WordPress is one of the go to platforms for people to launch their blogs or websites. All of my company’s websites are on this platform and I personally love using them. I love the personal touch and ownership that I’m able to have with my websites through using WordPress self-hosted.
Domain + Hosting
When you launch on WordPress it is a self-hosted platform that you need to provide hosting for. There are a plethora of hosting platforms. I personally use Go Daddy as my platform for hosting, domains, and all of the other essential necessities needed for my websites. They specifically have a WordPress x Go Daddy hosting package you can purchase. My site has not had any glitches or downtime. When purchasing your domain, make sure during checking out to select your privacy settings of choice. Also, search for promo codes before you buy anything. In addition, if you have Ebates you can get cash back on your order. Please note that hosting can be listed as low as $4.99 a month, but you are billed up front, not actually monthly.
Bonus: You receive a free email account when buying your domain name with the company.
Design of Website
What I really love about being on WordPress is the customization of your website. You can purchase a template from companies such as template monster, Bluchic, or Restored 316 and tweak them. I have seen people who have purchased a theme for some basic needs and then completely switched it up. You wouldn’t have even known it was a theme. If you’re wanting an eCommerce website through WordPress make sure you get the Woo Commerce plugin, in addition to, payment gateway plugins to process orders.
Bonus: Make sure you know if you need to buy the framework on top of the theme. Sometimes you need to and other times, the designer you use already has it.
Stock Imagery
I am addicted to styled stock photography now. I cannot go back to the plain stock photos that people generally use. You want to make sure you invest in nice imagery that translates your image well. When I land on service sites and they are using the outdated group photo of people sitting at a conference table, I am just like “blah”. Make sure your site stands out from the crowd.
Plugins To Integrate
WordPress is virtually ran by the plugins you install on your website. Here is a list of several of my favorites:
- Mailchimp
- Woocommerce
- Stripe
- PayPal
- Google Analytics
- Yoast SEO for WordPress
- Gravity Forms
- jQuery Pin It Button
- Jetpack
At most, to launch your own website on WordPress you should spend $500 include to; domain, hosting, template, stock photos, and plugins. I hear a lot of people say they are overwhelmed with launching on this platform. However, I believe it’s pretty easy. Just carve out time to do everything. If you need CSS or HTML to do certain things you can hire a freelancer to make those tweaks. A friend of mine did almost everything for her site; some bigger stuff she found a freelancer who charged her $80.
Content For Website
You would be amazed at the information people fail to put on their websites. Here are the pages you will need:
- About Page – include current headshot
- FAQ – if using a commerce platform
- Privacy Policy
- Disclaimer
- Terms of Service
- Contact Form
- Social Media plugins
Make sure on your pages that the copy is well written for the current and future users. Spelled it out in layman’s terms if you have to. Showcase your benefits and features on your product pages. Make sure there is a contact icon on every page. It’s best to have the “email” icon on the footer with the social media icons.
I even wrote a guide that walks you through the whole process of launching on WordPress. Digital Launch Kit: Launch On WordPress will help you with everything on your backend.
