Learn the Easy and Complete Process of Creating a Website with WordPress (Part 2)

The journey of creating your own website is an exciting experience! In the first part, we covered the essential basics of setting up WordPress. Now, it’s time to make your website more functional, engaging, and user-friendly. In this second part, we will establish the core foundation of your website: creating About, Contact, and Blog pages, which will help you connect with your visitors. Next, we will set up a well-organized menu and navigation to make your website easy to use. Additionally, to protect your valuable data and safeguard against unexpected issues, we will discuss setting up security and backup plugins in detail. Finally, we will cover the publishing and going live steps to bring your website in front of the world. This part will not only get your website online but also help transform it into a functional and secure platform. Let’s get started with these crucial steps to strengthen your digital presence!

📌 Contents of This Article (Click to Expand)

• 📄 Creating About, Contact, and Blog Pages
• 🗂️ Setting Up Menus and Navigation
• 🏠 Designing and Structuring the Homepage
• 🔐 Setting Up Security and Backup Plugins
• 🚀 Final Steps to Publish and Go Live

📄 Creating About, Contact, and Blog Pages: The Core Pillars of Your Website

Building your own website is more than just sharing information; it reflects your brand, your story, and your expertise. To complete this reflection, About, Contact, and Blog pages are essential. These pages not only provide information but also establish connections with your visitors and enhance your credibility. Learn step by step how to create these pages in WordPress and make them SEO-friendly.

Why These Pages Are Essential?

The importance of these three pages for an effective website cannot be overstated:

• About Page: This is your opportunity to tell your story or your business’s story. Who you are, what you do, why you do it, and your goals help visitors understand you and form a personal connection. It boosts your credibility and transparency.
• Contact Page: A clear and functional communication channel is crucial so visitors can easily reach you. It serves as an essential platform for inquiries, feedback, or business opportunities. It’s vital for customer service and business growth.
• Blog Page: Through regular blog posts, you can share your knowledge, skills, and industry insights. Adding fresh content improves your search engine visibility and encourages visitors to return. It forms the backbone of your SEO strategy and content marketing.

Creating an About Page in WordPress: Tell Your Story Effectively

Your About page is more than just a collection of information; it’s the heart of your brand. Write it so visitors can feel your passion and purpose.

Creating the Page:

• Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
• From the left-hand menu, click Pages > Add New.
• Title the page "About Us" or "Our Story".

Content Planning:

• Who You Are / Your Organization: Briefly introduce yourself or your business.
• Your Mission / Purpose: Explain what you aim to achieve or why your work matters.
• Your Values: Highlight your principles and ideals.
• Your Team (Optional): Introduce team members and their roles if applicable.
• Achievements / Milestones (Optional): Share significant accomplishments or experiences.
• Add a photo or video to better represent you or your organization.

SEO Optimization:

• Use Keywords: Include keywords relevant to your business or website.
• Meta Description: Use plugins like YOAST SEO or Rank Math.
• Outbound Links: Link to relevant social media or authoritative sites.

Creating a Contact Page in WordPress: Ensure Easy Communication

Creating the Page:

• Go to Pages > Add New to create a new page.
• Title it "Contact Us" or "Get in Touch".

Adding a Contact Form:

• Use Contact Form 7, WPForms, or Fluent Forms.
• Create the form, copy the shortcode, and paste it on the page.

Additional Information:

• Email Address: e.g., info@yourwebsite.com
• Phone Number, Address (Optional)
• Social Media Links

SEO Optimization:

• Local SEO: Add your business to Google My Business.
• Clarity: Present information clearly and accurately.

Creating a Blog Page in WordPress: The Center of Your Content

Creating the Page:

• Go to Pages > Add New and create a page titled "Blog" (no content is needed).

Assigning the Blog Page:

• Navigate to Settings > Reading and select the Blog page under "Posts Page".

Creating Posts and SEO:

• To create new posts, go to Posts > Add New.
• Implement keyword research, headings, images, internal/external linking, and other SEO best practices.

