Building a Website with WordPress

Introduction

• Presenter: Kevin
• Topic: Building a website using WordPress
• Why WordPress:
  • Free & open-source CMS
  • No coding required
  • Powers over 46% of websites

Steps to Build Your Website

1. Getting WordPress

• Visit WordPress's official website.
• Options to get WordPress:
  • Download and install yourself (more control, complex).
  • Use a hosting provider (simpler, managed).
• Recommended hosting providers:
  • Bluehost, DreamHost, Wordpress.com
• Chosen provider for demo: Wordpress.com (offers a free plan)

2. Setting Up Your WordPress Account

• Sign up on Wordpress.com
• Choose a free plan.
• **Personalization: ** Add a site icon, name, and description.

Customizing Your Website

3. Choosing & Customizing Your Design

• Choose from various templates.
  • Can filter templates by categories like 'Restaurant'.
  • Customize templates later.
• Design Your Own:
  • Start by selecting headers.
  • Add sections like intros, galleries, and maps.
  • Customize content in sections – text, images, etc.
  • Adjust layout and section order.
  • Add footers.
  • Style customization: Limited choices for free plans.

4. Editing & Adding Content

• Editor Overview:
  • Blocks: headers, text, images, galleries, etc.
  • Modify blocks: edit text, replace images, adjust alignment.
  • Add new blocks using the plus icon.
• Example customizations:
  • Added text blocks for slogans/descriptions.
  • Replaced placeholder images with own media.
  • Added logos and adjusted visual elements.
  • Included a map showing the business location.
• Previewing & Saving:
  • View how the site appears on various devices (laptop, tablet, mobile).
  • Save progress frequently.

Publishing & Managing Content

5. Publishing the Website

• Steps:
  • Save design changes.
  • Preview the website.
  • Launch the site (access via a WordPress subdomain).
  • Editing & Updates: Navigation through admin interface.
• Analytics: Check site stats.
  • Might need more content to attract visitors.

6. Adding Posts & Pages

• Posts: Time-sensitive content (news, blog posts).
  • Add new posts, categorize, and tag them for easy navigation.
  • Include featured images for better engagement.
• Pages: Static content (about us, contact).
  • Create new pages from a blank template.

7. Improving Navigation

• Header Links:
  • Add about us and other relevant pages to header navigation.
  • Ensure home and other links direct correctly.
• Post Integration:
  • Feature recent posts on the homepage.
  • Include clickable categories.

Final Thoughts

• Finalizes the site: looks appealing and functional.
• Encouragement to explore: add more content, posts, and pages.
• Next Steps: continue building the site, watch additional tutorials.

Note: Remember to save changes frequently and preview the site’s functionality on various devices.