Reading time: 15 min | Updated: January 2026

Creating your own website doesn't have to be difficult. With WordPress - the most widely used CMS in the world - you can build a professional website without any technical knowledge. In this complete guide, you'll learn step by step how to set up your WordPress website, from choosing hosting to going live.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that allows you to build and manage websites. More than 43% of all websites worldwide run on WordPress - from simple blogs to large online stores and business sites.

Why choose WordPress?

  • User-friendly: No programming knowledge required
  • Flexible: Thousands of themes and plugins available
  • SEO-friendly: Easily discoverable in Google
  • Large community: Many tutorials and help available
  • Cost-effective: The software itself is free

What do you need for a WordPress website?

To get started with WordPress, you need three things:

  1. A domain name - Your website's address (e.g., yourbusiness.com)
  2. Web hosting - The place where your website files are stored
  3. WordPress - The software to build your website (free)

Step 1: Choose your domain name

Your domain name is the address visitors use to find your website. A good domain name is:

  • Short and memorable: Easy to remember and type
  • Relevant: Indicates what your website is about
  • Professional: Preferably a .com or country-specific extension

Tips for choosing a domain name:

  • Use your business name or a descriptive name
  • Avoid numbers and hyphens where possible
  • Check if the name is also available as a social media handle
  • Choose .com for an international audience

Step 2: Choose reliable web hosting

Good hosting is essential for a fast and reliable website. When choosing hosting, consider:

  • Speed: Fast servers ensure better user experience and SEO
  • Uptime: Your website must be accessible 24/7
  • Support: Help when you need it
  • SSL certificate: Secure connection (https)
  • WordPress support: Optimized for WordPress

With Theory7 WordPress Hosting, you get all of this, including automatic WordPress installation and daily backups.

Step 3: Install WordPress

Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation. At Theory7, this works as follows:

  1. Log in to your DirectAdmin control panel
  2. Go to "Softaculous" or "WordPress Manager"
  3. Click on "Install WordPress"
  4. Enter your site details (title, admin username, password)
  5. Click "Install"

Within a few minutes, WordPress is installed and you can log in to your dashboard via yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Step 4: Choose and install a theme

A WordPress theme determines how your website looks. There are thousands of free and premium themes available.

Installing a theme:

  1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance → Themes
  2. Click "Add New"
  3. Browse themes or search for specific features
  4. Click "Install" and then "Activate"

Popular free themes:

  • Astra: Fast and flexible, many customization options
  • GeneratePress: Lightweight and performance-focused
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Tip: Choose a theme that is regularly updated and has good reviews.

Step 5: Install essential plugins

Plugins add extra functionality to your WordPress website. Here are the must-have plugins for every website:

Security:

  • Wordfence: Firewall and malware scanner
  • UpdraftPlus: Automatic backups

SEO:

  • Yoast SEO: Optimize your pages for search engines
  • Google Site Kit: Connect Analytics and Search Console

Performance:

  • WP Super Cache: Speeds up your website with caching
  • Smush: Optimizes images

Installing a plugin:

  1. Go to Plugins → Add New
  2. Search for the plugin by name
  3. Click "Install Now" and then "Activate"

Step 6: Create your essential pages

Every website needs a few standard pages:

  • Homepage: The first impression of your website
  • About us: Tell who you are and what you do
  • Services/Products: What do you offer?
  • Contact: How can visitors reach you?
  • Privacy Policy: Required under GDPR

Creating a page:

  1. Go to Pages → Add New
  2. Give the page a title
  3. Add content with the block editor (Gutenberg)
  4. Click "Publish"

Step 7: Set up your menu

A clear navigation menu helps visitors explore your website.

  1. Go to Appearance → Menus
  2. Create a new menu
  3. Add pages by checking them and clicking "Add to Menu"
  4. Drag items to determine the order
  5. Assign the menu to a location (usually "Primary Menu")
  6. Click "Save Menu"

Step 8: Optimize for SEO

Make sure your website is found in Google:

  • Install Yoast SEO and follow the configuration wizard
  • Write unique meta descriptions for each page
  • Use descriptive URLs (Settings → Permalinks → Post name)
  • Add alt texts to all your images
  • Create a sitemap (Yoast does this automatically)
  • Submit your site to Google Search Console

Step 9: Secure your website

A hacked website can cause you many problems. Protect yourself:

  • Use strong passwords for all accounts
  • Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins up-to-date
  • Install an SSL certificate (free via Let's Encrypt)
  • Make regular backups
  • Limit login attempts with a security plugin

Step 10: Launch your website!

Before going live, go through this checklist:

  • ✅ All pages are complete and error-free
  • ✅ Contact form works correctly
  • ✅ Website looks good on mobile
  • ✅ Loading speed is acceptable (test with Google PageSpeed)
  • ✅ SSL certificate is active (green padlock)
  • ✅ Privacy policy and cookie notice are present
  • ✅ Google Analytics is connected

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a WordPress website cost?

WordPress itself is free. You only pay for hosting (from €5/month) and a domain name (from €10/year). Premium themes and plugins are optional and usually cost between €30-100 one-time.

Do I need technical knowledge?

No, WordPress is designed for users without a technical background. With the visual editor, you can create pages by dragging blocks. For advanced customizations, you can always hire a developer.

How long does it take to create a WordPress website?

You can set up a simple website in a weekend. For an extensive business website with custom design, you should expect 2-4 weeks.

Is WordPress secure?

Yes, as long as you keep the software up-to-date and take good security measures. WordPress itself is very secure; most hacks come from outdated plugins or weak passwords.

Can I switch to different hosting later?

Yes, WordPress websites are fully portable. You can make a backup and restore it at a new hosting provider.

Conclusion

Creating a WordPress website is more accessible than ever. With the right hosting, a beautiful theme, and essential plugins, you can have a professional website online within a day. Start your online presence today!

Ready to get started? Check out our WordPress Hosting packages and get your website online today.

Related articles:

  • Choosing and installing a WordPress theme
  • The best free WordPress plugins
  • Securing your WordPress website