If you love blogging or thinking of setting up a website, then you have definitely heard about WordPress. You may have done your research to know a little bit more about it, and you realize it is something you definitely need.
But, you may be wondering how to go about the process of setting one up. If you are currently in this situation, you will definitely get a lot of insight from our article below. We will give you a complete breakdown of WordPress, which makes it so popular, and how you can start the process of setting up one.
1. WordPress; What Is It?
Firstly, WordPress is software that will help you create blogs or websites. It is open-source, meaning that it is free and you do not need to be tech-savvy to use it. So whether you are a beginner who may not have money to hire a designer or web developer, or someone with some level of expertise, it is fantastic software to have.
There are two WordPress platforms, WordPress.com and WordPress.org. We will explore the two in some more detail in our article below.
The developers are always on toes making sure you have the latest updates. While the good news is that the updates are free and you will get a notification in your email anytime there is one.
We strongly recommend
that you keep on updating the system, no matter how bothersome you may feel the process is. After all, why would the developers spend time trying to make the software more efficient for you if they did not need to? Keeping up with the relevant updates will give you a very efficient system, which will deliver as per your expectations.
Related Read: 10 Benefit Of WordPress CMS Development
2. The Process of Setting up WordPress
Secondly, Setting up WordPress is a simple as going to WordPress.org, and downloading the latest software version. Especially, Do note; you will need a hosting provider to install WordPress.org. You will find two versions of WordPress, the free one, and the self-hosted. It may be tempting to go with the former, but if you are using your website for business, you may want to consider the self-hosted version.
3. WordPress Platforms; WordPress.Com and WordPress.Org
As stated above, there are two WordPress platforms; WordPress.com and WordPress.org. There are some differences between the two, which we will go into in a little more detail below.
| WordPress.org | WordPress.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost implication | Free | Free |
| Domain name | You have several options of where you can get a domain name. | You have to use the WordPress.com domain extension. |
| Plans | N/A | Premium plan – $4 per month (13 GB space, Advanced customization, and a personal domain name) Business plan – $25 per month (unlimited storage, premium themes, Google Analytics, eCommerce capabilities) |
| Web hosting | The cost will depend on the platform you choose. It could be as little as less than $4 to approximately $20. Make sure you pick a reliable provider. | Everything is laid out for you, so you have no worries about looking for a hosting provider. |
| Coding knowledge | Since it is self-hosted, you may require knowing a little bit of code. You do, however, have the advantage of using web builders. | Everything is set-up for you, so it is effortless to start the blogging process. |
| Themes and Plugins | You’ll find a lot of choices when opting for the theme you want to use. Think about your layout and level of responsiveness with whichever theme you choose. | The themes you get are dependent on the plan you opt for. You get some free themes and some free built-in default features. On the higher plans, you get access to the CSS code. |
| Ease-of-use | You have a wide range of plugins that will assist you with the installation of the software. You are responsible for the installation process. | It comes set-up complete with security and hosting. |
| Customization | You have no limit to what you can do. You have a wide range of plugins and themes; whether free or paid at your disposal. If you are not very comfortable with doing it on your own, you could always get the services of a professional to assist you with some of the aspects. | No matter which plan you go for, you can only use the themes that come with the platform. |
| Functionality | You have so many plugins that will assist you with almost all the functions on your blog. | You will get plugins and widgets that you must stick to. |
| Control | You can do what you want on your blog page as long as you stick to the FTC guidelines. | You have no control over your website and must abide by specific rules, failure to which you could lose your blog. |
| Blogging aspect | You can do so much more besides blogging. You have the option of installing third-party apps to help with SEO but have more control with any manual changes you need to make | The site is expressly set up for blogging and has a simple to use the inbuilt dashboard to help with post-management. You have the option of installing third-party apps to help with SEO. |
| Analytics | You can set-up Google Analytics to keep track of the activity on your webpage. | You cannot set up Analytics. |
| Options to monetize | You can make extra cash by running ads on your site, setting up an eCommerce store, have affiliate links, and sell eBooks among others. By installing 3rd party plugins, you can sell online. | Ads are only available to business or premium members. Free members can only use WordAds. They allow for Affiliate links but under certain restrictions. You also need to sign on to the eCommerce plan if you want to sell products |
| Support | You will get assistance at the WordPress forum. You also have so many resources online, including the ever-dependable Google. |
In addition, our table above has highlighted the main differences between the two platforms. We would recommend that you go with WordPress.org, which is the self-hosted platform if you are thinking of making money from your website. For the rest of this article will focus on WordPress.org, so read on for more information.