Adding Pages to the Menu

• Go to Appearance > Menus.
• Add "About Us", "Contact Us", and "Blog" pages to the menu.
• Arrange them as needed and click Save Menu.

Following these steps will help you effectively create About, Contact, and Blog pages on your WordPress website. Remember, regularly updating content and practicing SEO will ensure your website’s success.

If you have specific questions about writing content for these pages or SEO, don’t hesitate to ask!

🗂️ Setting Up Menus and Navigation Easily: Make Your Website User-Friendly

A well-organized menu not only enhances your website’s aesthetics but also provides a positive experience for your visitors. Setting up menus in WordPress is straightforward and strengthens your site’s structure, which is important for search engines as well. Let’s go step by step to learn how to set up menus and navigation on your WordPress website effectively.

Importance of Menus and Navigation

Menus and navigation serve as the roadmap of your website. Their benefits include:

• Easy Accessibility: Visitors can quickly reach the pages or information they need.
• Improved User Experience: Organized navigation keeps visitors on your site longer and increases their satisfaction.
• SEO Boost: Search engines can easily understand your site’s structure and content, which helps in ranking. Menus also support internal linking.
• Branding: Clear and consistent navigation highlights your brand’s professionalism.

Steps to Set Up a Menu in WordPress

Creating and setting up a menu in WordPress is intuitive and can be completed in a few simple steps.

Step 1: Creating a New Menu

• Login to Dashboard: First, log in to your WordPress dashboard.
• Access Menu Options: From the left-hand menu, click Appearance > Menus.

Create a New Menu:

• If this is your first menu, click the "Create a new menu" link.
• Give your menu a name, e.g., "Primary Menu", "Main Navigation", or "Header Menu". This name is for internal reference only and will not appear on your website.
• Click the "Create Menu" button to finalize.

Step 2: Adding Items to Your Menu

Once your menu is created, you can add pages, posts, custom links, or categories from your website.

• Select Item Type: In the left panel, you will see options to add various item types:
• Pages: All your created pages will appear here, e.g., Home, About Us, Contact Us, Blog, Services, etc.
• Posts: Select specific blog posts to include in the menu.
• Custom Links: Manually add any internal or external URL, such as social media profiles or special offers.
• Categories: Add blog post categories to help visitors find posts on specific topics.

Add Items:

• Check the boxes next to the pages, posts, links, or categories you want to add.
• Click "Add to Menu". The selected items will appear in the menu structure on the right.

Step 3: Arranging Menu Items

After adding items, you can arrange them in your preferred order and create sub-menus if needed.

• Drag and Drop: In the "Menu Structure" section on the right, drag and drop menu items to reorder them.
• Create Sub-Menus: Drag an item slightly to the right under another item to make it a sub-menu (dropdown menu). For example, under "Services" you could have "Web Design" and "Graphic Design" as sub-items.
• Item Settings: Click the small arrow next to each item to change its name (Navigation Label), view the URL, or remove the item.

Step 4: Assigning Menu Location

Decide where your menu will be displayed on your website. This depends on your theme.

• Display Location: Under "Menu Settings," you will see a section called "Display location." Options may include:
• Primary Menu / Main Navigation: Usually appears in the header or main navigation bar.
• Footer Menu: Appears in the website footer.
• Social Menu: Used for social media icons.
• Additional locations may vary depending on the theme.
• Select Location: Check the box for the location where you want the menu to appear.
• Save Menu: Click "Save Menu" to save all changes.

Tips for Navigation and SEO

• Simple and Understandable Names: Keep menu item names short, clear, and direct.
• Place Important Pages First: Put critical pages (Home, About Us, Services, Contact Us) at the beginning of the menu.
• Use Dropdown Menus Sparingly: Avoid excessive dropdowns that can confuse users. Use them only when necessary and keep them organized.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your menu displays correctly and is easy to use on mobile devices. Most modern WordPress themes handle this automatically.
• Keyword Use (When Relevant): Incorporate keywords naturally in menu items if it reflects your services, e.g., "Web Design Services". Avoid keyword stuffing.
• Create a Sitemap: Generate an XML sitemap using plugins like YOAST SEO or Rank Math. It should align with your menu structure to help search engines understand your site.

