How to build a WordPress site from scratch, with a domain and SSL

What you need

A WordPress site needs three things:

a domain: the site's address, for example yourcompany.com;

web hosting: where the site's files and database live;

WordPress: the free software you build and manage the site with.

The whole job takes about an hour, and most of it is choosing a theme and writing the text.

Step 1: choose the domain

The domain is the address people find you at. A few tips:

short and easy to type: if you have to spell it out on the phone, it should not need explaining;

no hyphens or numbers, if possible;

a local extension for local customers (like .ro in Romania), .com if you want customers from several countries.

A .com domain usually costs a few euros per year at any domain registrar.

Step 2: choose the hosting

For a presentation site or a new blog, a small plan is enough. What matters:

NVMe storage, so pages load fast;

free SSL, the padlock in the browser bar;

automatic backups, so one mistake does not cost you the site;

one-click WordPress install, so you do not have to touch files.

Step 3: connect the domain to the hosting

Once you have both, you connect them: the domain must "point" to the server where the site lives. In the account where you bought the domain, change the DNS using the details from your host: either the nameservers or an A record with the server's IP.

The change usually spreads within minutes but can take a few hours. Until then, the site may not open for everyone.

Step 4: add the site in the panel and enable SSL

In the hosting panel, add the domain as a new site. The free SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt) is activated for the domain, and from then on the site opens with https:// and the padlock. It renews by itself; you do not have to do anything.

Step 5: install WordPress

In the panel, under apps, choose WordPress, fill in the site name, an admin user, a strong password and your email. Within seconds the site is installed, with the database created automatically.

Then log in to the admin area at yoursite.com/wp-admin.

Step 6: first settings

A few settings to do on day one:

Settings → Permalinks: choose "Post name". Addresses become clean, like site.com/about-us, instead of site.com/?p=12.

Settings → General: check the site title, time zone and language.

Delete the sample post, page and comment.

Choose a theme that is light and well maintained. Simple themes load faster and cause fewer problems.

Step 7: few plugins, but good ones

Every plugin slows the site a little and can bring security problems. Install only what you need:

an SEO plugin, so Google understands your pages;

a contact form plugin;

a security plugin, or at least one that limits failed login attempts;

a cache plugin, so pages load faster.

Keep WordPress, the theme and plugins updated at all times. Most hacked sites were running old versions.

Step 8: the content

A good presentation site usually has: a clear home page, an "About us" page, a services or products page and a contact page. Write for your customers, not for yourself, and use real photos when you can.

Your site on Wiptor hosting

Wiptor web hosting comes with NVMe storage, free automatic SSL, backups and one-click WordPress, all in the Wiptor Cloud Panel. On the Nano and Starter plans the first month is free with the code WEBHOSTFREE. On Business and higher you also get a free domain for the first year.