WordPress 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Setting Up and Managing a WordPress Website

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If you’ve already built your WordPress website, the next step is learning how to keep it running. This guide shows how to keep it running smoothly day to day. It’s written in plain English, with short sections you can skim.

TOP TIP: Use the list below to quickly navigate to the guide that interests you, and bookmark this page so you can refer to it in the future.

The three essential parts of a WordPress website

A WordPress website is made up of three key components:

• The core files – the main WordPress software
• A theme – controls your site’s design and layout
• Plugins – add features and extra functionality

Before we look at these in more detail, let’s quickly answer the big question: what exactly is WordPress?

What is WordPress?

WordPress is free software for building websites and blogs. It’s a content management system, which means you edit pages and posts in a browser without touching code.

Behind the scenes it runs on a programming language called PHP, but you don’t need to know that to use it. The editor feels familiar if you use Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

What does WordPress look like?

When you log into a WordPress website, you enter an area called Dashboard.

From here, you can see a summary of what’s happening on your website and access the various admin and management tools.

Here’s a screenshot of the dashboard on a brand new site with little to no content.

When you create content for your website you use the block editor. Each paragraph, heading, image or button is a block you can move and style.

Here’s a screenshot of the editing area for creating posts and pages.

You can change your admin colour scheme in Users → Profile → Admin Colour Scheme.

What is a WordPress theme?

Think of a WordPress theme as a design layer that sits on top of the software’s framework.

It controls how your site looks — the layout, colours, and typography — and often adds some extra functionality too. (Plugins add even more, which we’ll cover later.)

Changing your theme changes the look and feel of your site instantly.

That’s both a good and a bad thing:

• It’s good because you can refresh your design with a single click.
• It’s bad because switching themes can sometimes make your layout look messy or mismatched — depending on how the old and new themes are structured.

Luckily, you can preview a theme before activating it.

If you try one and don’t like it, you can easily switch back to your previous theme and your content will remain intact.

WordPress lets you store multiple themes, though only one can be active at a time.

Choosing a WordPress theme

There are two types of themes: free and premium.

If you’re setting up a personal site or blog, a free theme is often enough.

If you’re building a business site, it’s worth exploring premium themes for better design options, user experience and support.

I use Kadence and have no hesitation recommending it. Get the free version here and the premium version here.

Why choose a premium theme?

Premium themes tend to:

• Look more polished and professional
• Include extra design and layout options
• Offer better documentation and developer support
• Receive more frequent updates for compatibility and security

They usually cost between $20–$100, which is still far cheaper than having a custom site designed from scratch.

What to consider before choosing

Before you decide, think about how you’ll use your site and what flexibility you’ll need:

• Personal or business: Is it for personal use, a hobby, or your business?
• Layout options: Can you move sidebars or choose different layouts per page?
• Extra functionality: Does it include features you’ll use (or too many you won’t)?
• Support: Does the developer offer help if something breaks?
• Mobile responsive: Does it automatically adjust for phones and tablets? (It should.)
• Code-free editing: Can you make changes visually, without coding knowledge?
• Reputation: Google the theme name to see reviews and examples of live sites using it.

Multiple themes

WordPress comes with a few default themes pre-installed.
Thousands more are available in the WordPress Theme Directory or from third-party developers.

When you’re getting started, it’s worth testing a few free themes to see which style suits you best.
All installed themes are stored under Appearance → Themes, so you can switch between them as often as you like.

To see how a theme really looks, add a few sample posts and pages with headings, images, and lists. You can use Lorem Ipsum dummy text instead of real content — it helps you focus on design rather than words.

How to install a WordPress theme

Installing a theme can completely change the look of your website, so it’s a good idea to back up your site before you start.

Step 1: Choose a theme

Pick a theme that fits your goals in terms of design, layout, and functionality.

Step 2: Download the theme

• Free theme: You can install directly from your dashboard.
• Premium theme: You’ll usually download a .zip file to your computer after purchase.