By following these simple steps, you can set up an effective and user-friendly menu and navigation for your WordPress website, enhancing your visitors’ experience and positively impacting your site’s SEO.

🏠 Homepage Design > Layout: Make Your Website’s Entrance Attractive

Your website’s homepage is its main entrance, much like a store’s showcase window. It gives visitors their first impression and helps them decide whether to stay on your site or leave. A well-thought-out design and layout reflects your brand identity, engages visitors, and encourages them to explore your website further. Let’s learn step by step how to create an effective and SEO-friendly homepage design and layout in WordPress.

Why Homepage Design Matters

An effective homepage is not just about looking good; it serves several important purposes:

• First Impression: Creates a lasting perception of your brand in visitors’ minds.
• Easy Navigation: Guides visitors to other important parts of the site (e.g., products, services, blog) effortlessly.
• Builds Trust: A professional and organized homepage enhances your credibility.
• Drives Conversions: Encourages visitors to take specific actions (e.g., purchase, subscribe, contact).
• SEO Boost: A properly optimized homepage helps improve your search engine rankings.

Setting Up a Homepage in WordPress

In WordPress, the homepage is typically set as a static page, allowing you to add your preferred content and design.

Create a New Page:

• Login to your WordPress dashboard.
• From the left menu, click Pages > Add New.
• Title the page "Home".
• No need to add content initially; just Publish the page.

Set the Homepage:

• Go to Settings > Reading in your dashboard.
• Under "Your homepage displays", select "A static page".
• From the "Homepage" dropdown, choose your newly created "Home" page.
• From the "Posts page" dropdown, select your "Blog" page (if previously created).
• Click Save Changes. Your "Home" page will now serve as the main page of your website.

Key Elements of an Effective Homepage Design > Layout

A successful homepage typically includes specific elements that attract visitors and enhance their experience:

Header:

• Logo: Keep your brand logo clear and visible, usually on the left or center.
• Navigation Menu: Make the main menu (e.g., Home, About Us, Services, Blog, Contact) clear and easily accessible.
• CTA Button (Optional): If your goal is to prompt visitors to take action (e.g., "Buy Now", "Get Free Consultation"), include a prominent CTA in the header.

Hero Section:

This is the top part of the homepage that visitors see before scrolling, and it is the most critical section.

• Headline: Concisely and compellingly present what your brand offers or solves.
• Sub-headline: Provide a brief explanation or additional information supporting the headline.
• Engaging Image/Video: Use high-quality, relevant images or short videos to support your message.
• Main CTA Button: Include a clear and prominent CTA in this section.

Services/Products Section:

• Present your main services or products using bullet points or small cards.
• Add a brief description for each item and a "Learn More" button linking to the relevant page.

Benefits Section:

• Highlight the advantages your products or services provide to visitors, emphasizing problem-solving or added value.

Testimonials/Case Studies:

• Include customer testimonials or successful case studies to enhance credibility.

Blog/Recent Posts Section:

• Showcase a few recent blog posts to promote your content and encourage visitors to explore the blog.

Contact/Subscription Form:

• Add a brief contact form or email subscription form to make it easy for visitors to connect with you.

Footer:

• Include copyright information, privacy policy, terms of service, and additional navigation links if needed.

Homepage Design Tools > Plugins

There are several methods to design a homepage in WordPress:

WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg):

• The default WordPress editor. It allows you to add content, images, and columns using blocks to create a basic layout. Suitable for beginners.

