While WordPress is known for being a fairly user-friendly platform, there’s still a lot to learn when it comes to WordPress for beginners. In this article, we’ve decided to compile a collection of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress to help you get started with this popular content management system and publish the website of your dreams.
Once you understand these concepts, you can confidently jump into WordPress with both feet and take on your new project. In this article, you will find short and explanatory answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress to help you guide you through this process of building your website.
Getting Started
What is WordPress?
The very first question you should ask regarding this platform and one of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress. From the basics, WordPress is a content management system that enables you to edit, create, design, maintain, and publish content ultimately establishing your website, all in a simple and intuitive interface. WordPress is an amazing platform that first started out as a blogging platform, then only to expand its functionality and the ability to create and publish the most capable websites whether that be online stores, business websites, online portfolios, and a lot more. WordPress is for everyone, and the beauty behind WordPress is that you can create entire websites without a single line of code.
Can I build a website for free with WordPress?
This is yet another of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress because the platform is open-source. This is a little hard to answer, as the WordPress platform is free, but there are still expenses behind it, like hosting and domain. You can build a website for free with WordPress.com (the difference between the two platforms will be explained later on) but the website will be branded and you will have only a few options. The WordPress ecosystem of plugins and themes is large, but you can always opt for free WordPress themes and plugins to get your website started, and as you grow your business, you can always upgrade to their premium plans.
How to Start a WordPress Blog?
One of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress is how to start a blog, and it is quite easy because WordPress is an intuitive platform and has a simple learning curve for even the most novice user can get a hang of it in an instant. First and foremost you need to make sure you choose the right blogging platform, and after that is easy peasy.
For WordPress, because is an open-source platform, you do not need to pay to download it, as WordPress comes for free. Although there are some expenses to WordPress, you will first need a domain name and a hosting provider. Every website needs hosting, this is where your website resides, and your domain is your web address.
After you’ve installed WordPress, you can go ahead and choose a WordPress theme as well as install the plugins you need to functionalize your website. For further details, please follow along with our guide on how to start a WordPress blog.
How to Install WordPress Plugins?
As part of our collection of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress will of course be about plugins. WordPress plugins are what add functionality to your website and its repository is immersing and very comprehensive. You can find a plugin for any added functionality you wish to include on your WordPress website.
To install a WordPress plugin, you first go to the WordPress Dashboard, click on Plugins > Add New
From there you will need to search for the preferred plugin and see the comprehensive list provided. You can also type in a keyword related to your search and you will be presented with the related search results.
In the search results, click on the install button next to the plugin that you want to install and WordPress will install it for you. Once you have installed the plugin you will also need to click on the Activate button.
You can also install plugins sold by third-party developers. Those plugins come as a zip file. To do that simply head over to Plugins » Add New page and then click on the Upload button.
Choose the file from your computer and click to start the installation process. This will be a very easy task to manage and fulfill. For a more detailed guideline, we recommend you read our article on how to install WordPress plugins, all methods covered.
How to make money from WordPress?
We’d consider this is one of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress , because nowadays everything is done online, and making a profit out of your website has become imperative.
There are many ways to make money out of WordPress, as this is a powerful platform that offers advanced tools and features to create any type of website. Using the robust integration of WooCommerce, one of the best eCommerce plugins that you can download for free, you can create and publish highly functional online stores.
Besides that, you can also create membership websites to give access to certain content only to premium users. Alternatively, you can also create online classes with WordPress and monetize your knowledge, easily and quickly.
WordPress Basics
What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
When starting out with WordPress FAQ, this is the most common confusion, what is the difference between WordPress org and WordPress com, because both of the platforms are run under the same company. WordPress.com is a proprietary website provider, mainly for blogging, that also provides premium plans for varieties of websites.
Creating a blog with WordPress.com is a simple as creating an account, all you need to do is sign up. This platform comes at a much higher cost if you wish to create and establish your own brand and your own website with the advanced functionalities and features to back it up. Whereas, WordPress.org is the self-hosted version of WordPress.
It operates as open-source system management and is available for everyone to access and gives you complete control over your website. Please read our comprehensive article on the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
What does open-source stand for?
Is WordPress available in my language?
Most likely yes. This one is also one of the frequently asked questions about WordPress, as the platform covers a large range of audience. Currently, there are 205 locale WordPress translation files with 71 locales up to date 100%. To know more about this please visit the WordPress Polyglots page to check if WordPress is available in your language, and you also have the possibility to contribute to the translation files in your own language.
Does WordPress website require coding?
