Many individuals and businesses just do not think or have not enough time to create the proper plan of building a website. But creating a website is similar to building a house, you can’t do it without spending a while making a design, business and time plan. If you are one of those who just wants to jump right in, do not skip the planning phase.
Do you know where to begin?
This article was created for those building a new WordPress website. It will help you plan, setup, and launch your page.
Why WordPress?
WordPress is a perfect choice for users who are creating their first website as well as seasoned veterans. It works great with different traffic websites and is used by tons of companies, both big and small. Including sites that get millions of page views.
Why is WordPress the content management system (CMS) of choice? It’s free, very easy to manage (one click install option) and offers unlimited possibilities, as well as a huge number of WordPress free themes and plugins (widgets). Using it costs you nothing, so only the hosting and domain fees need to be paid. Another advantage is that it’s great for those who do not know how to program, or their knowledge level is not sufficient to make it on their own. Launching a website doesn’t even mean you have to know WordPress well. Even if you are a website newbie, a lack of experience doesn’t create a big roadblock. Anyone can run a site by learning WordPress step by step.
What are your project’s objectives?
So you want to launch a website and you’re using WordPress to do it. Now it’s time to ask some questions. What about design or content? What are your objectives? Why is it important for you to have a website?
These are a few examples, but there are so many more. How do you want to measure success? Who is your target user? Are you planning to make money using your site?
Try to refine your goals and focus your work on them. Always consider the user experience, as it is as big a factor as your goals themselves. Often times people get lost in their personal. Unless you want to run a personal website, like a blog, start thinking about customers.
Don’t Feel Overwhelmed
Feel like there’s a lot to do? You’re right. But you don’t have to do it all at once. Probably the simplest way to start is to launch a small WordPress website and develop it regularly. Build a one-pager and get some feedback. A little experience goes a long way. Over time you can add new pages or reformat your page once you learn what works.
Create Your Brand Identity
The next step is to define the brand identity. This depends on elements like your brand’s values, personality and your position on the market. It’s vital to determine your brand’s identity before jumping into a new WordPress website. Having a clear picture of what look and feel you’re going for will make your site cohesive. If you skip this step, you run the risk of looking unprofessional or even having to redo the whole thing. Once you have these details nailed down, you’ll be in a great position to present your brand to the public and attract a loyal following.
Rebranding and Major Marketing Changes
Sometimes a business will undergo some major rebranding or overhaul its marketing strategy. If you foresee this happening to you anytime soon, it is best to hold off on the build of a new site until you have a solid marketing plan in place. This will keep you from having to redesign major element of the site.
Build your WordPress website
Now you’re ready to get down to the nitty-gritty. First, secure your domain name and hosting. The domain should be connected with your brand. It should be relevant and memorable.
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Domain Hosting
Hosting is the place where your files are stored. We recommend you to choose a trusted and proven hosting company. You can save a step by using the host that is provided along with the domain already.
Installing WordPress
Next, it’s time to install WordPress. Good news is that many hosting providers offer an easy install option. It’s called a one-click installation. This makes for straightforward and quick installation. Consider support. This is nice to have even if you do know what you’re doing. One day you may have a question or run into an issue. If that happens you’ll want to make sure you’re with a company that is easy to talk to.
Choosing a Theme
Using a theme option replaces the need for a custom designed site which can be relatively expensive. The WordPress theme is the framework of your website. The design, layout, content presentation, everything is based on it. There are tons of free and paid themes, so It can be hard to determine which to use. WordPress themes are categorized and purposed for different kinds of websites.
No matter your industry, make sure your theme has the following:
- Unique design
- Strong and clean code
- Responsive layout
- Valid HTML and CSS
- Compatibility with WordPress and its plugins
If you know the theme that meets these standards then you can find the answer to few questions:
- Does it meet the needs of the WordPress website?
- Is it possible to customize this theme?
- Is it complicated to expand it?
Getting It Right
It might seem like a lot to consider, but picking out your theme is a big step. Once you’ve built your site, changing themes basically means starting over. It may be tempting but resist the urge to jump right in. Some themes can be difficult to use. If you’re a beginner choose a theme that’s known for being easy to use. Once you narrow down your choices, read reviews and do a bit of research to find your very best option.
Make Sure Your Site Can Be Used By Everyone
Accessibility is something that can be easily overlooked. Having an accessible website provides usability to people with disabilities. This means following the WCAG 2.0 and Section 508 law requirements. WCAG 2.0 is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines recognized as the main international Internet standards.
If you own a commercial business website or are a designer or an administrator of a public institution accessibility is a must.
It can be difficult to convert a web page to these standards. It’s less time-consuming to consider accessibility from the beginning. It’s worthwhile to use ready-made solutions like the WCAG 2.0 WordPress theme.
Launch Your WordPress Website
You can build an awesome web page in a short time, but the perfect website doesn’t happen overnight. Even when it’s great, it will require some ongoing effort. You can do it! Start out by gearing up with knowledge, and you will gain experience quickly. This article is not a complete guide, but it should give you everything that you need to know about planning, building, and launching a new WordPress based site. Best of luck!
Want to improve your website even more? Check out this other article from Brainleaf: How to Improve UX/UI for a Website
About the author
Błażej Krzymowski is an administrator of cmsgadget.com which showcases best themes on the web and presents the latest news from the world of CMS. He has been writing thematic articles focused on extensions, plugins, and themes since 2011. He is also a great fan of WordPress and social media. Connect with CMS Gadget on Twitter, Facebook, or Google Plus
