How to Publish a Website Using WordPress: Step by Step

WordPress is one of the most popular and versatile platforms for creating and managing websites. It powers over 40% of all websites on the internet due to its ease of use, flexibility, and extensive theme and plugin ecosystem. Below is a step-by-step guide to setting up a website using WordPress.

1. Choose and Purchase a Domain

The first step in launching a website is acquiring a domain name (e.g., “mywebsite.com”).

• Where to buy: GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, HostGator, etc.
• Estimated cost: $10 to $30 per year, depending on the domain extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.).

2. Choose a Hosting Service

Since WordPress is a CMS (Content Management System), it requires a hosting provider that supports it. There are three main types:

• Shared Hosting (Recommended for beginners)
  • Cost: $2 to $8/month
  • Examples: Bluehost, SiteGround, Hostinger
• Managed WordPress Hosting (Optimized for WordPress)
  • Cost: $10 to $30/month
  • Examples: Kinsta, WP Engine, Flywheel
• VPS or Dedicated Hosting (For high-traffic sites)
  • Cost: $20 to $100/month
  • Examples: DigitalOcean, AWS, Linode

3. Install WordPress

Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation via cPanel or their control panel.

• Automatic installation: Use the hosting provider’s one-click installer (e.g., Softaculous, Installatron).
• Manual installation:
  1. Download WordPress from wordpress.org
  2. Upload files to the hosting server via FTP
  3. Create a MySQL database and configure wp-config.php
  4. Run the installation wizard by visiting your domain

4. Choose and Install a WordPress Theme

Themes define the look and feel of your website. WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes.

• Where to find themes:
  • Official WordPress Theme Directory: https://wordpress.org/themes/
  • Premium themes: ThemeForest, Elegant Themes, StudioPress
• Installation steps:
  1. Go to Appearance > Themes in WordPress Dashboard
  2. Click Add New and search for a theme
  3. Install and activate the chosen theme

5. Install Essential Plugins

Plugins enhance WordPress functionality. Here are some must-have plugins:

• SEO Optimization: Yoast SEO, Rank Math
• Security: Wordfence, Sucuri Security
• Performance Optimization: WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache
• Backup: UpdraftPlus, Jetpack
• Contact Forms: WPForms, Contact Form 7

6. Configure WordPress Settings

Before publishing your website, adjust some essential settings:

• General: Set site title, tagline, and timezone (Settings > General)
• Permalinks: Choose a SEO-friendly URL structure (Settings > Permalinks)
• Reading: Set homepage and blog settings (Settings > Reading)

7. Create and Publish Content

Now it’s time to add content to your website:

• Pages: Home, About, Services, Contact
• Blog Posts: Articles for engagement and SEO
• Menus: Organize navigation under Appearance > Menus

8. Configure SSL for HTTPS

An SSL certificate is essential for website security and SEO.

• Free SSL: Let’s Encrypt (Available in most hosting plans)
• Paid SSL: $10 to $100 per year

9. Test and Launch Your Website

Before making your site public:

• Check responsiveness (desktop, tablet, mobile)
• Test page speed with Google PageSpeed Insights
• Verify SEO setup with Google Search Console

Summary of Estimated Costs