WordPress Tutorial for Beginners (Build a Site)

To build a website with WordPress, buy hosting that includes WordPress, run the one-click install, pick a theme, then create your pages and publish. You don’t need to write any code, and the whole process takes an afternoon. This tutorial walks through it in the order you’ll actually do it.

What you need before you start

1. A domain name — your address, like yourbusiness.com. See how to choose a domain name.
2. Web hosting — the space your site lives on. Pick a plan that includes WordPress (most do).
3. An afternoon — plus time to write your content.

WordPress comes in two flavours: WordPress.org (self-hosted — what this guide covers) and WordPress.com (a managed service). The .org version gives you full control, and it’s the one people usually mean.

Step 1: Get hosting and connect your domain

1. Sign up with a host (Bluehost, SiteGround, and similar offer WordPress-specific plans).
2. During signup, enter the domain you own, or register one with the host.
3. Choose the cheapest plan that fits — you can always upgrade later.

Most hosts detect that you want WordPress and offer to install it for you.

Step 2: Install WordPress

1. In your hosting dashboard, look for WordPress or One-Click Install.
2. Choose your domain, and set an admin username (avoid “admin”) and a strong password.
3. Click Install and wait about a minute.
4. Visit yourdomain.com/wp-admin and log in.

You’ll land on the WordPress dashboard — the control room for everything.

Step 3: Choose a theme (your site’s design)

1. Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New.
2. Preview a few free themes and pick one that matches your purpose (blog, business, portfolio).
3. Click Install → Activate.
4. With a block theme (the modern default), go to Appearance → Editor to set your logo, colors, and styles. (Only classic themes use Appearance → Customize.)

Start with a free theme — you can change it later without losing your content.

Step 4: Create your first pages and posts

• Pages are for static content (Home, About, Contact). Go to Pages → Add New, add a title and text, then click Publish.
• Posts are for dated articles (blog entries). Go to Posts → Add New.
• Set your homepage under Settings → Reading if you want a static front page.

The editor is block-based — type / to insert headings, images, buttons, and columns.

Step 5: Add a few essential plugins

Go to Plugins → Add New, search, then Install → Activate. Keep it to a handful — too many slow the site down.

WordPress.org vs WordPress.com

If you want to monetise or customise freely, use .org. The trade-offs here are much like those in WordPress vs Wix, and the wider non-WordPress routes are covered in how to make a website.

Deciding between WordPress and a simpler builder? Compare WordPress vs Wix and Wix vs Squarespace, or read about the EmDash alternative if you’re curious about the newest option.

FAQ

Is WordPress free?

The software is free. You pay for hosting (roughly $3–10/month) and a domain (~$12/year). WordPress.com has a free tier, but it’s limited.

Do I need to know code to use WordPress?

No. Themes and the block editor handle design and content. Basic HTML helps occasionally but isn’t required.

What’s the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?

.org is self-hosted — you install it on your own hosting and control everything. .com is a managed service with limits on the free plan.

How long does it take to build a WordPress site?

You can publish a basic site in an afternoon. A polished site with real content usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks.

How much does a WordPress website cost?

Budget $50–150 per year: hosting ($40–100) plus a domain ($12). Themes and many plugins are free.