Creating a website in WordPress is the best way to take your business online.
So if you are wondering what is it and whether it would be the right choice for your website and business.
Then you are in the right place because here is everything you are going to know about WordPress.
So What is WordPress?
In its simplest terms, it is an open-source platform that allows anyone to build a website or a blog.
The open-source software is free to download and install at no cost to the user.
And in its more technical form, is a PHP program that accesses a MySQL database to store information.
WordPress is the most user-friendly and robust platform for creating blogs and websites.
It also serves as an excellent foundation for many different types of websites.
And may be used for various website types, including personal blogs, online stores, company websites, and online portfolios.
Also, it can be an excellent solution for any business due to its adaptability and user-friendliness.
Benefits of WordPress
Quickly publishing and constructing your website’s content is a breeze with WordPress because it is very user-friendly enough for novices.
And most of its benefits can be understood from the following attributes below:
a) It’s Free To Use
The software itself is open-source and available for free on WordPress.org. Hosting and a domain name, however, will cost you money.
b) Flexibility
It is flexible enough to be used for anything from individual blogs and e-commerce sites to online periodicals and newspapers.
c) User-friendly
WordPress makes creating and managing websites as easy as using a word processor like Microsoft Word.
d) Open-source software
To put it simply, WordPress is not owned by any one company or organization because it is open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Hundreds of people from the development and user communities work together to improve the program.
The principles of open source encourage unrestricted access, transparency, and innovation.
e) No need to know the code
With WordPress, you can create a website without knowing any coding at all.
And even though it uses several different programming languages, familiarity with them is not required to use the platform.
f) Extendable with WordPress plugins
Plugins are an add-on to the leading WordPress platform that adds more functionality.
The plugins are downloadable programs installed on your site to extend its functionality (such as e-commerce, SEO, backups, contact forms, and more).
The WordPress.org directory hosts thousands of free plugins, and the premium (paid) market is flourishing.
Some of the most popular plugins used by every WordPress user are:
g) Highly Customizable With WordPress Themes
The themes are what give your website its visual identity and structure.
Changing your site’s theme in WordPress is as simple as clicking a button.
And the more feature-rich premium themes contain features such as WordPress page builders, providing you even more flexibility in designing your site’s layout.
h) Website Security
Even though no website platform is entirely safe, WordPress’ security is constantly being bolstered by the efforts of its core developers and users.
Regarding WordPress security, it’s usually the users who are at fault, not the program.
i) A Thriving Community of Users & Developers
Having a WordPress site opens the door to the larger community of developers, where you may participate in events like WordCamps and local Meetups.
And the WP community is well-known for its friendliness, helpfulness, and creative spirit.
WordPress Plugins and Themes: A premium Industry
Despite the abundance of free plugins and themes, most WordPress site owners who take their work seriously pay for a commercial plugin or theme.
You contribute to the product’s continued improvement, updates, and support when you buy a premium plugin or music from a respectable developer.
Features of WordPress
It is a powerful content management system (CMS) and website creation platform. Some of WordPress’s many capabilities are described below.
a) Search Engine Optimization
Technical Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is where it all starts, and WordPress provides a superb coding base for SEO.
Search engine optimization, or SEO, improves your site’s visibility in results returned by popular engines like Google and Bing.
If you’re interested in learning more about search engine optimization (SEO), check out these tutorial such as Yoast.Com.
b) Speed
WordPress is a lightweight framework that makes every effort to reduce unnecessary fat from the code that slows down a website’s load time.
c) Mobile Friendly
Most modern WordPress themes already have mobile compatibility and are responsive.
d) Media File Library
Media files, such as photographs and videos, can be uploaded to WordPress’s built-in media library and embedded directly into posts and pages.
Even simple image editing tasks can be handled without ever leaving WordPress.
e) Easy-to-use user interface
When compared to other CMSs, WordPress doesn’t necessitate any complicated setup.
A WP processor is needed to utilize the WP interface and it is designed with usability in mind.
f) Custom Menus
Creating drop-down menus that point to specific pages or external URLs is a breeze in WordPress.
g) Built-in Blog
Creating a blog on your site is as easy as writing a post.
h) The WordPress Block Editor is all new in version 5.0.
When WordPress 5.0 was released, a brand-new editor appeared; it is commonly referred to as the Gutenberg WP Editor.
