How To Set Up A WordPress Website

Set up your WordPress Website

When it’s time to set up your first WordPress website, it might sound technical, but it’s really a smooth process.

Whether you’re building a personal blog, business site, profile or e-commerce store, WordPress makes it possible without needing to code.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.

1. Get a Domain Name and Hosting

You’ll need a domain name (like yoursite.com) and a hosting provider. Look for a host that offers one-click WordPress installation, like hosting.com, or WPX.net. This will save time and gets you up and running faster. Many web hosts also include your domain name in the hosting plan.

2. Install WordPress

Once you’ve secured hosting, use your provider’s one-click WordPress installer (most hosts offer this). After setup, you’ll get login credentials to access your new site’s dashboard.

3. Choose a Theme

Your theme controls how your site looks and loads. I recommend a lightweight, performance-first theme like GeneratePress. It gives you design freedom while keeping your site fast and responsive.

4. Install Essential Plugins

Here are some go-to plugins to use:

A contact form plugin (like WPForms)
A caching plugin for speed (like WP Rocket or a free alternative)
An SEO plugin (like Rank Math)
A security plugin
Elementor (for page building)

Only install plugins you actually plan to use—excess bloat will slow your site down.

5. Build Your Pages

Most sites need a few basics: Home, About, Services or Blog, and Contact. Elementor is a great tool to help you build these visually without needing to know code.

6. Adjust Your Settings

Inside WordPress, go to Settings > Reading and set your homepage and blog page. Then head to Settings > Permalinks and choose “Post name” for cleaner URLs.

7. Create Your Menu and Test Your Site

Set up your site navigation under Appearance > Menus. Be sure to preview your site on desktop and mobile. Fix anything that doesn’t look right.

Final Step: Launch Your Website

Once your pages are ready and everything works smoothly, hit publish and go live.

Need help with any part of this? I put together practical guides, affiliate tools, and fix-it services at WebsiteFixerGuy.com to help you get going—whether you’re building from scratch or fixing what’s broken.