The days when custom-made web designs were the only solution for aspiring bloggers are long gone. Today, with more than 75 million websites depending on it, WordPress is the number one content management system.
If TechCrunch, MTV, and The New Yorker are using it, what is stopping you from getting a handle on it as well? So, in this post, we are talking about how to set up a WordPress blog.
Keep reading to learn how to create an amazing website that your visitors are going to love. It is definitely not as hard as you think it is!
How To Set Up a WordPress Blog From Scratch
When we are talking about WordPress, these days, we are basically talking about WordPress.org. You see, there is a slight but important difference between the two separate version that this amazing platform offers.
First, we have WordPress.com, which gives you only some basic templates and a subdomain under its root domain (so, your site will have a URL address like this: yoursitename.wordpress.com).
Secondly, there is WordPress.org, which gives you all the essential tools needed to create a unique website from scratch under your own domain name on your own server.
Today, we will be exploring the second, most “sophisticated” WordPress version and we are going to break the whole process down into seven simple steps. There you go:
Step #1: Choose Your Domain Name
Choosing the right domain is one of the most important and very first steps you need to take in order to eventually meet success. Think it as your business name –because it actually is.
As a result, you need to make it unique, easy to remember, and pretty catchy. Always avoid really long domains and be sure that you use either a “.com” extension or the one commonly used in the country you operate in.
Last but not least, your domain and website name should indicate what your website is all about so people will get what you offer right from the start.
Step #2: Set Up Your Web Hosting
Yes, WordPress can be really handy and easy to use when you are building your website. In fact, you are just some minutes away from learning how to set up a WordPress blog.
Finding a great hosting provider though requires a little more time.
Think of your WordPress site as a building. It needs to look good on the outside but the constructional work that makes the building stand tall and strong needs to be excellent.
Do some research and look for the best available provider that comes at a low price. Most web hosting companies offer three to four different packages to choose from depending on your needs. Take a look at the specs and decide wisely.
Of course, you can always switch to another package that best meets your needs later.
Step #3: Install WordPress
We promise. This one sounds much harder than it actually is. Sometimes, it is just a matter of a single click. Literally.
Look at your server’s backend and go to ya section named “Apps.” You will most likely find the WordPress icon which, if you click on, will instantly install WordPress on your website.
If you are not able to find it, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered:
- Go to WordPress.org and download the zip file with all its components
- Unzip the file
- Login to your server with an FTP client
- Upload your unzipped file on your server
After the upload is complete, you are ready to start setting up your website. Type in your address bar your domain name and put “/wp-admin” right after your extension.
This will redirect you to your WordPress backend where you can start creating your very first WordPress website.
These first three steps are the ones that make people want to quit too soon and never create the website of their dreams. Of course, nobody expects from you to know how to create a WordPress blog in thirty minutes, but you need to, at least, try and learn more about the whole procedure.
If it sounds too overwhelming, though, you can always hire an expert in the field. Click and read more.
Step #4: Choose The Right Template
Now, it is time to unleash the web designer in you. You are ready to start creating! However, if you are not familiar with coding and web design, in general, there are always themes out there that will give you a really good push.
A great place to start is ThemeForest. These guys sell WordPress templates for any website category you could ever imagine.
However, before you purchase an item, browse through different websites in your niche and get a good idea of how you want yours to look like. After that, visit your favorite themes supplier and get the theme that inspires you the most.
Do some research before you make up your mind though. You don’t want to spend your money on a product that you are not really in love with.
Step #5: Look For Your Plugins
Now, things are about to get serious.
You have your website ready. You absolutely love the theme that you chose, and you have already customized it. It is time to enhance your website with some plugins.
Plugins can be described as mini pieces of software that contain a group of functions which you can easily add to your website. There is a plugin for almost any extra function you want to add to your WordPress blog.
Visit wordpress.org/plugins and take a look at all the freebies the platform provides. Of course, if you want something far more sophisticated, you can always search Google and see if there is anything (paid or free) that meets your needs.
The possibilities are literally endless.
Step #6: Create Your First Post
It is time to start adding content to your website. This way you will see how it works under real circumstances and how everything looks when your content is live.
Creating your first post is quite simple. After you log in, at the top of your website you will see a black menu bar. Click on New >> Post and start writing!
When you are ready, hit publish and take a look at how it looks. If you need to make any modifications to your theme, do so. Play with your settings until you reach the result that you’ve been dreaming of.
Step #7: Keep Monitoring Your Website
Yes. We know that the way your website looks should inspire you. However, sometimes, reality bites and you need to, again, change the way it looks in order to make it work even better for you.
Take a look at your Google Analytics. How much time do your visitors spend on your website? Do they click on your links? How good your Click Through Rate numbers are?
These are questions you need to address and then work with your theme’s settings so you can create a great UX environment and a website you will be able to monetize fast.
Have Fun With It!
Learning how to set up a WordPress blog from scratch can be difficult in the beginning. But the whole experience of designing it is the most fun part. You get your creative juices flowing and you can experiment with many different ideas.
However, if you want some help, we can always help. Click here and contact us today!