Step by step – how to create a simple website in WordPress?

Does the thought of building your own website seem overwhelming? Do you think it’s a task only for programmers? Not necessarily! Even if you’re a complete beginner in this field, we have good news for you. WordPress is so easy to use that you can easily build a simple, yet professionally looking website for your business or blog.

In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the entire process. You will learn which basic elements a properly functioning site should consist of, and how and where to find them.

Ready? Let’s get started!

WordPress – creating a website step by step

Although setting up a WordPress website is generally a quick and simple task, mistakes and problems can sometimes occur right from the start. That’s why we have prepared a detailed guide on how to proceed step by step so you don’t get lost along the way.

Step 1: choose a domain for your WordPress website

This is where it all begins. Your domain name is your identity on the Internet. It is how visitors will be able to find and recognize you.

A domain is a unique name under which your website will be found. It is primarily needed so that when someone types it into their browser’s address bar, they are automatically redirected to your website.

A domain consists of two elements – the main name and the extension (also called the suffix).

The main name of the domain should meet several conditions. First and foremost, it must be available. You cannot use a name that already exists on the Internet. To check this, type the chosen URL into your browser. If you are redirected to an active website, that means the name is already taken. If you receive an error message, it is likely available. Also, make sure the domain name is short, easy to remember, and—most importantly—consistent with your business.

In addition to the name, you must also choose an appropriate extension that suits the purpose of your site. Among the domain extensions available are, for example:

• International – e.g., .com, .org, .net, .eu (if you operate on various markets);
• Country-specific – e.g., .pl, .de, .fr, .hr (extensions associated with a particular country).

Step 2: purchase a hosting plan for your WordPress website

The next essential step in setting up a WordPress website is to purchase hosting. This is the space on a server where you will store all the files of your website. Choosing the right plan and provider is a significant decision, as it will determine, among other things, the security and reliability of your website. Hosting is also necessary for the next step—the installation of WordPress.

Step 3: install WordPress

You can install WordPress in two ways:

Using your hosting provider’s auto-installer

Some hosting providers offer the possibility to install WordPress directly from their control panel. Depending on the company you choose, this process may look slightly different. In every case, it should take no more than 5 minutes, as it requires only a few clicks.

Manual installation of WordPress

Although the auto-installer allows for a quick installation, the manual method gives you the greatest scope to configure the CMS to your needs. Installing WordPress manually is also more secure.

Manual installation involves configuring the files by hand and uploading them to the server via FTP. How does it work?

• Download the latest version of WordPress

  The first thing you need to do is download the latest version of WordPress from https://wordpress.org/download. Then, extract the package. You will find a folder named WordPress that contains all the files that need to be uploaded to your web server.

• Upload WordPress files to your server

  To do this, you will need to use FTP. Use a program (e.g., FileZilla) to connect to your server using the provided FTP host, username, and password which you received from your hosting provider, likely in one of the initial emails after purchasing your plan. Upload the previously extracted installation files to your website’s root directory, usually called /public_html/.

• Create a MySQL database

  You can do this from your hosting provider’s control panel. Find the function to add or create a database and fill in all the required fields – database name, username, password. You will need these details in the next step.

• Install WordPress

  Open your browser and type in your website’s URL. If you have correctly uploaded all the files, you should be greeted with a screen to choose the language. Select the language you want to set as the default for your WordPress installation.

  

  The next step is to fill in the information for the previously created database. Complete the form by providing:

  • the database name,
  • the username with appropriate privileges for the database,
  • the user’s password,
  • the database server address,
  • the table prefix.

  The final step is to log in to the system by entering the information about your website. WordPress will then configure your site and complete the installation.

Step 4: appearance – choose a theme for your WordPress site

Every WordPress website operates based on a chosen theme – whether it’s a free theme (available in the repository), a paid one (purchased from a marketplace), or a custom-made one (created to order). Each option has its advantages and disadvantages.

Free themes are primarily a budget option, but they might not always meet high visual expectations. Paid themes tend to be more interesting, but be careful not to choose one with too many unnecessary features. Custom-made WordPress themes, developed by an external company, are fully tailored to your needs (both in terms of appearance and functionality), although their cost is significantly higher than that of ready-made solutions.

