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Building a Website With WordPress

Building a Website With WordPress

Cheat Sheet for Glenn Website Design

Even experts benefit from a checklist to ensure that every detail is meticulously handled for our clients. With the countless websites we’ve built, it’s easy to accidentally overlook a step. To prevent this, we developed a checklist that guarantees all the essential tasks are completed before diving into the main phases of the project.

Step by Step Basics for WordPress Website Setup

  • STEP 1: Research
  • STEP 2: Register domain name with Moniker.com
  • STEP 3: Set up DNS pointing to Ipower / Bluehost
  • STEP 4: Install WordPress from CPANEL
  • STEP 5: Add this to wp-config.php file at the top, before the line that says, “Happy Blogging”: define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
  • STEP 6: Install optimized for speed WordPress theme NEVE
  • STEP 7: Install Plugins (NEVE Pro, Yoast, Litespeed, Akismet, All-in-One WP Migration, Broken Link Checker, WP Mail SMTP, WPForms)
  • STEP 8: neve-child-master – make the active theme, functions.php, style.css, screenshot.png, header.php
  • STEP 9: Add Google analytics code to header.php

At this point you have a functional website. But that is where teh real work begins. You need implement all of your SEO research and start building the content. You have to create and adjust the menus. You have to create the visual aspects of the website.

Cheat Sheet for Glenn Website Design: Ensuring a Flawless Start

Here is s lightly more informative description for our basic choices for the website foundation. At Glenn Website Design, we ensure every website we build begins with a solid foundation by following a meticulous checklist. We start with thorough research to understand the client’s business, target audience, and competition, which informs the design and strategy. Next, we register the domain name through Moniker.com and configure DNS settings to point to our preferred hosts, Ipower or Bluehost. After setting up the domain, we install WordPress via cPanel and configure it to handle more complex tasks by adjusting the wp-config.php file. We then install the NEVE theme, optimized for speed, and a suite of essential plugins that enhance the site’s functionality and performance. Customizing a child theme ensures that any changes we make remain intact during updates. Finally, we integrate Google Analytics to monitor site performance, setting the stage for ongoing optimization and success. This process ensures that every website we build is not only functional but also tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients.

STEP 1: Research

Before any development begins, thorough research is paramount. This involves understanding the client’s business, their target audience, and their competition. We analyze industry trends and gather the necessary data to inform the website’s design, functionality, and content strategy. This research lays the foundation for a website that not only meets but exceeds client expectations.

STEP 2: Register Domain Name with Moniker.com

Selecting and securing the right domain name is crucial. We use Moniker.com for domain registration due to its reliability and ease of management. The domain name must reflect the client’s brand, be easy to remember, and ideally include keywords relevant to their industry.

STEP 3: Set Up DNS Pointing to Ipower / Bluehost

Once the domain is registered, the next step is configuring the DNS settings to point to our preferred hosting providers, Ipower or Bluehost. Proper DNS configuration ensures that the domain directs users to the correct server, laying the groundwork for a seamless online experience.

STEP 4: Install WordPress from cPanel

With the domain set up, we proceed to install WordPress through cPanel, the control panel interface provided by our hosting services. This step involves setting up the core WordPress files, creating the database, and configuring the site’s basic settings. This quick yet essential step sets the stage for the site’s development.

STEP 5: Configure wp-config.php

Before moving forward, we enhance WordPress’s performance by editing the wp-config.php file. Specifically, we add the following line at the top of the file, just before the line that says, “Happy Blogging”:

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

This increases the memory limit available to WordPress, ensuring that the site can handle more complex operations and plugins without running into performance issues.

STEP 6: Install NEVE Theme Optimized for Speed

A fast, responsive theme is critical for user experience and SEO. We prefer the NEVE theme for its speed, flexibility, and modern design. Installing NEVE sets up the website with a solid, performance-oriented foundation, ready for further customization.

