How to create a website you actually own with WordPress.

A Simple Guide for Small Business Owners

What You’ll Need:

1. A domain name ($10-15 per year)
2. Web hosting ($3-7 per month)
3. About 2-3 hours of your time

Step 1: Choose and Buy a Domain Name

• Your domain is your website address (like www.yourbusiness.com)

1. Go to a domain registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy
2. Type in your desired business name
3. Choose an available .com option if possible
4. Purchase for 1 year (around $10-15)

💡 Money-saving tip: Many hosting companies offer a free domain for the first year when you buy hosting.

Step 2: Get Web Hosting

1. Choose a budget-friendly hosting company like Bluehost or HostGator
2. Select a basic shared hosting plan

• Look for ones that advertise “1-click WordPress install”
• Should cost $3-7 per month
• Choose to pay yearly for the best deal

1. During checkout, connect your domain name

Step 3: Install WordPress

1. Log in to your hosting control panel
2. Look for “WordPress” or “Website” section
3. Click “Install WordPress” or “1-Click Install”
4. Choose your domain name
5. Create your WordPress login details

• Username (don’t use ‘admin’)
• Password (make it strong!)

1. Click “Install” and wait a few minutes

Step 4: Choose a Theme (Website Design)

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard
2. Go to Appearance → Themes
3. Click “Add New”
4. Filter by “Free” themes
5. Look for a simple, professional design
6. Preview themes to see how they look
7. Click “Install” then “Activate” on your chosen theme

Step 5: Add Your Basic Content

Create these essential pages:

1. Homepage

• Welcome message
• Brief business description
• Call to action (phone, email, etc.)

1. About Us

• Your story
• Why customers should choose you

1. Services/Products

• What you offer
• Prices (if applicable)

1. Contact

• Phone number
• Email
• Business hours
• Address (if relevant)

Step 6: Make Your Site Look Professional

1. Add your logo (or create a simple one using Canva.com for free)
2. Use good quality photos

• Your own photos
• Free stock photos from sites like Pexels or Unsplash

1. Keep your design clean and simple
2. Make sure your contact info is visible on every page

Ongoing Costs

• Domain: $10-15 per year
• Hosting: $36-84 per year

Free Resources to Help You

• WordPress.org tutorials
• YouTube videos for specific how-to guidance
• WordPress forums for questions

Tips for Success

• Start simple, you can always add more later
• Focus on clear, helpful content for your customers
• Make sure your contact information is easy to find
• Update your content regularly

When You Need Help

If you get stuck:

1. Try YouTube tutorials first
2. Ask on WordPress forums
3. Consider hiring a student or junior developer for small fixes
4. Your hosting company often has free support

Remember: Your website doesn’t need to be perfect. A simple, professional-looking site that clearly shows what you offer and how to contact you is all you need to start!