Do you want to learn WordPress? Great decision!
WordPress is a user-friendly and highly customizable content management system used by 830 million websites worldwide, making it the number 1 choice for building any website.
Of course, learning this system will significantly help you both create an online presence and make money!
But where do you start? In this complete startup guide, we’ll take you through the steps of learning WordPress installation, knowledge, and customization.
In this article, we will go through,
- What are the Benefits of Learning WordPress?
- Getting Started with WordPress
- 7 Steps to Complete Your Website Construction
- How to Make Money with WordPress?
So, let’s get started and build the website of your dreams!
What are the Benefits of Learning WordPress?
WordPress is a powerful content management system allowing you to create and manage websites without coding experience. With WordPress, you can quickly build websites, blogs, portfolios, online stores, and more.
Here are some reasons why learning WordPress is essential for beginners and can be beneficial further.
#1 It’s User-Friendly
WordPress is a user-friendly platform that requires little technical skills. It has a simple interface and easy-to-use tools that make it easy for beginners to create and manage websites.
#2 Customize it as the way you want it
With WordPress, you have complete control over the design and functionality of your website. You can customize your website with themes, plugins, and widgets to make it look beautiful and function precisely how you want.
#3 You can Use a wide range of applications
WordPress is not just a blogging platform. It can be used to create any website, from small personal blogs to large e-commerce stores.
#4 Market demand of WordPress is high
WordPress is widely used across the globe, and there is a high demand for professionals with WordPress skills. Learning WordPress can open up career opportunities for web design, development, and digital marketing.
#5 Has great community support
WordPress has a large and supportive community of users and developers. Countless resources, including forums, tutorials, and documentation, make it easy for beginners to learn and get help when needed.
#6 WordPress is cost-effective
WordPress is an open-source platform that is free to use and distribute. This makes it a cost-effective option for beginners who want to build a website without spending a fortune.
#7 Has good scalability
WordPress is scalable, which means it can grow with your business needs. You can start with a simple website and add more features and functionality as your business grows. All that being said, WordPress is a great educational site for beginners that will help to build a career.
Getting Started with WordPress
Creating a website using WordPress is the first step to learning WordPress because it’s better to see everything in practical terms. This way, you will be able to master this platform faster and more effectively.
Follow the below beginner steps to start an account in WordPress, later we will go through these steps in a more detailed way.
Go to WordPress.com
Open your web browser and go to WordPress.com.
Sign up for a Website
Click the “Get started” button and enter your email address, username, and password to create a new account. You can also sign up using your Google or Apple account.
Choose a Plan
Choose a plan that fits your needs. WordPress.com offers free and paid plans that offer additional features and customization options. Now that you are learning, it’s best to create
Choose a domain name
You will see a search box that lets you select a custom domain name for your website. Choose a domain name for your website. You can either choose a free subdomain (yourwebsite.wordpress.com) or purchase a custom domain name. There is an option that lets you select a pre-made domain name.
Choose a Theme
The final step is choosing a theme for your website. WordPress.com offers a range of free and premium themes that can be customized to match your branding and style. You can navigate the theme button by clicking on the appearance tab in the left side of your WordPress dashboard.
After selecting a theme, your website customization begins. You can choose the best themes for your website. Remember, you just completed the 1st part.
7 Steps to Complete Your Website Construction
What you opened is a subdomain that will not show in any SERP (Search Engine Result Page) because it doesn’t yet exist in a server. You will need a hosting service that will place your server.
Step 1: Installing WordPress on your hosting service
Installing WordPress on your hosting service is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few simple steps. Here’s a guide on how to install WordPress in your hosting service,
- First, log in to your hosting account and navigate to the control panel or cPanel.
- Locate the “Softaculous” or “WordPress Installer” icon and click on it. This will take you to the installation page.
- Choose the latest version of WordPress that you want to install, and select the domain name where you want to install WordPress.
- Next, you will need to create an administrator account. This will allow you to log in to the WordPress dashboard and manage your website.
- Choose a strong username and password for your administrator account, and enter your email address.
- Select the language you want for your WordPress site, and click the “Install” button.
- Wait for the installation to complete, which should only take a few minutes.
Once the installation is complete, you will receive a confirmation message. You can now log in to your WordPress site by navigating to your domain name followed by “/wp-admin”.
Log in using the administrator account you created earlier, and you’re ready to start customizing your site.