Page Builder Plugins:

• Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi Builder: These plugins come with drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to design professional layouts without coding. They offer ready-made templates and extensive customization options, perfect for beginners.
• After installation, click "Edit with Elementor" (or the respective builder) on your "Home" page to start designing.

Theme Builders:

• Some themes (e.g., Astra, GeneratePress, Kadence) come with built-in theme builders that allow you to customize the header, footer, and every part of the homepage.

Homepage SEO Optimization Tips

Along with a beautiful homepage, optimizing it for search engines is equally important:

• Target Keywords: Research your primary keywords and use them naturally in your homepage H1, meta description, and the first paragraph of content.
• High-Quality Content: Write concise, informative, and engaging content that meets visitor needs.
• Image Optimization: Use high-quality images with reduced file sizes to maintain fast loading. Add relevant Alt Text to each image.
• Loading Speed: Ensure your homepage loads quickly. Fast loading improves user experience and SEO. Use caching plugins (e.g., WP Super Cache, LiteSpeed Cache) and image optimization plugins.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your homepage displays correctly on mobile, tablet, and other devices.
• Internal Linking: Link your homepage to other important pages and blog posts to pass page authority and help search engines understand your site structure.
• Call to Action (CTA): Include clear CTAs in every important section to guide visitors to the next step.
• Meta Description: Write an appealing meta description for your homepage that appears in search results and encourages clicks.

A well-thought-out and effective homepage lays the foundation for your website’s success. By following these steps, you can create an engaging and functional homepage that highlights your brand and delivers an excellent visitor experience. If you have specific design ideas or sections for your homepage, feel free to share them!

🔐 Site Security > Backup Plugin Setup: Keep Your WordPress Website Protected

Creating your WordPress website is important, but ensuring its security and maintaining regular backups is even more crucial. Your website can be at risk at any time due to cyber attacks, malware, or server issues. Proper security and backup measures will protect your website from unexpected threats and help you restore it quickly when needed. Let's explore an easy and effective process to set up site security and backup plugins in WordPress.

Why Security and Backup are Essential?

• Data Protection: Keeps all your website data (posts, pages, images, user data) safe and secure.
• Hack Prevention: Protects your site from malware, spam, and unauthorized access.
• Quick Recovery: Helps you restore your website to its previous state swiftly if any issue arises.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing your website is secure allows you to work confidently.
• SEO Impact: A hacked website loses search engine ranking and credibility with visitors. Security is vital for SEO.

WordPress Security Plugin Setup

There are numerous security plugins available for WordPress. Some of the most popular and effective plugins are listed below:

• Wordfence Security: A widely-used and powerful security plugin offering firewall, malware scanning, and login protection.
• Sucuri Security: A comprehensive security solution providing malware scanning, file integrity monitoring, and security hardening features.
• iThemes Security: Offers over 30 security features, including brute force protection, file change detection, and strong password enforcement.

Setup Process (Using Wordfence Security as an Example):

Install and Activate the Plugin:

• Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
• From the left menu, click Plugins > Add New.
• Search for "Wordfence Security" in the search bar.
• Once found, click "Install Now" and then "Activate" after installation.

Initial Setup:

• After activation, Wordfence will ask for an email address to send security notifications. Enter your email and agree to their terms.
• In the Wordfence dashboard (left menu Wordfence), you can view the "Tour" or "Dashboard".

Firewall Optimization:

• Go to Wordfence > Firewall.
• You will see a notification stating that the firewall needs optimization. Click the "Click to Configure" button.
• Wordfence will detect your server configuration and offer to download a .htaccess file. Download it as a backup.
• Then click "Continue" to activate the firewall.

Scan Setup:

• Go to Wordfence > Scan.
• Click the "Start New Scan" button to check your site for malware or vulnerabilities.
• You can also schedule regular scans (Pro version provides more advanced options).

Other Security Features:

• Login Security: Set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) under Wordfence > Login Security to enhance login protection.
• Brute Force Protection: Automatically blocks suspicious login attempts.
• Blocked IPs: You can block specific IP addresses.
• Security Hardening: Monitor real-time traffic under Wordfence > Tools > Live Traffic to detect suspicious activity.

