Create a WordPress site from A to Z (2021)
To say that we are not big fans of online website builders, like Jimdo, Wix, or e-mon site, would be a lie. Their ease of use has allowed millions of customers to be their own webmasters. But a site editor is not for all scenarios. That's why we want to show you how to create your own WordPress site.
We use WordPress.org every day. And we're not the only ones: with a 41.0% market share, WordPress clearly dominates the web. We've written this guide to show you when WordPress is a good solution - and when it isn't.
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The main steps in creating a WordPress site
1. Choose a domain name and a hosting solution
2. Install WordPress
3. Install a theme for your future website (a design)
4. Create your web pages and a menu
5. Write original and unique content
6. Add media (videos and images)
7. Install extensions (plugins)
In this guide, we only cover WordPress.org. To fully understand the difference with WordPress.com, check out our video:
How to install WordPress and get a domain name?
Basically, you can install WordPress on any hosting service that offers support for PHP and MySQL. The operation is even easier if your host offers a special WordPress package. The price for this kind of package usually starts at $ 3, which is equivalent to that of your regular online site editor. Often a domain name and email address are included.
Where to find good WordPress themes?
Perhaps one of the best things about WordPress is the sheer amount of templates you can buy on a budget. We don't recommend using one of the many free templates you might find: sometimes designers add SEO links to untrustworthy sites.
Paid models won't cost you that much. They are available on sites like Themeforest or TemplateMonster.
Some things to take into account:
How many times has this model been sold?
The more customers there are, the better the support will be for this model. Also, take a look at the changelog.
Notice: Have other users experienced issues with this theme?
Responsive: Buy a theme only if it is suitable for viewing on mobile.
Does the theme come with .po and .mo files, allowing it to be easily translated into French?
How to install a theme?
The installation is fairly straightforward. Upload the template file to your server, then select it from the menu - this is done with a few clicks:
Once the theme is activated, it might look "broken". This is normal: now you need to add content. Read the template's documentation to find out how. And note the difference between a page and an article: the pages are static elements, like the page "Who are we?" "From a website. Articles are new items, usually, time-stamped.
Create your web pages and your menu:
In WordPress, you have two main families of web pages: add an article in WordPress
The articles (Articles tab) that appear in your Blog. Of course, creating a blog is not an obligation, but it allows you to cover internet research related to your activity. It’s also a way to take a behind-the-scenes look at your business and therefore build customer trust in you.
Fixed pages (Pages tab):
These are the pages that are rarely updated and which are used to present your project to Internet users:
Home page (which may include testimonials)
Service or product page add an article in WordPress 2
Page on completed projects (achievements)
Contact page (with a form)
Blog page (optional)
The list of pages presented above is for example: adapt the menu to your business. Tip: Avoid menus that have more than 7 categories, as they tend to make navigation complex and confusing. Make sublevels as needed.
Write the contents of the pages
We won't dwell here on web copywriting, but here are some tips for building and writing great content:
Create an original and complete text: copying all or part of an existing text, taken elsewhere on the net, will harm your SEO. Write new content. Texts that fly over a topic have no chance of making it onto the podium of results pages.
Choose a keyword: organize your text around an internet search. Your page must answer a question or concrete research. Play around with related searches and synonyms to best cover your topic.
Air your text: to do this, divide your text into sub-parts (plan at least two H2s or sub-titles), opt for short paragraphs and bulleted lists.
Add media: remember to illustrate your pages with visuals (avoid royalty-free images). Videos tend to improve "time on site" and user experience.