How To Make a WordPress Website 2024

Summary

Running a venture on the internet is an undertaking by itself, and there is exhaustive content on the topic. The goal in this article, by Jonathan, is to simplify the major verticals in the space and break them down for easier consumption. In this post, he is much more WordPress-specific and drills the points that make WordPress a very attractive platform to build upon. 

 

WordPress Website in 2024: A Guide to Building and Managing Your Site

Creating a WordPress website in 2024 has never been easier. WordPress allows you to build any website, whether a portfolio, an e-commerce store, or a blog. You can customize your site with thousands of themes and plugins to suit your needs.

Managed WordPress hosting and premium themes offer advanced features and professional designs. Even beginners can get their website up and running with step-by-step guides. The WordPress dashboard is user-friendly, making it simple to add new content, customize your site, and optimize for search engines.

Choosing WordPress means controlling your website, including design, functionality, and content. With the vast WordPress community, you can find support and resources for any issue. Every step is straightforward, from setting up a new domain to installing essential plugins.

Key Takeaways

• WordPress allows you to create a wide variety of websites.
• Managed hosting and premium themes provide advanced functionality.
• Complete control over design, functionality, and content.

Why Choose WordPress To Create Your Site In 2024?

WordPress offers unmatched flexibility, cost control, and a robust SEO platform. It powers many websites globally, making it a reliable choice.

You Have Digital Sovereignty

WordPress gives users complete control over their website’s content and functionality. Unlike other platforms, you own your data and can export it anytime. This is crucial for anyone worried about losing control over their site due to changes in service terms.

 

Users can choose their hosting provider and make any changes without restrictions. There is no need to follow strict guidelines from other platforms. This freedom allows for significant customization, meeting specific needs and requirements.

Cost Control

WordPress is budget-friendly. It’s open-source, meaning it’s free to use. Users only pay for hosting and optional premium themes or plugins. This helps keep overall costs low. Other website builders might include hidden fees or require costly plans.

You can select from thousands of free themes and plugins. Premium options are available but optional. Developers can create custom features without paying for high-priced add-ons, saving even more money.

SEO Friendly

WordPress is designed to be SEO-friendly out of the box. Its clean code and structure are ideal for search engines. Users can craft content that ranks well with minimal effort. Built-in features like permalinks, title tags, and image optimization simplify SEO.

There are also plenty of free and premium plugins to enhance SEO. WordPress helps improve site speed and mobile responsiveness, which is critical for search ranking. Technical expertise is not required to achieve a good SEO setup.

Runs Over 43% Of All Websites On The Internet

WordPress powers more than 43% of all websites. Its popularity is a testament to its reliability. Being widely used means extensive community support and regular updates. Users benefit from an active support community, numerous tutorials, and forums.

Its wide adoption also results in constant innovations. Developers frequently create new plugins and themes, ensuring the platform stays up-to-date with the latest web trends. This extensive use makes it a safe, trusted option for any website.

Which Types Of Websites Can You Build With WordPress?

WordPress is versatile and can be used to build various websites, including membership sites, eCommerce stores, community sites, and business websites.

Membership Website

A membership website allows users to sign up and become members. This type of site can offer exclusive content or services to its members. You can control access and manage memberships using LifterLMS or LearnDash. These plugins let you create different membership levels, track user activity, and even offer drip content.

Members can have access to forums, courses, or digital downloads. Payment options can also be easily integrated, making it straightforward to monetize the site. With WordPress, creating and managing a membership website is user-friendly.

eCommerce Website

An eCommerce website allows you to sell products or services online. WordPress and the WooCommerce plugin turn your site into a robust online store. You can add products, set prices, and handle shipping. WooCommerce supports various payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.

The plugin also provides features for managing inventory, tracking orders, and offering discounts. The layout can be customized to suit the brand, making it easy to create a professional-looking store. WordPress’s flexibility is perfect for building an eCommerce site.

Community Focus Websites

Community-focused websites can include forums, social networks, and Q&A sites. WordPress makes it simple to build these with plugins like BuddyPress or bbPress. BuddyPress helps you create a social network with user profiles, activity streams, and friend connections.

bbPress enables the creation of discussion forums. Users can create threads, post replies, and engage with others. These plugins integrate smoothly with WordPress themes, giving a cohesive look. Community sites encourage user interaction and can build a solid online presence.

Business Websites

Business websites showcase services, products, and company information. They often include contact forms, testimonials, and about pages. You can create a professional-looking business site using themes like Astra (Spectra) or Kadence WP Plugins like FluentForms, which can add forms to gather leads.

Such sites can also include blogs to engage with customers and improve SEO. Using the WordPress CMS, adding and updating content is straightforward. A business website can help attract new clients and provide essential information about your company.

What Things You’ll Need To Get Started

To build a WordPress website, you’ll need a domain name, a hosting plan, and WordPress core software. Each step is essential for a functional and professional-looking site.

Buying A Domain Name

A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. Think of something short and memorable. You can buy a domain name from a registrar like CloudFlare, GoDaddy, or Namecheap. Most domains cost between $10 and $15 per year.

When choosing a domain, consider your target audience and keywords related to your site. It’s best to avoid numbers and hyphens. Many hosting providers also offer a free domain name for the first year when you sign up for a hosting plan.

Choosing The Right Hosting Plan

Hosting is where your website files are stored. Managed WordPress hosting is recommended for beginners because it includes automatic updates and backups. Companies like WP-Engine, Kinsta, and Convessio offer these services.

Look for a hosting plan with good speed, security features, and excellent customer support. Shared hosting is the cheapest option, but cloud or VPS hosting offers better performance. Don’t forget to check for an SSL certificate, which is often included for free.

Install WordPress Core

Installing WordPress Core is the final step to get your site running. Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation process in their control panel. This minimizes technical challenges, allowing beginners to set up their sites quickly.