What was once a laborious process for editing WP posts and pages is now a breeze, all thanks to the new editor.
More freedom in “drag and drop” content design and arrangement is now at your fingertips.
Installation of WordPress
WordPress is the best website-building platform. It powers 43% of the web.
It is easy to set up, so almost anyone can have a website.
This is easy to install on top web hosts. Standard WordPress installation should take five minutes.
This is a complete installation instruction for newbies and pros.
Learn how to install WordPress with one-click scripts like Fantastico, Softaculous, and QuickInstall.
Here we’ll also cover manual WP installation through FTP for advanced users.
We’ll walk inexperienced developers and designers through installing WordPress locally (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and also offer post-installation tips.
a) Pick a host that offers WordPress installation with one click.
Choosing a host that automatically installs WordPress is easiest.
You can acquire WordPress-optimized web hosts that preinstall the software today.
When you sign up for hosting, it will be ready to use. These site servers offer one-click installation.
Bluehost has WordPress installed and is affordable. One month of service costs $2.75 using this link.
SiteGround offers goodies you won’t find elsewhere. Single-site plans start at $2.99/month.
Managed WordPress providers often preinstall it for a fee.
If you’ve chosen another host, no problem. Most hosts make installing it easy.
b. Utilizing cPanel and the Automatic Installers to Set Up WordPress
Most web hosting companies offer cPanel, an administration interface. Your site host should give you cPanel login info. Your web server should have a cPanel installer.
And all the installation stages I’ll outline can be automated.
Instead of manually installing it, employ an automated installer that only requires a few clicks. To install WordPress, click the cPanel link.
The next screen will have an Install Now button regardless of the auto-installer. Tap again. You must supply some information to install WordPress.
This interface should be comparable and independent of the auto-installer.
Enter protocol and domain before installing it. Using HTTPS with an SSL certificate.
Alternatively, use HTTP. Unless an SSL Certificate is installed, HTTP is assumed. Select the WP installation directory.
Omitting this information is best in 98% of circumstances.
If you don’t type anything, WordPress will be installed on your primary domain.
Some auto-installers provide customization. It’s OK to forget them.
What I didn’t say is fine by default.
After entering your information, click Install. The procedure may take a minute.
A confirmation email follows.
c) Hand-Held WordPress Setup
Because of the ease and broad availability of the aforementioned automatic installers, I no longer see the need to employ this method manually.
Almost all hosting providers have WordPress installation software in their control panels.
Keep reading, though, if you’re interested in learning the manual steps for installing WordPress. Using the auto-install method described above is recommended if you are starting.
WordPress’ 5-minute install requires an FTP client. They prefer FileZilla. Free FTP clients are available. If you’re uncomfortable with FTP, upload and install it manually.
If you insist, see our FTP guide. Download it from wordpress.org to get started. Unzip the file before uploading it to your server’s public HTML directory. No FTP login? Provided by your host.
While that’s happening, click MySQL Databases in cPanel. Need a New Database button or link. Then click Create Database. Remember the name, but be innovative.
You’ll need it later. Create a database user. To add a user, visit the MySQL Users section.
After creating a database, provide user access. Enter your username on the next page. Authorizations: After the FTP upload, you can access your domain to finish setting up.
When you visit your domain, WordPress should load. First, choose a language. Prepare your database’s user name, password, and connection info. Put in: If WordPress installs smoothly, you can: Name your site and fill out the admin fields: Install WordPress.
d) Doing it Yourself with a WordPress Installation
Set up a test site to learn the ropes of WordPress by installing it locally on your computer. You’ll get access to a fully operational installation; however, only you will be able to see it. It means that it will be accessible only from your personal computer. The term “localhost” is another name for this.
WordPress Hosting
Managed WordPress hosting is a special kind of website designed to meet the needs of websites based on the content management system.
About 42.5% of all websites use WordPress as their content management system.
The popularity of WordPress has led numerous hosting providers to provide support for the platform.
WordPress hosting may be included in different types of web hosting depending on the web host providing the service.
Shared, virtual private servers, and cloud-based WordPress hosting are just a few options available among the many hosting companies.