Important Security Tips:

• Strong Passwords: Always use strong and unique passwords for the admin panel and all user accounts.
• Regular Updates: Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins up-to-date. Older versions may have security vulnerabilities.
• SSL Certificate: Use SSL (HTTPS) on your website to ensure data encryption and improve search engine ranking. (Most hosting providers offer free SSL).
• Remove Unnecessary Themes > Plugins: Delete any themes or plugins you are not actively using.
• Limit Login Attempts: Restrict the number of login attempts (security plugins provide this feature).

WordPress Backup Plugin Setup

Regular backups reduce the risk of losing your website data. If an issue occurs, you can easily restore your website to a previously functional state.

• UpdraftPlus: The most popular WordPress backup plugin. It allows you to back up files and the database and save them to cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3).
• Duplicator: Excellent for website migration and backups.
• BackWPup: Another reliable backup plugin that supports various cloud services.

Setup Process (Using UpdraftPlus as an Example):

Install and Activate the Plugin:

• Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
• Click Plugins > Add New.
• Search for "UpdraftPlus" in the search bar.
• Once found, click "Install Now" and then "Activate".

Initial Backup:

• After activation, go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.
• Click "Backup Now" to create your first backup, covering both files and the database.

Backup Schedule > Remote Storage Setup:

• Go to the UpdraftPlus > Settings tab.
• Set your preferred schedule for "Files backup schedule" and "Database backup schedule" (e.g., Daily, Weekly) based on content update frequency.
• Under "Retain this many scheduled backups", define how many backups to keep.
• In the "Choose your remote storage" section, select your preferred cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox).
• Follow the instructions to link your cloud account, keeping backups secure and off-site.
• Click "Save Changes" once setup is complete.

Restoring a Backup:

• If any issue occurs, go to UpdraftPlus > Existing Backups.
• You will see a list of available backups. Click "Restore" next to the backup you want to restore.
• The plugin will ask which components to restore (Plugins, Themes, Uploads, Database). Select as needed and complete the process.

Setting up these security and backup plugins is crucial to keeping your WordPress website safe and minimizing data loss risks. Regular monitoring and updates are essential for the long-term success of your website.

🚀 Final Steps to Publish > Go Live: Bring Your Website to the World!

After creating, designing, and securing your WordPress website, it's time to present it to the world—i.e., go live. These final steps are crucial because even small mistakes can negatively impact your website’s performance or visitor experience. Let's walk through the essential steps to successfully publish and launch your WordPress website.

Why Are These Final Steps Important?

• Ensuring Security > Functionality: Verify that your website is working correctly without any issues.
• Enhancing User Experience (UX): Make sure visitors can navigate and use your site smoothly without any obstacles.
• Search Engine Visibility (SEO): Ensure search engines can properly crawl and index your website.
• Professional Branding: A flawless launch reflects your brand’s professionalism.

Final Steps: What to Confirm Before Publishing

Step 1: Overall Review & Testing

Thorough testing is essential before going live with your website.

1. Broken Link Check:
   Verify if there are any broken links on your website. Broken links frustrate visitors and harm SEO.
   You can use plugins like Broken Link Checker or online tools like Ahrefs Broken Link Checker.
2. Form Testing:
   Submit test entries for all contact forms, subscription forms, or other forms on your website to ensure they function correctly and that you receive the emails.
3. Mobile Responsiveness:
   Test whether your website displays correctly on various devices (smartphones, tablets) and screen sizes.
   Use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test or your browser's developer tools (Ctrl+Shift+I or F12) to view different device layouts.
4. Browser Compatibility:
   Check that your website loads properly on various web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari).
5. Spelling & Grammar Check:
   Thoroughly review all text content for spelling and grammatical errors. Tools like Grammarly can help.
6. Content Check:
   Ensure all content is up-to-date and relevant, especially dates, prices, and contact information.
7. Plugin & Theme Conflicts:
   Ensure that your installed themes and plugins do not conflict with each other. Resolve any issues if found.

