Want to learn how to create a canvas place with WordPress? Good choice! Nowadays, knowing how to make a site and manage it by promoting your products or services is essential.
Without a doubt, WordPress is the ideal off-the-shelf tool for learning how to create a web storefront, eCommerce, multilingual, or even just blogging site. If you still don’t know how it works, my WordPress guide will help you find your way around and find out what you can do.
Creating a website with WordPress will be relatively quick and easy. In addition, today the cost of creating a site is quite low compared to 10 years ago, for example.
By learning to use WordPress and following the tips in this guide, you will not only be able to build your own website for a small amount of money, but you will also always be in control of your site!
Is it difficult to build a website on your own?
The answer is simple…. depends!
First, the investment (in monetary terms and in terms of time) varies depending on the nature and size of the project.
Likewise, as simple and intuitive as it may be, making a website using WordPress will take some time as it is software that includes countless features. For this reason, you may need to invest some time in learning how to use it, so that you can move around easily within the workspace. shelf.
Another aspect to consider is that, as simple as the site is the canvas you want to make, developing an online shelving unit is, however, a fairly articulate project, which requires working on different elements.
So it’s appropriate to have a plan, that is, a set of things to work on. And now we’re going to see them all.
How to build a professional website independently
The secret to online success is identifying a niche in which to position yourself.
If you want to know how to create a canvas + blogging website for your business, start by asking yourself these questions:
- What specific problem/need does your product address?
- What does your client look like?
- What sets your business apart from all others operating in the same industry?
- What is your brand’s communication style?
Answer these questions and keep them in mind throughout the project. They will serve as a guide to develop an online presence in line with the image of your company or your brand.
1. Before creating a website, choose the right name!
Now that you have in mind how you want your business or personal brand to appear online, you need to choose the name of the site (this will then be the domain / URL itself).
In general, a company website should have the same name as the business as a personal brand should have your name.
Building a website is meant to help you find new customers. Unless you work in an industry where creativity is a real strength, try to choose a name that is clear and easy to remember.
I also recommend that you read the guide on how to choose an Internet domain name.
2. To build a website, you need a website that you can use to build your own hominium and hosting space:
Let’s continue our guide on how to use WordPress to build a website . After choosing the site name, you will need to register the domain itself. The domain is the URL – that is, the web address – that users will type into the search bar to find your pages.
Again, take the time to think about which extension to purchase. The extension is the last part of the URL. For example, .com , .it , .net and all that.
Domains with extension .com , .net , .info are called top level domains because they are not associated with a particular geographic area.
Localized extensions such as .it , e .fr are associated by Google with a particular country.
In general, avoid buying domains with a localized extension unless you really want to tag that specific geographic area.
To make a site of a business that operates in Italy, I recommend that you purchase at least two domains:
- the one with the extension.it, to mark the Italian public
- the one with the.com extension, to make sure you have the perfect top-level domain.
Along with the domain, I recommend that you also purchase the hosting plan.
The hosting plan is actually a license to use the space on one of the servers owned by the provider you choose.
There are a lot of hosting services, which in turn offer a lot of different plans.
In the vast majority of cases, the ideal hosting plan for those who want to create a web + blogging website on WordPress is Linux type with cPanel control panel.
Such a plan allows you to use the apps for the app installing WordPress Assistant, go to the file manager to manually manage files uploaded to your server, create email addresses, etc.
These packages have a fairly low cost; on average, a good quality hosting plan costs € 50 / year (many providers also include the domain for free). . com for the first year).
One of the more valuable providers I tested recently that you can buy both the domain and the hosting plan from is SiteGround but there are also GoDaddy and Bluehost among my favorites. For more information on this service, please read my review of Siteground hosting.
3. To create a website, you need to install WordPress:
Continue our guide on how to build a website After purchasing the domain and hosting space you will obviously need to install WordPress and here is my video on how to install WordPress.
I also recommend you take a look at my WordPress course to always have a manual video handy.
If you have chosen a web host that uses cPanel, this step will be extremely easy.
In your control panel you will find an application ( QuickInstall , Fantastic or the equivalent) to install it from the shelf .
Just follow the steps and fill in all required fields.
Pay special attention to two aspects:
- if you want to create a canvas site in english, be sure to select the following language as the language installing obviously italian. Its very important. That’s what I did, graft e problems (if available) will also be included automatically in Italian.
- Write down the username, password, and email address you enter for the administrator user. These are actually the credentials that you will use to access the app.
