Last updated on June 18, 2024

When I first decided to build my website, I was completely lost. I didn’t know the difference between hosting and a domain, let alone how to code.

But then I discovered WordPress, and it changed everything. With its user-friendly interface and vast customization options, I was able to create a professional-looking site without feeling overwhelmed.

Now, I want to share my experience with you, step-by-step, so you too can build your own website on WordPress, no matter your skill level.

Let’s embark on this journey together and make your online dream a reality.

Why Choose WordPress?

When I started exploring website-building options, I quickly realized that I wanted something flexible and scalable for some of my projects.

Website builders like Wix and Squarespace looked user-friendly, but I wanted more control over my site’s functionality and design. That’s when I discovered WordPress, and here’s why it won me over…

Flexibility and Customization

WordPress offers thousands of themes and plugins, allowing me to customize my site exactly how I envisioned it.

Cost-Effective

Many features are free, and even premium options are affordable compared to hiring a developer.

Community Support

There’s a vast community of users and developers, providing countless tutorials, forums, and support for any issue.

Scalability

Whether you’re starting a personal blog or a business website, WordPress can grow with you.

Choosing and Registering a Domain Name

The first step in creating my WordPress site was choosing a domain name. This is your website’s address on the internet (like www.yourwebsite.com). Here’s how I went about it…

1. Brainstorm Ideas

Think about what you want your domain name to reflect. It should be easy to remember and relevant to your content. For example, if you’re starting a blog about gardening, you might brainstorm names like “GreenGardenTips.com” or “GardenGurus.net.”

2. Check Availability

Use a domain registration site like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Bluehost to see if your desired domain is available. If “GreenThumbTips.com,” is already taken, try making changes to the name while keeping the niche idea, for example “EverGreenGarden.com”

3. Register Your Domain

Once you find an available domain, follow the steps on the registration site to purchase it. They often provide additional services like privacy protection and email hosting. For example, register “EverGreenGarden.com” on Namecheap, added privacy protection to keep your details private, and set up a professional email address.

⭐⭐Tips on Choosing the Perfect Domain Name⭐⭐

Keep It Short and Simple: The shorter and simpler, the easier it is to remember and type.

Avoid Numbers and Hyphens: These can be confusing and hard to remember.

Choose the Right Extension: While .com is the most popular, consider other options like .net, .org, or country-specific extensions if your preferred .com is unavailable.

Setting Up Web Hosting

Next, you need web hosting to store your website’s files and make them accessible online. Here’s what I did…

1. Research Hosting Providers

I looked into popular providers like Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator. I ended up choosing Bluehost because they offered a free domain for the first year and had excellent customer support. They also have a one-click WordPress installation, which was a huge plus for me.

2. Choose a Hosting Plan

Hosting providers offer various plans. As a beginner, I chose a basic shared hosting plan, which was affordable and sufficient for my needs. Shared hosting means your site shares server space with other sites, which is cost-effective for new websites.

3. Sign Up and Set Up Your Account

I followed the provider’s instructions to sign up, choose my plan, and set up my account. Bluehost made it easy with their step-by-step guide. After purchasing the plan, I received an email with my account details and login information.

Installing WordPress

With your hosting set up, it is time to install WordPress. Here’s how I did it…

1. Log into Your Hosting Account 🗝️

I logged into my Bluehost account and went to the control panel.

2. Find the WordPress Installation Option ⬇️

Bluehost had a simple “Install WordPress” button. I clicked it and followed the prompts. The installation wizard guided me through the process, asking for my site name, admin username, and password.

3. Complete the Installation ✅

After filling out the details, I clicked “Install.” Within minutes, WordPress was up and running on my site. Bluehost sent me an email with my WordPress login details.

Choosing and Installing a WordPress Theme

The theme determines the look and feel of your site. Here’s my process for choosing and installing a theme..

1. Browse the WordPress Theme Directory

In my WordPress dashboard, I went to the “Appearance” section and clicked on “Themes”. (Appearance>Themes) I spent hours browsing free themes and checking out the previews.

2. Preview and Activate a Theme

I previewed different themes to see how they looked with my content. After much deliberation, I found one that I liked and clicked “Activate.”

