Learn the Easy and Complete Process of Creating a Website with WordPress (Part 1)

In today’s digital era, having your own online presence has become essential. Whether it’s a personal portfolio, a small business website, or a full-fledged e-commerce platform, everything has shifted to the internet. One of the most popular and powerful platforms for building such an online presence is WordPress. But what exactly is WordPress, and why should you use it? In this blog post, we will explore the fundamentals of WordPress and highlight the practical benefits it offers.

📌 Contents of This Article (Click to Expand)

• 🧠 What is WordPress? Why Should You Use It?
• 🌐 How to Buy and Set Up Domain & Hosting
• ⚙️ How to Install WordPress via cPanel
• 🎨 Selecting & Installing a Beautiful Theme for Your Site
• 🔌 Installing & Configuring Essential Plugins

🧠 What is WordPress? Why Should You Use It?

Simply put, WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS). This means it is software that allows you to create, manage, and update websites without any coding knowledge. Many of the world’s most popular websites, including Wikipedia, The New York Times, and Forbes, have been built using WordPress.

Although WordPress initially started as a blogging platform, over time it has evolved into a full-fledged website creation tool. Now you can use it to build blogs, e-commerce sites (via WooCommerce), corporate websites, portfolios, forums, social networks, and much more.

Why Use WordPress? Its Outstanding Advantages

• User-Friendly:
  One of the greatest advantages of WordPress is its intuitive interface. Even without knowing coding or programming languages, anyone can easily create and manage a website. Its drag-and-drop functionality and visual editor make website creation very straightforward, especially for beginners.
• Versatility:
  No matter what type of website you want to build, WordPress gives you the freedom to do so. From simple blogs to complex e-commerce solutions, real estate websites to online course platforms, almost anything is possible with WordPress. This is largely thanks to its vast ecosystem of themes and plugins.
Extensive Collection of Themes and Plugins:
• Themes: Themes define the design and layout of your website. WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes. By using them, you can design a website in virtually any style you prefer. Installing a single theme can completely change the look of your site.
• Plugins: Plugins are small pieces of software that add new functionalities to your website. From SEO optimization, security, contact forms, social media integration, galleries, to e-commerce features—there are thousands of plugins that can enhance your website’s capabilities. Most plugins are free, while some offer premium versions for advanced features.
• SEO Friendly:
  WordPress is inherently built to be search engine friendly. In addition, using powerful SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math allows you to optimize your website content for Google and other search engines. This is essential for attracting more visitors to your site.
• Cost-Effective:
  WordPress is open-source software, meaning it is free to use. You only need to purchase a domain name and hosting to get started. There are also many high-quality free themes and plugins available, making it ideal for those starting with a limited budget.
• Large Community Support:
  WordPress has a vast and active global community. If you encounter any issues or have questions, you can quickly get help through countless forums, blogs, tutorials, and developers online.
• Security:
  While no platform is 100% secure, WordPress regularly releases updates and patches to maintain security. By using powerful security plugins like Sucuri or Wordfence, you can protect your website from hacking and malware.
• Mobile Responsiveness:
  Most WordPress themes and plugins are mobile-friendly, meaning your website automatically adapts to different device screens such as smartphones and tablets. This improves user experience and can help boost your search engine rankings.

Undoubtedly, WordPress is an excellent platform for website creation. Its user-friendliness, versatility, extensive themes and plugins, and strong community support make it a favorite among both beginners and professional developers. If you are thinking of creating your own website, WordPress is a great place to start. It helps you build an effective and attractive online presence quickly and cost-effectively.

🌐 How to Buy and Set Up a Domain and Hosting

Before installing WordPress to create a website, you need two fundamental things: a domain name and web hosting. Without these, your website will not be visible online. Many people consider this process complicated, but with the right guidance, it is very simple. In this blog post, we will show step by step how to purchase a domain and hosting and perform the initial setup.

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the address of your website, which users type into their browsers to visit your site. For example, google.com, facebook.com, prothomalo.com, etc. It represents your online identity and your brand.

Tips for Choosing a Good Domain Name:

• Simple > Memorable: Choose a name that is easy to remember and type.
• Short > Concise: Short domain names are easier to remember and share.
• Brand-Relevant: Select a name related to your business or website’s topic.
• Domain Extension: .com is the most popular and trusted extension. You can also use .net, .org, .info, .xyz, or country-specific extensions like .com.usa (for USA) based on your needs.
• Avoid Hyphens > Numbers: These can be hard to remember and prone to errors.
• Check Availability: Verify the availability of your chosen name on domain registrar websites.

