DIY Guide: How to Build a WordPress Website

Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Website Hosting

You are going to need a domain name and website hosting. Some hosting companies offer domain services as well as web hosting, but don't make this the sole reason for choosing a particular service.

When purchasing a domain, keep the name as short as possible, decide whether to use .com, .com.au, or other top level domains that are available. Try not to use dashes or underscores in your domain name. Once you've purchased a domain, you will need to hold on to your login details, as you will need to log in to the dashboard to change the Nameservers and other records so that it connects to your website.

Good quality web hosting is important. It gives you a number of benefits such as instant technical support, better site speed, and web security, which general 'shared hosting' web hosting services don't usually have. Other premium features to consider are:

• Reliability - website uptime
• Unlimited storage space
• User friendly dashboard
• Nightly backups
• Data recovery
• Hosting designed specifically for WordPress

We use and recommend www.SixFive.com.au for all our domain names

For good basic hosting we recommend and use Dreamhost

For Managed WordPress hosting we use and love FlyWheel

 

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Step 2: Set up your preferred Hosting account

Once you've decided on which hosting service to use, it's time to set up your account.

First, log in to your domain registrar and point your domain name to the hosting as instructed by your hosting company (if purchased elsewhere). Next, fully host your domain name, and install WordPress on your hosting. There should be a one-click install option on most good hosting platforms. All hosting companies are somewhat different in their structure but they will all have help docs to get you up and running.

 

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Step 3: Install your WordPress Plugins and Theme

To set up WordPress for your needs, start by logging in to WordPress via your welcome email and set your password.

PLUGINS

Plugins add extra functionality to your site, but you should only choose what you need from the thousands of free and paid options so that you keep your site as lightweight as possible. Don't get overexcited with the options!

• Delete installed plugins: Hello Dolly, and Akismet - unless you're blogging with WordPress comments.
• Install necessary plugins. If you are on economical shared hosting, upload and set up your security plugin first! (we recommend using Wordfence)
• Upload and setup other important plugins that provide: Backups, Cache, SEO.
• Install a page builder like Beaver Builder (BB) plugin so that you have more design control. Love love love Beaver Builder...it makes WordPress fun!
• Activate all plugins except for the Cache.
• Choose plugins that are consistently updated, have good reviews, and have a lot of downloads.

 

 

Pro-tip:

Here's our must-use plugin list.

• Beaver Builder (premium plugin)
• Classic Editor
• Disable Comments
• Email Address Encoder
• Yoast SEO

Note: If using basic shared hosting then these plugins also need to be added: Updraft Plus Backups, WP Super Cache, Wordfence Security.

 

 

THEMES

There are a LOT of themes to choose from so choose one that has the look and feel you need, and has good reviews.

We use the Beaver Builder theme which is very simple and unstructured, paired with the Beaver Builder Page Builder so that pages start out as a blank slate (with the option to install ready made templates and sections). If you like that type of freedom, do the following:

• Install BB theme & Child theme (Buy the Pro Package here)
• Delete all WP themes except for one
• Activate the BB Child theme
• Upload the Beaver Builder plugin

 

CUSTOMISER SETTINGS

 

Go to Appearance>Customise and set your default page layouts, fonts, header and footer and other available options (options vary depending on your theme)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL WORDPRESS SITE SETTINGS

• Delete the sample post, sample comment, & sample page.
• Create a new blank home page and other necessary pages.
• Set up your menus

It is important to do the following items below before building pages and designing anything -

Under 'Settings', go to:

General: Set your Title, tagline, email address, set the timezone, date format & time format

Writing: Choose Classic editor (plugin), switch editors - No

Reading: Set static homepage, search engine visibility - Off (turn on when the site is built)

Media: Leave as is

Discussion: First 3 options: off, off, off (if using Disable Comments Plugin, this option is not available)

Permalinks: Post Name (use Custom Structure /%category%//%postname%/ if categories are needed otherwise just /%postname%/)

Privacy: Preview and edit your privacy policy template (view the guide for help)

Email Encoder: Make sure it is active

Updraft Plus Backups: Set up a backup schedule and destination - Google Drive is simple.

Beaver Builder: Set up your options. See steps below:

• Settings > Beaver Builder > Add your License, Post Types: Posts & Pages.
• Modules: Leave as default.
• Templates: User Templates only.
• User Access: Administrator only for everything.
• Icons: All.

Yoast SEO:

• Use the Configuration Wizard - easy peasy

 

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Don't forget to keep the WordPress core, Themes, and Plugins up to date. When updates are available... UPDATE! If you have Wordfence security installed, you'll receive email alerts...which is a good thing!

 

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Step 4: Build your pages and posts

Now you’re ready to start building your pages!

Pages and posts look the same but always remember posts are used for blogging and will collate on a blog page. Most of your page layout options were set up in the Customiser. Your Header, Menu bar, Footer, and Sidebars (if using) are automatically added to every page.

Familiarise yourself with the options which can be set in the standard WordPress page/post editor: page title and permalink, status and visibility, revisions, page attributes, SEO options and featured image. If you're using Beaver Builder page builder you will not be adding any page content here!

Have a look at the available page builder templates and sections for ideas or a quick and easy setup. Remember to keep your, colours, fonts and images on-brand and uncomplicated.

For a blog, you'll need a page to display the posts on. The best looking blog page is one you'll design yourself with the Page Builder modules. If you choose a page as your main  blog page through the WordPress settings, WordPress will set up a generic template which is...well...generic....better to invest your time customising the page with the page builder so that your blog looks fresh and inviting.

 

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Step 5: Security, Backups, Cache, and Testing

If you have chosen a more economical hosting, there are a few things you'll need to take care of yourself in regard to website maintenance.  Firstly, security....as mentioned in Step 3...make sure it's activated and running and sending you email alerts.  Likewise with backups....make sure your backups are automated and working.  Activate your cache plugin which will ensure yoru site loads as quickly as possible.

Testing...with around 50% of website views being on mobile devices, you need to check that all your pages look good on mobile.  Then make sure all your links and buttons are working, and send yourself a message on the contact form to make sure you are receiving messages.