STEP 7: Install Essential Plugins

Plugins extend the functionality of WordPress, and we have a standard set that we install on every site to ensure it’s equipped for success:

  • NEVE Pro: Unlocks additional features and customization options within the NEVE theme.
  • Yoast SEO: Helps optimize content for search engines, ensuring the site is easily discoverable.
  • LiteSpeed Cache: Enhances site speed and performance through advanced caching techniques.
  • Akismet: Protects the site from spam comments, keeping the website clean and professional.
  • All-in-One WP Migration: Simplifies the process of backing up, exporting, and importing site data.
  • Broken Link Checker: Monitors the site for broken links, ensuring all connections are intact.
  • WP Mail SMTP: Ensures reliable email delivery by configuring WordPress to send emails using an SMTP server.
  • WPForms: Adds robust form-building capabilities, essential for collecting user information and feedback.

STEP 8: Activate and Customize the Neve Child Theme

To ensure that any customizations we make to the site’s appearance and functionality aren’t lost during theme updates, we create and activate a child theme:

  • neve-child-master: This child theme inherits the functionality and styling of the NEVE theme while allowing for custom modifications.
  • We focus on editing key files like functions.php and style.css to implement custom features and styles.
  • screenshot.png and header.php are also customized to reflect the client’s branding and analytics needs.

STEP 9: Integrate Google Analytics

To track the website’s performance, we add Google Analytics code directly into the header.php file. This integration allows the client to monitor user behavior, traffic sources, and other critical metrics, enabling data-driven decisions for future improvements.

Beyond the Basics: Where the Real Work Begins

At this point, the website is functional, but the journey is far from over. Now comes the detailed work of customizing content, optimizing for SEO, enhancing security, and ensuring the site delivers an exceptional user experience. Every project is unique, and while this checklist covers the essentials, we tailor our approach to meet the specific needs and goals of each client.

By adhering to this checklist, Glenn Website Design ensures that every website we build starts with a strong foundation, ready to evolve into a powerful tool for our clients’ success.

How to Build a Website with WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Building a website is no longer the exclusive domain of tech experts. If you have the time, anyone can build a WorPress website. With platforms like WordPress, anyone can create a professional, fully functional website without needing to know how to code. WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), powering over 43% of all websites on the internet. Its flexibility, user-friendliness, and vast library of themes and plugins make it an ideal choice for individuals and businesses alike. This essay will walk you through the essential steps of building a website with WordPress, from initial setup to going live.

Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Hosting Provider

Before you can start building your website, you need a domain name and a hosting provider. The domain name is your website’s address on the internet (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com), while the hosting provider is where your website’s files and data are stored.

  • Choosing a Domain Name: Select a domain name that reflects your brand or the purpose of your website. It should be easy to remember, relevant to your content, and preferably short.
  • Selecting a Hosting Provider: Choose a reliable hosting provider that offers features like one-click WordPress installation, good customer support, and high performance. Popular hosting providers for WordPress include Bluehost, SiteGround, and Ipower. The hosting plan you select should be based on your website’s expected traffic and your need for speed, security, and storage.

Step 2: Install WordPress

Once you have your domain name and hosting in place, the next step is to install WordPress. Many hosting providers offer one-click installation, which simplifies the process. If your provider offers cPanel, you can use it to install WordPress with just a few clicks. Here’s how:

  • Log in to your hosting account.
  • Navigate to the cPanel and find the WordPress installer.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions, including selecting your domain, creating an admin account, and setting up the site name.
  • Once installed, you’ll be able to log in to your WordPress dashboard using the credentials you created.

Step 3: Choose a WordPress Theme

A WordPress theme controls the overall look and feel of your website. WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes, allowing you to customize your site’s appearance to match your brand.

  • Free Themes: These are available directly from the WordPress theme repository. They are a good starting point if you’re on a budget or building a simple site.
  • Premium Themes: Available from marketplaces like ThemeForest or directly from developers, premium themes offer more features, customization options, and dedicated support.
  • Custom Themes: If you need something unique, you can hire a developer to create a custom theme tailored to your specific needs.

