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Starting a WordPress website can feel a bit intimidating — trust me, I know! I have a bachelor’s degree in digital retailing, and my goal was to learn how to improve e-commerce websites so they could take my money even faster. Funny enough, though, we never once opened WordPress in college. We tackled platforms like Magento, Shopify, and Adobe Dreamweaver, but the most popular site builder in the world? Not a peep.

With WordPress being the go-to for creating websites, how are we supposed to learn it? Like many of you, I had to dive into online research (much like you’re doing right now!). The good news? Getting started is easier than it seems.

Let’s break it all down step by step — keeping it simple, friendly, and beginner-friendly.

WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com: What’s the Difference?

Before we dive in, let’s quickly clear up the confusion between WordPress.org and WordPress.com.

• WordPress.org is free, open-source software you can use to build a website — but you need to pay for your own domain and hosting. It’s powerful but better suited for those comfortable with web design and more technical setups.
• WordPress.com is a beginner-friendly platform that takes care of hosting and domains for you. It has both free and paid plans, making it easy for anyone to get started.

Since you’re reading this as a beginner, let’s focus on WordPress.com for now.

Step 1: Start with the Free WordPress.com Plan

Most beginners (myself included) start with the free plan. While it’s pretty basic, it’s the perfect way to learn the core features of WordPress without getting overwhelmed by plugins or page builders.

What you get with the free plan:

• A simple, ad-supported site.
• Access to basic themes.
• A WordPress-branded domain (like yoursite.wordpress.com).

Pro tip: Don’t stress about the ads if you’re just practicing web design — this stage is all about learning.

Step 2: Consider Upgrading Your Plan

Once you’ve mastered the basics, upgrading makes sense. Let’s break down the main options:

• Premium Plan ($8/month): Removes ads, lets you use premium themes, and allows video uploads.
• Business Plan ($25/month): The real game-changer! This plan unlocks plugins — the secret sauce of WordPress — giving you the power to customize your site fully.

I highly recommend jumping from the free plan straight to the Business Plan when you’re ready. The plugins alone are worth it!

Step 3: Add Essential Plugins

Plugins are what take your WordPress site to the next level. With the Business Plan, you can add tools that enhance both the back-end management and the user experience on the front end.

Must-have beginner plugins:

• WPBakery Page Builder: A drag-and-drop page builder that’s super beginner-friendly.
• Elementor Page Builder: Another fantastic option with a great free version.
• Yoast SEO: Helps optimize your content so it ranks higher on Google — the free version is more than enough to get started.

Bonus tip: Use AI tools to check your content for SEO best practices before publishing — it’s like having a personal editor!

Step 4: Understanding the Commerce and Enterprise Plans

If you’re planning to sell products directly from your site, you’ll need the Commerce Plan. Otherwise, for personal blogs, portfolios, or business pages, you can skip this and the Enterprise Plan entirely.

Final Thoughts

Building a WordPress site might seem overwhelming at first, but take it one step at a time. Start small with the free plan, get comfortable, and upgrade when you’re ready to unlock more features.

Thanks so much for reading! If you enjoyed this guide, stick around — I’m planning a whole series about site design, packed with tips and tricks I pick up along my own WordPress journey.

Happy site building!