Why Use WordPress?

WordPress powers a large portion of the web because it’s:

• Beginner-friendly
• Flexible — you can build any type of site
• SEO-friendly
• Easy to customise
• Supported by thousands of free themes and plugins

Let’s jump into the setup.

Step 1: Choose Your Hosting & Domain

To create a WordPress website you need a domain name (your website address) and a hosting plan (where your website lives).

Look for hosting with:

• 1-click WordPress installation
• Fast loading speeds
• Automatic backups
• Good security
• UK-based performance if you’re targeting UK visitors

Tip: If you want to compare providers and performance, compare the top UK hosting plans at ukhosting.com.

Step 2: Install WordPress (Super Easy)

Most hosts offer a 1-click WordPress install. After installation, log in at:

https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin

Once logged in you’ll see the WordPress dashboard where you manage content, design, plugins and settings.

Step 3: Configure Your Basic Settings

Before building pages, set up these core settings:

• Site title & tagline — Settings → General
• Permalinks — Settings → Permalinks → Post name (recommended for SEO)
• User profile — Users → Profile
• Comments — turn on/off depending on your site type

Step 4: Choose a Theme (Your Website’s Design)

The theme controls your site’s look. Install via Appearance → Themes → Add New.

Choose themes that are:

• Responsive (mobile-friendly)
• Fast and regularly updated
• Compatible with popular plugins

Beginner-friendly options: Astra, GeneratePress, OceanWP, or the default Twenty Twenty-Four.

Step 5: Install Essential Plugins

Plugins add functionality without code. Install plugins at Plugins → Add New.

Step 6: Create Your Essential Pages

Every beginner site should include at least:

• Home — your main introduction
• About — who you are and why you exist
• Contact — form, email, social links
• Blog — optional, great for SEO and content marketing

Create pages via Pages → Add New.

Step 7: Build Your Navigation Menu

Create a simple menu under Appearance → Menus. Include key pages like Home, About, Services, Blog and Contact so visitors can find what they need quickly.

Step 8: Add Content (Text, Images, Media)

Use the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg) to add structured content: headings, paragraphs, images, galleries and buttons.

Content tips:

• Use H2 and H3 headings to structure pages
• Keep paragraphs short and scannable
• Use descriptive alt text for images
• Link internally to related pages to keep visitors browsing

Step 9: Optimise Your Website for SEO

To help your site rank in Google:

• Install an SEO plugin (Yoast or RankMath) to set meta titles and descriptions
• Add meaningful alt text to images
• Use fast hosting — speed matters for SEO
• Use internal links and a clear site structure

Step 10: Keep Your Site Secure & Updated

Routine maintenance keeps your site healthy. Do the following regularly:

• Update WordPress core, themes and plugins
• Make regular backups
• Use strong admin passwords and consider two-factor authentication
• Monitor site speed and performance

Many security problems happen because sites aren’t kept up to date.

Final Thoughts

Building a WordPress website as a beginner is straightforward if you follow the right steps. In a few hours you can have a working site: choose hosting, install WordPress, pick a theme, create pages, install plugins and launch.

Ready to compare hosts? To see which providers offer the fastest performance, you can compare the top UK hosting plans at ukhosting.com and choose the best option for your site.