How to Get Started with WordPress (2024 Guide)

What Is WordPress?

WordPress is a widely used content management system that simplifies the process of creating a website. It serves as the powerhouse for your website, enabling you to effortlessly include content, modify the appearance, and share your creations on the web – all without requiring advanced coding skills. Initially designed for constructing blogs, WordPress has transformed into a versatile instrument for developing various kinds of websites, such as personal portfolios, business sites, ecommerce stores, and online communities. WordPress, being open source, allows users to utilize and alter its core software for free. This supports a thriving community that actively participates in its continuous growth and provides abundant resources for its users. It is also highly favored, accounting for about 43% of total websites online.

What Are the Benefits of Using WordPress?

WordPress is a flexible and robust tool that lets you build the website you have in mind with no limitations. It is an excellent option for individuals seeking complete control, customization choices, and the opportunity to expand their website. WordPress offers a variety of advantages, such as:

Full creative control: With WordPress, you have total ownership and authority over your website. You have the freedom to personalize it as you wish, unlike certain hosted website builders such as Wix or Squarespace, which come with restrictions.

Earn Money: You have the freedom to generate revenue from your website in any way you choose, such as through advertisements, product sales, or membership subscriptions.

Flexibility: WordPress provides unparalleled flexibility when it comes to customization. There is a wide selection of both free and premium WordPress themes, such as Divi, that enable you to achieve any desired appearance. Additionally, with essential plugins such as Rank Math and WP Rocket, your website will gain speed and improve its position in search engine result pages (SERPs).

Free and open-source, the core WordPress software does not require license fees. With that being said, you will have to cover the costs of web hosting and a domain name, but there are plenty of inexpensive choices available, like Namecheap for obtaining an affordable domain, and SiteGround for WordPress hosting.

WordPress is recognized for its SEO friendliness, increasing the likelihood of your website ranking higher in search results. The main reason for this is due to its great content organization and structure, along with various helpful SEO plugins like AIOSEO to improve it even more.

How To Get Started With WordPress

Starting with WordPress requires a few steps, but it is a simple process. We will guide you through the necessary steps to set up your WordPress website, from selecting the WordPress version to installing plugins.

Step 1: Select Your Platform

WordPress provides two options for website development. WordPress.com and WordPress.org are two different platforms. Having a clear understanding of the major distinctions among these choices will assist you in selecting the platform that aligns most effectively with your requirements.

WordPress.com Is A Hosted Platform: One of the greatest advantages of utilizing a hosted platform is that you do not need to secure a hosting provider or utilize a domain registrar. Enrolling in a WordPress.com plan gives you access to both. They are responsible for managing server upkeep and enhancing performance to ensure your website runs swiftly and efficiently for your audience. You can begin a simple website with a free version as well. This is an excellent choice for hobbyists or individuals who are testing out WordPress. Nevertheless, there are some drawbacks, particularly when it comes to the free plan. The design and functionality are limited, with fewer plugins than the self-hosted version of WordPress.com. The free option includes advertisements on your website, prohibits you from earning money through your blog, and includes a WordPress.com subdomain. In order to obtain the domain you want, you must sign up for a premium plan.

WordPress.org Is A Self-Hosted Platform: In contrast, WordPress.org is a platform that requires self-hosting. The software is available at no cost, however, you will need to buy a domain and hosting plan individually. With WordPress.org, you can manage all aspects of your website, including design, features, and ways to make money. A comprehensive WordPress repository contains a variety of free plugins and themes available for use. With WP’s self-hosted option, you have the ability to showcase advertisements, sell items directly, or provide paid memberships using different plugins like MemberPress. Nevertheless, there are certain drawbacks to take into account. Managing a self-hosted WordPress site involves a higher level of technical expertise than using WordPress.com. Selecting a reliable WordPress hosting service and manually setting up the software will be necessary. Nonetheless, certain hosting services will handle that task on your behalf. Companies like SiteGround, Cloudways, and WP Engine make it simpler for beginners by providing one-click WP installations. Another downside is that you will have to take care of your website’s security, backups, and software updates. Unless you choose a managed hosting provider, which is more expensive than shared WordPress hosting, this will be the case.

Step 2: Choose A Domain Name

Prior to creating your WordPress sites, you will have to buy a domain name. Stated earlier, a domain name serves as the exclusive online address for your website. It is the input that users enter in a web browser in order to access your website. When choosing a domain name, make sure it is easy to remember, related to your website’s topic, and simple to spell. You should also aim to make it brief, attention-grabbing, and consistent with the brand. Ensure that the desired options are accessible and think about enrolling different variations to prevent clashes. GoDaddy, Google Domains, and Namecheap are among the top domain registrars.

When selecting a domain registrar, take into account the cost, user-friendliness, support, and variety of domain extensions. For example, Namecheap is recognized for its competitive pricing and easy-to-use interface. They also provide a range of domain extensions and often have special offers for more exciting discounts. For instance, a .com extension can be acquired for only $5.98 annually. When you buy a domain name from Namecheap, you will receive a number of advantages. You will receive complimentary security and privacy, have the option to adjust your DNS records, and buy additional features such as SSL certificates at a fantastic cost. Namecheap offers a powerful domain name search tool that makes it easy to find the perfect domain name for your business.

Step 3: Select A Good WordPress Hosting Provider

After obtaining a domain, we need to buy hosting for our WordPress site. As mentioned before, a web host is where all your website’s files are stored. Shared hosting is probably adequate for beginners. Nevertheless, if you wish to expand your website, you need to set goals and strategies in place. For example, buy a hosting plan from a provider that can scale alongside your business’s growth. When selecting a WordPress hosting company, it is important to prioritize certain features like strong security, complimentary offerings like an SSL certificate, migration assistance, and backup services. Additional factors such as internet speed, assistance for clients, and duration of service need to be considered. There are many well-known choices such as Bluehost, HostGator, and more, but for the best value, we suggest SiteGround.

There are multiple reasons why SiteGround is a great option. To begin with, it is a specialized WordPress hosting service, indicating that the server and its configurations are custom-made for WordPress. Additionally, SiteGround provides one-click installations, eliminating the need for you to manually install WordPress. Every SiteGround package comes with a variety of features such as free SSL, site transfer, professional email, and a content delivery network (CDN). Prices start at an affordable $2.99 per month.

Step 4: Install WordPress

There are multiple methods to set up WordPress, with the most optimal choice being to select a hosting service that offers one-click installations. Bluehost, Hostinger, Kinsta, Cloudways, and SiteGround are all embracing that choice. In this stage, we will focus on setting up WordPress using SiteGround, as they simplify the process of starting with WordPress. Following the purchase of a plan, you can have WordPress installed in less than two minutes.

Step 5: Setting Up Your WordPress Site

After setting up WordPress, the dashboard will be displayed for the first time; become acquainted with the settings and add a WordPress theme.

If you require assistance with setting up a WordPress site or building a website, please do not hesitate to reach out to us immediately.