More than 34% of the sites on the internet have WordPress to thank for their existence. Research also indicates that it is so popular that daily it has more than 616 new users coming on board. If you want to set up a website on WordPress, our article below will give you some fantastic insights. You get to set up your site without needing to have any coding skills. The platform is open-source & free and offers you versatility. You also get fantastic features such as web security, Blogging tools, and SEO capabilities, among others. The process is simple enough to do it on your own, meaning you get to save some money. Let’s dive into it.

Steps to Setting up a WordPress Website

1. Get A Domain Name

You cannot operate on the online platform without having a domain name. Have a name in mind when you’re looking to purchase a domain. There are several tools you can use online that will help you with the process of coming up with one. If you already have a business running, the domain name should incorporate aspects of your business name.

The domain is your website name, and it is what will form the URL that people will type into the browser when looking for your company. There are various tips you need to have in mind when choosing a domain name. It should be simple to remember, easy to pronounce, and easy to type. Ask a few people to pronounce and spell the domain name you opt for. If they seem to be having a challenge, then it may not be the right one for you.

You should also consider one that describes what it is you are offering. It makes it more likely that people will click on the link if they’re able to get a descriptor, without necessarily having to go to the website. Consider including keywords so that it gives a descriptor immediately. If you, for example, have a hair salon, then your URL should have the word salon or hair in it. Brainstorm around a few names or use the name generator tools available online.

2. Domain Name Extension

When you search for your domain name, it will give you available extensions. The most common is .com, although there are much more available. You can get industry-specific, location-specific, and business-specific, among others. Such include .net, .org, .biz, .edu, .uk. .ke, .au among others. .com is the most popular, and you may, therefore, find that the name you opt for is not available with that extension. You may, therefore, have to consider the other options or change your name altogether.

3. Purchasing The Domain Name

Once you decide on a name and have done the relevant name search, you will need to buy the domain. The cost may range from $10 to $20 annually. You must remember that it is only yours for as long as you keep up with the subscription renewals.

4. Choosing A Web Host Provider

Pay attention to the web hosting provider you choose. There are very many companies available, all coming in at different price points. Some are even free, but you should avoid them if you can. You will have to forgo some critical elements like Social Security, page loading speeds, and scalability. Your web host provider should give you good value for money and transparency in their pricing. 24/7 technical support is critical in case you have any issues with your website. Do your research to ensure that you’re dealing with an above-board company.

A popular provider is Siteground, that is what we will use to explain how to set up your WordPress website. You, however, have other options such as HostGator, GoDaddy, inMotion, and BlueHost.

Useful Read: How To Manage WordPress Website? (Especially Helpful Tips)

5. Setting Up WordPress Website on Siteground

What you will love about setting up your WordPress website on Siteground is the easy to follow prompts. You need no coding knowledge or web development experience to launch your website. Take the following steps:

(A) Log onto the Siteground and click on the Managed WordPress hosting option.

(B) Click on the subscription plan that is suitable for the budget you have. you get the following options:

• The Startup plan comes in at slightly under $12. It is ideal for one website and is therefore perfect for anyone who is starting their first site. You can, for example, set up your WordPress photography site on this plan. The more people begin to come to your website, you can move on to the next one. It only allows for ten thousand visitors per month.
• GrowBig Plan will cost you just under $20, and you can run several websites. You also have inbuilt plugins that will assist with your page loading speed.
• The GoGeek Plan is excellent for anyone who is running an eCommerce platform. It will cost you slightly under $40, but you get some fantastic benefits. You also get priority for advanced support. Any time you have an issue, the tech team will deal with your problems faster.

(C) If you already have a domain, click on the ‘I have a domain name’ option and type it in.

(D) The site will then redirect you to another page where you:

• Will give pertinent information such as account, client, and payment details.
• Will choose the period which ranges from trial to 3 years
• You also get to decide where they will store your data in the data center. It will depend on where you get your traffic from, and your location. The options are the United Kingdom, Singapore, Europe, and the USA.

(E) Complete the purchase and wait for confirmation from Siteground.

6. Installing WordPress for Siteground

Use the Siteground Wizard to set up your WordPress platform. All you have to do is follow the prompts, and within minutes your website will be up. You need to come up with a username and password. You can also easily manage your installations from the client dashboard.

