Lesson 4: Building and Launching a Simple Website with WordPress

✅ Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Install and set up a basic WordPress site.

• Choose and customize a theme and add essential plugins.

• Publish your site and apply basic SEO and security practices.

📘 Lesson Content

🔹 Installing WordPress

• You can install WordPress:

  • Locally using tools like XAMPP or Local by Flywheel (for practice).

  • Online on a web hosting service (e.g., Bluehost, Hostinger).

• Basic installation steps:

  • Download WordPress from wordpress.org.

  • Create a database.

  • Upload WordPress files to the server.

  • Run the setup wizard.

🔹 Choosing and Customizing a Theme

• A theme controls your site’s appearance.

• Choose a theme from:

  • WordPress theme directory (free).

  • Premium marketplaces (e.g., ThemeForest).

• Customize the theme via:

  • Appearance > Customize

  • Change colors, fonts, layout, and add logo or banner.

🔹 Essential WordPress Plugins

Plugins add extra functionality. Important ones include:

• SEO Plugins (e.g., Yoast SEO, Rank Math)

• Security Plugins (e.g., Wordfence, Sucuri)

• Backup Plugins (e.g., UpdraftPlus)

• Page Builders (e.g., Elementor for drag-and-drop editing)

🔹 Creating Pages and Posts

• Pages are for static content (e.g., About, Contact).

• Posts are for dynamic content (e.g., blog entries).

• Use the block editor (Gutenberg) to add text, images, videos, buttons, etc.

🔹 Introduction to SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

• Helps your site show up on Google and other search engines.

• Basic tips:

  • Use keywords in titles and content.

  • Write descriptive meta titles and descriptions.

  • Add alt text to images.

  • Ensure fast loading speed and mobile responsiveness.

🔹 Website Deployment and Maintenance

• Deploy means making your website live on the internet.

• Use a reliable hosting provider and connect a domain name.

• Maintenance tasks:

  • Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated.

  • Take regular backups.

  • Monitor for security issues.

📝 Activities and Assessments

1. Hands-On Task

• Build a 3-page WordPress site:

  • Home

  • About

  • Contact

Use a theme of your choice and add at least 2 plugins.

2. Quick Quiz

• What is the purpose of an SEO plugin?

• How do pages differ from posts in WordPress?

• Name one way to improve your site’s security.

3. Final Assignment

• Launch a simple website such as:

  • A personal portfolio

  • A blog

  • A small business site

Submit the link to your site along with a brief summary of:

• The theme and plugins you used.

• What you learned from the process.