How to Purchase a Domain Name:

There are numerous domain registrars where you can purchase a domain. Some popular ones are:

• International: Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Google Domains (available in some regions).
• Bangladeshi: ExonHost, IT Nut Hosting, HostMight (if you want a .bd domain).

Steps:

1. Visit the registrar's website: Go to the website of your preferred domain registrar.
2. Search for your domain: Enter your desired domain name in the search box and check its availability.
3. Add to cart: If available, add the domain to your shopping cart.
4. Select registration period: Choose how many years you want to register the domain (typically 1 to 10 years).
5. Optional services: Some registrars offer additional services like WHOIS privacy protection or email hosting. Skip them if not needed.
6. Make payment: Complete the purchase by entering your payment information.

What is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is an online storage space for your website's files, databases, and other content. When someone types your domain name in a browser, the hosting server loads your website’s files and displays them to the user.

Types of Hosting:

• Shared Hosting: A popular and cost-effective option for beginners. Multiple websites share the same server.
• VPS Hosting: Offers more resources and control than shared hosting. A good option when your website starts to grow.
• Dedicated Hosting: A full server is allocated exclusively to your website. Suitable for large websites with high traffic.
• WordPress Hosting: Optimized specifically for WordPress websites, offering better performance and security.
• Cloud Hosting: Uses a network of multiple servers to provide high scalability and reliability.

Tips for Choosing a Good Hosting Provider:

• Reliability (Uptime): Choose a provider that guarantees high uptime (99.9% or higher).
• Speed: Fast loading times are crucial for SEO and user experience.
• Customer Support: 24/7 quality support is essential, especially during issues.
• Pricing: Pick a plan that fits your budget and requirements.
• Features: Check storage, bandwidth, SSL certificates, backups, and control panel (e.g., cPanel) options.
• WordPress Compatibility: Ensure the hosting provider offers services optimized for WordPress.

How to Purchase Hosting:

Popular hosting providers include:

• International: SiteGround, Bluehost, Hostinger, A2 Hosting.
• Bangladeshi: ExonHost, IT Nut Hosting, HostMight.

Steps:

1. Visit the provider's website: Go to your chosen hosting provider’s website.
2. Select a hosting plan: Choose a plan that suits your needs (e.g., Shared Hosting, WordPress Hosting).
3. Link your domain: Most providers allow you to register a new domain or link an existing domain when purchasing hosting. Connect your purchased domain here.
4. Optional services: Some providers offer extra services like SSL certificates (often free), dedicated IP, or advanced backups. Choose based on your needs.
5. Make payment: Complete the purchase using your payment details.

Setting Up and Connecting Domain and Hosting:

After purchasing your domain and hosting, you need to connect them. This requires updating your domain’s nameservers to those provided by your hosting provider.

Steps:

1. Find the hosting provider's nameservers: Check your welcome email or control panel (cPanel) for the nameserver information, usually something like ns1.example.com and ns2.example.com.
2. Log in to your domain registrar account: Access the account where you purchased your domain.
3. Change the nameservers: Go to your domain management section and find the “Nameserver” or “DNS” option. Enter the nameservers provided by your hosting provider and save.
4. Wait for propagation: After updating, it may take 24–48 hours worldwide for the changes to propagate. During this time, your website may not be visible to everyone.

Purchasing and setting up a domain and hosting is the first and most important step in creating a website. Once this process is complete, you are ready to start your online journey. After connecting your domain and hosting, you can install WordPress on your hosting account and begin building your website. In the next section, we will discuss the WordPress installation process.

⚙️ How to Install WordPress via cPanel

After purchasing a domain and hosting, the next step in creating a website is installing WordPress. For first-time website creators, this process may seem a bit complicated. However, most hosting providers offer a popular control panel called cPanel, which makes WordPress installation extremely easy. cPanel usually includes one-click installers like Softaculous Apps Installer or Fantastico De Luxe, allowing WordPress installation in just a few clicks. In this post, we will explain step by step how to install WordPress using cPanel.

What is cPanel and Why Use It?

cPanel is a web-based control panel that provides a graphical interface to manage your hosting account. It allows you to control your website, files, databases, email accounts, and other hosting settings without coding knowledge.

