I hear the question all the time. “Is WordPress hard to learn?”
I’ve used every popular website builder going back to Drupal and Joomla, and I’m telling you right now that WordPress is easy to learn.
Hi, my name is Carol. I am a WordPress administrator, software engineer, and programming instructor. Now I research online education opportunities to help you use education to get a better job.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you that WordPress is easy to learn by following simple steps.
TL;DR:
The best WordPress tutorial will cover all of these topics:
- Buy a Domain
- Buy Hosting
- Install WordPress
- Log to WordPress
- Understand the Dashboard
- Configure WordPress Settings
- Add a Theme
- Use Plugins
- Add Widgets
- Add Menus
- Create Posts
- Create Pages
- Add Media
- Search Engine Optimize
- Speed up the Site
- Secure the Site
Once you get these basics, get a deeper understanding of the 9 Best WordPress Tutorials for Beginners (Rated and Ranked).
Is WordPress Hard to Learn: These 16 Simple Steps Say “It’s Easy”
Whether you are on your way to becoming a WordPress administrator or programmer, you need to understand how WordPress works.
Even complete beginners can learn WordPress quickly.
Here’s what you need to know.
1 – Buy a Domain
Before building your website with WordPress, you must buy a domain name.
Find a Good Domain Name
Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet, and it should be something memorable and reflective of your brand or purpose.
When looking for a good domain name, consider using keywords related to your industry or topic to improve search engine optimization.
You can go to a domain registrar such as Namecheap to purchase the domain.
Configure the Domain
Once you’ve purchased your domain name, you must configure it to work with WordPress.
This involves updating the domain’s DNS settings to point to your WordPress hosting provider.
Most hosting providers offer step-by-step instructions on configuring your domain, so follow their guidelines to ensure a smooth setup process.
2 – Purchase Web Hosting
Now, you need a web host to serve your WordPress site.
Find a Good Web Host
Choosing a reliable web host is crucial for the performance and security of your WordPress site.
Look for a hosting provider with excellent uptime, fast loading times, and reliable customer support.
Namecheap, for example, is a popular web host that offers affordable hosting plans specifically optimized for WordPress.
Configure Web Hosting
Once you’ve selected a web host, you must configure your hosting account to work with WordPress.
This typically involves installing WordPress on your hosting server, which can be done manually or automatically, depending on your hosting provider.
WordPress.org provides comprehensive installation guides for different hosting providers, so follow their instructions carefully.
3 – Install WordPress
Install Manually
You can install WordPress manually if you prefer more control over the installation process.
This involves downloading the WordPress installation files from WordPress.org, creating a database, and configuring the necessary settings.
While it may require more technical knowledge, manual installation allows for greater customization and flexibility.
Install Automatically
Many hosting providers offer automatic installation options for a simpler and quicker installation process.
With just a few clicks, you can install WordPress on your hosting server without manual configuration.
This is incredibly convenient for beginners new to website building and prefer a hassle-free setup.
4 – Log into WordPress
How to Login
Once you’ve installed WordPress, you can access your website’s admin dashboard by logging in.
To do this, enter the URL of your WordPress admin login page, usually “yourdomain.com/wp-admin.”
From there, you’ll be prompted to enter your username and password, which you specified during installation.
User Privileges
WordPress allows you to assign different user roles and privileges to control who can access and modify specific parts of your website.
It’s essential to understand the different user roles and their capabilities, such as administrators, editors, authors, and subscribers, to ensure proper management and security of your website.
5 – Understand the WordPress Admin Dashboard
Once logged in, you’ll be greeted with the WordPress admin dashboard.
This is the control center of your website, where you can manage all aspects of your site, including creating and editing posts and pages, installing themes and plugins, configuring settings, and much more.
Familiarize yourself with the different sections and features of the dashboard to effectively manage your WordPress site.
6 – Configure WordPress Settings
WordPress provides a wide range of settings that allow you to customize your website according to your preferences.
From general settings like site title and tagline to more advanced settings like permalinks and privacy, take the time to explore and configure these options to optimize your site’s performance and user experience.
7 – Add a WordPress Theme
A WordPress theme determines the overall design and layout of your website.
Thousands of free and premium themes are available, each offering different styles and functionalities.
When choosing a theme, consider your website’s purpose and target audience, and look for a piece that is responsive, easy to customize, and compatible with the latest version of WordPress.
8 – Use Plugins
Plugins are like extensions that add extra functionality to your WordPress site.
