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What is WordPress and How to Start Using It: A Beginner’s Guide
WordPressIf you have ever asked how individuals construct magnificent websites without ever writing a line of code, chances are – they are doing it using WordPress. One of the most widely used applications worldwide for building websites, blogs and even online shops, WordPress is used by millions of Australians, from small business owners in Sydney through innovative bloggers in Melbourne. They are utilising WordPress to convey thoughts, market goods and enhance their online presence.
1. So what is WordPress, and why are people suddenly talking about it?
In simple terms, WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) – a software that lets you create, change and manage site content with ease. Whether you start a blog, a company website, or an ecommerce site, WordPress provides the versatility to get started without extensive technical know-how.
This beginner’s guide to WordPress is specifically designed for those starting their online journey – including owners of small businesses, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and artists. With this WordPress tutorial for beginners, you will be able to create a WordPress website from scratch and administer it easily.
2. What is WordPress?
To get an honest understanding of what is WordPress, let’s take a step back.
First launched in 2003 as a basic blog tool, WordPress has evolved into a comprehensive website construction platform, powering over 40% of all websites on the internet. It is open-source software, which means it is free, and editing and distributing are huge factors that contribute to its global success.
But Why Is It So Powerful?
Since WordPress is created by a vast community of developers and contributors who continuously enhance their skills. The group working together ensures that it remains secure, flexible, and able to adapt to various needs, ranging from blogs to large ecommerce sites.
WordPress as a CMS
As a Content Management System (CMS), WordPress enables you to manage your entire text content, images, videos, and more through an intuitive interface. You don’t have to know HTML, CSS or JavaScript. You simply do it on your WordPress panel, add your content, and post it live.
Open Source Advantage
Being open source, you have access to thousands of themes and plugins made by the community. This allows you to achieve the level of design and functionality you desire without having to do it all from scratch.
In essence, WordPress provides complete control over creativity at a fraction of the expense of bespoke web development.
3. Types of WordPress Platforms
Before diving in, it is essential to understand the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org – two versions of WordPress that often confuse beginners.
WordPress.com
This is a hosted platform, which means WordPress takes care of everything—hosting, updates, and security. It is perfect for beginners who want a simple start but do not need full control.
Pros:
- Rapid configuration
- Without technical maintenance
- Free plan available
Cons:
- Limited personalisation
- You cannot install external plugins on lower-level planes
- You do not have full ownership of your site
WordPress.org
It’s the self-hosted version, where you download WordPress.org software and host it on your own hosting account. It’s ideal for individuals who require complete control over the site.
Advantages:
- Full ownership and flexibility
- You have access to all themes and plugins
- It’s better for scalability and ecommerce
Disadvantages:
- Needs hosting and setting up
- You are responsible for maintenance and updates
Most businesses and professionals like self-hosted WordPress.org due to their scalability and control. It is the go-to platform for agencies like Elsner Technologies Australia, which deals in WordPress web design and customised development.
4. Key features of WordPress
Let’s discuss the key features of WordPress that make it such a powerful platform for websites.
a. Themes – Design Flexibility
WordPress themes control the appearance of your site. You have thousands of free and paid options to choose from, allowing you to select designs that align with your brand. Whether you create a creative portfolio or a professional corporate site, you can easily alternate between themes or even modify a theme with the colour and logo of your brand.
b. Plugins – Enhancement of functionality
Plugins are what make WordPress so flexible. Need a store online? Install WooCommerce. Need SEO tools? Add Yoast SEO.
You can browse through over 60,000 free options in the WordPress Plugin Directory to enhance your site’s features.
c. Personalisation Options
With their drag-and-drop page builders, such as Elementor or Gutenberg, even layman users can design stunning pages with ease. You can even modify all the elements—typography, layouts, and widgets—within the WordPress dashboard overview.
d. SEO-Facility and Scalability
WordPress is designed with mind research mechanisms. Its clean coding, easy management, and responsive design provide an SEO advantage. Moreover, it scales effortlessly as your company expands from a startup to become a full-fledged company.
5. How to Begin Using WordPress
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty part – how to start a WordPress website from scratch.
Step 1: Select a Domain And Hosting
Your domain is the title of your site (for example, yourbusiness.com.au), and your hosting is where your site lies in cyberspace. For users in Australia, look for local companies that have fast servers and high uptime. Some WordPress hosting tutorials suggest using options like SiteGround, BlueHost or WP Engine.
Step 2: Install WordPress
Most web hosts provide a one-click installation option. However, if you prefer the do-it-yourself method, simply follow the instructions on how to install WordPress, which typically involve downloading WordPress files, creating a database, and using a configuration assistant. After that, you can log in to your panel at youDomain.com.au/wp-admin.
Step 3: Familiarise Yourself With The Panel
The WordPress dashboard overview is where the magic happens. The left side will have a menu for posts, pages, appearance, plugins and settings. Take a few minutes to venture around it.
Step 4: Pick a Theme
Select a free or paid theme that suits your website’s purpose. You can install themes directly from your panel in Appearance > Themes.
