If your web experience is limited, learning the WordPress basics can sometimes be a challenge. The fact that many resources are available to help you learn the ropes isn’t always consoling. Still, they are worth resorting to. Resources like WordPress courses, publications, tutorials, blogs, and other forms of training can help with every aspect of starting a website.
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Know the disadvantages of WordPress
Before you start a WordPress website, there are certain downsides to WordPress to reckon with. These include the appearance and the security risks. It is easy to customize the design and layout of your site without a doubt, but WordPress powers and is responsible for building the majority of sites created using a content management system.
Lack of design originality
What does this mean for your prospective site? Despite the relatively large number of templates available, WordPress sites eventually start looking like copies of each other. They have a lot of similar features, taking away from their potentially unique content.
Security risks
WordPress also reckons with a lot of malware as the source of a substantial segment of online content. It has been estimated that up to three out of four WordPress sites are technically vulnerable to attacks for a number of reasons. These threats can be limited with anti-virus software and plugins, but that doesn’t fully protect from all of the potential risks.
Learning curve
Finally, there is a learning curve when setting up and maintaining a WordPress site, although the system itself is not difficult to navigate. You need to buy a web server and a domain and redirect the domain nameservers to your WordPress site. After that, you must take precautions to ensure your website is safe.
Despite all this, you may find the benefits outweigh the downsides.
Tips for choosing a domain name and hosting
When choosing a domain name, keep it brief. Ideally, it should be between six and 14 characters long. Shorter names are also easier to use for advertising and marketing, leading to more potential customers.
Choose managed hosting
Managed WordPress hosting provides several benefits to users who want to host a WordPress website without the hassle of managing the technical aspects.
Enhanced security
Managed hosts often provide advanced security measures such as malware scanning and removal, firewalls, and regular backups to protect your website from potential threats.
Automatic updates
Managed hosting providers take care of updating the WordPress core, plugins, and themes automatically, ensuring that your site is always up-to-date and secure.
Optimized performance
Managed hosts often have server configurations that are optimized specifically for WordPress, resulting in faster load times and better performance.
Scalability and support
Providers usually offer scalable plans that allow you to upgrade your resources as your website grows easily. Finally, they have a team of WordPress experts available to provide support and help whenever needed.
Choose a WordPress theme
The host may assist with the technical stuff, but nothing is stopping you from playing around with the frontend. You can choose your theme, for instance. A theme is a group of files with templates, specific graphics, code, and stylesheets comprising the web design of your site.
You can install a theme by going to Appearance > Themes > Add New. Activate the theme of your choice. You can opt for a premium theme, in which case you must select the Upload Theme option.
Set up plugins
After installing a theme, you can choose from various plugin options. Plugins are add-ons that increase your site’s functionality. You can install WooCommerce if you’re creating an ecommerce platform.
Plugins are installed under Plugins > Add New. You choose one and then click on Install Now. The process is completed by clicking on Activate. After you install a plugin, you’ll find the corresponding tab in the dashboard.
