How To Build a WordPress Website in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Building a website might feel overwhelming at first. But with WordPress, it’s simple, fast, and accessible for anyone.

You don’t need coding skills or a design background. Just an idea and a few smart tools to bring it to life.

This guide will walk you through every step to build a WordPress website in 2025. If you’re starting a new project or looking to upgrade your existing site, this is the only guide you need to do it right.

Need a hand along the way? Our team offers reliable WordPress Support Services in Sydney. Reach out, and we’ll help you grow your site with confidence.

Let’s jump in and start building.

Key Takeaways

• WordPress powers 43% of the internet.
• WordPress.com and WordPress.Melbourneorg are different platforms.
• If you need customisation and flexibility, WordPress.org is the right choice.
• WordPress.com is a DIY platform like WIX and Shopify and requires a monthly fee.
• You need separate hosting for WordPress.org.
• Themes help you with the look and feel of your website.
• Plugins are used for additional functionality and features.
• Most of the best plugins for WordPress are free.

Table of Contents

• Why Should You Use WordPress?
• WordPress.org Vs WordPress.com: Which is the Best Choice?
• What do You Need to Build a WordPress Website?
• How to Create a WordPress Website?
• WordPress Website Tips and Tricks
• Bonus: WordPress Website examples
• Conclusion
• Build A WordPress Website FAQs:

Why Should You Use WordPress?

WordPress powers most websites on the internet today. It’s beginner-friendly, scalable, and comes packed with features to help you grow your site with just a few clicks.

You can easily manage your content using the editor screen, set up eCommerce tools, and make sure your site looks great on mobile devices.

Here are just a few reasons why WordPress is the right platform:

• WordPress is Easy to Use: It is easy for people with even less technical knowledge to build and manage websites.
• Large Community: With millions of active users worldwide, there is an extensive community of people who use WordPress and are experts on it. You can use this community to work on your WordPress site and other related issues if they arise.
• Flexibility & Customization: There are thousands of free WordPress business themes and plugins available which allow you to customize your website’s look and add additional features and functionality. You can also develop a bespoke WordPress theme with an agency.
• Search Engine Friendly: WordPress follows best practices when it comes to SEO (search engine optimisation) which helps your pages rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
• Cost-Effective: WordPress is open source and you can modify it the way you want without having to worry about costs.

Related read: WordPress vs Squarespace: Which one is better in 2024?

WordPress.org Vs WordPress.com: Which is the Best Choice?

You can build your own website using either WordPress.com or self-hosted WordPress through WordPress.org.

Both use the same block editor and content management system, but they differ in how much control you get.

WordPress.com is a hosted platform that takes care of everything; hosting, security, updates, and backups. It’s beginner-friendly and offers a free plan, but you’ll need to pay for advanced features like premium themes and extra storage.

WordPress.org is self-hosted WordPress. You’ll need a reliable managed WordPress hosting provider, but in return, you get full control over your site, access to thousands of free themes, and flexibility to install any plugin or custom code.

For more information about these two platforms, read WordPress.com and WordPress.org: Which one to pick?

What do You Need to Build a WordPress Website?

To get started, you’ll need a few essentials.

If you choose WordPress.com, you can simply sign up, pick a plan, and launch your site, all managed for you.

If you go with WordPress.org, here’s what you’ll need:

• A domain name (e.g. www.yoursite.com)
• Web hosting (where your website files will be stored)
• The WordPress software (downloadable from WordPress.org)
• A theme (the overall design of your website)
• Plugins (which add extra features and functionality to your site)

With these five essentials, you’re ready to build your own website with full control.

Check our list of the best eCommerce themes for your store.

Prefer expert help from day one? Our Parramatta WordPress developers can plan and build it end to end.

How to Create a WordPress Website?

Here is a 9-step checklist you may want to refer while building your WordPress website:

• Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Hosting
• Step 2: Install WordPress
• Step 3: Select a WordPress Theme
• Step 4: Update Your Content
• Step 5: Install Some Plugins
• Step 6: Customise Your Website
• Step 7: Tighten Security
• Step 8: Optimise your website for performance
• Step 9: Maintain your WordPress Website

Let’s go through each step in detail.

Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Web Hosting

Your domain name is your website’s address. It’s what people type into a browser to visit your site. It’s also linked to your business emails, so they’ll end with your own domain name.

To register a domain, you can use providers like GoDaddy, CrazyDomains, or VentraIP. Some hosting companies even offer a free domain name when you sign up.

Next, you’ll need web hosting. WordPress offers two options: WordPress.com and WordPress.org and it’s easy to get them confused.