Step 5: Install Core Plugins
Begin with some must-haves:
- Yoast SEO for optimisation
- Elementar For Page Design
- UpdraftPlus for backups
- WordFence for Security
- WooCommerce, if you are going to sell products
This set of tools includes the most fundamental WordPress basics for beginners.
6. Initial Actions After Setting Up
After you make your site live, here are the next steps you can take.
Create Your First Page and Post
Navigate to pages> add new ones to build your home, about and contact pages. For blogs, navigate to Posts > Add New. Add images, titles, and links to enhance your content.
Set Up Menus and Widgets
Navigate to Appearance> Menus to structure your site’s navigation. Widgets (located in Appearance > Widgets) help you add features such as recent posts, categories, or contact forms to sidebars and footers.
Set Basic Settings
In Settings > General, set the title, tagline, and site time zone. Then, in the permalink structure, select a URL structure that is SEO-friendly, typically “post name”.
Manage Users And Permissions
If multiple individuals are operating your site, assign roles as administrator, editor, or author in Users > Add New. This maintains a balance between control and security.
7. Tips For Beginners
Beginning your career with WordPress is thrilling, but here are some golden rules to which every beginner must stick.
Keep Everything Updated
Regularly update the WordPress core, themes and plugins. This not only protects your site, but it also makes it compatible with the latest web technologies.
Back Up Regularly
Use plugins like UpdraftPlus to save a copy of your site. If something deviates, you can restore it instantly with the click of a button.
Secure Your Website
Set up a security plugin like WordFence, use good passwords and employ SSL encryption (https). Cybersecurity is crucial, especially if your site collects user information.
Optimise Speed And Performance
Fast websites classify better and keep people around. Optimise images, utilise cache plugins, and choose a reliable hosting company.
Continue Learning
There are numerous resources available for those who wish to delve deeper into WordPress. Tutorials, online courses, and communities are invaluable as you progress with your expertise. If professional assistance is desired, the hiring of an expert from a Top Tips for WordPress Web Design in Sydney to Create Stunning Websites guide can be a wise decision to ensure your site achieves both visual appeal and functionality.
8. Real World Example: Case Study Of Elsner Technologies Australia
Let’s examine an example from the real world of Elsner Technologies Australia to understand how WordPress can transform a business.
Case Study: Evdeneve – Furniture Ecommerce Platform
Elsner Technologies collaborated with Evdeneve, an Australian furniture retailer, to develop a sophisticated and user-friendly ecommerce website using WordPress and WooCommerce. The client requested a responsive website that would handle diverse product categories by providing a gentle user experience.
Elsner’s WordPress design team has adapted the theme, enhanced navigation and incorporated insurance gateways. They also enhanced product filtering capabilities, making it easy for buyers to identify what they desired.
Results:
- 45% faster website loading speed
- 30% boost in conversions
- Better Mobile Usability
This is how a professional WordPress web developer can help Australian businesses stand out in competitive markets.
9. Why Australians Adore WordPress
Australia’s online landscape is expanding fast, with small businesses online than ever before. WordPress is well-suited to this environment since it is:
- Accessible: You may begin small and scale as your business escalates.
- Located: Plugins and themes are customisable to the Australian user base.
- Flexible: From tech startups to negotiations, it’s for everyone.
If you have a coffee business in Brisbane or a marketing company in Perth, WordPress provides tools to go digital fast and efficiently.
Conclusion
So, what is WordPress in plain language? It’s your website creator, content manager and all-encompassing growth platform that’s engaged in one.
You’ve now explored how does WordPress work, learned the WordPress basics, and followed a WordPress tutorial for beginners to build your own site confidently. From understanding the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org to discovering how to install WordPress and use themes and plugins, you’ve got the foundation you need. Building your first site may seem intimidating, but once you start, you’ll discover how liberating it can be. And if you are in prison, professionals like Elsner Technologies Australia are available to guide you to take your site to the next level.
So, what are you waiting for? 👉 Begin your WordPress adventure today and watch your virtual dreams come to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is WordPress for?
WordPress is utilised to design all sorts of websites – from personal sites to ecommerce websites and business websites. It is an adaptive platform that enables anyone to create and manage content without requiring coding expertise.
2. How does WordPress work for beginners?
WordPress operates through an intuitive control panel, which allows you to design posts, insert images, install themes and plugins, and manage your site.
3. What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.com is a WordPress-managed platform, while WordPress.org is a self-hosted version that provides complete control over your site. Most companies prefer WordPress.org for its flexibility and scalability.
4. How to install WordPress on my hosting account?
Most web hosting companies provide one-click installation. If you prefer to do so manually, you can upload WordPress files through FTP, create a database and run the configuration wizard – easy with a WordPress hosting guide.
5. Can I create my site, or should I hire a WordPress developer?
You can easily design your own site using internal themes and drag builders. However, for complex projects or exclusive brands, the partnership with a WordPress development company such as Elsner Technologies Australia ensures a professional finish and long-term support.