With all these steps, launch the installer . At the end, your WordPress site will already be visible on the canvas site with one of the default templates (currently Twenty Seteen).
4. Recommended next steps for building a professional website:
When you first install WordPress, there are two more steps that I recommend you take.
The first is to discourage search engines from indexing your site. If you are approaching the age of death. to create a completely new canvas site , chances are you will need a few days to create and download all the content.
In this case, WordPress has a function to block access to the site by search engine robots and prevent your pages from being indexed with temporary content.
To activate this function, in the bulletin board, navigate to Settings > Reading and the voice “ Discourage search engines from indexing this site ”.
In this case, it is important to note two aspects:
- the first thing is that I recommend that you create content for the pages before you start building the canvas site . Obviously, it is better to block access to robots as quickly as possible. Preparing the texts in advance will allow you to load them faster.
- The second is that you will obviously have to remember to uncheck this option when your site is ready to be indexed.
Another aspect to consider is the maintenance of your site.
If you want your WordPress site not to be visible to the public on the days you created it, install a plugin file to put it under maintenance and post a screenshot with a message of your choice.
Here you will find a wide choice of plugins to put the site in maintenance.
5. Let’s start by creating a website:
Now that you’ve purchased the domain and hosting and inserted WordPress, we can move on to creating a canvas site .
As you may already know, WordPress sites are built using an idea file . One idea is actually the look and feel of your site. But it is also something more: each idea is optimized for the implementation of particular functionalities.
For example, there are problems more suited to building eCommerce sites, others perfect for news portals.
For this reason, it is essential that, before purchasing a model, you decide what are the main features that will need to be supported. For example :
- Want to build an e-commerce site? (in this case, you’ll choose an idea that’s compatible with WooCommerce, as I explain in the WooCommerce video course)
- Do you want to create a multilingual site? (in this case you will choose an idea compatible with WPML)
- Want to create a review site? (looking for an idea that may have already incorporated this feature).
Take a few minutes to make a list of all the key features of your site.
6. You must now choose a WordPress theme:
After that you can go on a search for the best of all the WordPress themes around. If you want to know how to create a canvas website choosing the best looking, idea appearance is essential. Believe me, here you really want to work hard to choose the best model for your case.
Just visit a site like Themeforest and look for a template that has the features you identified, or that is compatible with the plugin program to implement them.
This is obviously the starting point. I have made a selection of problems that meet your basic needs, you will need to consider other aspects:
- first of all, that it is a reliable idea (many downloads, positive reviews, etc.)
- that we have a style that reflects your business
- responsive (i.e. perfectly visible even on mobile and tablet).
These are just a few things to consider. To learn more, read my guide on how to choose the perfect idea option for your new WordPress site.
If for your specific niche, you can’t find one. idea that particularly satisfies you, you can use one of them that is versatile (i.e. suitable for different types of sites). Two models that will certainly not disappoint you are Enfold and Avada.
Maybe you are wondering why you are not using one of the issues available on the official WordPress site?
The answer is simple: why, in most cases, premium issues are more flexible, more powerful, and better supported in the long run. To learn more about this topic, read my guide on why you shouldn’t use free WordPress themes.
7. How to install a WordPress theme and configure it:
When you have chosen and purchased your idea, you will have to install it. Just log into your WordPress wall and go to Appearance > Themes > Add One > Upload and upload your template’s .zip folder.
To learn more, read this guide on how to install a theme on WordPress.
Once inserted the idea you will have to start installing it.
All problems have different operation and options. The main aspects to work on are:
- color pallet
- police
- the layout (i.e. the position of the sidebars)
- logo and navigation bar
and many others.
If you want to learn how to customize the look of your idea in an advanced way, I will explain how to do it in our CSS tutorial video, in a very easy and practical way.
8. The correct setting of permalinks to create a well-structured website
One aspect that I advise you to work on immediately, as soon as you install the idea application is the permalinks. If you want to know how to create a web site with optimal SEO structure, this should not be overlooked at all.
When you install WordPress, the permalinks are set by default to include the pageID of the pages.
However, this configuration is not optimal. Then navigate to Settings > Permalink select “post name” and save.
o learn more about this, read my guide on how to optimize permalinks.
9. Install the necessary WordPress plugins:
Once you have configured idea and permalink, you can start installing the first WordPress plugins. I plugin help you create a feature rich canvas site . Here you can read my guide on what plugins are.
