages.

Step 18: Update Links and Media

• Ensure all internal and external links are functional.
• Add or replace images as necessary using the media library.

Step 19: Create New Pages

• Go to Pages > Add New to create new content.
• Design pages like About Us, Services, and Contact.

Step 20: Set Homepage and Blog Layout

• Go to Settings > Reading to set your homepage.
• Choose a static page or your latest posts for the blog page.

Step 21: Create and Edit Blog Posts

• Go to Posts > Add New to create a blog post.
• Use the editor to format text, add images, and set categories/tags.

Step 22: Customize Contact Page

• Create a dedicated contact page.
• Use a plugin like Contact Form 7 to add a custom contact form.

Step 23: Update Header, Footer, and Menus

• Use the Customizer to edit header and footer content.
• Go to Appearance > Menus to create and manage your navigation menus.

Step 24: Add Custom CSS

• If desired, add custom CSS under Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS for further design tweaks.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now created your own WordPress website. Remember to regularly update your content and plugins, and consider exploring additional features as you become more comfortable with WordPress. For further learning, consider enhancing your site with SEO strategies or exploring e-commerce options. Happy website building!