Some of the best WordPress hostings providers for small businesses are:
- Siteground
- Kinsta
- Bluehost
- A2Hosting
- Hostgator
- WPEngine
- Hostinger
Benefits of WordPress Hosting
There are numerous advantages to selecting a managed WP hosting plan for a new WordPress site rather than a standard web hosting service plan.
a) Easier Set up
WordPress hosts with preinstalled plugins and themes make setting up and installing the platform easier.
b) Optimal Performance
When you sign up for a WordPress hosting plan, your site will be hosted on a server that is optimized to run the WP platform.
Caching software is often preinstalled to speed up page loads.
c) Up-to-date Servers and Software
Web providers specializing in WordPress ensure that their servers are always up-to-date, and this, combined with WordPress’s automatic updates, ensures maximum compatibility and smooth operation.
d) Effortless administration
Focus on refining your SEO strategy and leaving the WordPress mechanics to your web hosting plans.
e) Secure servers
The installed security measures can thwart WordPress-specific threats. Automatic plugin updates are included in all of Hostinger’s WordPress hosting plans.
f) Expert Support
With a managed WordPress service, you may get access to a team of experts who can assist with anything from general site upkeep to WordPress-specific tasks.
WordPress Hosting Drawbacks
WordPress sites use WordPress hosting’s main features.
Standard web hosting or a CMS hosting solution tailored to your platform is the best way to develop a site with a different CMS.
WordPress hosting businesses charge more than shared hosting due to WordPress-specific features, services, and functionality.
Extra cash is great, but it might lead to higher expenses. WordPress hosting plans may restrict adding plugins and themes, limiting creative freedom.
Role of WordPress Developers: What Do They Do?
WordPress developers utilize the content management system to build and launch websites for businesses.
These Developers provide WordPress development services to businesses to build websites.
They handle everything from design to coding, from database management to adding new plugins and themes.
Its mission is to fulfill the needs of its clients by designing and developing functional and aesthetically pleasing websites—needed Competencies in WordPress Development.
You should have these abilities if you’re making themes or plugins for WordPress.
Becoming a WordPress developer requires proficiency in a variety of languages and tools and the Ability to Perform Technical Tasks such as:
WordPress Develops mostly works on
a) Text Editor
Selecting a suitable text editor is an essential first step to coding education. On the other hand, Notepad is an excellent choice for novice programmers because of its intuitive interface.
An add-on for Notepad++ called zen-coding will allow you to write repetitive codes with a single click, significantly increasing your coding speed.
To use more sophisticated programs like VS Code editor, Sublime, Atom, Brackets.io, and so on, you need to develop your skills as a code writer first.
Find an editor that suits your preferences.
b) HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)
If you’re just starting with WordPress development, you’ll need to know how websites work.
Web content is displayed using HTML, which is not a programming language but a markup language.
It takes about 15-25 days of dedicated study at a rate of 7 hours per day to become proficient in HTML.
The Khan Academy, the W3School, YouTube, or any other online resource will suffice to teach you HTML.
The front-end developers working on WordPress must be proficient in HTML.
c) CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
After studying PHP, understanding CSS is the next logical step toward fulfilling your dream of being a WordPress developer.
The CSS properties purpose is to modify a web element’s visual Appearance.
WordPress frontend developers must know CSS, which can take up to 25 days to master.
The same resources I cited for learning HTML can also be used to learn CSS.
d) Basic Photoshop
Converting PSD to HTML might be helpful whether you’re working on a WordPress theme or another type of website.
You’ll need to be familiar with Photoshop’s Move function to accomplish this.
To trim a photo, you’ll need to switch on autoselect and layers, pick a layer, and click on it.
You can find videos on how to transition from PSD to HTML on YouTube.
e) JavaScript
You need to be familiar with JavaScript, a web programming language known as the scripting language if you want to be the frontend developer and add interactivity to the theme or plugin.
It is also known as the client-side language because the browser processes it.
f) Bootstrap
You won’t meet your deadline if you have to start from scratch every time you write some code.
Bootstrap, a framework that incorporates standard HTML components like Navigation Bar, Carousel, Breadcrumbs, Forms, Progress Bar, Modals, and Accordions, should be studied to fulfill the deadline.
Each element is a native HTML, CSS, or JavaScript file.
To rephrase, you should copy the code snippets presented in the docs and then modify the values to meet your client’s needs.