Step 2: Selecting a web hosting service for the website
Selecting a hosting service is one of the most crucial parts of creating a website. If it’s not perfect for your website, you will have consequences later. There are some things you can consider while choosing an ideal hosting service,
Determine your website’s needs
Before you start looking for a web hosting service, it’s essential to determine your website’s needs. Consider factors such as the amount of traffic you expect to receive, the size of your website, the type of content you will be hosting, and any special requirements you may have.
Research web hosting providers
Once you understand your website’s needs, it’s time to start researching web hosting providers. Look for providers that offer the features and services you require, and compare their pricing, customer reviews, and reputation in the industry.
Consider the hosting types
Several types of hosting services are available, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and cloud hosting. Each type offers its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to consider which option is best for your website’s needs and budget.
Check server uptime and reliability
The uptime and reliability of a web hosting provider’s servers is a critical factors to consider. Look for providers that offer at least a 99% uptime guarantee, and check for customer reviews or testimonials to see how reliable their service has been in the past.
Look for security features
Security is a must feature when choosing a web hosting provider. Look for providers that offer SSL certificates, firewalls, malware scanning, and other security features to keep your website and its data safe.
Check customer support
Choosing a web hosting provider that offers reliable and responsive customer support is important. Look for providers that offer 24/7 support through multiple channels, such as phone, email, and live chat.
Consider pricing and contract terms
Finally, consider the pricing and contract terms of the web hosting providers you are considering. Look for providers offering affordable pricing, flexible contract terms, and a money-back guarantee in case you are unsatisfied with their service.
By following these steps and evaluating your options carefully, you can select a web hosting service that meets your website’s needs and provides reliable and secure hosting for your online presence.
Step 3: Now, it’s time to install a theme
Earlier we mentioned how you can navigate the theme section for your WordPress dashboard. From there, you can download all sorts of themes. The process of Installing a WordPress theme is pretty straightforward.
After you navigate to the theme page, select a theme that your WordPress site is about. There is a category option on top of the page,
You can select a theme that matches your over website environment from here. It’s your first time, so try to pick a free theme. Many free themes have a premium version that offers more exclusive features. After you have selected the theme, it’s time to install it.
Click on the theme you want to install in your website and press on the active this design to install it on your site.
You can even preview a live demo of the theme to know how it might look on your website. This step finishes the installation process.
Step 4: Customizing your theme
After installing the theme, you will get a pre-made outlook of your website with no special features. The free Gutenberg editor is perfect for customizing a theme; practically, it’s like a drag & drop editor.
Customizing your WordPress theme is a great way to make your website unique and stand out. Here are some steps you can follow to customize your theme,
Login to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the Appearance menu. This menu opens 6 other different options.
Click on the “Customize” option to launch the theme customizer.
You will see a preview of your website on the right and customization options on the left.
Customization options allow you to change the site identity, colors, typography, and layout.
To customize individual pages, navigate to the one you want to customize and click the “Edit Page” button.
The Gutenberg editor can customize individual blocks, add widgets, and modify page settings.
You can also use custom CSS code to make more advanced customizations.
Remember to save your changes as you go, and preview them before publishing to ensure that your website looks the way you want it to. These simple steps allow you to customize your WordPress theme to match your vision and brand.
Step 5: Create a menu bar
In the theme customization section, the menu bar is one of the most crucial parts of a page because it will work as a navigation point for all your web pages and other crucial links.
Menu bars also play a crucial role in organizing the content on your webpage and making it easy for visitors to navigate. Ultimately to attract your site’s audience. Here are some things you can consider while creating a menu bar.
Prioritize navigation
The primary purpose of a menu bar is to help visitors navigate your website. So, make sure your menu items are organized in a logical order that reflects the structure of your website. The most important pages should be listed first, and other items can be nested under drop-down menus.
Use visual hierarchy
Make use of visual hierarchy to make the menu items stand out. This can be done through size, font weight, and color. Important menu items can be highlighted in a different color or with a bold font.
Keep it simple
Simplicity is key when designing a menu bar. Avoid adding too many options, as this can overwhelm visitors and make it difficult for them to find what they’re looking for. Instead, stick to the most important pages and categories that reflect the main goals of your website.
Use clear labels
Menu labels should be descriptive and straightforward. Use clear and concise labels that accurately describe the content on each page. Avoid using technical jargon or acronyms that visitors may not understand.
Use engaging language
The text in your menu bar should be engaging and encourage visitors to click through to other pages on your site. Use action-oriented language, such as “Explore” or “Discover,” to make your menu more inviting and eye-catchy.
