So… you’re thinking about starting a website.
Maybe it’s a blog you’ve been dreaming about for years. Maybe you’re launching a business and need a polished online presence. Or maybe you’re simply feeling the pull to create something of your own and share it with the world.
Whatever your reason, we’re cheering you on! That spark of an idea is all it takes to get started. And if you’ve ever opened a tab to figure it all out and immediately closed it because… domains? hosting?? what even is WordPress??? You’re definitely not alone!
Here’s the great news: it’s not nearly as complicated as it sounds. In fact, with the right tools and a little guidance, you can have your site up and running in less than 30 minutes (really!).
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to:
- Choose the right website platform (spoiler: it’s WordPress!)
- Purchase your domain and hosting
- Install WordPress in just a couple clicks
- Pick a WordPress theme that brings your vision to life
- Launch your site with clarity + confidence
Grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in. Your dream website is closer than you think!
Step 1: Choose WordPress (Here’s Why)
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites online, and for good reason! It’s beginner-friendly, endlessly customizable, and gives you full control over your content, your design, and your future. Whether you’re starting a personal blog or building an entire brand, WordPress can grow right along with you.
Bonus: WordPress is free to use, forever. 🙌
But here’s the catch: there are two versions of WordPress, and they’re not the same.
WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com: What’s the Difference?
- WordPress.org is what we recommend. It’s the self-hosted version that gives you full flexibility, plus the ability to install themes and plugins. Most of the time, if someone is talking about “WordPress,” they’re referring to WordPress.org. It’s what our themes are built for, and what we’ll walk you through in this guide.
- WordPress.com is a limited hosted platform that doesn’t support custom themes or plugins (even on paid plans). You don’t have as much control, and most features require upgrades.
Bottom line: You want WordPress.org. It’s more powerful, more flexible, and gives you full control over your website, including the ability to use themes and plugins so you can make your site truly your own!
Step 2: Get a Domain & Hosting
Now that you’ve chosen WordPress, it’s time to grab two essential ingredients:
- A domain name (your website’s address, like yourwebsite.com)
- A hosting plan (a virtual space to store your website files)
What’s the difference?
Think of your domain as your street address and your hosting as the house itself. You need both to create a website that people can actually visit!
Our Hosting Recommendation: SiteGround
After working with dozens of hosting companies over the years, our pick is hands-down SiteGround.
They offer:
- ⭐ Amazing customer support (seriously, they’re the best!)
- ⚡ Fast, reliable servers (hello, speedy site)
- 💰 Fair pricing with transparent features
- ✨ Beginner-friendly tools that make setup easy
And we don’t just recommend them… we’re customers, too! We use SiteGround for several of our business domains.
How to Set Up Hosting with SiteGround
1. Go to SiteGround.com.
2. Choose the StartUp plan (perfect for new websites).
3. Enter the domain name you want. If you already own one, select “I already have a domain.”
4. Fill out your account details and payment info.
💡 Tip: Add Domain Privacy to keep your personal info private!
5. Click Proceed to Customer Area and verify your domain via email.
And that’s it, simple as that! You now officially have a domain and a place for your website to live.
Step 3: Install WordPress (It’s Easy, Promise)
SiteGround makes installing WordPress super simple. Here’s how:
- Log into your SiteGround account.
- Click the Websites tab at the top.
- Click Select under “Start New Website.”
- Choose WordPress.
- Enter your desired email and password (this will become your WordPress login).
- Click Finish.
🎉 Done! WordPress is now installed and your site is ready to be customized.
How to Log In to WordPress
You can log in any time by typing: yourdomain.com/wp-admin
Use the login info you just created, and boom, you’re in your WordPress dashboard!
Step 4: Choose a Theme You Love
Here comes the fun part: picking a theme to bring your website to life.
At 17th Avenue Designs, our themes are thoughtfully crafted to be:
- 💻 Easy to use (even for beginners!)
- 🎨 Gorgeous and modern
- ⚙️ Fully customizable with the WordPress Block Editor
- 📱 Mobile responsive and lightning-fast
Whether you’re starting a cozy lifestyle blog, a bold personal brand, or launching a new business, we’ve got a theme that will fit your style + goals.
We make it easy to get started, no matter your experience level. If you’d rather skip the setup and dive straight into your content, our professional installation services are a great hands-off option.
Prefer to do it yourself? You’ll have access to step-by-step tutorials in our Support Center to guide you through installing and setting up your theme. Your purchase also comes with access to our WordPress Video Library, where you’ll find helpful videos on WordPress basics — a great resource if you’re just getting started. No matter your comfort level, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Step 5: Set Up & Launch Your Website
Now that WordPress is installed and your theme is in place, it’s time to start bringing your vision to life!
Here are a few key things you’ll want to do next:
- Customize your theme: Adjust your site’s colors, fonts, and layout to reflect your brand and style.
- Install essential plugins: These add helpful features to your site, like contact forms, SEO tools, image optimization, and more. (We’ll share a few favorites below!)
- Create your core pages: Most websites start with a homepage, about page, blog, and contact page. You can always add more later, but this gives you a solid foundation.
- Write your first blog post or add your first product/service: Start filling your site with the content you’re excited to share!
Need a little help along the way? WordPress can have a bit of a learning curve at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. There are plenty of tutorials online (our Support Center is a great place to start!) and chances are, if you have a question, someone else has already asked + answered it.
Once your site looks just the way you want it… Pop the champagne and press publish. You did it!
Bonus: Must-Have Plugins for Your New Website
Think of plugins like apps for your website. They add extra features and functionality without needing to code them yourself. Here are a few beginner plugins we recommend for every site:
Yoast SEO
Yoast SEO helps you optimize your content so it can be found on Google. Super beginner-friendly, with tips and checklists built in.
Kadence Blocks
If you’re using a Kadence theme, Kadence Blocks is a must! It gives you more design flexibility in the WordPress Block Editor (think: accordions, forms, testimonials, image galleries, and more).
SG Optimizer or WP Rocket
If you’re using SiteGround, SiteGround Speed Optimizer is a great performance plugin designed specifically for their hosting platform. For all other sites, we recommend WP Rocket, a powerful caching plugin that improves speed, reduces load times, and helps your site run smoothly. Both are beginner-friendly and make a big difference in overall performance.
UpdraftPlus
UpdraftPlus creates automatic backups of your site behind the scenes. If anything ever goes wrong, you’ll be so glad you installed this.
Antispam Bee
Antispam Bee blocks spam comments so your blog doesn’t turn into a junkyard. Trust us on this one.
💡 Tip: When it comes to plugins, quality matters more than quantity. Stick to well-reviewed, reputable plugins from trusted developers, and try to only install what you truly need. Too many plugins can slow down your site or cause conflicts, so it’s always a good idea to keep things lean, clean, and purposeful.
Final Thoughts
Starting a website might feel overwhelming at first, but once you break it down, it’s completely doable, and so worth it! You don’t need to be tech-savvy. You just need a little guidance and the right tools (WordPress + SiteGround + a theme you love = the perfect combo).
You’ve got everything you need right here. So go for it. Your dream website is waiting. ✨