This framework is crucial for those working on the front end of WordPress. W3.CSS is an alternative to Bootstrap.
g) PHP (Hyper Text Preprocessor)
It is a language for use on a server. Learning this language is crucial because it powers the WordPress backend.
WordPress isn’t the only platform for making websites; other languages, like Python, Ruby, Pearl, etc., also exist.
h) MySQL (Database)
If you want to master WordPress, you need to familiarize yourself with MySQL.
You need not be thoroughly conversant with all of the finer points.
This section is for those interested in developing websites’ backends.
i) BitBucket and Github Use
WordPress developers must be growth hackers. You’ll always need imaginative solutions. Never write new code, for example.
Online project snippets can be used to quickly create comparable functionality in future projects.
You should use GitHub and Bitbucket to store and retrieve your code without losing any effort.
j) Business Skill
Any effort you put into creating a product no one wants will be for nought. If, for example, everyone already has access to abundant water supplies, you would not be able to sell bottled water there legally.
Customers in areas where they do not have access to water must be charged for purchasing it from you.
Here’s where your understanding of business and growth hacking mentality comes in handy.
k) Use of WordPress Theme
WordPress themes are collections of files (images, CSS, and PHP) that determine how your blog or website will look.
Themes may manage both the big picture design decisions, like how your site is laid out and the small details, like the colour scheme of your links.
A theme might be considered a “skin” for your site, but it has much more functionality.
WordPress Theme Development Step By Step
Themes for WordPress are more than just skins.
They allow you to modify how information is displayed visually and how particular site elements respond to user input in WordPress.
A responsive theme may rearrange or conceal some page elements when a user accesses your site from a mobile device.
The templates, plugins, and files included with the theme allow this behaviour.
Even if you don’t intend to modify the theme’s source files, it’s helpful to understand the many parts that make up a WordPress theme.
a) You’ll need to make a folder where all of your theme’s files may live in peace
Building themes requires familiarity with the location of the files that make up a theme within a WordPress installation. Minimal effort is required.
The standard WordPress installation has a WordPress directory at its root.
Here is the structure of the primary guide in PHP Storm we use.
b) Make an index.php file and a style.css file in the custom theme folder
They have discovered the directory that WordPress utilizes for theme files.
Additionally, we have a new custom theme folder in our themes directory.
Two new, empty files will soon be created in this folder. Both index.php and style.css are the names of the two files.
c) Activate the theme you’ve chosen from the WordPress administration panel
Once the new theme has been generated, it can be viewed in the WordPress dashboard under Appearance->Themes. Once we access our custom theme’s details by clicking “Theme Details,” we can see that the data we provided in the style.css file was successfully applied.
We can see that the theme we offered has the name custom theme, version number 1.0, and the author Vegibit. Fantastically hip.
d) Including Source Code in Final Product Title and Body of Post
For this tutorial’s sake, we’ve created a few sample posts in the database. Currently, Custom Theme Output to the page is all that is displayed whenever we visit the site, regardless of how many seats we have in the database.
Let’s move on to accessing the database and displaying the retrieved information. Notably, we’d want to read the titles and contents of all postings on the homepage.
We should try that out right now. Let’s check the WordPress Dashboard to see what kind of content we already have.
e) Add a link to each post
A better solution would be to provide direct links to each article rather than forcing readers to navigate the main page to read a specific piece.
That’s also a breeze, thanks to WordPress’s array of handy add-ons.
Specifically, we can utilize the permalink method for this job.
f) The Custom Theme is missing a header and footer
The title and content of your article are crucial in creating a consistent tone and message.
Having a header and footer for your theme is nearly as important.
These parts of the website would feature the information that follows a user around the site at all times. These parts appear before and after the post proper.
The header and footer will be retrieved using—you guessed it—unique WordPress methods.
Is there anything that resembles a pattern emerging yet? Using these custom functions, you can perform almost everything you could imagine doing as a WordPress theme developer.
It is, therefore, beneficial to commit these frequently used functions in WordPress theme construction to memory.
g) WordPress Theme Customization
The customization options available in the WordPress dashboard will vary based on the theme you’ve installed.
This guide will show you how to use the site’s “Customization” page to make some basic adjustments. The Twenty Nineteen template will be used throughout this session.
h) Accessing WordPress Editing Interface
Navigate to Appearance> Themes to begin modifying your WordPress theme.