4. Steps to Setting up a WordPress.Org
Anytime you want to set up a website; you will have to come up with a domain name. The process is not simple because you need to come up with a domain name that is memorable, easy to spell, and most importantly, that no one else is using. Some online tools can help you with the process of getting a name. The same tools will also let you know which extensions are available.
The most common and popular is the .com extension, but it can be a bit difficult to get a domain name with this extension. You, however, have so many other options available, including the .net extension. It is also possible to get a domain name from the marketplace as there are people whose core business is selling domains.
You must get the right name because this is the one you will use as long as you have your blog. Research on tips on how to come up with the right domain name. It is vital to do this so that you avoid the common mistakes that people make. Such errors include choosing hard to spell names or using symbols. After you get the right name, you will need to register it.
Do note; You only keep the name for as long as you remember to renew the domain every year. Some hosting providers will give you the option of getting your domain name from them, but you may be better off separating the two in case you ever want to move.
5. Web Hosting Providers
The only way your blog will go live on the internet is if you have a hosting provider. This is also where you’ll keep your website files. It is vital that you look for a reliable web host so that you do not deal with down-times, slow-loading pages among others.
The more popular your blog becomes, the more traffic you’ll have to your website. You do not want people complaining that they are having a problem accessing your site. There are many web hosting companies all offering different packages. Carefully consider what each brings to the table before making the final decision.
Remember the success of your website depends on your web hosting provider, and this may not necessarily be the time to look for the cheapest option.
6. Plugins
Plugins will help improve the functionality of your website So, you have many plugins at your disposal and may, therefore, get tempted to install as many of them as possible. We would advise that you only install what you require. If you realize that there are some plugins you are not using, remember to delete them. Some come at a cost, so be careful about what you choose.
7. Themes
Human beings are visual creatures, and the way your website looks will have an impact on the kind of traffic you attract. That is why you should take advantage of the many themes available on the platform to create an attractive website. You have so much choice, and the best part is that some of them are free.
If the free ones do not appeal to you, you have the option of getting the premium ones; you will, of course, need to pay for them. You will also find web page builders that will make it easy for you to use the themes and get feedback from others to know what they think about how your website looks.
It can be overwhelming to do the process on your own, and you never know, you could get some fantastic insights from a third-party. If you have some extra cash, you may want to consider the services of a web designer to give your site that extra touch. Whichever route you choose to take, just ensure that you have the following in mind:
- Is It Responsive:
Here is the reality; people in the online space have a short attention span. They will, therefore, not bother with a website that is not responsive. The other reality is that more and more people are turning to their smart devices, especially the mobile phone, to access the internet.
You must, therefore, optimize for mobile. Thus, try and ensure that what your visitors on your website see from their laptop is the same as what they see on their mobile devices. If people have an easy experiencing on your website, they are more likely to come back; of course, you have to couple this with great content.
- See What Else Is Out There
Do your research so that you have knowledge about what people actually look for when they visit blogging websites. You could ask for recommendations and reviews, especially if you will be paying for a particular theme.
- Is There Technical Support for You
As a beginner, you will need a lot of support when setting up your WordPress. You should therefore not be shy about inquiring about the level of support you will get with the process. You will find themes that come with free support in case anything goes wrong. In other cases, you will need to pay for it. You are better off knowing from the very beginning as opposed to finding out later on.
- Are There Fees You Need To Pay
Make sure you know whether you will need to pay a maintenance fee. Some of the upgrades and updates come at a cost so you may need to decide whether it is something you can afford.
Related Read: Tips To Choose Perfect Theme For Your WordPress Blog Or Website
Final Thoughts
In Conclusion, The WordPress platform is an excellent tool for anyone who has the desire to set up a website or start blogging. It is especially thrilling to know that you can also make money on your site through ads or affiliate links, among other money-making Ventures. Before you start the set-up process, make sure you have a proper understanding of the platform.
Choose the themes and plugins that would make your website stand out so that you attract the right audience to your site.
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