Many who know me as a web designer are aware that my journey began with Adobe Muse, a tool that has since been discontinued. What is less widely known, however, is how swiftly I transitioned to a completely different platform for building my clients’ websites: WordPress. Initially, I perceived WordPress solely as a blogging platform, particularly through WordPress.com’s hosting service, which was the go-to solution for crafting simple blogs at the time. Yet, within a matter of months, I had mastered WordPress, thanks to its unparalleled ease of use and the versatility offered by popular script installers and managers.

Today, WordPress stands as my preferred tool for developing modern, dynamic websites for all my clients.

Getting started with WordPress – simplicity at its core

Installing WordPress on a well-configured web server is remarkably straightforward, with two primary methods available:

Using a script manager

Most contemporary web hosting providers include script managers like Softaculous in their hosting plans. This tool simplifies the installation and management of WordPress to an extraordinary degree. By inputting a few fundamental details about your WordPress site, the script manager automatically creates and connects a database, completing the installation in roughly two minutes.

It’s worth noting that Softaculous is not the only script manager available. Having worked with various web hosting control panels, I’ve observed that nearly all include some form of script manager, with some even offering tools specifically tailored for WordPress installations and even management.

Manual installation

The second method involves manually uploading WordPress files to the web server, creating a database, and inputting the database details during WordPress’s renowned five-minute installation process. While this approach may seem daunting to those new to web hosting and servers, it becomes second nature once one grasps the basics of file and database management.

It is important that installation files be downloaded directly from WordPress for the manual installation method.

Managing WordPress – a modular masterpiece

One of WordPress’s most compelling features is its modular structure. A fully featured WordPress website is essentially built using a combination of plugins, each adding specific functionality. This modularity ensures that WordPress remains lightweight while offering limitless customisation options.

Plugins – the building blocks of functionality

There is a WordPress plugin for virtually every functionality you can imagine. These plugins can be obtained in two main ways:

WordPress official repository

Accessible directly from the WordPress dashboard, the repository houses thousands of free and freemium plugins. These plugins are vetted by the WordPress community, ensuring a baseline level of quality and security.

Third-party repositories and developers

Premium plugins, often available through reputable marketplaces or directly from developers, offer advanced features and dedicated support. These plugins are typically priced as one-time purchases or recurring subscriptions, depending on the developer’s pricing model.

Key functionalities enabled by plugins

Below are some of the key functionalities of a WordPress website which are achieved by using plugins:

• Contact Forms: Numerous form builder plugins are available, each offering intuitive interfaces and seamless integration with WordPress.
• E-Commerce: While WordPress lacks native e-commerce functionality, the WooCommerce plugin fills this gap admirably. WooCommerce is a powerhouse, enabling users to create, run, and maintain robust online stores. Additional plugins can further enhance features like automated shipping, payment processing, and ERP integrations.
• Security: WordPress’s built-in security features are bolstered by plugins offering brute force protection, firewalls, and role-based access controls.
• Page Builders: While WordPress includes a block-based page builder, third-party drag-and-drop page builders like Elementor and Divi simplify the design process, allowing users to create visually stunning websites with ease.

Defining your website’s aesthetics with WordPress themes

WordPress themes dictate the visual aesthetics of a website, and there are thousands available to suit every niche and requirement. Themes can be obtained in two primary ways:

WordPress repository

The repository offers a wide range of free themes, many of which have premium versions available for purchase.

Independent developers and marketplaces

Platforms like ThemeForest and independent theme developers offer premium themes, often bundled with custom page builders and plugins for enhanced functionality.

Ensuring security and performance with updates

WordPress simplifies the update process through built-in automation:

Automatic updates

WordPress allows automatic updates for major version releases and plugins, ensuring your website remains secure and up-to-date. Script managers often complement this by sending email notifications when updates are available.

Manual updates

For those who prefer control, updating plugins and themes manually is a straightforward process. However, it requires regular monitoring to ensure timely updates.

The frequency of updates varies depending on factors such as developer activity, subscription plans, and emerging vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, reputable plugins are consistently maintained, providing peace of mind to website owners.

Safeguarding your website with backups

Backing up a WordPress website is both simple and essential. There are two primary methods:

Web host backups

Many hosting providers offer default backup configurations, automatically or manually backing up all files and databases. While convenient, this method relies entirely on the hosting provider’s infrastructure.

Plugin-based backups

Dedicated backup plugins create snapshots of your website, storing them in a pre-specified location. For optimal security, backups should be stored remotely, such as on a local drive or external storage media, rather than on the hosting account itself.

Both methods are invaluable when migrating a website to a new hosting provider or server location. Apart from the two discussed above, one can also back up their WordPress website and database manually by making a copy on the hosting server and then storing it on a remote server or downloading it to make an offline copy, however, this usually requires some technical knowledge and experience to prevent issues with the website.

Why WordPress remains my to-to platform

WordPress’s combination of ease of use, modularity, and extensive community support makes it an unparalleled tool for web design. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced developer, WordPress offers the flexibility and scalability to meet virtually any web development need. Its ecosystem of plugins, themes, and robust update mechanisms ensures that your website remains secure, functional, and visually compelling.

For those embarking on their web design journey, I wholeheartedly recommend WordPress as the foundation for building modern, dynamic websites. Its adaptability and continuous evolution ensure that it will remain a dominant force in the web development landscape for years to come.