Benefits of Using cPanel:

• Easy to Use: Its user-friendly interface makes hosting management simple even for beginners.
• One-Click Installers: Easily install popular CMSs like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
• File Management: Upload, download, edit, and delete website files using the File Manager.
• Database Management: Easily create and manage MySQL databases.
• Email Account Creation: Create professional email addresses using your domain.
• Security Features: Install SSL certificates, take backups, and manage other security settings.

Logging into cPanel

After purchasing hosting, your provider will send a welcome email containing your cPanel login details (URL, username, and password).

Login Steps:

1. Go to the cPanel URL: Visit the cPanel URL provided by your hosting provider (usually yourdomain.com/cpanel or cpanel.yourdomain.com).
2. Enter Username > Password: Log in with the username and password provided.

Once logged in successfully, you will see the cPanel dashboard.

Steps to Install WordPress via cPanel (Using Softaculous Apps Installer)

Most hosting providers now offer WordPress installation through Softaculous Apps Installer. This is the easiest and fastest method.

Locate Softaculous Apps Installer

Scroll down in the cPanel dashboard. Look for the "Software" or "Softaculous Apps Installer" section and click on the WordPress icon.

Click Install

On the WordPress installation page, you will see information about WordPress and the "Install Now" button. Click "Install Now" to begin the installation process.

Fill in Installation Details

Carefully fill in the installation form. Important settings include:

• Choose WordPress Version: Usually, the latest version is selected by default; it's recommended to leave it unchanged.

Choose Installation URL:

• Protocol: Select https:// if you have an SSL certificate installed (highly recommended). Otherwise, select http://. SSL can be configured later.
• Domain: Choose your domain (e.g., yourdomain.com).
• In Directory: Leave this blank to install WordPress in the root directory (yourdomain.com). To install in a subdirectory like yourdomain.com/blog, enter the subdirectory name (e.g., blog).

Site Settings:

• Site Name: Enter your website's name (e.g., "My Blog" or "My Business Website"). It can be changed later from the WordPress dashboard.
• Site Description: Provide a short description of your website (e.g., "Best Tech Tips and Tricks"). This can also be updated later.
• Enable Multisite (Optional): Check this if you want multiple WordPress websites under a single installation. Usually unnecessary for beginners.

Admin Account:

• Admin Username: Create a unique username for logging into the WordPress dashboard. Avoid "admin" for security reasons.
• Admin Password: Create a strong password with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Keep it secure.
• Admin Email: Provide an email for important notifications regarding your website.
• Choose Language: Select English or your preferred language.
• Select Plugins (Optional): You may check or uncheck default plugins. You can install necessary plugins later as per your needs.

Advanced Options (Optional):

• Database Name: Keep the default name or create a custom one.
• Table Prefix: For security, use a unique prefix instead of wp_ (e.g., wp234_).
• Auto Upgrade: Set whether WordPress should automatically update to new versions.
• Automated Backups: Configure backup options (weekly or monthly).

Install

After filling in all information correctly, click the "Install" button at the bottom of the page.

Wait for Installation to Complete

The installation process will begin and may take a few minutes. Do not close the browser during the process.

After successful installation, you will see a confirmation message with your website URL and WordPress admin panel URL (e.g., yourdomain.com/wp-admin).

Log in to WordPress Dashboard

Access your WordPress admin panel:

• Go to the admin URL provided during installation (e.g., yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
• Log in using the username and password created during installation.

Once logged in successfully, you will see the WordPress dashboard. From here, you can design your website, upload content, and install plugins.

Installing WordPress via cPanel is an extremely easy process, allowing you to quickly launch a website without any coding knowledge. By following this step-by-step guide, you can successfully install WordPress and start your online journey. You are now ready to customize your theme, add plugins, and create your first content!

🎨 Selecting and Installing a Beautiful Theme for Your Website

After purchasing a domain, hosting, and installing WordPress, the most exciting step in creating your website is defining its appearance. This is done through a Theme. A theme controls your WordPress website's design, layout, color scheme, and typography. Choosing the right theme significantly impacts your website’s overall look and user experience (UX). In this post, we will discuss how to select a beautiful theme for your website and how to install it.

What is a Theme and Why is it Important?

Simply put, a theme is the outfit of your website. It determines how your website looks, where menus appear, how content is displayed, and how visitors interact with your site.

