Building a website with WordPress is exciting. It’s like setting off on a road trip with endless possibilities ahead. But, before you start, you should know some key things to ensure a smooth ride. Here’s a guide to the top 10 things you need to know before using WordPress to create your website.
WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
First, it’s crucial to understand the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com is similar to a website rental service that provides hosting as part of the package, similar to other hosting services like Bluehost, NameCheap or Hostinger. Conversely, WordPress.org is a free, open-source software you can install on any web hosting service, offering complete control over your website.
Pros of WordPress.com:
- Easy to Start: Sign up, pick a plan, and go to the races. No technical setup is needed.
- Maintenance-Free: WordPress.com handles updates, backups, and security for you.
- Free Option Available: Start a primary blog or website without spending a dollar.
Cons of WordPress.com:
- Less Control: You can only do certain things. Custom themes and plugins are available only if you pay for one of the higher plans.
- Ads on Your Site: If you’re using the free plan, WordPress.com will display its ads.
- Costs Can Add Up: While it starts free, costs can grow as you need more features or want to remove ads.
Pros of WordPress.org:
- Complete Control: You can customize anything. Any theme, plugin, or tweak you want to make? Go for it.
- Monetize Your Way: Add ads, affiliate links, or direct sales. There are no restrictions.
- It’s Free: The software itself is free. You’ll pay for hosting and any premium themes or plugins you want, but you decide where to spend.
Cons of WordPress.org:
- Setup Required: You must buy hosting, install WordPress, and set up your site. It’s not hard, but it takes a bit of learning.
- You’re the Manager: Keeping your site updated, backed up, and secure is all on you.
- Cost for Hosting: You’ll need to pay for web hosting, which is a recurring cost.
Our blog article, “WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Which is Best for Your Website in 2024?” can help you decide. It provides an in-depth comparison between the two platforms. Check it out to learn more and make an informed decision.
Understanding the Drag and Drop Editor
If you’re looking for a more intuitive drag-and-drop experience, consider using a page builder plugin like Elementor or Divi, which can make designing your website a breeze.
WordPress Themes: The Look of Your Site
Themes determine how your site looks. WordPress offers thousands of free and paid themes, so it’s like walking into a clothing store with endless outfit options. You can pick one that matches your style and customize it to fit your needs. Remember that while appearance is important, you also want a fast and responsive theme. While WordPress is incredibly user-friendly, its drag-and-drop editor might have some limitations.Â
Plugins: Extending Your Site’s Functionality
WordPress plugins are tools that add extra features to your website. They can help improve your search engine optimization and secure your site. There are over 50,000 plugins available, which means you can customize your website to meet your specific needs. But, adding too many plugins can make your website slow down. So, choosing the necessary plugins and providing value to your site is essential, as well as avoiding adding unnecessary ones.
Check out Our Blog, ‘10 Best Website Plugins You Can Use For Your Website in 2024.‘
Securing Your WordPress Site
WordPress is a popular platform, but hackers often target hackers target it. You need to keep your website secure. A reliable security plugin can protect your website against potential threats and make your digital space safe. To keep your website safe, use strong passwords, update WordPress and plugins, and consider adding security plugins to guard against hackers.Â
Why You Need a Security Scanner for Your Website
Your website is like your home. You want a security system to protect your home from intruders, and a security scanner does the same for your website. It scans your website for malware, vulnerabilities, and other security issues that could harm your site or visitors. With it, you might know your site is at risk once it’s too late. A security scanner looks for potential problems before they escalate, which is essential for keeping your digital presence safe and sound.
WordFence
Why It’s Worth Checking Out: It helps protect your website from hacks and malware, ensuring your site and data are safe.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Real-time threat defense and easy-to-use security features.
Cons: The premium version can be expensive for multiple sites.
Pricing: Free version available; Premium starts at $99/year. Get your WordFence plugin here.