Step 2: SEO Preparation

Preparing your website for search engines is vital for visibility in search results.

1. Search Engine Visibility:
   Go to your WordPress dashboard under Settings > Reading.
   Make sure the "Search Engine Visibility" option (Discourage search engines from indexing this site) is unchecked. If checked, search engines will not index your site. This option is typically used for development sites to prevent premature indexing.
2. SEO Plugin Configuration:
   Verify that SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math are properly configured.
   Check that each page and post has optimized meta titles and meta descriptions.
3. XML Sitemap:
   SEO plugins automatically generate an XML sitemap to help search engines discover all pages and posts.
   Confirm that your sitemap is correctly generated (typically at yourwebsite.com/sitemap_index.xml or yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml).
4. Google Search Console & Bing Webmaster Tools (Optional but Recommended):
   Connect your website to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
   Submit your XML sitemap to these platforms. This helps search engines index your site faster and allows you to track performance.

Step 3: Performance Optimization

A fast-loading website is beneficial for both users and search engines.

1. Image Optimization:
   Ensure all images on your website are properly optimized (compressed and in the correct format).
   Use plugins like Smush or Imagify.
2. Caching Plugin:
   Install and configure a caching plugin such as WP Super Cache, WP Fastest Cache, LiteSpeed Cache, or WP Rocket. This will significantly improve your website's loading speed.
3. Review Complex Plugins > Themes:
   Deactivate or delete unnecessary or heavy plugins.
   Ensure your theme is lightweight and optimized for fast loading.

Step 4: Final Security Check

Security is an ongoing process, but it should be thoroughly verified before going live.

1. Security Plugin Activation:
   Ensure your chosen security plugin, such as Wordfence or iThemes Security, is properly installed, activated, and configured.
2. SSL/HTTPS Verification:
   Confirm that your website uses HTTPS. A padlock icon in the browser’s address bar indicates that SSL is active. If not, contact your hosting provider.
3. Strong Login Credentials:
   Ensure your admin username and password are strong and unique. Avoid using the default "admin" username.

Step 5: Launching Your Website

Once everything is ready, your website is set to go live!

1. Hosting & Domain Connection:
   If you initially built your website on a temporary domain or localhost, ensure your actual domain is properly connected to your hosting.
   Verify that your domain name server (DNS) points to your hosting provider.
2. Website Live:
   If your site was in "maintenance mode," deactivate the plugin or disable the theme's built-in maintenance mode.
   Your website is now accessible to everyone.

Post-Launch Steps

Going live doesn’t mean the work is finished; it’s just the beginning!

• Regular Backups: Ensure a regular backup schedule.
• Monitoring: Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor traffic and user behavior.
• Regular Updates: Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins up-to-date.
• Content Creation: Continuously add new, high-quality content to your blog or website.
• Social Media Promotion: Share your new website on social media platforms.

By following these steps, you can successfully publish your WordPress website and start your online journey. Best of luck!

🔯Conclusion

Through this second phase of creating and launching your WordPress website, we have crossed a significant milestone. By creating About, Contact, and Blog pages, you have provided your visitors with information and ways to connect. A well-thought-out menu and navigation setup has made your website intuitive and user-friendly, greatly enhancing the visitor experience. At the same time, setting up security and backup plugins establishes a strong foundation to protect your website from potential threats, giving you peace of mind. Finally, by following the final steps to publish and go live, you have showcased the results of your efforts to the world.

Remember, building a website is just the beginning. Regularly updating content, monitoring security, and improving the site based on user feedback are essential for online success. Your digital presence is now live and ready to extend your brand or ideas globally. Hopefully, this phase has made your website creation process easier and more fruitful. Wishing you a successful online journey!