The Blueprint to Launching a WordPress Site with Zero Prior Experience
Launching a WordPress site without prior experience may seem complicated, but it's easy to achieve with the right guidance. This article includes some surprising WordPress statistics and a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Why start a WordPress site?
WordPress was used to create 43.1% of all websites and it is the most popular content management system (CMS) across the globe. Every month, more than 409 million people visit 20 billion pages on WordPress.com, and users post 70 million new posts on the platform monthly.
Readers leave 77 million new comments under WordPress articles each month. The CMS has been the fastest-growing one for 12 consecutive years.
If you're planning to launch a WordPress site, it's a good idea to invest in a premium theme like Astra and customize it using Elementor Pro or a similar page builder. If you go this route, you will pay a maximum of $200 a year.
The easiest way to launch a WordPress site
The easiest way is using Starter Templates for WordPress, a WordPress plugin. This software app extends the functions and features of a WordPress website. Starter Template is a site with preinstalled themes, pages, and plugins. The user only imports a template and replaces the text, videos, images, etc. with their own. Astra was initially used to design all the Starter Templates in the WordPress library, which is another reason to opt for that theme. Install the Starter Templates plugin to import a starter template to your site.
Starter Templates integrates with the AI-powered site builder ZipWP to create a professional-looking website with stunning designs in minutes. The tool takes care of content generation, design, and a lot more. You will have all relevant sections and pages, extensive customization options, high quality stock photos, compelling website copy, and access to hundreds of WordPress block editor templates.
Consider other essential plugins
Consider essential WordPress plugins to add functionality and features to your website. Some recommended plugins include Yoast SEO for Search engine optimization and Jetpack for security and performance enhancements. You can use Contact Form 7 for forms.
Choose a domain
The next step is to choose a Domain name. You can register one through a specialized domain registrar or your web hosting platform. Your choice of a domain name is crucial because there are more than 628 million registered domains at the time of writing. Here are some stats to consider in the process.
The most common extension is .com, which has over 37% of domains. According to a study of 1,500 people, it remains the most trusted domain extension, with a 3.5 trust rating on average. The second and third most trusted extensions were .co and .org.
The number of domains more than doubled between December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2021, from 201.6 million to 438.4 million. The average length of a .com domain name is 13.5 characters, with 12 characters being the most common.
Customize your website
The WordPress Customizer can personalize your website's appearance, including colors, fonts, layout, and header/footer settings. You can add widgets, menus, and other elements to customize your site further.
Create content
Write blog posts, create pages (such as About Us, Contact, and Services), and upload images or multimedia content to engage your audience.
Optimize your website
Optimize your WordPress website to improve its ranking in search results. Use SEO-friendly URLs, meta tags, headings, and keyword-rich content to enhance your site's discoverability.
Test and launch
Before launching your site, thoroughly test its functions, compatibility, and responsiveness across browsers and devices. Fix any issues or errors that you encounter to ensure a smooth user experience.
FAQ
What should I know before I start WordPress?
Know the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, choose a reliable host, and carefully pick your domain name.
Is WordPress easy to use for beginners?
Yes, it was created for people without a technical background. The user interface is quite intuitive.
How long does it take to learn WordPress?
You can learn how to run a fully functioning website in just a few days.
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