There are a few plugin what advice would you give install on all sites. They are used to implement very important features for any type of WordPress shelf . Here they are. They are there :
Akismet
Akismet is such an important plugin that it is often inserted automatically with WordPress itself. Go to the Plugins section of your site and check if it’s already there (if not, install it ASAP).
Once activated, Akismet is used to protect your site from unwanted comments. For other tools that protect your site from spam, read the guide on how to protect your site from spam.
WordPress SEO by Yoast (now Yoast SEO)
When creating content for your site, it is important that it is SEO optimized, that is, for search engines.
One of the main techniques for optimizing texts is to insert the right keywords.
WordPress SEO by Yoast is a tool that has many features, and will serve as a guide to optimize all your pages and posts. So make sure you use it from the start.
If you are interested in learning how to use plugin read the SEO by Yoast guide in Italian.
10. Now let’s move on to creating your website pages:
Once you have set up the main aspects of your idea and install it in the plugin directory the next step in the process of designing it to create a canvas showcase with blogs in WordPress is the creation of static pages.
Static pages are the main content of your site. Those that will always be visible to users and that you will probably update less frequently than the blogging function .
These pages are used to present your company, its mission and the products it offers.
Let’s see what are the main static pages:
– Home page
At this point, I also suggest that you create a page called Home. You can configure it later, but having it created will help us assign it as your site’s home page .
– About / Who am I?
It is the real presentation of yourself or your business. Any web site showcase or blogs you should have one.
Enter information that helps users get to know you better. For example, the date your business was founded, the reason for its creation, the type of clientele you are targeting, etc.
– Products and services
If you want your canvas showcase website to help you expand your circle of customers, don’t miss a page dedicated to showcasing your products / services.
Here, too, include any information that a potential customer might have.
If you are offering products at a fixed cost, consider including a pricing table as well (a valid plugin to add this item is Easy Pricing Tables by Fatcat Apps).
– Wallet
The name itself says it all: a showcase site is used to present your services and your work.
You will then need to create a portfolio page, where you will display a selection of your projects.
Most of the best WordPress themes already have several built-in functions for adding portfolio items to pages.
– Contacts
Finally, the fourth static page can never be missing on any site. canvas is that of contacts.
You must enter here:
- a contact form that users can use to send you requests from your site (the plugin form it is absolutely preferable to add contact forms, this is contact form 7)
- your email address, Skype and possibly your phone numbers to allow users to contact you directly
- If you run a local business, also enter the Google map with your location.
11. Create a blog on your WordPress site:
Any web site should have a blog . Free content – like messages – is extremely effective at raising awareness, increasing your business’s credibility, and finding new customers.
The steps for setting up a blog on your WordPress site, in order to become a successful blogger, are very simple:
- first, create a page called, specifically, Blog .
- So navigate to Appearance > Customize and, corresponding to the domain “. Static home page “select the home page we just created.
- Now the object: “” Articles Page ”. Here you choose, in fact, the page titled Blog . Now all your new posts will automatically be posted to the blogs website .
12. Write and download your first messages:
Once you’ve set up your blogging (depends on what idea you’re using, but you’ll usually find plenty of options in the template’s setup page as well), I suggest you create at least 5 posts. It is indeed important that those who visit your site find content.
If you want to create a site web with blogs to promote your business, the messages you post on the website of the blogs will probably be instructive. In other words, they will be a free resource for those who want to learn more about your products.
– Characteristics associated with the position
Another useful feature that you can implement to give your content more visibility and retain users on the site, is to show related posts (i.e., links to other articles at the bottom. of the page).
Again, the are the fastest and easiest way to implement the feature. Here you will find a selection of them.
– Author of the insertion box
An interesting detail to enrich your blogs is the author of the box. This element is used to display information about the person writing the posts on behalf of the blogging user .
You can also add the author box using the install option of a plugin .
The next step in creating a canvas + blogging web site in WordPress is to configure the navigation menu. The time has come to work on this aspect: you have indeed already created the pages and the blogs file and you can put links to them in the menu.
Navigate in Appearance > Menu select a name for your menu then click ”“. Creation of the menu ”.
Then drag the pages into the order you want them to appear on the page.
Finally, assign the menu you created to the desired location.
Once done, the navigation bar will be visible on your live site. If you want to know more, read the guide on how to create a menu.
13. Final configuration of the home page:
We have now reached a crucial point in your project: that is to say the configuration of the homepage application .
