Over the years, WordPress has played an important role in the online business development process. As the largest content management platform, its popularity has grown tremendously. To date, there are around 501.28 million WordPress websites around the world. This can be attributed to the many benefits of running a website on this platform.
Thanks to its versatility and robust features, WordPress is an excellent website for beginners. As a result, WordPress has significantly evolved from being a blogging platform to what it is now. If you want to run your website, this WordPress guide will help you.
Key Takeaways:
- WordPress is cost-effective. It is open-source and free to use, and themes, plugins, and hosting are minimally expensive.
- It offers flexibility and customisation with over 70,000 plugins and 30,000 themes, catering to various website types.
- WordPress is scalable and suitable for everything from tiny blogs to large, high-traffic business sites.
- Key steps to create a WordPress website include selecting a domain name, choosing a hosting provider, installing WordPress, and customising the site.
- Security tips include updating software, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, installing security plugins, performing regular backups, and limiting login attempts.
6 Benefits of Using WordPress
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WordPress remains one of the most popular Content Management Systems (CMS) globally, and for good reason. Its many features and benefits make it a compelling choice for individuals and businesses. Here’s a detailed exploration of why WordPress stands out.
1. Cost-Effectiveness
WordPress is open-source software that is free to use, modify, and distribute. Unlike proprietary platforms that may demand hefty upfront costs or ongoing subscriptions, WordPress provides an economical solution for website creation.
While users may incur expenses for premium themes, WordPress plugins, or hosting, these costs are often minimal compared to traditional web development. This cost-effective nature makes WordPress attractive for startups, small businesses, and even large enterprises.
2. Flexibility and Customisation
One of WordPress’s greatest strengths lies in its flexibility. It supports websites of all types, from simple blogs to complex e-commerce platforms. With access to over 70,000 plugins and 30,000 themes, users can customise their websites to meet specific needs without requiring extensive coding knowledge.
WordPress’s versatility is unparalleled, whether adding a shopping cart, integrating a social media feed, or enhancing SEO capabilities.
3. Extensive Support
WordPress benefits from a robust support ecosystem. The platform itself is continuously updated to improve functionality and security, and users can access a wealth of official documentation and tutorials. Thousands of developers and designers also specialise in WordPress, ensuring professional help is readily available.
4. Strong Community
The WordPress community is one of its defining features. This global network of enthusiasts, developers, and contributors fosters collaboration and innovation. Users can participate in forums, attend WordPress meetups or WordCamps, and contribute to the platform’s development. The community-driven nature of WordPress ensures it remains dynamic, with solutions and improvements emerging organically.
5. SEO-Friendly Features
WordPress is inherently designed to be SEO-friendly. It offers clean code, optimised URLs, and built-in blogging capabilities that enhance search engine visibility. Additionally, plugins like Yoast SEO enable users to fine-tune their content for optimal performance in search engine rankings, making WordPress a powerful tool for digital marketing.
6. Scalability
WordPress grows with your needs. It can scale seamlessly, whether you start with a small personal blog or manage a high-traffic business site. WordPress combines affordability, flexibility, support, and community-driven innovation to create an unmatched web development platform. Its versatility ensures it remains a go-to solution for diverse users and industries worldwide.
How to Create a WordPress Website
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Creating a WordPress website is straightforward and empowers anyone to build a professional online presence. This guide covers the essential steps, from choosing a domain name to installing WordPress and customising your site. Follow these steps, and your website will be up and running quickly.
Step 1: Choosing a Domain Name
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The first step in creating a WordPress website is selecting a domain name. A domain name is your website’s online address, such as www.example.com. It should be unique, easy to remember, and reflect your brand or purpose.
Tips for choosing a great domain name:
- Keep it Simple: Avoid complicated spellings or lengthy phrases. For instance, “mypersonalblog.com” is easier to remember than “mypersonalblogandthoughts123.com.”
- Use Keywords: Include relevant keywords that describe your site’s content or purpose if possible. For example, a photography website could include “photo” or “shots” in its domain name.
- Choose the Right Extension: Common extensions like .com, .co.uk, or .org are often preferred. However, industry-specific extensions like .tech or .shop can also work well.
Once you have some ideas, use a domain registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy to check availability and register your chosen domain.
