What is WordPress and How Does It Work
Blog - Fri Feb 2021
Since I started using Wordpress in 2014, I frequently get questions about what it is and how it works for building content and B2B sites. I created this comprehensive introduction to Wordpress that covers everything from setting up your CMS to increasing visitors.
Since I started using WordPress in 2014, I frequently get questions about what it is and how it works for building content and B2B sites. I created this comprehensive introduction to WordPress that covers everything from setting up your CMS to increasing visitors.
I have found my clients easily manage their B2B, lead generation and content websites using the WordPress content management system (CMS). Around 40% of all websites on the internet are powered by this free, open-source platform which means a lot of the features are well developed. We will lead you through the fundamentals of WordPress in this beginner’s tutorial, from setting up your website to adjusting it to your requirements.
Setting Up WordPress
The first two stages in utilising WordPress are creating an account and installing WordPress on your hosting server. The majority of hosting providers provide a one-click installation method for WordPress, and you can even obtain hosting via its own WordPress hosting solution starting at £20 per month, making getting started straightforward. Once WordPress is installed, you can enter the admin dashboard by logging in with your username and password.
Creating content on WordPress
Use WordPress to create and maintain the content on your website; it’s really simple to use and most users quickly become experts. You must go to the “Posts” section of the dashboard in order to create a new blog post or news story. The visual editor, which is already accessible and is continually being updated with new features, may then be used to enter your content. Any type of material, including text, photographs, video, and other media, may be submitted via the CMS.
Customizing your website
Customizing your website to your preferences is one of the finest features of WordPress and really easy to use. Themes, which are pre-designed templates that alter the appearance and feel of your website, are available in thousands through the WordPress admin or sites like Theme forest. Go to the “Appearance” area of the dashboard and choose “Themes” to alter the theme of your website. From there, you may browse the themes that are offered and pick the one that best meets your requirements and brand.
Blogging on WordPress
Once you are set up it will take only a few clicks in the WP Admin to quickly alter the look and feel of your WordPress blog. With the help of the drag-and-drop layouts, you can create really clean sections and page templates.
Every publication style available in WordPress, whether it be professional for B2B or glossy magazine for bloggers, is accommodated by the easy block editor. Drag and drop the required item to quickly change your menu, add a pull quote, or add a fantastic gallery to make your content jump out. Just like that.
Bring everything to life where you are writing by using music, video, and GIFs. Plus, because of the decent storage for all types of media, your content is secure, simple to reuse throughout your website, and entirely yours.
WordPress Plugins
WordPress also has the excellent feature of allowing you to use plugins to add functionality to your website. Plugins are add-ons that may be installed to increase your website’s functionality and features. With WordPress, there are dozens of plugins that range from basic contact forms to sophisticated e-commerce platforms. Go to the “Plugins” area of the dashboard and select “Add New” to add a plugin to your website. From there, you may browse the options or do a plugin search.
Some of my favourite WordPress Plugins are:
- SEO Yoast for advanced SEO options in the admin
- Woocommerce for ecommerce options
- Hubspot CRM app to connect your lead gen activities
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for WordPress
The process of optimising your website for search engines is known as SEO and there are several actions you will need to complete on your website to ensure you get rankings and traffic from Google. There are several plugins that may help you optimise your website for search engines, and WordPress was created with SEO in mind. Yoast SEO is one of the most well-liked SEO plugins that may help you develop XML sitemaps, optimise your content for keywords, and more.
You will need a well rounded SEO strategy and implementation to ensure you are using the tools correctly and getting the outcomes you need to grow traffic.
Security on WordPress
Using WordPress requires careful consideration of security issues and it’s arguable one of the biggest weaknesses compared to the likes of Drupal and Wix. Due to its popularity, hackers and other bad actors frequently attack this platform and there are best practice guidelines you will need to follow. Using strong passwords, updating your WordPress installation, and installing security plugins are all crucial for maintaining the security of your website. Wordfence Security, iThemes Security, and Sucuri Security are a few of the well-liked security plugins for WordPress.
Conclusion
There are many different types of websites that may be made using the robust and adaptable WordPress framework. WordPress provides the tools and functionality you need for a cost-effective content experience, whether you’re building a personal blog or a company website.
The advice in this beginner’s guide will help you get started with WordPress and start to build your website using the CMS.
