So, you’re ready to create your WordPress website? Buckle up, because you’re about to embark on an electrifying journey! Whether you’re planning to start an online store or just a dynamic blog, I’ve got your back. And if you hit any bumps along the way, just remember: the team at SomebodysHero can swoop in and save the day!
1. The Right Foundation
Before you dive into the world of pixels and plugins, you need to set a solid foundation. Think of this as securing your plot of land before building your dream house.
Domain Name
Your domain name is your digital address. Choose wisely from the countless domain registrars available. For ease, cost-effectiveness, and convenience, I highly recommend 20i (Affiliate LInk) for those in the UK.
Hosting
Your website’s performance hinges on good hosting. Rocket.net is a robust, high-performance option that transforms hosting into a no-brainer.
2. Installing WordPress
Time to roll out the red carpet for WordPress! Most hosting providers, including Rocket.net (affiliate link), offer a one-click install. Click, watch the magic happen, and voila! You’ve got WordPress installed.
3. Choosing the Perfect Theme
Themes are like your website’s wardrobe—they dictate its look and feel.
Free or Premium Themes
Dive into the vast collection available in the WordPress theme repository. There’s something for everyone and most have premium add ons to take you even further.
4. Essential Plugins
Plugins are the secret sauce that turns a basic website into a feature-rich platform.
Yoast for SEO
Drag-and-Drop Builders
- Elementor/Beaver Builder/Divi/Bricks – Whatever you like – the choice is yours – or your developers: These nifty tools make designing your site feel like playing with digital Lego.
SEO Optimization
- Yoast SEO, SEO press all in one SEO – the options are amazing:
Optimize your site’s SEO effortlessly.
Contact Forms
- WSFORM: Create beautiful contact forms with zero hassle.
5. Setting Up Your Online Store
If selling products is part of your grand plan, you’ll need an eCommerce plugin. WooCommerce is the go-to, but let’s explore some alternatives:
Digital Goods Powerhouse
- SureCart: Perfect for digital goods—simple and powerful.
Sales Funnel Enhancer
- CartFlows: Enhance your sales funnels with ease.
Stunning Product Pages
- Special Product Landing Pages: Use your design skills to build out stunning landing pages and funnels to create eye-popping, high-converting product pages.
6. Adding Essential Features
To ensure your website runs at full tilt, add these must-have features:
Newsletter Capture
- Mailchimp or MailerLite – or any number of maling software up to and including WordPress specifics like MailPoet: Collect emails for effective subscriber management and send out regular updates, including your latest blog posts.
Social Proof and Reviews
- Set up a Google Business Page – its a humdinger and free!: This will help build credibility and trust among visitors and its great for local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
7. Designing Your Website
Time to bring your vision to life!
Customize Your Theme
Tinker with colors, fonts, and layouts until everything feels just right.
Engage with Page Builders
Use a page builder if you are a non coder or – let your imagination fly using Full Site Editing in WordPress Have fun. This is where your creativity shines!
8. Testing Before Launch
Before you hit that big red “go live” button:
Mobile Responsiveness
Always build out your site with the mobile user in mind, Most people are on the run these days and you don’t want to miss any opportunities, especially if you’re aiming at becoming a tip seller.
Load Time
Test with Page Speed Insights. If your site is slow, consider caching plugins like WP Rocket for a speed boost.
Here’s our latest results:
9. Launch Time!
Ready to show the world your masterpiece?
Notify Subscribers
Let your email list know you’re live!
Share on Social Media
Shout it from the digital rooftops!
10. Post-Launch Actions
Keep your site in tip-top shape with regular maintenance:
Regular Backups
Use Blogvault to safeguard your work.
Analytics
Track visitors and behaviors with Google Analytics.
Ongoing Updates
Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins up-to-date to avoid vulnerabilities.
Alternative to WordPress: Shopify
Remember, WordPress isn’t the only option. For an all-in-one, user-friendly solution, consider Shopify. It requires minimal setup but comes with regular monthly costs associated with a closed system.
Need Help?
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? No worries! Call in the superheroes at SomebodysHero to help you get where you want to be without breaking a sweat.
And there you have it! From zero to hero, your WordPress website is now ready to dazzle the world. Enjoy every moment of the process. Happy website building! 🚀