After installing WordPress, go to your dashboard. In the menu on the left, click on the Appearance » Themes tab. You will find three default themes – Twenty Seventeen, Twenty Sixteen, and Twenty Nineteen. These are very basic designs, so it’s better to look for something else. After clicking the Add New Theme button, you will be taken to a page where you can browse available themes or upload your own.

Once you choose your theme, it’s time to install and customize it by adjusting its settings according to how you want your site to appear. However, you don’t need to do all of this immediately. It might be easier to customize the theme once you have added some content to your site.

Step 5: install a set of essential plugins

After creating your website, you can enhance it in various ways, such as creating photo galleries, newsletters, or contact forms. One of the most popular and effective ways is to add new functionalities through plugins.

You can find them in the official WordPress directory, where you can choose from over 60,000 different add-ons! To install a plugin, go to Plugins » Add New in your dashboard. Find what you need and then click Install. Don’t forget—after installation, you must activate the plugin for it to work.

If you’re not sure which plugins to install, remember to use moderation! Choose only those functionalities that are truly essential. Otherwise, unused but installed plugins will unnecessarily burden your site and slow it down. We primarily recommend equipping your site with plugins for:

1. 1. • security (e.g., Wordfence);
      • backup creation (e.g., UpdraftPlus);
      • site speed optimization (e.g., WP Rocket);
      • form creation (e.g., Contact Form 7);
      • SEO optimization (e.g., AIOSEO).

Step 6: add content to your website

WordPress comes with two default content types – pages and posts. Pages are simply sections where you add information about your business. These include your homepage and subpages such as services, products, about us, contact, etc. Posts, on the other hand, are articles in your blog section.

According to your strategy, create the necessary pages, fill them with content, and adjust the visuals to your needs. To do this, go to Pages » Add New in your dashboard. The process is similar for blog posts.

Step 7: adjust the main settings of your WordPress site

Besides customizing the theme, what else must you not forget when creating your WordPress site?

Fill in your site title and tagline

By default, WordPress sets the title of a new site as “Just another WordPress site.” Don’t let it stay that way! In the dashboard, go to Settings » General.

Your Site Title is simply the name of your brand. Your Tagline is the sentence that describes it.

Here, you can also verify other information about your WordPress site – for example, the URL, admin email, time zone, or date format.

Configure your menu

Without a menu, visitors will have difficulty navigating your site and finding all the subpages.

In the dashboard, go to Appearance » Menus. Enter a name for your navigation menu (e.g., Main Menu) and click the Create Menu button. Then, more configuration options for the menu will be displayed. From the list on the left, choose the pages you want to include in your menu, and then click Add to Menu. On the right, tiles with your menu items will appear. You can freely drag and drop these elements to arrange them as desired.

Finally, choose the location where you want the menu to be displayed and click Save Menu.

Change your homepage to a static page

If your site is not a blog and you do not want the latest posts to appear at the top, you need to change the homepage setting from dynamic to static. How do you do that?

Go to Settings » Reading in your WordPress dashboard. In the “Your homepage displays” section, select “A static page.” Then, choose from the list which page should be your homepage and which one should be your blog.

Creating a WordPress website – on your own or with a specialist?

It might seem that creating a WordPress website following online guides should be easy. In fact, building your own site can even save you some money.

Unfortunately, it often happens that a small mistake made at the very beginning can prevent further development or hinder your site’s progress. Sometimes the issues are visible (e.g., elements displaying incorrectly), and sometimes they are serious faults that block the proper functioning of the site and, for instance, prevent product sales.

When deciding to create your own WordPress site, you must consider the risks involved. If the site is only a minor addition or does not constitute your source of income, you might try your hand at it. Otherwise, it may not be worth the effort, as fixing a site can sometimes far exceed the cost of having it built anew by an experienced team of specialists.

Why should you create a WordPress website with WP Care?

By entrusting us with creating your WordPress website, you can be sure that it will be executed according to your concept. We will take care of every detail and guarantee its highest level of security.

We will handle everything for you—from graphic design issues and implementation to ongoing administration and functional development.

When creating your site, we consider its functionality from multiple angles – proper optimization will help it achieve high rankings in search engine results, while any errors or issues will be addressed promptly.