In today’s digital age, building a website is easier than ever. And when it comes to creating a site that’s powerful, flexible, and beginner-friendly, WordPress remains the most popular choice. In fact, over 40% of all websites on the internet are powered by WordPress.
If you’re wondering “WordPress how to make a website?”, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step—from choosing a domain to publishing your first blog post.
Why Choose WordPress?
Before we dive into the how, let’s briefly touch on the why. Why is WordPress the go-to platform for millions?
- Free and Open Source: WordPress.org is completely free to download and use.
- Customizable: Thousands of free themes and plugins let you build any type of website.
- SEO-Friendly: Built with search engines in mind.
- Scalable: Start with a blog and grow into an online store, membership site, or portfolio.
- Supportive Community: Vast documentation and community forums.
Step 1: Choose Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
First, understand the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org:
- WordPress.com: A hosted platform—easy to set up but limited in customization unless you upgrade to paid plans.
- WordPress.org: Self-hosted—requires separate web hosting but offers full control, plugins, and monetization.
For full flexibility and growth, WordPress.org is the better choice for most users.
Step 2: Pick a Domain Name and Web Hosting
To get started with WordPress.org, you need:
1. A Domain Name
This is your website address (e.g., www.yoursite.com). You can register domains via:
- Namecheap
- Google Domains
- Bluehost
- GoDaddy
2. Web Hosting
This is where your website files live. Popular WordPress hosting providers include:
- Bluehost (Official WordPress recommendation)
- SiteGround
- Hostinger
- WP Engine (for managed hosting)
Most hosting companies offer one-click WordPress installation and include a free domain for the first year.
Pro Tip: Bluehost and SiteGround offer beginner-friendly dashboards and 24/7 support, perfect for first-time site builders.
Step 3: Install WordPress
Most web hosts allow you to install WordPress with just a few clicks. Here’s how:
On Bluehost:
- Log in to your Bluehost account.
- Go to the “My Sites” tab.
- Click “Create Site.”
- Follow the on-screen setup (choose a name, domain, and admin login).
After a few seconds, your WordPress site is ready to go!
Step 4: Log In to Your WordPress Dashboard
Visit:
bashCopyEditwww.yoursite.com/wp-admin
Log in using your credentials to access the WordPress Dashboard, your central hub to manage posts, pages, themes, plugins, and settings.
Step 5: Choose and Install a Theme
Your site’s appearance is controlled by a theme. WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes.
To Install a Theme:
- Go to Appearance > Themes.
- Click Add New.
- Browse or search for a theme (e.g., Astra, OceanWP, or Neve).
- Click Install and then Activate.
Pro Tip: Choose a lightweight, responsive theme that’s compatible with popular page builders like Elementor or Gutenberg.
Step 6: Customize Your Website
Use the Customizer:
Go to Appearance > Customize to change:
- Site title and tagline
- Logo and site icon
- Colors and typography
- Homepage layout
Many themes offer real-time editing so you can preview changes as you go.
Install a Page Builder (Optional):
For more control and drag-and-drop design, consider plugins like:
- Elementor
- Beaver Builder
- WPBakery Page Builder
These tools help you build pages visually, without coding.
Step 7: Install Essential Plugins
Plugins extend the functionality of your WordPress site. Here are must-have plugins for beginners:
| Plugin | Function |
|---|---|
| Yoast SEO | Optimize your content for search engines |
| Jetpack | Security, backups, and performance |
| UpdraftPlus | Backup and restore your site |
| WPForms | Create contact forms easily |
| MonsterInsights | Google Analytics integration |
| WooCommerce | Add e-commerce functionality |
To install:
- Go to Plugins > Add New
- Search for the plugin
- Click Install then Activate
Step 8: Create Pages and Posts
Create Core Pages:
Most sites need these standard pages:
- Home
- About
- Contact
- Blog
- Services / Products
Go to Pages > Add New to create them.
Write a Blog Post:
- Navigate to Posts > Add New.
- Add a title, write your content, and format using blocks.
- Set categories, tags, and a featured image.
- Click Publish.
Tip: Use the Yoast SEO plugin to optimize for keywords like “WordPress how to make a website.”
Step 9: Set Up a Navigation Menu
Your site visitors need a way to navigate.
- Go to Appearance > Menus.
- Click Create a New Menu.
- Add pages, posts, or categories.
- Assign it to a location (like the header or footer).
- Save.
Step 10: Configure Basic Settings
Set Homepage:
- Go to Settings > Reading.
- Choose “A static page” and select your homepage and blog page.
Set Permalinks:
- Go to Settings > Permalinks.
- Choose “Post name” for cleaner URLs (e.g., yourdomain.com/sample-post).
Time Zone and Site Language:
- Adjust these in Settings > General.
Step 11: Optimize for SEO and Performance
To make your WordPress site search engine friendly:
- Install an SEO plugin like Yoast or Rank Math.
- Use optimized images (try tools like TinyPNG).
- Use caching plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache.
- Ensure mobile responsiveness – test on different devices.
- Connect Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor traffic and performance.
Step 12: Launch Your WordPress Website
Once everything looks good, go live! Double-check:
- All links and buttons work.
- The site is responsive.
- Meta titles and descriptions are set.
Then, promote your site via:
- Social media
- Email lists
- Blogging
- SEO outreach
Conclusion: WordPress – How to Make a Website the Right Way
Creating a website with WordPress is not only easy but also scalable and future-proof. Whether you’re building a personal blog, portfolio, business site, or online store, WordPress gives you full control with endless customization.
If you’re still asking, “WordPress how to make a website?”, remember:
- Choose the right tools (theme, plugins, hosting).
- Keep learning—WordPress has a huge community and plenty of tutorials.
- Focus on your goals, whether that’s blogging, selling, or sharing your story.
Ready to build your own website? Follow these 12 steps, and you’ll have a professional WordPress site up and running in no time. If you want us to make a website for you then simply contact TopCrayons today!