ASSIGNMENT:
Written by: Chris Ovat O.
WordPress Website Creation: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Installing WordPress
Setting up a basic website using WordPress starts with installing the platform. There are two primary
methods:
- Using a Web Hosting Provider: Most web hosting services offer one-click WordPress installation. After
purchasing a hosting plan:
1. Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel).
2. Locate the WordPress installer under the "Softaculous Apps Installer" or a similar section.
3. Click on "Install" and follow the prompts, including setting your site name, admin username, and
password.
4. Complete the installation, and you'll be able to access your WordPress dashboard via
yourdomain.com/wp-admin.
- Manual Installation:
1. Download WordPress from the official site (wordpress.org).
2. Upload the WordPress files to your web server using an FTP client.
3. Create a MySQL database for WordPress on your server.
4. Run the WordPress installation script by navigating to yourdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php and
follow the setup instructions.
2. Choosing and Installing a Theme
Themes control the visual appearance of your WordPress site. To choose and install a theme:
i. Access the Theme Directory:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Appearance > Themes > Add New.
ii. Browse or Search for a Theme:
- Use the search bar to find themes by keyword or browse popular, latest, or featured themes.
- You can also upload a theme if you've downloaded a premium theme.
iii. Install and Activate the Theme:
- Once you find a theme you like, click "Install."
- After installation, click "Activate" to apply the theme to your site.
iv. Customize the Theme:
- Go to `Appearance > Customize` to adjust theme settings such as colors, fonts, header images, and
more.
3. Adding Essential Plugins
Plugins extend the functionality of your WordPress site. Here are some essential plugins:
- SEO Plugin:
- Yoast SEO or Rank Math: Helps optimize your site for search engines by providing tools for meta tags,
sitemaps, and readability analysis.
- Install by navigating to Plugins > Add New, search for "Yoast SEO" or "Rank Math," install, and
activate.
- Security Plugin:
- Wordfence or iThemes Security: Provides features like firewall protection, malware scanning, and
login security.
- Install and activate via `Plugins > Add New`.
- Contact Form Plugin:
- Contact Form 7 or WPForms: Allows you to easily create and manage contact forms on your site.
- Install and activate the plugin, then create a form via `Contact > Add New` (for Contact Form 7) or
`WPForms > Add New`.
4. CREATING AND ORGANIZING PAGES AND POSTS
WordPress differentiates between pages and posts:
- Pages: Static content such as 'About Us', "Services," or "Contact."
1. To create a page, go to Pages > Add New.
2. Enter a title, add content, and click "Publish."
- Posts: Blog entries or articles that appear in chronological order.
1. To create a post, go to 'Posts > Add New'.
2. Enter a title, add content, assign a category, and click "Publish."
Organizing Content:
- Use Categories and Tags to organize posts, helping visitors navigate your content.
- Create "Menus" to structure site navigation by going to `Appearance > Menus`, where you can add
pages, posts, and custom links to your site's menu.
