Are you aware that around 45% of websites on the internet are powered by WordPress, compared to much smaller shares for platforms like Shopify and Squarespace? This implies that each day, someone starts their journey of constructing a WordPress website, either on their own or with the help of developers.
With a beginner-friendly content management platform such as WordPress hosting cPanel, building a website is an option you can easily consider. But before you start, make sure you understand what you’re getting into.
In this blog, we will provide you with a closer look at the entire WordPress website-building cycle. We’ll assist you in creating your WordPress website on your own and help you make an informed decision when choosing a managed hosting providers for your business.
There is a Learning Curve for Beginners
The first thing to know is that– WordPress is easier to understand, compared to many other CMSs. Both Joomla and Drupal need in-depth knowledge of programming languages. On the other hand, WordPress is relatively more beginner-friendly and comes with a vast collection of plugins and themes. This allows you more space to get started.
So if you are willing to create a website, WordPress can be a good option. However, you still need to know the essentials of website development. So, if you’re an absolute beginner, prepare yourself to spend some time learning about it.
The fundamentals are relatively simple to master. You can avail yourself of plenty of resources and guides on how to deploy your WordPress website. If you’re new, MilesWeb has excellent resources to guide you through the process.
As you go deeper and start implementing advanced features and customizing the website, things can get more intricate. It is helpful to have some knowledge of HTML and CSS for this part of the process.
But before that, it’s essential to consider these simple questions:
- Do I have enough technical expertise to develop the website using WordPress?
- If not, am I eager to learn?
- Do I have sufficient time apart from my regular tasks, to invest in it?
If the response is ‘No’ to any of these, you can think about reaching out to a WordPress developer to assist you.
Steps to Create a WordPress Website
WordPress’s fundamental purpose is to help you with a simple way to streamline your website content. However, creating a full-featured working website takes more than that. The core process involves these stages.
- Choosing an ideal WordPress hosting plan
- Register a domain name
- Set up WordPress
- Install your preferred theme
- Integrate essential plugins and functionalities
- Update pages and include your content
In general, it sounds quite simple. However, that’s not how it works for website owners.
Fortunately, reliable web hosting providers like MilesWeb offer managed WordPress hosting plans for the convenience of beginners with restricted technical expertise. All you have to do is look out for a suitable hosting that suits you and can scale comfortably with your flexible business needs.
WordPress: Easy to Install and Design
You can complete all the steps and have your website deployed and ready to roll. However, will you be happy with that ordinary website? The answer is typically no. Most users end up with a website that functions but just doesn’t look captivating.
Let’s Discuss Website Design
When you do it yourself there are generally 2 choices. With WordPress, you can take the complete DIY route and build your website from scratch. Or you can choose a readymade theme and revamp it to align with your website needs.
The first choice will give you the ideal website you dreamed of, however, it takes a lot of effort and is time-consuming. This is why we recommend using a readymade theme which offers you a good foundation to start with. Then you can proceed with tailoring your WordPress website.
You’ll also have to create custom website pages and landing pages. You can take the help of a page builder for that. Try using the theme’s inherent layouts and features wherever possible to simplify the designing process. But at the same time, remember that there are chances that other websites are also using the same theme. So include elements that make your website captivating and unique.
1. Integrating Features
Adding functionality such as payment gateways, contact forms, and courses will need various plugins. The best part is that WordPress promises an extensive plugin library. In case you’re unable to find a specific functionality, you can configure it manually.
Being compatible with other plugins is essential, so be selective in choosing your plugins and do your research. Also, pay attention to the number of plugins you are utilizing; excessive plugins can negatively impact your website speed. And keep in mind, visitors don’t like staying on websites that load slowly.
2. Securing your website
WordPress is an open-source content management system, which makes it exposed to cyberattacks. That’s why it’s crucial to perform these security practices–frequent malware scans, install a firewall, restrict admin access, rename your login URL, and customize email notifications.
Regular backups are essential in the event of a security attack and breakdown of your websites. Moreover, it’s critical to update all your website’s essentials on regular intervals. If you choose managed hosting, you can count on your web host to handle many of these aspects for you.
3. Optimizing for Speed
If you want your clients to stay engaged and come back, your website must be blazing-fast, fine-tuned and efficient. Keep an eye on uptime and page speed, database, media, optimization, and advanced caching to ensure streamlined performance.
Conclusion
Your website is where your business meets the world. It’s a fantastic idea to do it yourself – if you have the time, dedication, and enthusiasm. However, nothing is worse than implementing all your efforts and coming out with inferior outcomes.
So even if you do most of it yourself, know when it’s time to get help with certain tasks. There is nothing wrong with going the DIY WordPress way, but seeking assistance from WordPress professionals might save you a lot in the long run. MilesWeb has been in business for more than a decade, so trust them to provide reliable and expert support services to help you seamlessly craft your WordPress website.