Step 3: Access your dashboard

Log into your WordPress website.

Step 4: Go to the themes section

Go to Appearance → Themes.

Step 5: Add a new theme

Click Add New at the top of the page.

Step 6: Install or upload

• For a free theme, search by name and click Install.
• For a premium theme, click Upload Theme, choose the .zip file, then click Install Now.

Step 7: Activate your theme

After installation, click Activate to apply your new design.

Step 8: Configure your theme

Many themes include custom settings to fine-tune colours, typography, or layout.
Check the theme’s documentation for details on customisation.

Remember to always back up your site before making significant changes like installing a new theme. This way, if something goes wrong with your website, you can restore your site to its previous state.

How to customise a WordPress theme

Customising your theme lets you adjust its appearance to fit your style and brand.
The tools available depend on whether your theme uses the Site Editor (for block themes) or the Customiser (for classic themes).

Step 1: Open the editor

• Block themes: Go to Appearance → Editor.
• Classic themes: Go to Appearance → Customise.

Step 2: Site identity

Change your site title, tagline, and logo. Some themes also allow you to upload a site icon (favicon).

Step 3: Colours and background

Adjust background colour, text colour, and accent colours. Options vary by theme.

Step 4: Header and background images

If supported, upload header and background images to personalise your site.

Step 5: Menus and navigation

Create and manage menus to control how visitors move around your site.

Step 6: Widgets

Manage widgets (blocks of content such as search bars, recent posts, or text) in your sidebar or footer.

Step 7: Homepage settings

Choose what appears on your homepage — either your latest blog posts or a static page.

Step 8: Additional CSS

If you know CSS, you can add your own styling here for finer control.

Step 9: Save and publish

When you’re happy with the changes, click Publish (or Save) to make them live.

Note: Options vary by theme. If your theme doesn’t include a setting you need, you may be able to achieve it with a plugin.

How to delete a WordPress theme from the admin area

Over time, you may collect unused themes. It’s good practice to remove them — they take up space and can pose a small security risk if not updated.

You can’t delete your active theme, so switch to another first.

1. Go to Appearance → Themes.
2. Hover over the theme you want to delete and click Theme Details.
3. Click Delete in the bottom-right corner.
4. Confirm when prompted.

That’s it — the theme is gone.

What is a WordPress plugin?

A plugin is a small piece of software that adds extra features to your WordPress site.
Plugins are written in PHP (the same language as WordPress itself) and integrate seamlessly with your website.

You can think of them like apps for your phone — install what you need, remove what you don’t.

Why use WordPress plugins?

Plugins extend what WordPress can do. Here are a few common examples:

• Website enhancement: Add photo galleries, sliders, contact forms, or custom blocks.
• SEO: Improve search visibility with meta tags, sitemaps, and content analysis.
• Security: Add firewalls, malware scanning, or two-factor authentication.
• eCommerce: Turn your site into an online shop with full checkout functionality.
• Social media integration: Share posts automatically or display your social feeds.

Tip: The WordPress Plugin Directory has thousands of free options. You only need a handful of good ones to run a reliable website.

How to use WordPress plugins?

Plugins can be installed directly from the WordPress Plugin Directory or uploaded manually if you’ve bought a premium version.

After installing, you must activate the plugin for it to start working.

Keep your plugins up to date — updates often include bug fixes, new features, and security improvements.

Avoid installing too many plugins, as that can slow your site or create conflicts. Only use plugins from trusted developers.

How to install a WordPress plugin

There are two ways to install a plugin:

Method 1: From the plugin directory

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins → Add New.
3. Search for the plugin name.
4. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Your plugin is now live. Some will add a new menu in the sidebar, others will show a setup screen or add new settings under Tools or Settings.

Method 2: Upload a plugin (.zip file)

Use this for premium or third-party plugins.

1. Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
2. Click Choose File, select the .zip from your computer, and click Install Now.
3. Once installed, click Activate.

