WordPress is the world’s most popular platform for creating websites — and the best part? You don’t need to be a coding expert to use it. Whether you want to start a personal blog, business site, or online store, WordPress makes it simple.
This guide will walk you through how to start a WordPress website from scratch — perfect for beginners.
✅ Step 1: Choose Your Website Type
Before you begin, decide what kind of website you want:
- Blog
- Business/portfolio site
- Online store (eCommerce)
- News or magazine site
Knowing your purpose will help you pick the right design and tools later.
🌐 Step 2: Choose Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
There are two types of WordPress:
- WordPress.com – Hosted by WordPress. Easier to start, but limited control.
- WordPress.org – Self-hosted. You have full control but need a domain and hosting.
For full freedom and monetization, go with WordPress.org.
💻 Step 3: Buy Domain & Hosting
To launch a WordPress.org website, you need two things:
- Domain Name (e.g., yourwebsite.com)
- Web Hosting (space to store your website files)
You can buy both from providers like:
Most hosting services offer one-click WordPress installation.
⚙️ Step 4: Install WordPress
Once you’ve purchased hosting:
- Log into your hosting dashboard (cPanel).
- Look for the “WordPress” installer.
- Click “Install,” choose your domain, and follow the steps.
- Set a username and password to log into your WordPress admin panel.
Your WordPress website is now live at:www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin
🎨 Step 5: Choose a Theme
A theme controls your site’s design.
- Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New.
- Browse free or paid themes.
- Click Install, then Activate.
For beginners, try:
- Astra
- OceanWP
- Neve
- Hello Elementor (great with Elementor builder)
🧱 Step 6: Install Essential Plugins
Plugins add functionality to your site. Recommended plugins:
- Elementor (drag-and-drop page builder)
- Yoast SEO (for search engine optimization)
- WPForms (create contact forms)
- UpdraftPlus (for backups)
- WooCommerce (for online stores)
Install plugins from Plugins > Add New.
🖋️ Step 7: Create Your Website Pages
Go to Pages > Add New and create:
- Home
- About
- Contact
- Blog (optional)
- Shop (for eCommerce)
Add content using the Block Editor or Elementor.
🚀 Step 8: Launch Your Website!
Once everything is set:
- Preview your site
- Check all links and pages
- Go live and start promoting it!
📝 Final Tips
- Use clean and mobile-friendly themes
- Optimize images for faster load time
- Add an SSL certificate for security (most hosts provide it free)
- Keep WordPress and plugins updated
🧩 FAQs
Q: Can I build a WordPress site without coding?
Yes! WordPress is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require coding knowledge.
Q: How much does it cost to start a WordPress site?
A basic self-hosted WordPress site can cost around ₹2000–₹4000/year (domain + hosting).
Q: Can I earn money from my WordPress blog?
Absolutely! You can earn through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or even by selling products.