After you have done your research and evaluated providers, then you are ready to start building a WordPress.
If after reading this guide, it all looks too complicated for you, then no worries, I am available to do it all for you!
I can even run small classes or one-on-one training if you can come to Auckland.
Here are the steps/ guidelines
1st Step: Decide which providers you want to enroll with, and if necessary, watch a few how-to tutorials to help you carry out each step. Go to youtube.com and Google.
2nd Step:
a) Buy a domain name and
b) Buy a hosting account (Managed WordPress Hosting type). Make a note of the nameserver name.
c) Change the domain nameserver to the hosting company’s server name. You achieve that, by logging in to your domain registrar, to change the Domain Nameserver there. 24 hours later, the domain will connect to your hosting account.
3rd Step: After the 24hr wait you will be able to create a WordPress website that can connect to the Domain. Login to your hosting account Control Panel, and go to WordPress Installer. Specify the domain name you want to work with your new WordPress System. Run the install.
4th Step: On the Cpanel, Activate SSL/HTTPS. Contact the helpdesk if not sure. Then create your optional Webmail boxes on the Cpanel host as you require.
5th Step: You can now log in to your wp-admin dashboard. Ensure that a Theme and a Page content Editor Plugin are first to get installed and activated, then start adding your other required Plugins: such as Contact 7 form, a RECaptcha plugin to protect the form, a spam blocker, A security plugin against hackers – I suggest IThemes Security, Yoast for SEO, a Slider for home page if one is not already bundled with the theme, and a plugin for connecting Google Analytics, such as Monster Insights. If you want to display a product catalogue or shop, then you should install WooCommerce Plugin too. Go through each plugin to configure them. In particular, create a Contact Us form.
6th Step: If your chosen theme has some demo pages/templates available, like Astra does, select and activate those pages so that you can overwrite and repopulate them with your own blurb. Disable pages you don’t need, by placing them into Draft Status for the time being or delete.
7th Step: Go to the tab called Settings/Readings, and select what page name is to be set as your home page, and what page name for Blog Feed.
8th Step: Create any other new shell pages and posts that you know you will need, if they don’t already exist from the demo pages.
Typical pages: Home/About Us/Services/Fees/Shop/Terms & Conditions/Privacy Policy/Contact Us. On the Contact page, ensure that Contact Form 7 links correctly to the ID of the form, then test it.
9th Step: Create a new Menu for all the pages you want to display live. The menu is found under Appearance tab.
10th Step: Load your original text and images into each shell page. Make sure you optimise the resolution of all your images first. Never insert images that are over 500kb – 1MB in size. Never use copyrighted images unless you have paid for them. Consider paying at 123rf.com, Istockphoto, or Unsplash is free, for royalty-free images.
11th Step: Under the Customisations tab you can upload a little logo to go in the header. Some themes also have a space to enter a phone number and email address on the header. Change site colours in the Global tab, choose page and blog layouts and change fonts if you like.
12th Step: If you want a sidebar to show on certain inner pages, select that template with the stated sidebar via the template options on each individual page. Then you can populate the sidebars with Widgets. If you want a sitewide footer, you will need to create Widgets for them also. Go to Appearance tab/Widgets. This is to display things like Contact Address/Email/Phone/Like us on Facebook widget/ Newsletter form/ Google Map/ Social Links as per required.
The final phase, is TESTING while live. You must test all the functions and links work. Check that your home page and blog are set, your menu is set with all the correct pages you want. Test your contact form, and check your webmail login.
Site Updates and Maintenance: you will find that notices arrive in your Wp-admin area, to update WordPress, Theme, and Plugins every few months. You must run these updates, or risk out-of-date themes and plugins attracting hackers.
Good luck with your project!
If you would like help with your web build or as a site manager or administrator to maintain your site, then do not hesitate to get in touch with me to assist you.