Step 2: Selecting a Hosting Provider
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Web hosting is essential for storing your website’s files and making them accessible online. A good hosting provider ensures your site is fast, secure, and always available. When selecting a hosting provider for your WordPress website, consider the following:
- WordPress Compatibility: Look for hosting services optimised for WordPress, such as Bluehost, SiteGround, or Kinsta.
- Reliability and Speed: Review uptime guarantees (aim for 99.9%) and performance metrics. Faster loading times enhance user experience and SEO.
- Customer Support: Choose a provider with 24/7 support via live chat or phone to assist you when needed.
- Scalability: Opt for a plan to upgrade resources as your site grows.
After selecting a hosting provider, you can often register your domain name during sign-up, combining both services for convenience.
Step 3: Installing WordPress
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After setting up your domain and hosting, the next step is to install WordPress. Many hosting providers offer a one-click installation feature, making the process quick and straightforward.
To install WordPress:
- Log into Your Hosting Account: Access your hosting control panel (often called cPanel).
- Locate the WordPress Installer: Most hosting providers include a one-click installer like Softaculous or a dedicated WordPress installation tool.
- Run the Installer: Click the WordPress installer and follow the prompts. Then, provide basic details like your site’s name, admin username, and password.
- Choose Your Domain: Select the domain you registered earlier and specify whether to install WordPress on the root directory (e.g., www.example.com) or a subdirectory (e.g., www.example.com/blog).
- Complete the Installation: You’ll receive login credentials to access your WordPress dashboard.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed WordPress and are ready to start building your website.
Step 4: Customising Your WordPress Site
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Customising your WordPress site allows you to create a unique and engaging online presence. Here’s how to get started:
Choose a Theme
Themes control your site’s design and layout. WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes. To choose one:
- Go to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress dashboard.
- Click Add New to browse themes.
- Preview different options and select a theme that suits your style and purpose.
- Once you find the right one, click Install and then Activate.
Customise Your Theme
After activating your theme, you can make it your own:
- Navigate to Appearance > Customise.
- Use the live editor to adjust colours, fonts, logos, and layouts.
- Preview changes in real-time before publishing.
Install Plugins
Plugins extend your site’s functionality. To install plugins:
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for essential plugins, such as Yoast SEO (for optimisation), WooCommerce (for e-commerce), or Contact Form 7 (for forms).
- Click Install Now and then Activate.
Add Pages and Posts
Create content for your site:
- For static content (e.g., About Us, Contact), go to Pages > Add New.
- For blog entries, navigate to Posts > Add New.
- Use the WordPress editor to add text, images, and media.
Set Up Navigation
To make your site easy to navigate:
- Go to Appearance > Menus.
- Create a new menu and add pages or links.
- Assign the menu to a location, such as the header or footer.
These steps will make your WordPress site visually appealing and ready for visitors. You can continue refining it as your needs evolve.
WordPress Themes and Plugins Your New Site Needs
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WordPress is a preferred CMS because of its flexibility and extensive customisation options. At the heart of its versatility lie themes and plugins, essential tools that enable users to build unique, functional, and visually appealing websites. Themes and plugins are fundamental components of WordPress. Here’s what you need to know about themes and plugins on WordPress:
WordPress Themes
Themes define a website’s overall appearance and design, encompassing layout, colour schemes, typography, and responsiveness. A well-chosen theme ensures a website looks professional and aligns with its intended purpose: a blog, e-commerce store, portfolio, or corporate site.
The five most popular WordPress themes include the following:
| Theme Name | Description | Best For |
| Astra | A lightweight, customisable theme with seamless integration with page builders like Elementor. | Blogs, portfolios, small businesses |
| Divi | A versatile theme with a built-in drag-and-drop builder, offering extensive design options. | Creative professionals, agencies |
| OceanWP | A multi-purpose theme that is known for its responsiveness and compatibility with WooCommerce. | E-commerce, corporate websites |
| GeneratePress | A minimalist, performance-focused theme ensuring fast loading times and easy customisation. | Blogs, developers |
| Neve | A fast and lightweight theme optimised for speed and mobile responsiveness. | Startups, e-commerce stores |
WordPress Plugins
Plugins, on the other hand, extend WordPress’s functionality. They allow users to add specific features without writing complex code. From SEO tools to e-commerce integrations and social media widgets, plugins enable users to tailor their websites to meet specific requirements.
