Written by Creating a website no longer requires you to be a professional web developer. With WordPress, you can build a professional-looking site in a matter of hours — even if you’re a complete beginner.
In this WordPress beginner tutorial, we’ll walk you through how to create a WordPress website from scratch, step by step. By the end, you’ll have a fully functional site ready for the world to see.
Note: This guide is optimized for self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org), not WordPress.com. The difference matters.
Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Hosting Provider
Your domain name is your website’s address (like yourwebsite.com), and your hosting provider is where your website’s files live.
Tips for choosing a domain name:
- Keep it short and memorable
- Avoid hyphens and numbers
- Use relevant keywords if possible
Where to register your domain:
Recommended Hosting Providers:
- Greengeeks (Recommended)
- Bluehost
- SiteGround
- Hostinger
Many hosting providers offer a free domain name with their hosting plans.
Step 2: Install WordPress
Most hosting providers offer a 1-click WordPress installation. For example, Bluehost has a streamlined process where WordPress is automatically installed during sign-up.
If you’re installing manually:
- Download WordPress from WordPress.org
- Upload it to your web server via FTP
- Create a MySQL database for your site
- Run the WordPress installer by visiting
yourdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php
Step 3: Choose a WordPress Theme
Once WordPress is installed, it’s time to choose your website’s design.
Navigate to Appearance > Themes and click on Add New. WordPress offers thousands of free themes.
Top Free Themes for Beginners:
- Astra
- OceanWP
- Neve
Want more control? Consider a page builder like Elementor to customize your layout without coding.
Step 4: Install Essential Plugins
Plugins extend the functionality of your WordPress website. Here are some must-have ones:
- Yoast SEO – for search engine optimization
- Wordfence – for security
- WPForms – to add contact forms easily
- UpdraftPlus – for site backups
To install a plugin, go to Plugins > Add New, search for the plugin, and click Install Now.
Step 5: Create Core Pages
To build a site with WordPress, start by adding your essential pages.
Common pages include:
- Home
- About Us
- Contact
- Blog
- Privacy Policy
Go to Pages > Add New, then start adding content using the WordPress block editor (Gutenberg).
Step 6: Set Up Navigation Menus
Menus help users navigate your site.
To create a menu:
- Go to Appearance > Menus
- Create a new menu and name it
- Add your pages to the menu
- Assign the menu to a location (e.g., primary navigation)
Step 7: Configure Your Settings
Visit Settings > General to update site title, tagline, and URL.
Then go to Settings > Reading:
- Set a static home page if you don’t want your blog as the homepage
Under Settings > Permalinks, choose the “Post name” structure for clean URLs.
Step 8: Optimize Your Website for Speed and SEO
A fast site ranks better and keeps visitors engaged.
Tips:
- Use a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache
- Compress images using Smush
- Use an SEO plugin (Yoast or RankMath)
- Use a CDN like Cloudflare
Source: Google reports that 53% of mobile users leave a site that takes longer than 3 seconds to load.
Step 9: Secure Your Website
Must-do security tips:
- Use strong admin passwords
- Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)
- Regularly update plugins/themes
- Install a security plugin like Wordfence
For detailed protection steps, see our guide on How to Secure Your WordPress Site.
Step 10: Launch and Promote Your Website
Before going live, preview all your pages and check for errors.
Promotion tips:
- Share on social media
- Submit your site to Google Search Console
- Start a blog to drive traffic
Want to take it further? Check out our article on 10 Ways to Promote a New WordPress Site.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is WordPress free?
Yes, WordPress.org is free to download and use. However, you’ll need to pay for hosting and a domain.
2. Can I create a WordPress website without coding?
Absolutely. WordPress is built for non-techies. With visual editors like Elementor, it’s even easier.
3. How long does it take to build a site with WordPress?
With a clear plan, it can take less than a day. Beginners might need 1–3 days to get everything polished.
4. Do I need to install updates?
Yes. Regular updates keep your site secure and compatible with the latest features.
5. What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is self-hosted and offers full control. WordPress.com is hosted by Automattic and limits customization unless you pay.
Final Thoughts
Following this step-by-step website guide, you’re now equipped to create a WordPress website confidently. Whether you’re launching a blog, portfolio, or online store, WordPress is a reliable, flexible, and powerful platform.
And remember — keep learning and exploring! The more you work with WordPress, the more capable you become.
Video Resource:
Watch this beginner-friendly video tutorial on YouTube