How to use WordPress
If you’re new to website creation and wondering where to start, this page is designed for you. We’ll cover essential WordPress concepts and address some fundamental questions:
- What exactly is WordPress?
- How do you set up a WordPress website?
- What constitutes a WordPress plugin?
What exactly is WordPress?
“What exactly is WordPress?” WordPress is a robust content management system (CMS) that powers over 37% of the internet. It enables users, from beginners to experts, to create and manage websites with ease, offering extensive customization options through themes and plugins to suit various needs and preferences.
You’ll notice there are two versions of “WordPress” available: WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
WordPress.org
Offers you a free, open-source software that you can install on your own hosting account, giving you complete ownership and control over your website."
WordPress.com
Is a hosted service powered by the same software as WordPress.org. It offers a simpler user experience but sacrifices some of the flexibility and functionality found in WordPress.org.
How Do You Create a WordPress Website?
Setting up a WordPress website involves a few key steps that will help you get your site up and running quickly and efficiently. First, you need to choose a web hosting provider that supports WordPress. Many hosts offer one-click installations of WordPress, making the setup process straightforward. Once your hosting is secured, you can install WordPress directly from your hosting dashboard.
After installing WordPress, choose a theme to determine your site’s style and layout. You can select from a wide range of free and premium themes available within the WordPress ecosystem. Customize your chosen theme to align with your brand using the WordPress customizer, where you can modify elements like colors, fonts, and layouts swiftly.
Finally, to add functionality to your site, you can install WordPress plugins. Plugins extend the capabilities of your WordPress site, allowing you to add features such as contact forms, SEO tools, and social media buttons. Simply navigate to the ‘Plugins’ section in your WordPress dashboard, where you can search for and install plugins that meet your specific needs. After installing, configure each plugin’s settings to ensure they perform as expected on your site.
Using WordPress Themes and the Customizer
Navigate to “Appearance > Themes” in your WordPress dashboard to see the current theme you have activated. Every new WordPress installation includes a default theme named for the year it was released.
Your theme primarily dictates the visual style and layout of your website. While it generally doesn’t enhance functionality, it significantly impacts how you can modify your site’s appearance.
After selecting a theme, adjust your site’s appearance using the Customizer. Here, you can tweak colours, fonts, and other elements to align with your branding and objectives.
Lastly, enhance your site’s functionality with features like contact forms, payment gateways, or SEO tools using plugins.
What constitutes a WordPress plugin?
A WordPress plugin is a piece of software that extends or adds specific functionality to your WordPress website, allowing you to customize and enhance its capabilities.
Organic Real Estate Integration
Our plugin seamlessly integrates MLS® listings into your WordPress site, enhancing your online presence with rich, up-to-date real estate data.
Yoast SEO
is another plugin that equips you with the necessary tools to ensure your website ranks well on Google and other search engines.
You can discover a wide array of WordPress plugins by navigating to the ‘Plugins’ section in your Admin Dashboard, where you can easily search, install, and manage them.
Free & Premium Plugins
Many WordPress plugins offer free versions that you can access directly through the admin panel on your website, ensuring they are safe to use.
Additionally, most plugins have premium versions with extended features. You can explore these paid options through notifications in your admin dashboard or by visiting the plugin’s official website to see what additional functionalities they provide.
Organic Real Estate Integration
Our plugin is a premium tool requiring a paid subscription, designed to enhance your capabilities with advanced features such as recurring donations or fee recovery, adding significant functionality to your operations.
Yoast SEO
Also provides a free version, along with a variety of premium SEO plugin options, each equipped with distinct tools to enhance your site's performance.