Why Choosing the Right Theme Matters

• First Impression: Visitors see your theme design first. An attractive and professional theme creates a positive first impression.
• User Experience (UX): A good theme is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and displays well on all devices (desktop, mobile, tablet), enhancing user experience.
• Branding: Your theme helps convey your brand identity. Colors, fonts, and layout reflect your brand’s personality.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Some themes are SEO-friendly, helping your site rank higher. Fast loading and mobile responsiveness are crucial for SEO.
• Functionality: Certain themes come with built-in features (e.g., e-commerce or portfolio), reducing the need for additional plugins.

How to Choose the Right Theme for Your Website

With thousands of free and premium themes available, selecting the right one can be challenging. Consider the following factors:

• Website Purpose: Is your website a blog, e-commerce site, portfolio, or business website? Features vary depending on the purpose. For example, an e-commerce site needs a WooCommerce-compatible theme.
• Minimal & Clean Design: Avoid unnecessary features or overly complex designs. A clean, minimal design usually loads faster and keeps the user’s focus on your main content.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure the theme is mobile-friendly. Most visitors browse from mobile devices. Test the theme demo on various devices.
• Loading Speed: A fast-loading theme is crucial for user experience and SEO. Use tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights to test demo speed.
• Theme Reviews > Ratings: Check reviews and ratings to gauge quality and developer support.
• Regular Updates: Choose a theme that is regularly updated to stay compatible with the latest WordPress versions and maintain security.
• Customization Options: Ensure the theme offers enough customization for colors, fonts, layouts, and other design elements.
• Browser Compatibility: Verify that the theme works well on popular browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
• Developer Support: For premium themes, ensure reliable developer support is available in case of issues.
• Plugin Compatibility: Ensure compatibility with popular plugins like Yoast SEO, Contact Form 7, WooCommerce, etc.

How to Install a Theme

There are two main ways to install a WordPress theme: via the WordPress dashboard and manually using FTP. The first method is easiest for beginners.

Installing a Theme via WordPress Dashboard (Recommended)

This is the easiest and fastest method.

Log in to Dashboard:
Log in to your WordPress admin panel (usually yourdomain.com/wp-admin).

Go to Appearance > Themes:
From the left menu, hover over Appearance and click Themes.

Add a New Theme:
Click the "Add New" button at the top of the Themes page.

Search or Upload a Theme:

• Browse Featured, Popular, or Latest Themes: Explore thousands of free themes from WordPress.org. Use filters by subject, features, or layout.
• Search: If you know a specific theme name (e.g., Astra, Neve, OceanWP), type it in the search bar.
• Upload a Theme: For a premium theme (.zip file), click "Upload Theme," choose the file, and click "Install Now."

Install > Activate the Theme:
Hover over your chosen theme and click "Install." Once installed, click "Activate" to apply it to your website.

Customize the Theme:
After activation, click "Customize" or go to Appearance > Customize to adjust the theme to your preferences. You can upload your logo, change colors, fonts, menus, and other layout settings.

Installing a Theme via FTP (Advanced Users)

This method is used when dashboard installation is not possible or when uploading multiple themes at once.

Download Theme File:
Download the theme .zip file to your computer.

Unzip the File:
Extract the .zip file to get a folder containing all theme files.

Connect via FTP Client:
Use an FTP client like FileZilla to connect to your website using FTP credentials provided by your hosting provider.

Upload Theme Folder:
Navigate to your website’s root directory (usually public_html or www) → wp-content > themes. Upload the extracted theme folder here.

Activate Theme:
Log in to WordPress dashboard → Appearance > Themes. Find your uploaded theme and click "Activate."

Choosing the right theme is a crucial step for your website’s success. It not only enhances your website's appearance but also affects user experience and SEO. By following this guide, you can easily select and install a beautiful theme for your WordPress site. Now it's time to customize your chosen theme and make your website truly your own! Next, we will discuss essential plugins to add functionality to your website.

🔌 Installing and Configuring Essential Plugins

After setting up your WordPress website, domain, hosting, and selecting a theme, it's time to make your website more powerful and functional. This is done using Plugins. Plugins are small software components that add new features and functionality to your WordPress site. One of WordPress's biggest advantages is that it allows you to extend your website's capabilities without knowing how to code. In this post, we will discuss some essential plugins and how to install and configure them.

What is a Plugin and Why Use It?

Think of a plugin as an app for your smartphone. Just like you install an app to add a new feature (e.g., photo editing or weather updates) to your phone, you install a plugin to add new functionality to WordPress.