3. Customize Your Theme

Using the WordPress Customizer (found under “Appearance” -> “Customize”), I adjusted my theme’s settings, such as colors, fonts, and layout. This allowed me to make the theme truly my own. I also used the live preview feature to see changes in real-time before publishing them.

⭐⭐Recommended Free Themes⭐⭐

• Astra: A lightweight and highly customizable theme that’s perfect for any type of website.
• OceanWP: Another versatile theme that’s known for its speed and customization options.
• Neve: A fast and easy-to-use theme suitable for blogs, startups, and small businesses.

⭐⭐Recommended Premium Themes⭐⭐

• Divi: A powerful and popular premium theme with a built-in drag-and-drop builder.
• Avada: A highly flexible theme that comes with many pre-built templates and customization options.
• Genesis Framework: Known for its robust security and SEO features, it’s a great choice for developers and advanced users.

Customizing Your Site with Plugins and Settings

Plugins add a variety of functionality to your WordPress site. Here’s how I customized my site…..

Essential Plugins

• Yoast SEO: This plugin helps optimize your site for search engines, making it easier for people to find your content. It provides real-time content analysis and suggests improvements.
• Akismet Anti-Spam: Protects your site from spam comments. It automatically checks all comments and filters out the ones that look like spam.
• Contact Form 7: An easy-to-use plugin for creating contact forms. You can customize forms and manage multiple contact forms.
• UpdraftPlus: A reliable backup plugin that makes it easy to schedule and restore backups. It supports cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox.
• WP Super Cache: Speeds up your site by generating static HTML files from your dynamic WordPress content, reducing the load on your server.
• Elementor: A powerful page builder that allows you to create custom layouts without needing to code. It features a drag-and-drop interface and pre-designed templates.
• Wordfence Security: Provides robust security features to protect your site from hackers. It includes a firewall, malware scanner, and login security.

Configuring Plugin Settings

• Yoast SEO: In the plugin settings, I configured my site’s SEO settings, including meta descriptions, focus keywords, and readability analysis.
• Akismet: I connected Akismet to my WordPress account to enable spam protection. It automatically filtered out spam comments.
• Contact Form 7: I created a simple contact form and added it to my site’s contact page. It was easy to set up and customize.
• UpdraftPlus: I scheduled regular backups to ensure my site’s data was always protected. I set it to back up to my Google Drive weekly.
• WP Super Cache: I enabled caching to improve my site’s loading speed. It was a simple process that significantly boosted performance.
• Elementor: I used Elementor to design custom pages and layouts, enhancing the visual appeal of my site. The drag-and-drop interface was intuitive and easy to use.
• Wordfence Security: I set up firewall and malware scanning features to keep my site secure. It provided real-time monitoring and alerts.

General Settings

• Site Title and Tagline: Under “Settings” -> “General,” I set my site title and tagline to reflect my brand. This helps with branding and SEO.
• Permalinks: I changed the permalink structure to “Post name” for cleaner, SEO-friendly URLs. This makes URLs more readable and improves SEO.
• Reading Settings: I configured the homepage to display a static page, creating a professional landing page for visitors. I set my blog posts to appear on a separate “Blog” page.

Maintaining and Updating Your WordPress Site

Keeping your site up-to-date is crucial for security and performance. Here’s my maintenance routine…

1. Regular Updates

WordPress, themes, and plugins regularly release updates. I make sure to install these updates promptly to ensure my site remains secure and runs smoothly.

2. Back-Up Your Site

I use UpdraftPlus to schedule regular backups of my site. This way, I can restore my site if anything goes wrong.

3. Monitor Performance

I use Google Analytics to track my site’s performance and visitor behavior. This data helps me make informed decisions about content and design improvements.

Final Thoughts on Creating a Website without a Website Builder

Building my website on WordPress was awesome, transforming my online presence and boosting my confidence in managing my digital space.

The flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and community support of WordPress made it possible for me to create a site that truly reflects my vision.

If you’re ready to take your online presence to the next level, don’t hesitate to start your journey with WordPress.

Whether it’s for personal projects, blogging, or a business website, WordPress has the tools and support you need. Start building today, and watch your website come to life with ease and professionalism.

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