STEP ONE
WEBSITE TEMPLATES AND WORDPRESS
CHOOSE WHAT CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM YOU WANT TO USE.
The first step in building a website is to decide what website platform you want to use. Website builders are simply called CMS (content management systems) and choosing the right platform should always be the first priority. You don’t want to pick a CMS platform that will not be functional for you.
What is a “platform”? Do I need to know how to program?
The first platform was built by AOL in 1992 and called RAINMAN (Remote Automated Information Network Manager). It was the first system to allow content to be placed directly into live sites, instead of requiring terminals and coding to move items around. RAINMAN created two object hierarchies, folders and articles, and finally gave “non-coders” the ability to create basic websites.
Thankfully, with current platforms, building out your own a fully functioning and nicely designed website is much easier to do (it only takes a few clicks)! But you can get into trouble when you don’t choose the right website building platform.
As for programming knowledge, some platforms might require technical knowledge of HTML/CSS. Depending on your web programming language skills, you can decide what platform would be right for you. However, if you are just beginning your website with little or no technical knowledge, SMC Digital recommends using WordPress since no programming skills are required to start.
Below is an diagram that shows the best rated website building platforms that are being used in 2016.
WordPress, Drupal or Joomla. Which one will it be?
There are three main CMS platforms that a majority of the world’s websites use. WordPress, Drupal and Joomla.
WordPress
Drupal
Joomla
BRANDS THAT HAVE CREATED GREAT WEBSITES USING WORDPRESS:
Why SMC Digital recommends WordPress.
WordPress is the primary CMS that SMC Digital uses to build websites. While there are many Website Builders out there, WordPress wins for multiple reasons:
STEP THREE
HOW TO SET UP WORDPRESS TUTORIAL
CONFIGURING YOUR WORDPRESS SITE & MAKE IT LOOK AWESOME.
Now that your domain and hosting are all set-up, it is time to make your website look professional and functional. (Don’t worry, this is easiest part!)
Installing WordPress
Method 1
ONE CLICK WORDPRESS INSTALLATION
This is by far the easiest way to get WordPress on your website. These instructions are specific to BlueHost, but the process is very similar for most hosting companies.
You can add a directory to your domain in the field next to your domain. You can leave it blank or write “blog” if you want the home page as your blog. If needed, you can edit the email address, username and password for the new WordPress installation. Select “advanced options” if you want to change those settings
Method 2
MANUAL INSTALLATION
Some developers only want to use certain components of WordPress and install a custom version of WordPress. Others need to install WordPress manually since their hosting provider does not have a “One-Click Installation” Process.
1) Download the latest WordPress using this link: http://wordpress.org/download
2) Unzip the file and place it on your desktop.
3) Look inside the folder and find a file named wp-config-sample.php and rename it to: wp-config.php
4) Edit wp-config.php (with notepad, or notepad++) and fill the following lines:
-
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name_here’); – Database name (You might need to ask your hosting support for this information)
-
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘username_here’);
-
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘password_here’);
Replace the bold text with your information.
5) Log into your hosting FTP(download FileZilla, WinSCP, etc) The FTP address is will most likely be ftp.yourdomain.com, and the username and password will be same that you used to register to your host.
6) Delete any files that contain the word “index.” After that upload all the files from your unzipped WordPress folder to your FTP server. Simple drag and drop should work.
7) After you complete these steps, go the URL: yourdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php
STEP FOUR
HOW TO DESIGN A WEBSITE WITH THEMES
CHOOSE AND ACTIVATE A THEME.
Once WordPress is successfully installed, you will be presented with a very simple theme, and it will resemble something close to the picture below:
But you don’t want a plain old WordPress site like everyone else! That’s why you need a theme that can help you style your website and give a unique look.
Installing a Theme
Log into your WordPress dashboard
If you do not know how to get there, try going to: http://yoursite.com/wp-admin
Your WordPress dashboard should look like this:
The WordPress dashboard is very easy to navigate. If you are feeling overwhelmed with all the tools, don’t worry, I will explain exactly what you need to do.
Search for your FREE theme
Look along the sidebar, and navigate to “Appearance,” and click on “Themes.” You will be able to access over 2000 FREE themes.
Although these free themes might give a professional look to your website, if you are looking for a premium website or upgrading to a site that has built-in plug-ins and extra features, head to ThemeForest.net, where you can access premium themes that are tailored to your needs.
Installing your theme
Installing the theme is as simple as clicking “Install” and then “Activate” to activate the theme.
NOTE: You can freely change theme without it affecting the content. No need to worry about losing information.
STEP FIVE
HOW TO MAKE A BLOG ON WORDPRESS
CREATE YOUR FIRST BLOG POST & THEME MENU
With your theme already installed, you are ready to create your pages and make some posts! Lets start with the basics!
Creating Your First Page
Creating a menu for your pages
If you want to create navigation bar, follow these steps
Add or editing a blog post
If you want to create a blog on your website, then “Posts” should be your first step. WordPress allows to group your posts by categories, allowing readers to easily view your content.
Here is 2 ways to do it:
Create a new category by navigating to “Posts” -> “Categories”
Create a blog post by navigating to “Posts” -> “Add New”. Once finished simply select the category
Adding an image or video to your blog:
2 Ways to do it:
How to Add An Image From Your Computer
How to Embed an Image From the Web to Your Blog
STEP SIX
HOW TO CUSTOMIZE WEBSITE DESIGN
CUSTOMIZE YOUR THEME PHOTOS & EDIT THEME SLIDER
Now that your theme is installed and you have some content, you might want to customize your theme!
Customizing your theme
Changing your slider picture
STEP SEVEN
HOW TO ADD YOUR OWN CONTENT TO A WEBSITE
CHANGE THE TEXT UNDERNEATH THE SLIDER
STEP EIGHT
HOW TO MAKE A CUSTOM WEBPAGE
SEPARATE THE HOME PAGE & BLOG
With these customization, your website looks great! However, you might want to add something more than just a blog.
Creating a Home Page
With these customization, your website should now look even more business like.
STEP NINE
ADVANCED GUIDE TO WORDPRESS GALLERY
Create a WordPress gallery and show it on your page
If you are a photographer, or creating a website that showcases images, you need to have a gallery on your site. See the example below.
Creating a Gallery
How to put your gallery on a page
You should now have a beautiful gallery on your page. Just save your page and you’re ready to go.
STEP TEN
ADVANCED GUIDE TO WEBSITE CONTACT FORMS
Set up a contact form and configure automated e-mails
It doesn’t matter if you’re selling towels or offering technical services, a contact form is a powerful tool for any business.
Installing and configuring “Contact Forms”
Inserting a contact form on to a page
You should now have a working contact form on your page!
STEP ELEVEN
ADVANCED GUIDE TO WEBSITE DESIGN
Install customized widgets to make your site look even better.
For a even more powerful features, widgets are the way to go.
Installing and editing Widgets
Going back to our website, it looks much better now. You can play around with the format if you want.
STEP TWELVE
ADVANCED GUIDE TO WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
Set up the smooth scroll effect.
A smooth scroll effect gives a more premium feel to your website.
Installing the Smooth Scroll Plugin