Once installed, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and customize your site. You’ll need a theme to define your site’s look and plugins to add features. WordPress.org offers thousands of free and premium themes and plugins to meet your needs.

What Are The Best Website Builders On WordPress

Choosing a website builder on WordPress can be confusing, but it helps to know which are Gutenberg-based and which aren’t. Both types offer unique features suited to different needs.

Gutenberg Based Page Builders

Gutenberg is WordPress’s default block editor. It allows users to drag and drop blocks to create content. It brings a visual editing experience similar to other website builders.

Some popular Gutenberg-based builders include:

• Kadence WP: Offers customizable blocks with advanced settings.
• Spectra: Provides premium blocks for better design options.

These builders integrate directly with Gutenberg, making enhancing the default editor easy without installing a separate plugin.

None Gutenberg Page Builders

There are website builders not based on Gutenberg that provide advanced customization options. Some of these popular builders are:

• Elementor: Widely used for its drag-and-drop functionality and comprehensive design options.
• Bricks Pro: Known for its versatility and extensive design libraries.
  

These builders operate independently of Gutenberg, often including more advanced features and extensive customization options.

Adding Plugins To Extend Website Capability

Plugins are small pieces of software that can be added to a WordPress site. They extend the functionality and features of the website.

To add a plugin, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to the Plugins section and click on Add New.
3. Search for a plugin by name or keyword.
4. Click on Install Now beside the desired plugin.
5. Once installed, click on Activate.

Common uses for plugins include:

• SEO: Plugins like Yoast SEO help optimize your site for search engines.
• Security: Wordfence and Sucuri offer enhanced security features.
• E-commerce: WooCommerce allows you to set up an online store.
• Performance: WP Super Cache can speed up your site.

Keep your plugins updated to ensure they work correctly and protect your site.

Make Your Page Search Engine Compatible

To make a page search engine compatible, use the right keywords. Research terms that people use to find content like yours. Place these keywords in your title, headings, and throughout your text.

Correct use of meta tags can also help. Ensure each page has a unique meta title and description. These tell search engines what your page is about.

Alt text for images is another crucial element. Describe the pictures using relevant keywords. This helps search engines index your images.

A mobile-friendly design is crucial. Ensure your site looks good and works well on all devices. Responsive design improves user experience and boosts search rankings.

Internal and external links also matter. Link to other relevant pages on your site and reputable external sites. This increases the authority and relevance of your content.

Organize your content using headings (H1, H2, etc.). They help search engines understand the structure of your page. Use one H1 and multiple H2 or H3 tags as needed.

Load times are essential. Ensure your site loads quickly. Compress images and use caching to speed up your site. Fast sites rank higher on search engines.

A clean URL structure is beneficial. URLs should be easy to read and include keywords. Avoid long strings of numbers and special characters.

Regularly update your content. Fresh content keeps your site relevant. Add new posts, update old ones, and ensure everything on your site is current.

Using a good SEO plugin can make these tasks easier. Plugins can help with optimizing meta tags, keywords, and much more.

Following these steps will make your WordPress site more search-engine friendly and attract more visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I make a WordPress website in 2024?

A: To make a WordPress website in 2024, you can follow a step-by-step guide on building your website using popular WordPress themes and plugins.

Q: What is a WordPress theme, and how can I use it to build my website?

A: A WordPress theme is a collection of templates and stylesheets used to define the appearance and display of a WordPress-powered website. You can choose a popular WordPress theme to empower your website design.

Q: Why should I use WordPress to build my website?

A: WordPress is a powerful and user-friendly content management system that allows you to create a website without coding knowledge. It is supported by an empowered WordPress community that provides resources and support for users.

Q: Can you show me how to create a website using WordPress.org?

A: Yes, you can follow a guide on how to make a WordPress website using the official WordPress software available at WordPress.org.

Q: What are some tips for building a WordPress site from scratch?

A: When building a WordPress site from scratch, you must set up your website with a new domain name, choose a premium WordPress theme, add essential WordPress plugins, and select a suitable hosting plan.

Q: How can I make a WordPress website without spending any money?

A: You can create a website for free using WordPress by using available free themes and plugins. However, keep in mind that certain premium features may require additional investment.

Q: What are some essential steps to start a WordPress website?

A: Some essential steps to starting a website with WordPress include setting up your website, customizing the design with a premium theme, adding necessary plugins for functionality, and creating engaging content for your visitors.

Final Thoughts

Building a WordPress website in 2024 offers numerous benefits. It’s user-friendly and provides a wide range of themes and plugins. This allows users to customize their site to fit their needs.

Installing WordPress is straightforward. It involves downloading the software, uploading it to a hosting server, and following on-screen instructions. Managed WordPress hosting can simplify the process further.

Key Points:

• Easy installation
• Customizable themes and plugins
• Managed hosting options

Using WordPress, users can create various types of websites. These include blogs, portfolios, and e-commerce sites. The WordPress dashboard is intuitive, making content management simple.

List of Popular Website Types:

• Blogs
• Portfolio Sites
• E-commerce Sites

Benefits:

• Flexibility
• Control over the website’s look and functionality

Additionally, self-hosted WordPress sites offer more control. Users have full ownership of their website data and the flexibility to install any plugin.

Considerations When Building:

• Choose a reliable hosting plan
• Regularly update themes and plugins
• Backup your site often

By following a step-by-step guide, anyone can set up a WordPress website. The process includes choosing a domain name, hosting, and installing themes and plugins. Maintenance involves updating content and ensuring site security.

Characteristics of a Good WordPress Site:

• Fast loading times
• Mobile-friendly design
• Secure and regularly updated

With readily available resources and support from the WordPress community, even beginners can establish a solid online presence.