Topic
Start a WordPress Website
Choosing hosting, picking the right kind of WordPress, installing it and the settings to change on day one.
Starting a WordPress website takes four decisions: where it will live (your hosting), which kind of WordPress you'll use, how it will look (your theme) and a handful of settings that are easy to get right on day one and fiddly to fix later. These guides walk you through each one in order.
What this topic covers
- The whole process: from buying a domain to publishing your first page, in how to start a WordPress website.
- Hosting: what WordPress needs from a host, and what to check before you pay, in choosing WordPress hosting in the UK.
- WordPress.com or WordPress.org: the difference between the hosted service and the free software, in WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.
- Day-one settings: site title, time zone, permalinks, search visibility and more, in settings to change after installing WordPress.
Once WordPress is installed, design your own theme or download a free one. Prefer a printout? Get our free new website launch checklist.
Guides in this topic
01
Start a WordPress website
Seven steps from no website to a live WordPress site: a domain, hosting, installing WordPress, choosing a theme, adding…
02
Choosing WordPress hosting
What WordPress needs from a host, the main types of hosting, and the questions to ask before you pay.
03
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
WordPress.org is free software you install on your own hosting. WordPress.com is a commercial service that hosts…
04
Settings after installing
Ten settings that are quick to change on a new WordPress site, and fiddly to fix once it is live.