With WordPress.com, hosting is included and there’s a free domain option, but your site will use a subdomain like “yoursite.wordpress.com”. It’s simple and ideal for beginners.

With WordPress.org, you’ll use the open-source software and get your own domain name. You’ll need to sign up with a hosting company and pay for a plan. We recommend going for managed WordPress hosting for better speed, support, and security.

If you want full control and better performance, WordPress.org with a good WordPress hosting provider is the way to go.

From strategy to launch, our web design in Parramatta team can guide every step.”

Step 2: Install WordPress

Once you’ve set up your hosting, the next step is to install WordPress. Most hosting providers offer a quick setup through a WordPress installer, making the installation process just a few clicks.

If you’re using a host like WP Engine or any managed provider, WordPress is usually pre-installed. If not, you can download it from WordPress.org and install it manually.

To install WordPress manually on your computer, you’ll need a local server with PHP and MySQL. You can use tools like WAMP (Windows), MAMP (Mac), or LAMP (Linux) to get started.

Follow the steps below to install WordPress on a local computer:

• If you have a local server on your personal computer, now it’s your turn to download the zip file of WordPress and extract the downloaded folder.

• Create a new database with database_name: “WordPress”, username: “root” and password: ”password” on a server. Upload the downloaded folder to your web server/local host.

• Open your browser and navigate to your WordPress path. As: localhost/<wordpress_folder>. Your browser will load this page:

• Choose your language and click on “Continue”.

• You’ll see a message to make a configuration file. Click on “Let’s go“. Then, you’ll reach this page.

• Fill in the fields with your database information:
  • Database Name – WordPress
  • User Name – as in a database
  • Password – as in a database
  • Now, click on “Submit”.

• Once your database confirms your provided information, you’ll see the next page.

• Click on “Run the install”. Now, you’ll see the WELCOME page.

6. Now, you’ll see the WELCOME page.

• Fill this page with the required information.
  • Site Title: Enter the title of your website.
  • Username: Enter a username to log in.
  • Password, twice: Enter password two times.
  • Your E-mail: Enter your valid e-mail for password recovery or any update.
  • Privacy: Tick the checkbox if you want to be indexed by a search engine.
  • Now, click on “Install WordPress” after you’re done.

• After successful installation, you’ll reach the next page:

• Enter “Log In” to enter your dashboard.

• Then, you’ll see the Admin Panel to log in.

• Enter the username and password as you set and click on “Log In”. You are now ready to craft your WordPress website.

After successful login, you need to update different settings.

• Change the default Admin Login
• Change the Title, Tagline, and Time Zone
• Change your Permalink Structure
• Design and upload your Favicon
• Delete the default content of the WordPress

Step 3: Select a WordPress Theme

Once WordPress is installed, the next step is to choose a theme — this controls your website’s design and layout.

In your dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes. Here you can browse thousands of free and premium themes. WordPress makes it easy to preview, install, and activate a theme in just a few clicks.

Free themes are a great starting point, but premium themes often come with more features, support, and design flexibility. Make sure to pick a theme that’s lightweight, mobile-friendly, and easy to customise.

To use a theme of your choice, click on “Install” followed by “Activate”.

Choosing the best theme is not enough for the efficiency of a website. There are various factors behind it. See our list of some of the best themes for hosting companies.

Looking for custom design options for your business? Reach out to our web designers in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Brisbane.

Step 4: Update Your Content

Adding content in WordPress is easy, thanks to the block-based Gutenberg editor. It’s interactive and drag-and-drop, which makes it simple to build and structure your pages.

If you get stuck, the WordPress community is full of helpful guides, or you can always reach out to WordPress experts for support.

Here’s how to start updating your site:

Adding a new page

• Go to Pages in the sidebar
• Click Add New
• Add your content using blocks
• Click Publish or Update to save your changes

Adding a new page on the menu

• Go to Appearance > Menus
• Select your new page
• Click Add to Menu, then Save Menu

Adding a new post

• Go to Posts in the sidebar
• Click Add New
• Write your content, set a publish date, and assign a category
• Once published, it will appear in your blog listing for website visitors to read your latest blog posts

Once you have finished writing your blog, assign it a category.

Step 5: Install Some Plugins

Plugins are a huge part of what makes WordPress so powerful. They let you add extra features like faster load times, stronger security, and better user experience, all without needing to code.

To install plugins, go to your dashboard, click Plugins > Add New, and search for what you need.

There are thousands available, but stick to the ones that are well-supported and highly rated.