After selecting a theme, you can install and activate it through your WordPress dashboard. From there, you can start customizing the design by adding your logo, adjusting colors, and configuring layout options.

Step 4: Install Essential Plugins

Plugins are add-ons that extend the functionality of your WordPress website. Whether you want to improve SEO, add contact forms, or enhance security, there’s a plugin for almost everything.

  • SEO: Install a plugin like Yoast SEO to help optimize your site’s content for search engines.
  • Performance: Use a caching plugin like LiteSpeed Cache to speed up your website.
  • Security: Akismet helps protect your site from spam, while plugins like Wordfence add layers of security against hackers.
  • Forms: WPForms is an easy-to-use plugin for creating contact forms, surveys, and other interactive elements.

To install a plugin, go to the “Plugins” section in your WordPress dashboard, click “Add New,” and search for the plugin you need. Once found, click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”

Step 5: Create Essential Pages

Every website should have a few core pages that provide visitors with essential information about your business or purpose.

  • Home Page: This is the first page visitors see. It should be welcoming and provide a clear overview of your website’s purpose.
  • About Page: Tell your story, explain your mission, and build a connection with your audience.
  • Services/Products Page: If you’re a business, detail what you offer, whether it’s services, products, or both.
  • Contact Page: Provide a way for visitors to reach you. Include a contact form, email address, phone number, and physical address if applicable.
  • Blog: If you plan to publish articles or updates, set up a blog section where you can regularly post content.

You can create these pages by navigating to the “Pages” section of your WordPress dashboard and clicking “Add New.” Use the built-in editor to add content, images, and media to each page.

Step 6: Customize Your Website’s Functionality

Beyond the basic setup, you can further customize your website to meet your specific needs.

  • Menus: Create a navigation menu to help users find their way around your site. This is typically placed in the header or footer of your site.
  • Widgets: Widgets are small blocks that perform specific functions. You can add them to your sidebar, footer, or other widget-ready areas. Common widgets include search bars, recent posts, and social media links.
  • Customizer: Use the WordPress Customizer to make real-time changes to your website’s appearance. Here, you can adjust colors, fonts, and layout options.

Step 7: Optimize for SEO and Performance

To ensure your website performs well and ranks highly in search engine results, take the following steps:

  • SEO: Use the Yoast SEO plugin to optimize your content, meta descriptions, and keywords. Ensure your site has a sitemap and is submitted to search engines like Google.
  • Performance: Optimize your images to reduce file size without losing quality. Use a caching plugin to speed up page load times. Regularly update WordPress, themes, and plugins to keep your site secure and running smoothly.

Step 8: Test Your Website

Before launching your site, it’s crucial to test it thoroughly. Check for broken links, ensure that all forms work, and verify that the site looks good on different devices and browsers.

  • Cross-Browser Testing: Use tools like BrowserStack to test your site across various browsers.
  • Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly by testing it on different devices.
  • Functionality Testing: Make sure all features, such as contact forms and e-commerce functions, work as intended.

Step 9: Launch Your Website

Once you’ve completed the setup, customization, and testing, it’s time to launch your website. Before going live, make sure to back up your site so you can restore it in case of any issues.

  • Launch: Remove any “Coming Soon” pages or maintenance mode settings. Announce your launch on social media, through email newsletters, or with a blog post.
  • Ongoing Maintenance: Regularly update your content, plugins, and WordPress version. Perform regular backups and monitor your site’s performance using tools like Google Analytics.

Conclusion

Building a website with WordPress is a straightforward process that offers endless possibilities for customization and growth. By following these steps, you can create a professional and functional website that serves your needs, whether for personal use, a blog, or a business. With WordPress, the power to build and maintain your online presence is right at your fingertips.

Other References:

https://glennwebsitedesign.com/gutenberg-for-wordpress-theme/

https://glennwebsitedesign.com/wordpress-websites/