Here is a list of the widely used WordPress plugins that you should incorporate in your site:
- Yoast SEO: Yoast SEO is an indispensable plugin for improving a website’s search engine visibility. It provides real-time feedback on content readability, keyword optimisation, and metadata. With its user-friendly interface, Yoast SEO is a must-have for bloggers and businesses aiming to enhance their online presence.
- WooCommerce: WooCommerce powers millions of online stores and is the go-to plugin for e-commerce on WordPress. It offers product management, payment gateway integration, and inventory tracking, enabling users to create fully functional and scalable online shops.
- Elementor is a popular page builder plugin that simplifies website design. Its drag-and-drop functionality, a wide array of widgets, and pre-designed templates allow users to create visually stunning pages without coding expertise.
- UpdraftPlus: UpdraftPlus is a reliable backup plugin that safeguards website data. It enables users to schedule regular backups and store them on cloud platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox. This plugin is essential for mitigating data loss in technical issues or cyberattacks.
- WPForms: WPForms is a beginner-friendly form builder plugin. Its intuitive interface lets users create contact forms, surveys, and payment forms in minutes. The plugin’s versatility and seamless integration with third-party tools make it an excellent choice for capturing leads and engaging users.
Together, themes and plugins empower users to create feature-rich, aesthetically pleasing websites regardless of technical expertise. These are vital for creating customised, functional, and visually appealing websites.
With many options available, users can build anything from a personal blog to a sophisticated online store. By selecting the right tools and prioritising quality and performance, you can harness the full potential of WordPress to achieve your digital goals.
WordPress Security Tips
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Considering the number of websites that WordPress powers worldwide, it’s no surprise that it remains a prime target for cyberattacks. Recent statistics reveal WordPress sites face approximately 120,000 daily attacks worldwide, including sophisticated SQL injections and cross-site scripting (XSS) attempts.
WordPress has enhanced security measures, such as better user authentication and automatic updates for themes and plugins, to counter these threats.
However, site owners must adopt proactive strategies to further fortify their websites. Here are some tips to remember:
- Keep Everything Updated: To minimise vulnerabilities, regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Enable automatic updates to ensure you’re always protected against the latest threats.
- Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Weak credentials are a common entry point for hackers. Create complex passwords and enable 2FA to add an extra layer of security.
- Install a Security Plugin: Plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri can monitor your website for suspicious activity, block unauthorised access, and provide firewall protection.
- Regular Backups: Ensure regular, automated backups of your site to a secure location. This allows you to recover quickly in case of a breach.
- Limit Login Attempts: Restrict login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks. Many security plugins offer this feature.
By combining these practices with WordPress’s built-in security enhancements, you can effectively safeguard your website from potential threats.
Are You Ready to Launch Your WordPress Website in 2025?
WordPress offers the tools to bring your vision to life, whether you’re starting a blog, launching an e-commerce store, or showcasing your business portfolio. Its robust ecosystem of plugins, themes, and built-in security features ensures your website is beautiful but also functional and secure.
If you’re ready to take the first step, you can contact MediaOne Marketing in Singapore to help you create a stunning, high-performing WordPress website tailored to your goals. With our expertise, you can confidently launch a website that stands out, engages your audience, and drives results. Call us today to learn how we can work on your first WordPress website together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a WordPress website free?
WordPress itself is free to use, as it is open-source software. However, you must pay for hosting, a domain name, and potentially premium themes or plugins, which may incur additional costs.
Does WordPress require coding?
No, WordPress is designed to be user-friendly and doesn’t require coding skills. You can build a website using pre-designed themes and plugins, though some customisation may involve basic coding knowledge.
What are the requirements for WordPress?
To use WordPress, you need a domain name, a web hosting provider, and PHP and MySQL support on your server. Most hosting providers offer packages optimised for WordPress, making it easy to get started.
How do you create a WordPress website for beginners?
Start by selecting a domain name and a hosting provider, then install WordPress. After installation, choose a theme, install essential plugins, and customise your site using the WordPress dashboard.
Which is better, Wix or WordPress?
WordPress offers flexibility and scalability, making it ideal for long-term growth and customisation. Wix is simpler and more beginner-friendly, but WordPress is better for a feature-rich, customisable website.