Some of the most popular WordPress plugins are:

1. WordPress Cache Plugins
2. WordPress Security Plugins
3. WordPress Analytics Plugin
4. WordPress Social Media Plugins
5. WordPress SEO Plugins

Step 6: Customise Your Website

Customising your site to reflect your brand is where your WordPress website starts to feel like your own website. It’s simple to do and makes a big impact on how your website visitors connect with your brand.

Here’s how to get started:

• Choose a theme that suits your business and reflects your brand identity
• Customise colours, fonts, and layouts to keep everything on-brand
• Upload your logo and create a custom home page or static page to showcase your services
• Add a pricing page if you offer packages or products
• Write custom content that reflects your brand’s values and helps users take action
• Work with a web designer if you want advanced design tweaks or custom layouts
• Set up a custom domain so your website looks professional and credible

Take time to plan your structure, add value-packed content, and make it easy for users to navigate.

Step 7: Tighten Security

WordPress is a powerful platform, but its popularity also makes it a common target for security threats. But there are preventive measures you can take to improve WordPress security for your website and make it less vulnerable to attack.

• Keep WordPress and plugins updated: Always run the latest version of WordPress and your plugins. WordPress updates often include important security patches that protect against known vulnerabilities.
• Use strong, unique passwords: Avoid simple or reused passwords. Create strong passwords using a mix of uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and consider using a password manager.
• Install a security plugin: Tools like Wordfence, iThemes Security, or Sucuri help block threats, scan for malware, and offer extra login protection.
• Enable HTTPS on your site: Make sure your website uses a secure connection (https://). This encrypts data and protects login sessions from being intercepted.
• Use a backup plugin: Set up regular backups using plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy. If anything goes wrong, you can quickly restore your site.
• Limit access and change passwords regularly: Avoid giving admin access to too many users. Update passwords often and review user roles to ensure only trusted users have backend access.

Step 8: Optimise Your Website for Performance

Website speed matters. Research shows that 47% of users expect a page to load in under 2 seconds, and nearly 40% will leave if it takes more than 3 seconds.

A slow website not only drives away visitors but also hurts your rankings. Google prioritises fast-loading sites, so improving your site speed boosts both user experience and visibility in search.

Here are a few steps you can take to improve your WordPress website performance:

1. Use a cache plugin
2. Optimise images for faster loading times
3. Minimise HTTP requests
4. Choose the right hosting plan
5. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
6. Disable unused plugins and themes
7. Enable compression and minification

Step 9: Maintain Your WordPress Website

Ongoing maintenance keeps your website secure, fast, and visible in search results. Regular updates help prevent bugs, fix technical vulnerabilities, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

You can check for updates by going to Dashboard > Updates. This includes core WordPress files, themes, and plugins.

Maintenance can also involve fixing broken links, improving speed, or checking your URL structure for SEO.

If it feels overwhelming, many WordPress hosting services offer built-in maintenance or you can outsource to a dedicated WordPress agency.

WordPress Website Tips and Tricks

Once your website is live, there are a few extra things you can do to make it more effective, secure, and easier to manage. Here are some practical WordPress tips:

1. Use a Child Theme for Custom Changes: If you want to tweak your theme’s code or style, use a child theme. It keeps your changes safe during theme updates.
2. Set Up Google Analytics and Search Console: Track how people find and use your website. These tools give you data to improve traffic, content, and user experience.
3. Limit Login Attempts to Block Brute Force Attacks: Add a plugin that limits login attempts to stop hackers from repeatedly trying passwords.
4. Use Lazy Loading for Images and Videos: Lazy loading helps your pages load faster by only loading media when users scroll to them, improving speed and SEO.
5. Create a Custom 404 Page: Instead of a boring error page, design a helpful 404 page with links to popular posts or your home page to keep visitors on your site.
6. Clean Up Your Media Library: Remove unused images and files to save space and keep your site fast and organised.
7. Schedule Regular Backups: Even if you’ve installed a backup plugin, make sure it runs on a schedule and stores backups offsite (e.g. Google Drive or Dropbox).
8. Hide Your Login URL: Change your login page from /wp-admin to something custom using a security plugin. This reduces the chances of automated attacks.

Bonus: WordPress Website examples

WordPress is a great platform because it is customisable and relatively easy to use. Some popular companies that use WordPress are:

1. Time.com

2. Facebook Newsroom

3. The Next Web

4. The Obama Foundation

5. Inc.

6. New York Post

Conclusion

Glad you made it to the end!

Building a WordPress website in 2025 is easier than ever, and we’ve walked you through the key steps to get started, plus a few tips to make the process smoother.