Good habits

• Check ratings, reviews, and when the plugin was last updated.
• Be cautious of plugins that haven’t been updated in over a year.
• Always back up your site before installing something new.

How to update a WordPress plugin

Keeping plugins updated is one of the easiest ways to protect your site.

1. Back up your site first — in case something breaks.
2. Go to Dashboard → Updates or Plugins → Installed Plugins.
3. Click Update Now on the ones you want to refresh (or select multiple and choose Update from the bulk menu).
4. When updates finish, check your homepage, blog, and contact form to ensure everything works correctly.

If an update causes problems, roll back to your backup or contact the plugin developer for support.

Tip: Many hosts and tools like ManageWP or MainWP can automate plugin updates and send you alerts if something fails.

Popular and trusted WordPress plugins

There’s no single “best” plugin list because every site has different needs.
But some plugins are widely trusted for reliability and performance. Here are examples grouped by purpose:

SEO

• Rank Math – Helps optimise your titles, meta descriptions, and sitemaps (this is the one we consider the best WordPress SEO plugin).
• All in One SEO – An alternative with a simpler setup.

Security

• Wordfence Security – Adds firewall protection, malware scans, and login security.
• iThemes Security or Sucuri – Good alternatives for monitoring and alerts.

Backups

• UpdraftPlus – Automates backups and stores them in the cloud.
• BlogVault – A premium backup service with one-click restore.

Performance

• WP Super Cache or LiteSpeed Cache – Speeds up your site by creating static pages.
• Smush or Optimole – Compress and resize images automatically.

Contact forms

• Fluent Forms – Fast, drag-and-drop form builder.
• Contact Form 7 – Simple and widely used.

eCommerce

• WooCommerce – The standard solution for selling products or services online.

Page builders

• Elementor – Drag-and-drop page builder with strong design control.
• Kadence Blocks – Lightweight option that extends the built-in WordPress block editor.

Anti-spam

• Akismet – Filters out spam comments automatically.

Social and analytics

• Jetpack – All-in-one toolkit offering analytics, backups, and social sharing.
• Site Kit by Google – Adds Analytics, Search Console, and AdSense to your dashboard.

Keep it simple

You don’t need dozens of plugins.

Start with the essentials — SEO, security, backups, caching, and forms — then add more only when you have a clear reason.

Too many plugins can slow your site, create conflicts, or make maintenance harder.
Choose quality over quantity, and keep everything updated.

How to add content to a WordPress website

WordPress uses a block editor (also called Gutenberg) to create content.

Each part of a page — text, headings, images, buttons — is a block you can move, edit, or style.
You’ll use the same editor whether you’re creating a post or a page.

Posts vs pages — what’s the difference?

Pages

Pages are for static, evergreen content — things that don’t change often, such as:

• About page
• Contact page
• Privacy policy
• Services or landing pages

Key points about pages:

• Don’t appear in your blog feed or RSS
• Don’t use categories or tags
• Usually don’t show a publish date
• Ideal for top-level, always-relevant content

Posts

Posts are for dynamic, time-based content such as:

• Blog articles
• News or announcements
• Tutorials and tips

Key points about posts:

• Appear in your blog feed in date order
• Require at least one category
• Can include tags for extra organisation
• Usually show a publish date and appear in your RSS feed

Which should you use?

If you’re publishing…	Use a…
Your About or Contact page	Page
A how-to guide or tutorial	Post
A list of your services	Page
A new blog article	Post
A one-off promotional landing page	Page

Tip: Posts and pages look identical in the editor, but behave differently on your site.
Use each for its intended purpose and use formatting techniques to people engaged with your content.

Creating a new post or page

1. In your dashboard, go to Posts → Add New or Pages → Add New.
2. Add a title at the top.
3. Start writing in the editor. Each time you press Return, WordPress creates a new paragraph block.

Using blocks in the editor

Everything you add — text, images, buttons, quotes — is a block.

