Beginners Guide To WordPress – Install and Set Up

Approximately 45% of the internet is powered by WordPress, a content management system (CMS) used by millions of website owners worldwide—an open-source framework built with PHP and JavaScript by over 10,000 developers across the globe.

Website development, one of the most in-demand tech skills, is a great starting point for entrepreneurs who wish to earn a living without needing to learn how to code.

The WordPress organization developed the project to create a free framework that enables website owners to easily use and manage their websites without needing to code or build web pages from scratch. I will guide you through installing WordPress on your domain, helping you avoid common mistakes you’re likely to make or have made in the past.

What is WordPress?​

WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) that utilizes a PHP framework, allowing website owners to build websites without needing to write a single line of code. It is the most used website builder in the world. To install WordPress, you would need;

• Hosting Account – You can get affordable web hosting packages that include a CPanel.
• Domain Name – Check if your domain is available. You can purchase it on the go.

How To Install WordPress​

You can install WordPress by following these steps;

1. Log in to your CPanel
2. Scroll down and locate the Software Section
3. Select WordPress manager by Softlacilous
4. Click on Install
5.  If SSL is provided by your hosting provider, select “HTTPS”
6. You may get an error under “A trusted SSL certificate was not found.” Kindly ignore
7. Make sure the In directory is left empty
8. Select the installation URL from the drop-down.
9. Fill in all required information under Site Settings and Admin Account
10. Choose your preferred language
11. Leave the plugins unchecked
12. Select your desired theme and install

Once you have successfully installed WordPress, a login link and your URL will be generated for you, this link will give you access to the backend of your website, It looks like www.example.com/wp-admin.

There are several things to note when filling in your information, such as your password and username. Also, your admin URL is essential; you can bookmark or pin the page to your browser.

After a successful installation, there’s still a need to properly set up your WordPress website, which includes making a few settings adjustments, installing plugins, and customizing it.

How to Set Up your WordPress website​

If your website is not set up correctly you might bump into errors in the future, you can check our list of common WordPress errors and their fix.

1. On your dashboard, locate settings on the sidebar and select Permalinks
2. Choose the post name, e.g, example.com/samplepost, and save the changes
3. Go to plugins and install Jetpack
4. Activate the plugin and follow the recommended steps
5. Go to Themes Select and Activate your preferred template. You can also upload your desired WordPress theme using the upload option
6. Activate Akskimet and link with your Jetpack account
7. Search for SEO in the “Add New” plugins section and select your desired plugin, e.g, Yoast, RankMath, etc
8. Activate (You can check out our guide on how to set up RankMath & Yoast Plugin like a pro)
9. Viola! You can now start creating pages and blog posts

You may be wondering what the Jetpack plugin is and why it is necessary. Well, the plugin was developed by Automatic, a subsidiary of WordPress.com. The Jetpack Plugin is used to secure and improve speed and functionality on your website. You can choose from various plans or opt for the free plan.

So many newbies make mistakes by not setting up their permalink structure correctly which may eventually affect their SEO later in the future, you should set it up correctly.

As ordinary as the setup may seem, having it right from the beginning can have a positive effect on your website. In the long run, you don’t have to start paying developers to fix errors for you later on.

If you’re having issues or find any step difficult, you can use the comment section, and I’ll be happy to assist you. Please also share this with your colleagues and on social media if you find it useful. Cheers!