The Importance of Regular Updates
It is crucial to keep your WordPress site updated regularly. Doing so lets you take advantage of new features, bug fixes, and security patches. The easiest way to update your WordPress site, themes, and plugins is by accessing the Updates section on the WordPress dashboard. From there, you can check for available updates and install them with a few clicks.Â
To learn more about how to update your WordPress site quickly and safely, you can visit our blog post titled “Update Your WordPress Site Quickly & Safely: 5-Minute Guide.” This guide provides a step-by-step approach to ensure your site is always up-to-date and secure.
The Necessity of Backups
Imagine losing all your website data instantly; it’s a nightmare scenario. Regularly backing up your website is critical to prevent data loss. Many plugins and hosting services offer easy backup solutions, ensuring your website’s data is always safe.
Optimizing Your Site for Search Engines (SEO)
The Importance of SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a way to ensure that more people visit your website by showing it higher up in search engine results. SEO involves improving your website so that search engines recognize it as valuable and trustworthy and show it to more people. By doing this, you can attract more visitors to your site without paying for advertising. To achieve this, it’s essential to create good content, make your site easy to use, and follow best practices for SEO. By investing in SEO, you can establish your website as a reliable source of information, attract more relevant visitors, and increase your website’s visibility, credibility, and conversions.
If you want your website to receive more traffic and visibility on search engines, it’s crucial to implement effective SEO strategies. Luckily, various plugins, like Yoast SEO, SEOPress or SemRush, can guide you through optimizing your website for better visibility and ranking higher in search engine results.
We’ve published a comprehensive guide titled ‘2024 SEO Checklist: Boost Your Website Visibility‘, which details why SEO is essential, how to plan an effective SEO strategy, a vital SEO checklist to follow, a keyword research checklist, and technical SEO tips. Following the tips in this guide can significantly improve your website’s visibility and attract more organic traffic, ultimately leading to more sales and revenue.
Customization Might Require Some Technical Experience.
WordPress is a popular content management system that provides users various customization options. However, if you wish to dive deep into customizing plugins or themes, it may require some coding knowledge in HTML, CSS, or PHP. Yet, explore the platform’s full potential, as plenty of resources and tutorials are available to help you. Our blog post offers a wealth of information on WordPress and other website-related topics, including detailed tutorials designed to guide you through the customization process step-by-step. So, explore our blog and discover how to take your WordPress website to the next level.
Community SupportÂ
WordPress is a popular content management system that provides users various customization options. However, if you wish to dive deep into customizing plugins or themes, it may require some coding knowledge in HTML, CSS, or PHP. Yet, explore the platform’s full potential, as plenty of resources and tutorials are available to help you.Â
Our blog post offers a wealth of information on WordPress and other website-related topics, including detailed tutorials designed to guide you through the customization process step-by-step. So, explore our blog and discover how to take your WordPress website to the next level.
Exploring Alternatives
WordPress is undoubtedly a robust platform widely used for website creation and management. However, other options are available in the market that you find more suitable for your specific needs. For instance, Hostinger AI Builder, Wix, and Squarespace are popular platforms offering website creation and hosting services.
If you’re starting on a tight budget and need a user-friendly, performance-oriented hosting solution, Hostinger could be your solution. If you are looking for a general website builder, Wix can be a great option. It provides a user-friendly interface and a variety of templates, making it easy to create a website even if you need coding experience. On the other hand, Squarespace is known for its visually stunning templates that are perfect for creating portfolios. It offers various customization options, which can help you create a website that reflects your style and personality.
You can check out our blogs to learn more about these platforms and their features. Our ‘Squarespace Website Builder Review 2024’ article provides a complete overview of the platform, its pros and cons, and whether it’s the right choice. Similarly, our ‘Hostinger vs BlueHost – Honest Comparison 2024’ article can help you compare two popular hosting services and choose the one best suited for your needs.
Wrapping It Up
With these ten essential insights, you’re better prepared to utilize your WordPress confidently. Remember, building a website is a journey of learning and growth. With patience and persistence, you’ll create a digital space that truly represents you or your business. Happy building!
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