Importance of Using Plugins:

• Increase Functionality: Add blogs, e-commerce stores, contact forms, SEO optimization, security, galleries, and more.
• Save Time: Add new features easily without coding.
• Reduce Cost: Many high-quality plugins are free, saving development costs.
• Customization: Customize your website according to your specific needs.

Essential Plugin Categories and Recommended Plugins

Your required plugins depend on your website's purpose, but some categories are essential for almost every site:

SEO Plugins:

SEO plugins help your site rank better on Google and other search engines.

Yoast SEO / Rank Math:

• Function: Optimize content (keywords, meta descriptions), create XML sitemaps, social media integration, readability analysis.
• Importance: Helps make your content search-engine-friendly, increasing organic traffic.

Security Plugins:

Protect your website from hacking, malware, and other online threats.

Wordfence Security / Sucuri Security:

• Function: Malware scanning, firewall protection, brute force attack prevention, login security, file integrity monitoring.
• Importance: Secures your website data and visitor information, increasing credibility.

Caching > Performance Plugins:

Website speed is crucial for user experience and SEO. Caching plugins help your website load faster.

WP Super Cache / LiteSpeed Cache (for LiteSpeed hosting) / WP Rocket (Premium):

• Function: Caches website content, optimizes images, minifies JS/CSS files.
• Importance: Improves website speed, enhancing visitor experience and search engine ranking.

Contact Form Plugins:

A simple contact form is essential for visitors to reach you.

Contact Form 7 / WPForms Lite / Ninja Forms:

• Function: Create customizable forms, spam filtering, email notifications.
• Importance: Allows visitors to contact you easily, essential for business or personal websites.

Backup Plugins:

Data loss can occur due to server issues, hacking, or accidental deletion. Regular backups protect against this.

UpdraftPlus / Duplicator:

• Function: Automatically backup your entire website (files and database) and provide restore options.
• Importance: Quickly restore your site in case of unexpected issues.

E-commerce Plugins (if needed):

If you want to sell products, this is essential.

WooCommerce:

• Function: Product listings, payment gateway integration, shipping management, order tracking.
• Importance: Turns your WordPress website into a full-featured online store.

How to Install WordPress Plugins

There are two main ways to install plugins: via WordPress dashboard and manually using FTP. The first method is easiest for beginners.

Install via WordPress Dashboard (Recommended)

This is the easiest and fastest method.

Login to Dashboard:
Log in to your WordPress admin panel (usually yourdomain.com/wp-admin).

Go to Plugins > Add New:
Hover over Plugins in the left menu and click Add New.

Search or Upload Plugins:

• Browse Featured, Popular, Recommended: Explore thousands of free plugins from WordPress.org.
• Search: Type a specific plugin name (e.g., Yoast SEO, Contact Form 7) in the search bar.
• Upload Plugin: For a premium plugin (.zip file), click "Upload Plugin," choose the file, and click "Install Now."

Install > Activate:
Hover over the desired plugin and click "Install Now." Once installed, click "Activate" to enable the plugin.

Install via FTP (Advanced Users)

This method is used when dashboard installation is not possible.

Download Plugin File: Download the plugin .zip file to your computer.

Unzip Plugin File: Extract the .zip file to get the plugin folder.

Connect via FTP Client: Use FileZilla or similar to connect to your site using FTP credentials from your hosting provider.

Upload Plugin Folder: Navigate to public_html/wp-content/plugins and upload the extracted plugin folder.

Activate Plugin: Log in to WordPress dashboard > Plugins > Installed Plugins and click "Activate" under your uploaded plugin.

Configuring Plugins

After installation, configure plugins according to your needs. Each plugin has different settings.

• Locate Settings: Most plugins have settings under Settings menu or a dedicated menu item.
• Follow Documentation: Refer to plugin documentation for proper configuration.
• Test > Adjust: Initial configuration may take time. Experiment to see what works best for your site.

Common Configuration Tips:

• SEO Plugins: Set your site title, meta descriptions, and sitemap.
• Security Plugins: Configure firewall rules and enable malware scans.
• Caching Plugins: Set caching levels, minification, and CDN options if available.
• Contact Forms: Create form fields and set email notifications.

🔯Conclusion:

Plugins are the lifeblood of WordPress, making your website powerful and functional. Selecting the right plugins and configuring them properly greatly enhances your website’s performance, security, and user experience. Remember, too many plugins can slow down your website, so only use what is necessary. Now you are ready to add essential features to your site, and the next step is creating content for your website.