WordPress is one of the most popular website-building platforms, and it’s only getting bigger and better. If you’re new to website building or even just new to WordPress, this guide is for you. Gain a comprehensive understanding of how to start with WordPress, from the basic settings and creating your first content.
Once you complete the WordPress installation, you can log in to your dashboard. You can begin with the initial steps to build a website in WordPress. Let’s get started.
1. Title and Tagline
The first step is to add the website title and tagline. This website name will appear in the Google results and the browser tab name. Under Settings, you can set the Title and Tagline in the General section.
2. Email, language, URL
The second option is to continue with the same settings. Add the correct email and language under General Settings. You will find the Administration Email Address and Site Language fields. Make sure these two are correct and the website address too. If you haven’t already set an SSL certificate, it is time. You can also do it later, but it is better at the beginning to avoid mixed content problems later. In our article, you will see why the SSL certificate is vital and how to get one.
3. Permalinks structure
Once you have set up the first settings, you need to add the correct permalinks for your WordPress installation. Access this feature by heading to Settings > Permalinks and defining your desired permalink structure for your website. It will assign the URL structure of your pages, posts, etc.
4. Account settings
Before moving forward, you can change your account and create new users if needed. Go under Users and click to edit your account. You can set the colour scheme, image, author information, the language of the WordPress dashboard for this user, and more.
5. Theme
Now that the basic settings are in place, it’s time to select a theme to start with the WordPress website. A theme will help you design and build the website by providing templates and options. There is a plethora of themes available. So you should find one congruent with your conception of how your website should look and its possibilities. You can install themes from within the WordPress admin area, or, for a more bespoke experience, you might need to find a premium theme from a marketplace like ThemeForest.
Select between default themes and premium alternatives depending on what suits your requirements. Determine which default themes provide the ideal solution, or explore premium themes if a more customized look is desired. This flexibility makes it easy to find just what you’re looking for. After you install a theme, you will need to activate it by going to Appearance > Themes. In some cases, the themes have required plugins that you need to install and activate.
6. Plugins
Next comes the installation and activation of any 3rd-party plugins you need. You will find a list of all the plugins installed on your system and their locations in the WordPress Plugins directory. There are a bunch of plugins that are essential for every website. Others are necessary for specific solutions in website functionality.
7. Logo
Another step is to add the website logo and favicon. The location of setting the logo depends on the WordPress theme you choose. In some themes, you can find it if you click on “Edit Site”. Premium themes usually have specific options to upload a logo per header style under the theme options.
8. Menu
After installing the theme and plugins, you can create your menu and colour palette. Menus are an essential part of any website. They make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for and make navigation easier. Select a menu style and colour scheme, and add the appropriate links to your posts and pages.
9. Header, footer, and first content
Header and Footer are also necessary parts of a website. The menu is part of your header in the specific location and style you will choose. Most premium themes offer options and styles for the header design. The Impeka Greatives theme has eight header layouts with various styles and locations.
Footer elements are also crucial on a WordPress website. They provide a location for your contact information, social media links, and other vital elements visitors might want to see. The theme you use will offer a footer builder or similar options to create it with blocks or a page builder.
After these, you can start developing the first page and post and publish them to be visible to your audience. Go under Settings > Reading and define your Front Page and Posts Page.
10. Privacy Policy
Last, don’t forget about the Privacy Policy page. The Privacy Policy is a legal document that informs visitors about your website’s practices concerning privacy and terms of service. You will find the Privacy Policy page template in Pages. After creating or editing the page with your content, select it as the Privacy Policy page under Settings > Privacy.
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to get started with WordPress. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced WordPress user, we hope you found these steps helpful. Explore the Greatives themes to help you start your WordPress website today!