To make changes to the currently active theme (Twenty Nineteen in our case), select the gear icon next to its name on this page.
The resulting page will allow you to make live changes to your WP theme. There will be a list of choices on the left, and on the right, you can see how those selections will influence your site in real-time.
i) Modify WordPress Title and Tagline
On the theme options page, you may edit the site’s title and meta description and immediately see them appear on the site.
Change the text by expanding the Site Identity section of the options menu.
Whenever you change the text, you’ll see it appear in the preview on the right.
It’s time to hit Publish once you’ve reviewed the final product.
j) Improved WordPress Theme Modifications
More customization options may appear there when you change your theme.
The Twenty Nineteen theme is very customizable, letting you adjust the header picture and color palette and add custom CSS.
When you are finished making edits and are satisfied with the result, select Publish to commit them.
Best WordPress Themes for eCommerce Businesses
If you need customized themes, TMD WordPress Developers are capable of building any UI/UX themes for e-commerce store owners.
However, there are some readily available themes that you can look up to such as:
a) Botiga
Botiga is a clean, cutting-edge eCommerce theme that provides a simple means of bringing attention to your products. It has a simple, sophisticated look that works well with any company’s aesthetic. In addition to a straightforward administration interface and a fully functional demo importer that can be activated with a single click, it offers a wide range of configuration possibilities. Also, you may choose from several different listing and checkout formats, as well as three separate gallery and cart themes.
2. Metro
Its seven unique homepage layouts make Metro a flexible minimalist eCommerce theme. We should mention that Metro includes a collection of premium add-ons for WooCommerce before we get to the design and templates that come with it. It allows you to quickly implement features into your online store that would typically cost extra elsewhere.
3. Divi
Elegant Themes Divi is among the most-used WordPress templates available. The front-end visual editor that comes along with the responsive, quick, and flexible Divi theme is what truly sets it apart from other WP themes. You may modify your pages in real-time and see short previews of the results by utilizing any of the forty available elements, including special effects, calls to action, and more.
4. Astra
Astra provides several illustrative examples of an online shop. This well-known theme is an excellent option for anyone opening an online shop from scratch or needing a redesign. Astra has many features that will help your website be successful. Extras for improving your site’s navigation are just one example; others include an extensive library of adaptable templates, many personalization options and tools, and several other features.
5. Manly
Online electronic stores can make use of the Magic WooCommerce theme. All of the Magic demos are WordPress-based presentations and promotions of electronic goods. These samples are adaptable to small and large stockrooms so that any business can use them. Customers seem to like Magic a lot.
6. Goya
Goya is an essential and cutting-edge WP theme suitable for any online store. They provide two demos, one for clothing and one for home decor, but the demos’ neutral style makes them ideal for any online shop.
7. Jayla
The theme Jayla strikes a balance between minimalism and modernity. Jayla is based on the robust WooCommerce plugin and provides all the tools necessary to set up a shop where you can advertise and sell your wares online.
8. ShopAnalytics
Commerce Gurus’ Shoptimizer theme for WooCommerce prioritizes loading time and customer purchases. Shoptimizer can automatically minify its stylesheet, which significantly reduces loading times to assist keep your store loading as rapidly as possible.
9. TheGem, An Invaluable Treasure
TheGem’s WooCommerce design integration is comprehensive. The Page Builder plugin allows you to utilize one of the provided templates or create your own from scratch.
10. Store
Yet another fantastic option for selling electronic products is the Go Store theme. Dummy material, primarily electronic goods, has been set up across all Go Store demonstrations. You shouldn’t be discouraged if your shop doesn’t fit that description perfectly. There are likely a wide variety of different goods that would work well with Go Store.
Conclusion:
The WordPress website-building software is open-source and available at no cost to the user.
In its more technical form, it is a PHP program that accesses a MySQL database to store information.
And is the most user-friendly and robust platform for creating blogs and websites.
If you are a small business owner and you are willing to launch your website in WordPress the team at TMD can help.
From theme customization to designing and redesigning Websites, the team at TMD is capable of all levels of customizations including plugin development.
Hire TMD WordPress developers at an affordable cost and you won’t regret the quality of work that TMD does.
