9 Steps How To Build a Website In WordPress

Step 1: Register a Domain and Choose a Hosting Provider

Before anything else, you need a domain name. It’s your web address (e.g., www.yoursite.com). Choose a name that’s short, catchy, and relevant to your niche.

Then, select a reliable hosting provider. Some popular options include:

Bluehost (officially recommended by WordPress)
SiteGround
Hostinger

After registering your domain and selecting hosting, link them together through your hosting dashboard.

Step 2: Install WordPress on Your Hosting Server

Most hosting services offer a one-click WordPress installation. Log into your hosting dashboard and look for the WordPress installer. Within minutes, you’ll have your WordPress site ready.

Once installed, access your admin panel via www.yoursite.com/wp-admin.

Step 3: Choose and Install a Responsive Theme

A good theme enhances your website’s appearance and usability. Visit Appearance > Themes, then click Add New.

Recommended beginner-friendly themes:

Astra
OceanWP
GeneratePress

Choose one, install it, and click Activate.

Step 4: Install Essential Plugins

Plugins add extra functionality to your site. Here are some must-have plugins:

Yoast SEO: For on-page optimization
Elementor: For drag-and-drop page building
WPForms: For contact forms
W3 Total Cache: For performance optimization
UpdraftPlus: For backup and restore

Install them under Plugins > Add New.

Step 5: Customize Site Settings and Appearance

Navigate to Settings > General to update your site title and tagline. Then go to Settings > Permalinks and select Post Name for SEO-friendly URLs.

Use the Customizer under Appearance > Customize to change your logo, colors, fonts, and homepage layout.

Step 6: Create Important Pages

Every professional website must have the following pages:

Homepage
About Us
Contact Page
Privacy Policy
Blog Page (optional)

Use Pages > Add New to create them. Use Elementor or the Block Editor to design each page.

Step 7: Add Menus and Widgets

Menus help users navigate your site easily. Go to Appearance > Menus and create a new menu. Add important pages and set the display location.

Widgets add features like search bars, recent posts, or social icons. Customize them under Appearance > Widgets.

Step 8: Set Up SEO Basics

SEO is essential for visibility. Use Yoast SEO to:

Add meta titles and descriptions
Generate XML sitemaps
Set canonical URLs
Integrate with Google Search Console

Also, install Google Site Kit to view analytics and traffic directly in your dashboard.

Step 9: Optimize for Speed and Mobile

Page speed affects rankings. To boost speed:

Compress images using Smush or Imagify
Use a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache
Enable lazy loading
Use a lightweight theme

Test your site on Google PageSpeed Insights and make improvements.

Step 10: Launch Your Website

Preview your site to ensure everything looks good. Check links, test forms, and review content. Then share it with the world by promoting it on social media, email, and forums.