In this video, Spencer Mecham will teach “WordPress Basics for Complete Beginners”.
If you thinking of using the most used content management system (CMS) into your marketing mix then this video is for you.
You will learn WordPress fundamentals such as how to install WordPress, the difference between posts and pages, how to create content, and how to use plugins and themes.
This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about using WordPress.
By the end of this video, you’ll have a strong understanding of how WordPress works and be able to start creating your own content.
If you’re new to WordPress, this video is a great place to start. Let’s get started.
WordPress Basics for COMPLETE Beginners Overview
Before we begin let me clarify what the most used content management system (CMS) mean.
A content management system is a software that allows you to create, edit, and publish content.
WordPress is one type of content management system.
According to W3 Technologies, WordPress powers 65.1% of all websites that use a CMS.
That is a huge number.
Why is WordPress so popular?
There are many reasons, but some key ones are that it’s free to use, easy to learn, and extremely versatile.
You can create any type of website with WordPress including:
- A blog
- An eCommerce store
- A portfolio
- A business website
- And more
In this guide, we’re going to focus on creating a blog with WordPress.
But, the principles you learn can be applied to any type of WordPress website.
Now that we know what WordPress is, let’s move on to our next topic.
How to Install WordPress
There are two ways you can install WordPress.
You can either install it manually or with a hosting company.
If you want to install WordPress manually, you will need to:
- Download the WordPress files from wordpress.org
- Upload the files to your web server
- Create a database for WordPress
- Run the WordPress installer
But, unless you’re a developer, I don’t recommend this method.
The second and much easier way is to install WordPress with a hosting company.
Most hosting companies offer a one-click install for WordPress which makes the process super simple.
In most cases, you can install WordPress in less than 5 minutes.
We recommend using SiteGround for your hosting needs because they offer great features at an affordable price.
Plus, they have a very user-friendly interface which makes it easy to install WordPress and other programs with just a few clicks.
Recommended Hosting Company: SiteGround – Ultrafast WordPress Hosting That Has It All.
WordPress hosting starts at $2.99/month with a Free Email, SSL, CDN, and Backups PLUS 30-Day Money-Back-Guarantee.
To install WordPress with SiteGround, follow these simple steps:
Go to SiteGround.com and click on the “Get Started” button
- Choose your hosting plan
- Enter your domain name
- Fill out your personal information
- Choose your payment method
- Click on the “Submit” button
SiteGround has an incredible onboarding process with one of the best customer service teams in the industry.
They will help you every step of the way, and if you ever have any questions, they are just a phone call or live chat away.
Now that we know how to install WordPress, let’s move on to our next topic.
What Is Theme?
After you had choose your Domain Name and hosting, the next step is to choose a WordPress theme for your site.
A WordPress theme is a collection of files that work together to create the design and functionality of a WordPress website.
Themes control the appearance of your site including:
- The layout
- The colors
- The fonts
- The header and footer
- The sidebar
- And more…
When you’re first starting out, it’s tempting to choose a free theme.
But, I don’t recommend using a free theme because they are usually very limited in terms of features and customization options.
Plus, free themes are often poorly coded which can lead to security vulnerabilities and slow loading times.
I recommend using a premium WordPress theme from a reputable company like Astra theme.
Astra is a fast, lightweight, and fully customizable theme that is perfect for any type of WordPress website.
It’s also very easy to use and comes with everything you need to create a beautiful website.
Recommended Theme: Astra Theme – The Most Popular Theme of All Time.
What Is Plugin
Once you have chosen your theme, the next step is to choose your WordPress plugins.
WordPress plugins are pieces of software that you can install on your WordPress website to add new features and functionality.
There are plugins for just about everything, and they are what makes WordPress so versatile.
For example, there are plugins for:
- Contact forms
- Security
- SEO
- Speed optimization
- Social media
- And more…
There are both free and premium WordPress plugins.
I recommend using a combination of both because some plugins are better than others.
For example, I recommend using the free RankMath SEO plugin for your SEO needs and some other plugins.
Below I will include some must-have WordPress plugins that I recommend for all WordPress websites.
Recommended Plugins:
- Affiliate Linkr Pro: The best affiliate link shortened & cloaking plugin for WordPress.
- Simple Basic Contact Form: A must-have contact form plugin that’s lightweight and easy to use.
- Spectra: The best WordPress plugin for creating beautiful color schemes.
- YT Evo: If you wants to automatically import YouTube channel into your WordPress site, then this plugin is for you.
- ShortPixel: An image optimization and compression plugin that helps you improve your site’s speed.
- WP Last Modified Info: A plugin that allows you to display the last time a post or page was updated in the WordPress admin area.
- Wordfence: A security plugin that helps you secure your WordPress website from hackers.
- WP Rocket: A caching plugin that helps you speed up your WordPress website.
These are just a few of the must-have WordPress plugins that I recommend for all WordPress websites.
There are literally thousands of plugins available, so it’s important to choose the ones that are right for your specific needs.
What Are Post and Page
Now that we know what WordPress themes and plugins are, let’s move on to our next topic: posts and pages.
Posts and pages are the two main types of content in WordPress.
Posts are typically used for blog articles, while pages are used for static content like your About page or Contact page.
Posts are displayed in reverse chronological order on your WordPress website, which means that the most recent post is displayed at the top.
Pages are not displayed in any particular order and are usually static content that doesn’t change much.
Now that you know the difference between posts and pages, let’s move on to our next topic: creating content.
Wrapping Up – WordPress Basics for COMPLETE Beginners
I hope you learn something from this article and please share it with your friends if you found it helpful.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to help.
Also, don’t forget to check out Spencer’s Free Training on Affiliate Marketing.
In the free training, Spencer Mecham will share with you the simple framework that he used to go $1,500/day in affiliate commissions.
You can get access to the free training by clicking here.
Thanks for reading and I hope to see you on the inside!