Consistency is key
Keep the menu bar consistent throughout your website. Use the same design, color scheme, and font size for all menu items. This will create a sense of continuity and help visitors navigate your website more easily.
Test your menu
Always test your menu bar to ensure it works on different devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This will ensure that your visitors can easily access your website and find the information they need.
User testing
Finally, always test your menu bar with real users to get feedback on its usability. This can help you identify any issues and make improvements to the design. Conduct user testing on different devices and with users with different levels of familiarity with your website to get a well-rounded perspective.
Step 6: Creating a Home Page
Like a menubar, the homepage also plays a vital role in attracting visitors and influencing them to stay in your webpage more. A well-designed homepage can make a positive first impression and encourage visitors to explore other sections of the site, while a well-designed homepage can turn visitors away.
When creating a homepage, there are several factors to consider. First, you should determine the purpose of your website and what you want visitors to do when they land on your homepage.
This will help you create a clear and concise message that communicates the value of your site and encourages visitors to take action.
Next, you should consider the layout and design of your homepage. The design should be visually appealing and easy to navigate, with clear headings and subheadings that help visitors quickly find what they are looking for.
Use high-quality images and videos to grab visitors’ attention and engage them with your content.
You should also consider the content of your homepage. Use clear and concise language that is easy to read and understand, and highlight the most important information using headings, bullet points, and other formatting tools.
Include calls-to-action (CTAs) that encourage visitors to act, such as signing up for a newsletter or purchasing.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and loads quickly, as users are more likely to leave a site that takes too long to load. Test your website on different devices and browsers to ensure it is compatible with a wide range of systems.
Finally, you should consider the SEO implications of your homepage design. Use relevant keywords in your headlines and content to help search engines understand the purpose of your site, and include meta descriptions and tags that accurately describe your content.
This will help your site rank higher in search results and attract more organic traffic.
Step 7: Download essential plugins for your website
Now that all the basic building and configuration is complete, it’s time to download important plugins. Some necessary plugins like-
- Yoast SEO (SEO tool)
- WP Super Cache (Cache management tool)
- Smush (Image optimizer)
- JETpack (Insight, all-in-one tool)
- WordFence (Security Plugin)
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How to Make Money with WordPress?
Learning WordPress can offer a range of opportunities to make money and build a successful career in the digital industry.
Whether you choose to offer web development services, maintenance, and support, consulting, training, or product sales, WordPress skills are in high demand and can be a valuable asset to your career.
Here are some proven ways to make money from WordPress.
a) Web design and development
You can learn web design and development services for clients and even work as an official employee for a company. WordPress is a popular platform for building websites, and there is a high demand for skilled developers who can create custom WordPress themes and plugins.
According to Payscale, the average salary for a WordPress developer is around $50,000 to $85,000 per year.
b) WordPress maintenance and support
You can offer WordPress maintenance and support services to businesses and individuals needing more time or technical expertise to manage their websites.
This can include updating plugins and themes, fixing errors, and optimizing website performance. This type of work has good recognition; according to Upwork, the average hourly rate for WordPress maintenance and support is around $25 to $50 per hour.
c) WordPress consultation
WordPress consultants guide clients on optimizing their WordPress websites for better performance and user experience. This work is for veteran developers and requires years of expertise.
d) Selling WordPress products
You can create and sell WordPress products like themes, plugins, and templates on Themeforest and Codecanyon. According to CodeinWP, the top-selling WordPress theme on Themeforest has generated over $10 million in sales. You can get a well-paid job in a big company based on your expertise.
e) Affiliate Marketing
You can earn money through affiliate marketing by promoting WordPress-related products and services to your website visitors or social media followers.
It can include web hosting services, online digital products, WordPress themes and plugins, and other related products. When someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
f) Content Creation
Content is the heart and soul of any WordPress-related work. You can make money by creating WordPress-related content, such as blog posts, tutorials, videos, and courses. This can include building content for your website or blog or creating content for other websites or clients.
Finalizing on How to Learn WordPress Step by Step for Beginners
In conclusion, learning WordPress can be a valuable skill for beginners who want to build their websites or start a career in web development.
By following a step-by-step approach, you can learn all the fundamentals of WordPress, including installation, themes, plugins, and basic customization. Several resources are available, including online tutorials, video courses, and documentation provided by the WordPress community.
It’s important to remember that learning WordPress is an ongoing process, and there is always more to learn as the platform evolves and new technologies emerge with different techniques.
Let’s start today!