Thousands of plugins are available, from SEO optimization and contact forms to e-commerce and social media integration.
When selecting plugins, be mindful of their ratings, reviews, and compatibility with your WordPress version to ensure a smooth integration and optimal performance.
9 – Add Widgets
WordPress widgets are small blocks of content that can be added to different areas of your website, such as sidebars, footers, and headers.
They provide additional functionality and allow you to easily add content elements like menus, social media icons, search bars, etc.
Explore the available widgets and experiment with their placement to enhance your site’s usability and navigation.
10 – Add Menus
WordPress menus help organize and navigate your website’s different pages and sections.
You can create custom menus and add them to specific locations, such as the header or sidebar.
Consider your site’s structure and hierarchy when creating menus, and make sure they are easily accessible and intuitive for your visitors to navigate.
11 – Create Posts
Definition of a Post
In WordPress, a post refers to individual pieces of content typically displayed in reverse chronological order on your website’s blog page.
Posts can be categorized and tagged, making it easier for visitors to find specific topics.
When creating posts, consider using relevant keywords, engaging titles, and well-formatted content to attract and retain readers.
Parts of a Post
A WordPress post consists of various components, including the title, content, featured image, categories, tags, and metadata.
The title should be catchy and descriptive, while the content should be informative and engaging.
Featured images help grab attention, and categories and tags assist in organizing and classifying your posts for better navigation and searchability.
Writing, Publishing, and Editing Posts
WordPress provides a user-friendly editor that allows you to write, format, and publish your posts easily.
You can add text, images, videos, and other media elements and format your content using headings, paragraphs, bullet points, and more.
Use the editor’s features to create visually appealing and well-structured posts.
12 – Create Pages
Definition of a Page
In contrast to posts, WordPress pages are static and hierarchical, often used for creating timeless and essential content like the About Us page, Contact page, or Services page.
Pages don’t appear in the blog feed and are usually accessible from the main navigation menu.
When creating pages, consider their purpose and structure, and make sure they provide valuable information to your visitors.
Parts of a Page
A WordPress page has similar components to a post, including the title, content, featured image, and metadata.
However, unlike posts, pages are not categorized or tagged.
Instead, pages can have parent-child relationships, allowing for a hierarchical content organization.
This is useful when creating complex websites with multiple levels of content.
13 – Add Media
Media Library
WordPress has a built-in media library where you can upload and manage your images, videos, audio files, and documents.
The media library makes inserting media into your posts and pages easy, allowing you to create visually appealing and interactive content.
Organize your media files into folders and use proper naming conventions for efficient management.
Adding Images and Videos
When adding images and videos to your WordPress site, optimize them for web display to ensure fast loading times.
Resize and compress your images to an appropriate resolution and format (JPEG or PNG), and consider using lazy loading techniques to improve page speed.
Embed videos from platforms like YouTube or Vimeo to avoid slowing down your site.
14 – Search Engine Optimize
WordPress is an excellent content management system (CMS) for SEO optimization.
It offers various plugins and tools that can help you improve your website’s visibility in search engine results.
Consider installing plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, which allow you to optimize your content, meta tags, URLs, and more for better search engine rankings.
15 – Speed up the Site
Website speed is crucial for user experience and search engine rankings.
Optimize your WordPress site by using caching plugins, minifying CSS and JavaScript files, leveraging browser caching, and optimizing your images.
Consider using a content delivery network (CDN) to deliver your site’s static content from servers closer to your visitors for faster loading times.
16 – Secure the Site
To ensure the security of your WordPress site, take proactive measures to protect it against vulnerabilities and potential threats.
Use strong and unique passwords for your admin account and regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to the latest versions.
Install security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to monitor and prevent malicious activities on your site.
By following a comprehensive WordPress tutorial for beginners, you can learn the ins and outs of using WordPress to build and manage your website effectively.
Whether you prefer written tutorials, video tutorials, or a combination, plenty of resources are available online to help you on your WordPress journey.
With time and practice, you’ll become more proficient in using WordPress and be able to create a professional-looking website that meets your goals and objectives.
Conclusion
Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced user, understanding the different parts of WordPress is essential for effectively using the platform.
By now, you should have a good grasp of the critical components, such as themes, plugins, widgets, and the content management system.
With this knowledge, you can find the best WordPress tutorial that suits your needs.
My article 9 Best WordPress Tutorials for Beginners (Rated and Ranked) is the best place to start.