The home page is your business card, it’s the first thing people see when they come to your site. For this reason, it must be aesthetically beautiful, functional, and contain all the necessary elements to allow users to easily navigate the site.
Most canvas storefront sites have a home page containing a slider (a slider is an element with large, sliding images).
One of graft The best way is to create cursors Slider Revolution. It has a professional look and a lot of options.
Also read my guide on what are the other items that can not be missing on the homepage site .
Let’s take stock of the situation. So far we have configured the idea function , created the static pages, created the static pages, created the blogs and we have configured the home page menu .
We have reached another very important step in this guide on how to create a site on WordPress. We will connect your site to social networks.
First, if you don’t already have them, create social profiles for your activity on major social networks (Facebook, Twitter, and Google+). The social networks you decide to use will of course depend on the nature of your business and the time you have to manage them. For example, other wedge shoes LinkedIn (for finding business contacts), Instagram (for reaching a younger audience), and Pinterest are also very useful.
When you have created your social profiles, you will need to link them to the site. Here you will find the 10 best social plugins for WordPress.
If your audience is very active on Facebook, I recommend that you also display your Facebook comments at the bottom of your posts.
Now let’s talk about widgets. Widgets are items that appear in the sidebar (the sidebar is a vertical section that you can choose to appear on the right or left of your site).
The sidebar is configured in Appearance > Widgets . Here you can drag and drop the different elements and reposition them as you like.
For more tips, read my guide on what to put in your WordPress blog’s sidebar.
After the sidebar, another important section to work on is the footer (this is the bottom of your site).
Don’t neglect the footer: although it is not the central and most important part of your pages, it should be taken care of with care. There are conventions and users expect to find some information in this section.
I am referring, for example, to contact details, the copyright notice of the content and the VAT number of your company.
In most cases, the WordPress Themes Latest Generation Footer allows you to configure the footer as a widget area.
Again, you can drag the items to the desired position.
15. Connect Google Webmaster Tools and start indexing the site:
We are coming to the final steps of this guide on how to create a canvas + blogging site in WordPress.
All the key sections and key content of your site are now ready. So we need to prepare for the launch of?
First of all, don’t forget to uncheck the box “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” and turn off the plugin option for site maintenance. We want search engines to be able to get to your pages and start indexing them.
In addition to allowing Google & Co. bots to access your content, we need to take a more active approach. This means that you must indicate that your site is online and indicate which pages it is made up of.
First, create an account on Google Webmaster Tools. This is the shelf where you can monitor the status of your site against Google indexes, and if there are any errors or issues of any kind.
When you have added your site to Webmaster Tools, install the Google XML Sitemaps plugin on WordPress .
This tool is used to generate a Sitemap (i.e. a list of all the pages on your site). Once generated, you can report the sitemap URL to Google through the WebMaster tools. This way you will send an index request.
To learn more about this, read the guide on how to index a site on Google. Next, read on how to find out exactly which pages on your site are indexed, so you know if the indexing was done as expected.
16. Connect Google Analytics to WordPress:
This is something that a lot of people have overlooked, but it is very important.
To be successful online, it is important that you know all of the statistics for your site. By regularly monitoring traffic, duration of visits, origin of users… That’s Google Analytics: a platform that provides a lot of information to better refine your online strategy.
Next: Connect your WordPress site to Google Analytics as soon as possible. You can do this by entering the code provided on the Analytics site itself, or by installing the Google Analytics plugin command by Yoast.
You can also read the guide on how to link Google Analytics to your site.
17. Activate a caching plugin:
Finally, the last step that I will mention in this guide on how to create a canvas site on WordPress concerns the loading time of your pages.
There are many ways to speed up your WordPress site. The feature I recommend you implement when you first start out (but after you’ve finished setting up your site) is caching.
After activating a plugin as WP Super Cache, static copies of your pages will be generated. These will then be displayed on the PC of those who visit your site very quickly.
After that, your new site is ready to be launched, promoted on social media, and used by users.
Conclusion
You will likely come across many other aspects to work on, specific to the features you want to implement on your site or the idea site you are using.
In this guide, however, I wanted to give you a general guide to the following topics on how to create a website in which all the main steps to follow are presented, in the correct order.
If you have any other doubts, I suggest you take a look inside. blogs other specific guides (so far there are over 240!), message me or leave a comment below.
It only remains for me to wish you good luck.