In essence no, because WordPress is a platform that’s designed to help everyone, even the most novice create outstanding websites. There might be cases, however, where it will be in your favor if you have some coding knowledge to alter and make changes to your WordPress website. Since WordPress introduces themes and plugins, it is these extensions that all the complex coding works for you, so that you don’t have to. Whether or not you need coding skills to set up amazing WordPress websites, is one of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress.
How to choose a theme in WordPress?
WordPress FAQ that we have covered included specifications on WordPress themes and plugins. WordPress themes are the integral design wear of your website that help you create the most outstanding and mesmerizing WordPress websites without technical knowledge. Choosing a theme in WordPress will be reliant on many factors. First off, you must think financial-wise, whether you want a free or a premium WordPress theme, as we have mentioned, the WordPress repository is large and colorful.
Next up, you will need to determine whether you want a multi-purpose WordPress theme or a niche-oriented theme. You need to also think about the features that are of immense importance.
You will also need to consider your audience, your website’s topics, compatibility with plugins, and language requirements. We create professional compilations of WordPress themes based on specific niches. For more please check:
How to Install a WordPress theme?
After you’ve selected your preferred theme for your WordPress website, one of the most frequently asked question about WordPress is also how to install a theme, and the platform makes it very easy the installation process. Now all you need to do is head over to Appearance > Themes from the WordPress dashboard area. Click on the Add New button at the top of the page.
How to Add a Blog Post/Page in WordPress?
By default, WordPress uses two types of content types which are posts and pages and shows your most recent blog posts on the home page. Posts are part of a blog used to write your content and are organized in reverse chronological order.
Pages are static and are not part of a blog. Your website is made of all the pages you create, this can be your homepage, your contact page, your “About Us” page, and others. To add a page in WordPress, from the dashboard area, click on Pages > Add New.
Here you will see the default WordPress editor and all the available features and tools to craft your pages.
To add a new post in WordPress, from the dashboard area click on Posts > Add New. The screen will be similar to that when adding a new page, with minor changes. You can begin typing your content and utilize the Gutenberg blocks to consolidate your content.
What are Gutenberg blocks?
Is WordPress Secure?
WordPress security concerns are raised due to the fact that the platform is open-source and everyone can alter the code. But if you follow up with the best WordPress security practices the platform is as safe and secure as it could get. There are multiple WordPress security plugins, features, and services to get your WordPress website on the safe side. One key approach you should always practice is to keep your themes, plugins, website always up to date.
How to Update WordPress?
As mentioned previously updates are crucial to maintaining your website secure. Each time WordPress updates are available you will see the notice on your WordPress dashboard area. To install an update, click on the Dashboard > Update button at the top left corner of the admin area, and click on the button “ Install Now”. Once the process is done, you should see a confirmation message informing you of the latest version of WordPress. For a more detailed guide, please refer to our video tutorial on how to update, themes, and plugins.
What are WordPress categories and tags?
Both taxonomies, categories, and tags are used to organize your website, as well as help users and search engines identify what your content is about and find information easier. By properly organizing your content and using categories and tags you will be able to rank higher on search engines and improve your SEO.
How do I maintain my WordPress website?
WordPress website will require some maintenance in order to keep its functionality keep going properly. You will first need to backup your WordPress website, especially before making major changes to it, you will need to update it, monitor its security, and follow up on all the best practices, and many other tasks that require your full attention.
On the bright side, you can always use a WordPress plugin to automate these processes and keep you on the clear. There are also services that can maintain your site for you, although they’re not an obligatory purchase.
What version of WordPress am I using?
What is a widget in WordPress?
To put it simply, widgets are specific pieces of content that can be applied on specific areas o your WordPress website like in the sidebar, or footer. Now you easily add any block to your site’s widget area. You can easily access them via the WordPress dashboard, Appearance > Customize > Widgets. Common widgets include recent posts, contact information, social media integration, search bars, and more.
Final Thoughts
This is where we end our comprehensive list of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress and we hope that by now you’ve acquired the most important and crucial information about this popular content management system. WordPress will be the best choice to build your websites with as it offers ultimate flexibility and top-notch features and tools to make your website your best asset and gain profit out of it.
WordPress powers a large number of websites on the web and is one of the most popular platforms to establish sites without any technical knowledge or experience. Understanding WordPress for beginners can be overwhelming, and this is why we created this comprehensive list of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress to shed some light on all those looking to create their website with WordPress and help them utilize all the power the platform has to offer.
We have only presented some of the most basic questions to help you get started, as you will get to experiment with different themes, plugins, and functionalities until you’ve reached the ultimate website utility. We’ve covered everything from WordPress basics to website maintenance and security. You can keep reading our blog for more valuable insights on this platform and a lot more.
