The Beginners’ Guide on How to Create a WordPress Site from Scratch

Create a WordPress site from scratch? Is that even possible for someone like you, who has never created a website of any kind?

Well, here’s the good news for you – yes, anyone can create a WordPress site from scratch, even if you know nothing about web design.

The reason for that is simple – it’s still beginner-friendly despite the technical hoopla involved.

Okay, I won’t deny it does have some learning curves. So, be prepared for that.

But anyone can create a WordPress site, whether you’ve never created a website before or you know WordPress like the back of your hand.

Why WordPress?

Some of you must be wondering, why does it have to be WordPress?

Can’t you just use a solution like Squarespace or Wix to create a website?

Or maybe you can use something like Substack if having an online presence that you can call home is the goal here?

Well, you’re not wrong to question that, considering that WordPress can feel intimidating to those who have no technical background.

But if you have to pick between having your website on any of these platforms, I will say pick WordPress.

Why is that, you ask?

You can pretty much create all kinds of websites you can think of, from a regular website to an e-commerce website and a membership site.

And what’s not to like about WordPress when you can integrate with so many cool applications into your website?

If seamless workflow is what you’re after, then it will be WordPress for the win.

I’m talking about the self-hosted WordPress here

When I talk about WordPress here, I’m referring to the self-hosted one, not WordPress.com.

Of course, you can have a website on WordPress.com if sanity is your top priority.

But as I said, the self-hosted one is the way to go because of the flexibility that comes with it.

And most importantly, you own the website since you’re hosting the website on your own.

It’s called a self-hosted WordPress for a reason, y’all.

Still worried about whether you have what it takes to create a WordPress site by yourself?

Well, this is where this guide comes in, since it covers everything you need to know about creating a WordPress site, from where to get a domain name to how you can create an online store on WordPress.

Getting a domain name that fits with your author brand

Choosing a name for your author website seems like it should be the fun part, but it often turns into a source of major stress before you even buy your first domain.

If you’re just starting, you might feel paralyzed trying to decide if you should use your real name, a pen name, or a catchy brand name that sounds professional.

But getting your domain shouldn’t cost you a fortune or leave you feeling stuck with a name you’ll regret later.

Of course, finding a “low” price is only one part of the equation. There is a specific strategy regarding domain extensions and registrar security that I explain throughout this guide to ensure you aren’t overpaying or putting your site at risk.

Not sure whether to go with a .com or something more unique?

Or perhaps you’re worried about keeping your personal information private?

Well, this guide has you covered. Not only will you learn where to find the best deals on domain names, but you’ll also discover the “Efficiency” secret to keeping your domain and hosting separate for long-term peace of mind.

Buying web hosting for your author website

It’s easy to think that all web hosting services are created equal, but picking the wrong one is a mistake that can haunt your author business for years. If you’re just starting, you might be tempted to just grab the cheapest plan you find and hope for the best.

But if you want to avoid the nightmare of a slow website or unresponsive support when you’re in the middle of a book launch, then you need to know what actually matters behind the scenes.

Of course, “unlimited storage” and low prices aren’t the only things to consider. There is a specific reason why I prioritize server management and reliability, which I explain in detail in this guide.

Feeling overwhelmed by the technical jargon like shared hosting, SSL, and cPanel?

Well, this guide has you covered. Not only will you learn how to vet a hosting provider like a pro, but you’ll also see why I eventually moved my own author sites to Setrahost to keep things running efficiently.

Setting up your author website on WordPress

You probably wonder why you need a setup tutorial when everyone says WordPress is “one-click” simple. If you’re just starting, the technical side—like pointing nameservers or navigating a cPanel—can feel like a massive headache you’d rather avoid.

But if you want a professional author brand that you fully own, it’s worth setting things up the right way from the start.

Of course, installing the software is only half the battle. There’s another crucial step involving professional communication that I explain specifically in this guide.

Already have your domain and hosting, but feeling stuck on the “technical mountain”?

Well, this guide has you covered. Not only will you learn how to install WordPress on Setrahost without breaking anything, but you’ll also learn how to create and manage professional email accounts that suit your author brand.

Getting a premium WordPress theme for your author website

You probably wonder why do you have to get a premium WordPress theme for your author website when you can get a WordPress theme for free.

If you’re just starting out, you may feel that it’s unnecessary premium WordPress theme.

But if you want your author website to leave a lasting impression to your potential readers, then it’s worth getting a premium WordPress theme.

Of course, that’s not the only reason why you should get a premium WordPress theme for your author website. There’s another reason why you should get one which I explain specifically in this guide.

Already plan to get a premium WordPress theme for your author website but not sure where to get it?

Well, this guide also has it covered too. Not only that, but you’ll also learn how to customize the look and feel of your WordPress theme that suits your author brand.

Must-have WordPress plugins you should install on your author website

There’s no doubt that you can get pretty much all kinds of WordPress plugins from the plugin directory. But then again, it can still be confusing which WordPress plugins you should install on your author website.

And it doesn’t help that there are tons of plugins that will do all the things you want. That makes it even harder for you to pick which WordPress plugins you should install.

The good news is this guide covers all the must-have plugins you should have on your author website.

While you can get most of the plugins from the plugin directory, there are some that only available as a premium plugin.

Don’t worry about that since this guide also covers the alternative to the premium WordPress plugins as well.

Must-have pages you should create on your author website

What kind of pages you should create on your author website?

That’s the question that many authors are wondering the moment they have their author website up and running.

If you’re not sure what pages you should create on your author website, then this guide has it covered for you.

You can also use this guide as a checklist just to see if your author website is missing any of these pages.

It doesn’t matter whether you write fiction or nonfiction. This guide covers all the pages you need to have regardless of what kind of author you are.

If you’re not sure how to create any of these pages, there’s a tutorial on how you can do that too.

Selling ebooks on your website

Now that you already have your author website up and running, why don’t you also sell ebooks on your author website too?

I get why many authors shy away from selling ebooks on their website. It’s because it’s complicated. And it sounds technical too.

The good news is selling ebooks on your website isn’t as hard as you think. In fact, you can get the whole thing done in minutes!

Yes, I’m not kidding when I say that. And of course, it will take a little longer if you have a lot of books.

But if you’re just starting out, it shouldn’t take that long for you to have your books available for sale thanks to these platforms.

Which one I use?

While I do mention all the things I use to create my author website, you probably just forgot which one I use. If that’s you, fret not since you can see all the things I use on my author business right here. Feel free to come back to this page as often as you can since I tend to add or change any products and services that I use in my author business.