To insert a new block:

• Click the + icon, or
• Type / followed by the block name (for example, /hea for a heading).

Popular block types include:

• Text: Paragraph, Heading, Quote, List
• Media: Image, Gallery, Video
• Layout: Columns, Spacer, Separator
• Embeds: YouTube, Vimeo, Spotify, X (Twitter), Instagram

You can move blocks using the up/down arrows and customise them with the settings on the right-hand side.

Think of blocks like Lego pieces — you can stack, move, and style them to build your content layout.

Post settings — categories and tags

For posts, it’s good practice to use categories and tags.

• Categories group related posts (e.g. Recipes, SEO Tips).
• Tags add extra keywords (e.g. vegan, Google Maps).

If you don’t choose a category, WordPress will put your post in Uncategorised.

You can manage categories and tags from the sidebar while editing, or under Posts → Categories and Posts → Tags in the dashboard.

Saving and publishing your content

• Save Draft to come back later.
• Preview to check how it looks on desktop and mobile.
• Publish when you’re ready to go live.

Spend a few minutes experimenting with blocks — it’s much simpler than it first looks.

How to add images to WordPress posts and pages

Images bring your content to life. They break up long text, make pages more inviting, and even help with SEO when used correctly.

Adding images in WordPress is quick and straightforward.

Prepare your image

Before uploading:

• Save it in a web-friendly format such as .jpg, .png, or .webp.
• Resize it to match how it will appear on your site. Large files slow pages down.
• Give the file a descriptive name (for example, garden-shed-interior.jpg).

Add an image block

1. Open the post or page where you want the image.
2. Click the + icon or type /image to insert an Image block.
3. Choose Upload, Media Library, or Insert from URL.
   • Upload adds a new file from your computer.
   • Media Library lets you pick an image you’ve already uploaded.
   • Insert from URL uses an image hosted elsewhere.

Adjust image settings

Once your image appears:

• Add alt text to describe what’s in the picture (important for SEO and accessibility).
• Use the alignment buttons to position it left, centre, or right.
• Choose a preset size or set custom dimensions in the sidebar.
• Optional: add a caption underneath for context or credits.

When you’re done, click Publish or Update.

Tip: Keep a consistent image width across your pages — it makes the site look cleaner and helps maintain faster load times.

How to optimise images for WordPress

Well-optimised images make your WordPress website load faster and perform better in search results.

Here’s how to do it efficiently.

1. Pick the right file format

• JPEG (.jpg): best for photos and colourful images.
• PNG: use for graphics, icons, or transparency.
• WebP: newer format with smaller file sizes and excellent quality.

2. Resize before uploading

Match your image dimensions to how they appear on the page. Avoid uploading a 4000 px photo if it only displays at 800 px wide.

3. Compress the file

Use tools such as TinyPNG, Compress JPEG, or software like Photoshop or GIMP to reduce size without losing visible quality.

4. Use an optimisation plugin

Plugins such as Smush, Optimole, or EWWW Image Optimizer can automatically compress and resize images, and add lazy loading (which delays loading until the image is visible).

5. Consider a CDN

A Content Delivery Network stores copies of your site’s files on multiple servers worldwide, loading images from the one nearest your visitor. Popular choices include Jetpack Site Accelerator, Cloudflare, and Bunny CDN.

6. Serve next-gen formats automatically

Most optimisation plugins or CDNs can convert your images to WebP (or AVIF) and serve those versions to browsers that support them.

How to create a static homepage and a blog

By default, WordPress shows your latest blog posts on the front page of your site.
That’s fine for blogs, but most websites need a static homepage — a welcome page that stays the same — plus a separate blog page for updates or articles.

Setting them up only takes a few minutes.

Step 1: Create two pages

You’ll need one page for your homepage and another for your blog posts.

1. Go to Pages → Add New.
2. Title the first one something like Home (or Welcome).
3. Add your homepage content — text, images, and blocks.
4. Click Publish.