But if you’re serious about growing your site or need expert help, we’re here for you.

WPPRO is an award-winning, top-rated WordPress agency trusted by businesses across Australia, from Perth and Melbourne to as far as Auckland.

Whether you need a skilled developer or a full website revamp, we’ve got you covered.

Book your free consultation today and let’s bring your website to life.

Build A WordPress Website FAQs:

Is WordPress the right platform for my business?

Yes, WordPress can be used for almost all kinds of websites. WordPress is the best platform for small businesses as it is relatively easy to use, cost-effective and navigate. One of the advantages that comes from its popularity is that you can find WordPress developers, expert advice and solutions easily.

It is important to note, however, that WordPress can sometimes have security issues, and it might not be suitable if you need an extremely secure website. Additionally, some complex websites require more advanced development techniques, which may not be possible with WordPress.

How to use WordPress?

To set up a new WordPress website, see the step-by-step guide listed above. It’s easy to use if you are looking to update content and configure basic settings. You can start writing new posts and pages for your website from the back end.

Which is the best website builder platform?

WordPress is one of the best website builder platforms, offering full control, flexibility, and scalability. It’s ideal for everything from blogs to complex online stores, advanced contact forms and lets you build unlimited website pages.

That said, other platforms like Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace are also accessible and user-friendly. These are great for beginners who want an all-in-one solution without managing hosting or updates.

How much does a WordPress website cost?

A WordPress website can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 in Australia. Basic brochure sites are on the lower end, while eCommerce or custom websites with advanced features cost more. The final price depends on the project scope and who you hire.

How long does it take to build a WordPress website?

A simple site can be built in a few hours or days using templates. A fully customised website with unique design, content, and features like an online store or contact forms may take up to 8 weeks or more.

At WPPRO, it takes us 6 to 8 weeks for a custom WordPress website.

Should you hire a freelance WordPress developer or DIY?

If you’re not comfortable DIYing your WordPress site, then hiring a freelance developer could be a good option. A freelance WordPress developer will be able to help you with anything from setting up your site to adding features and functionality.

Another option is to look for a WordPress agency like WPPRO if you need multiple expertise from UX/UI design, website strategy, technical SEO, digital marketing and copywriting services.

Are premium WordPress themes worth it?

Yes, premium themes often offer better design, faster performance, ongoing updates, and support. They’re especially worth it if you want a professional look, advanced layout control, or plan to scale your site with more pages.

Can I get a free domain for my website?

Yes, some hosting providers offer a free domain for the first year when you sign up for a plan. This is a great option if you’re starting fresh with your online store or blog.

How can I get additional support for the WordPress website?

You can search the WordPress support forums for help, or you can contact a local WordPress specialist for assistance.

Do I need to know PHP and coding to build a website?

The whole point of using a WordPress CMS is to avoid the painful site development process. But WordPress is built on PHP language. Coding and development tools knowledge is not required to build a WordPress website, but it can be helpful in making website creation easier.

There are many online DIY tools and services like WIX that allow you to create a website without any coding knowledge, and there are also many tutorials available online that can teach you the basics of coding.

Should I use Gutenberg or Elementor?

Gutenberg is an inbuilt page builder of WordPress and is getting better and better every day. Elementor has also built its name for building landing pages and creating custom templates.

Both block editors offer a wide range of features, so it really depends on what you need from your website. If you are familiar with drag-and-drop builders, Elementor is the right choice for you. But if you are just starting out fresh, we would recommend trying Gutenberg. It’s the future of WordPress.

If you’re wondering which might be the better fit for you, consult with our Elementor developers and Gutenberg developers.

For more info, read our guide Gutenberg vs. Elementor: Best Page Builder in 2025

Can I add an eCommerce shop on WordPress?

Yes, you can easily add an eCommerce shop using plugins like WooCommerce, which integrates directly into your WordPress dashboard.

There’s a free version of WooCommerce available, which is perfect for getting started. You can sell products, manage orders, and customise your store. All the features are accessible from the dashboard, without needing to code.

If you’re looking for WooCommerce development services in Melbourne or across Australia, feel free to contact us.

How to optimise WordPress Website for SEO?

There are a number of things that you can do to optimise your WordPress website for SEO. One of the most important is to make sure that your site is properly set up from the beginning. You should also use SEO plugins to help you with your SEO efforts. Finally, you should regularly update your content and make sure that it is high quality.

How much traffic can WordPress handle?

WordPress can handle massive traffic, even millions of visits, if it’s built well and hosted on a scalable server. Use good WordPress hosting, caching, and optimisation to support high volumes of website visitors.