7. Theme Selection And Installation

When you reach this stage now comes the fun part. Think about it like building a house, when you finish the supportive structure, you can start working on the finishing touches. You get to customize the home as you wish and can add as many frills, bells and whistles as you desire. The same goes for setting up a WordPress website. Once you have the domain name, a web host provider, and you have done the installation, it is now time to customize it.

8. WordPress Themes

The themes will allow you to change the design of your website as for your preference. You get to choose different colors, layouts, fonts, among others. It will enable you to make a first impression on anyone who visits your website. You have so many options for themes that it can sometimes be a bit confusing.

You have the option of free and paid WordPress themes. Depending on what your website is for, we would recommend that you stay away from the free ones due to various reasons. You lose out on benefits such as updates, technical support, security, among other issues. If you are running an eCommerce platform, you cannot afford to have to deal with some of the problems that arise from using free themes.

If, on the other hand, you are running a basic website like blogging, you can consider some of the free themes. You must ensure that whatever theme you choose is mobile responsive.

Log in to wordpress.com > dashboard> appearance> themes. 

If you do not find one that you like, you have the option of uploading the one you prefer. Take note of the cost of the themes because it will impact the overall cost of running your website. Some have a monthly fee, while others have a one-off cost.

Some themes, such as Astra are popular because they are cost-effective, you can customize it easily, and the installation process is fast. Installing a theme is as simple as:

Login to WordPress dashboard > appearance> themes > add new > search for your theme> install and preview > get started

You will get an installation confirmation from WordPress. Now do the following:

Choose the page builder option > pick your preferred option > Astra starter slides > Pick your preferred template from over 100 > it will import the setup, and you will get a preview on the dashboard.

It is also essential that before you opt for a theme, you read the customer reviews. You get to avoid those that may end up slowing your website.

9. Theme Customization

What we have outlined above is the basic installation process for the different themes. You can, however, take it a step farther and customize the appearance of your website a little bit more. You may have a preference with regards to style guidelines or branding, and you have the advantage of being able to do it from the dashboard. When you get to the customization page, you will see different options, including layout, color, and background, Widgets, Buttons, Typography, among others. The steps are as below:

WordPress dashboard> appearance> choose what you wish to customize

• Title and logo –  WordPress dashboard> appearance> pasta options> upload logo> preview > publish
• Colors– WordPress dashboard > appearance > Astro options > set colors > preview > publish
• Typography template option – WordPress dashboard > appearance > Astro options > customize options > decide which one to change
• Layouts – WordPress dashboard > appearance > Astro options > layout options

From the examples above, customizing your WordPress website is not difficult. The developers have made the program simple enough for anyone who does not have coding knowledge, which is why WordPress is such a fantastic platform.

10. Updating Settings On WordPress

There are several settings you may need to update once you setup your WordPress website. What are the steps below:

• General settings – settings > general settings > (decide on what you need to update including time zone, language, date format among others)
• Permalinks – The most common permalink option on non-news sites is the Post Name option
• Discussion settings allow you to moderate and display any comments on your website. In the initial phase, you should leave it at the default setting but, in the future, you can change them as you wish.
• Privacy settings – WordPress dashboard > setting > Privacy > preview (for details on the current policy) > make changes as you wish.
• Widget and Menus – Visitors will use menus to find more information about your website. Some of the themes have default menus, but you can customize them as well.WordPress dashboard > appearance> customize > main menu > make relevant changes Widgets allow you to display different elements such as recent posts, social media, call To Action, your search bar, among others. You have the default one or can customize it as per your preference.WordPress dashboard > appearance > widgets > main sidebar (on the right Drag and drop the options you would like to add onto the main sidebar)

11. Plugins

WordPress has a ton of plugins that you can install to increase the functionality of the website. You have free and paid options, and you will have a lot of choices for your website. Do not download too many because it can increase the running cost of your site. The other problem you may face is slower speeds depending on what you install. Installing them is as easy as:

WordPress dashboard > plugins > add new

Final Thoughts

We have gone through the basic steps of setting up your WordPress website. The platform is easy to use, and you require no coding knowledge. Most of the steps are as simple as clicking on a button, and it directs you to the next step. While it may seem challenging in the initial stages, you will quickly realize that the steps are simple to follow, and before you know it, you’ll be the proud owner of a website. We cannot emphasize this enough, choose the right web host provider who can give you a quick technical support in case of any challenges.

Read Next: Website Launch Checklist: 25+ Things To Check Before Launching Your WordPress Site