Now create a second page titled Blog (or News, Articles, etc.).
You don’t need to add any content to this one — WordPress will automatically populate it with your latest posts.

Step 2: Assign your homepage and blog page

1. Go to Settings → Reading.
2. Under Your homepage displays, select A static page.
3. Choose your new Home page as the Homepage.
4. Choose your Blog page as the Posts page.
5. Click Save Changes.

Your homepage is now static, and your blog posts will appear on the new blog page.

Step 3: Add your new pages to your menu

1. Go to Appearance → Menus (or Appearance → Editor → Navigation if using a block theme).
2. Add the Home and Blog pages to your main menu.
3. Arrange them in the order you prefer and click Save Menu.

Tip: Some themes automatically include a Home link — check before adding a duplicate.

Step 4: Check your homepage and blog layout

Visit your site to confirm:

• The homepage displays your static content.
• The blog page lists your latest posts automatically.

If the homepage looks too plain, edit it with the block editor (or Site Editor for block themes) to add text, headings, buttons, and images.

How to add a contact form to WordPress

A contact form gives visitors a quick, secure way to reach you without exposing your email address to spam bots.

Adding one in WordPress only takes a few minutes.

Step 1: Install a contact form plugin

The easiest option is WPForms — a user-friendly drag-and-drop form builder that works straight out of the box.

There’s a free version (WPForms Lite) which is perfect for most websites.

To install it:

1. Go to Plugins → Add New.
2. Search for WPForms.
3. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Once activated, you’ll see WPForms appear in your sidebar.

Step 2: Create your first form

1. Go to WPForms → Add New.
2. Choose a template such as Simple Contact Form.
3. Use the drag-and-drop builder to add or remove fields (Name, Email, Message, etc.).
4. Click Save when you’re happy with the layout.

Tip: WPForms automatically includes spam protection through reCAPTCHA and anti-spam honeypots, so you don’t need an extra plugin for that.

Step 3: Add the form to a page

Each form you create has its own shortcode (a small line of code that looks like this):

[wpforms id="123"]

To display the form:

1. Edit your Contact page (or create a new one).
2. Add a WPForms block (or a Shortcode block).
3. Select your form from the dropdown or paste in the shortcode.
4. Click Update or Publish.

Step 4: Set up notifications

By default, WPForms will send messages to your WordPress admin email address.
You can change this under Settings → Notifications to send messages to a different address or to multiple people.

If you don’t receive test messages, install a plugin like WP Mail SMTP to make email delivery more reliable.

Step 5: Test your form

Visit your live page and send a quick test message.
Check both the confirmation message and your inbox to confirm it’s working.

Tip: Test the form after major updates to make sure email delivery still works correctly.

How to create a menu in WordPress

A menu is what helps visitors find their way around your website.
It links to your most important pages — like Home, About, Services, Blog, or Contact — and usually appears at the top of your site or in the footer.

The process for creating one depends slightly on your theme, but here’s how to do it in both classic and block themes.

Step 1: Create a new menu

If you’re using a classic theme (like Kadence, Astra, or GeneratePress):

1. Go to Appearance → Menus.
2. Click Create a new menu.
3. Give your menu a name (for example, Main Menu).
4. Click Create Menu.

If you’re using a block theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four or Ollie):

1. Go to Appearance → Editor → Navigation.
2. Click Create New Menu or select an existing one to edit.
3. Add links directly in the visual interface.

Step 2: Add pages and links

You can add anything to your menu — pages, posts, categories, or even custom links.

For classic themes:

1. On the left side of the Menus screen, tick the pages you want to include (like Home and Contact).
2. Click Add to Menu.
3. Drag and drop items to change their order.
4. To create dropdowns, drag a menu item slightly to the right underneath another item.

For block themes:

• Click the + icon to add a link or page.
• Rearrange items by dragging them into place.
• Use nested links to create dropdown menus.

Step 3: Choose where your menu appears

Most themes support several menu locations — for example:

• Primary (top of the site)
• Secondary (below the header or above the footer)
• Footer

In a classic theme, tick the box next to your chosen display location (e.g. Primary Menu).
In a block theme, choose the navigation block’s location directly in the Site Editor.

Tip: If you’re not sure which location is which, assign your menu and then preview your site. You can always change it later.

Step 4: Save and test your menu

When you’re done, click Save Menu (for classic themes) or Update (for block themes).
Then visit your site and check that all links work correctly.

Step 5: Add a menu to your footer (optional)

If your theme supports a footer menu:

Assign it to the Footer location and save.

Go to Appearance → Menus or Appearance → Editor → Footer.

Create a new menu called Footer Menu.

Add items like Privacy Policy, Terms, or Sitemap.

Keep your WordPress website secure

WordPress is one of the most popular website platforms in the world — which also makes it a common target for hackers and bots.

The good news? Most security issues can be avoided by taking a few simple precautions.

Here’s how to keep your site safe.

Step 1: Choose a secure hosting provider

Start with a web host that takes security seriously.
Look for features like:

• Free SSL certificate (so your site uses https://)
• Daily backups
• Firewall and malware protection
• Regular server updates

If your hosting company manages these for you, you’ve already covered half the battle. Check out our beginner’s guide to web hosting.

Step 2: Keep everything updated

Outdated software is the number one reason WordPress sites get hacked.

• Update WordPress itself as soon as a new version is released.
• Update your themes and plugins regularly.
• Remove any you no longer use — inactive software can still create security holes.

Tip: Log in weekly to check for updates, or enable automatic updates for plugins you trust.

Step 3: Use strong passwords

It sounds obvious, but weak passwords are still one of the biggest risks.
Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — or better still, use a password manager to generate and store them securely.

Never reuse your WordPress password on other sites.

Step 4: Install a security plugin

A good security plugin adds an extra layer of protection.

Popular options include:

• Wordfence – full firewall and malware scanner
• iThemes Security – strong login protection and hardening tools
• Sucuri Security – great for monitoring and malware cleanup

Install one, activate it, and follow the setup wizard — most handle everything automatically.

Step 5: Set up two-factor authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication requires a one-time code (from your phone or an app) when logging in.
It’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to block unauthorised access.

Many security plugins, such as Wordfence or iThemes Security, include this feature.

Step 6: Back up your website regularly

If something ever goes wrong, a backup can save your entire site.

You can:

• Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault, or
• Check if your host already creates daily backups automatically.

Tip: Store at least one backup off-site — for example, in Google Drive or Dropbox.

Step 7: Use SSL (https)

An SSL certificate encrypts data between your website and your visitors.
Most hosts provide free SSL via Let’s Encrypt, and you can usually enable it in one click.

Once activated, your site’s address will start with https://, and browsers will show a small padlock icon.

Step 8: Limit login attempts

Hackers often try to guess your password by attempting thousands of combinations.
Limiting login attempts stops this behaviour quickly.

You can enable this feature using plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded, Wordfence, or iThemes Security.

Step 9: Disable file editing

By default, WordPress allows admins to edit theme and plugin files directly in the dashboard.
This is a security risk. To disable it, add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

Step 10: Check your site occasionally

Even with good security in place, it’s worth reviewing your site every now and then.
Run a scan using your security plugin and confirm your SSL certificate is active.

And finally…

If you’ve made it this far — well done. You now understand the key parts of running a WordPress website: themes, plugins, content, and security.

The more you use WordPress, the more comfortable it becomes. You’ll soon find yourself exploring new features, testing plugins, and tweaking your site with confidence.

Keep this page bookmarked and come back whenever you need a refresher — or when you’re ready to dive deeper into specific topics like SEO, performance, or design customisation.

WordPress is constantly evolving, and there’s always something new to learn. But with the basics under your belt, you’re already miles ahead of most beginners.

Featured image by Vlada Karpovich via Pexels