Creating A WordPress Website

Create Your Own WordPress Website: The Complete Starter Guide

Creating your own website with WordPress is much easier today than it used to be. You don't need any programming skills to build a professional company website, a blog, a club page, a portfolio, or a landing page. However, it is crucial that you approach it in a structured way right from the start.

This guide will walk you through the most important steps: preparing your hosting, installing WordPress, choosing a theme, configuring essential settings, creating content, using plugins effectively, ensuring security, and structuring your website so that it is easily understood by search engines and modern AI search systems.

1. Prepare Domain and Hosting

Before installing WordPress, you need a domain and a suitable hosting package. The domain is your website's address, for example, yourdomain.ch. Hosting provides the storage space, database, PHP, email accounts, and the technical environment.

The following are particularly important for WordPress:

• Up-to-date PHP version,
• MySQL or MariaDB database,
• SSL certificate for HTTPS,
• Sufficient storage space,
• Fast server infrastructure,
• Backup options,
• Easy access to files and databases,
• Reliable support.

At CURIAWEB, cPanel is at your disposal. There you can centrally manage domains, email accounts, databases, files, SSL, backups, and WordPress installations.

2. Install WordPress via Softaculous

The easiest way to install WordPress is through the Softaculous Apps Installer in cPanel. This allows you to install WordPress in just a few clicks without manually uploading files or creating databases yourself.

Basic workflow:

1. Log in to your cPanel.
2. Open the Softaculous Apps Installer.
3. Select WordPress.
4. Click on Install Now.
5. Choose the desired domain.
6. Decide whether WordPress should be installed directly on the main domain or in a subdirectory.
7. Set the website title, administrator username, and password.
8. Start the installation.

After installation, you can usually reach your WordPress dashboard via:

https://www.yourdomain.ch/wp-admin

3. Check SSL and HTTPS

A modern website should always be accessible via HTTPS. HTTPS protects data transmission between the visitor and the website and is particularly important for contact forms, logins, shops, and customer areas.

Check the following after installation:

• Does the website load with https://?
• Is HTTP automatically redirected to HTTPS?
• Is the WordPress Address configured with HTTPS?
• Is the Site Address configured with HTTPS?
• Does the browser display no security warnings?
• Are there no mixed-content errors?

At CURIAWEB, AutoSSL is integrated into the hosting environment. Nevertheless, you should check after installation whether WordPress itself is correctly configured to HTTPS.

4. Configure Basic Settings in WordPress

After installation, you should first check the most important settings before starting with design and content.

The permalink structure is particularly important. For most websites, Post name is an excellent choice because it creates clean, descriptive URLs.

5. Choose a Suitable Theme

The theme determines the design of your website. It influences the layout, colors, fonts, header, footer, menus, and mobile appearance. Choose a theme based not just on looks, but also on quality and performance.

A good theme should:

• Be updated regularly,
• Be responsive,
• Load quickly,
• Be compatible with current WordPress versions,
• Have good reviews,
• Be cleanly documented,
• Not be unnecessarily bloated,
• Suit your project.

You can find themes under Appearance > Themes > Add New. Free themes can be installed directly. Premium themes are usually uploaded as a ZIP file.

6. Plan the Page Structure

Before creating content, you should plan a simple page structure. A clear structure helps visitors, search engines, and AI systems understand your website.

Typical pages of a company website:

• Homepage,
• About Us,
• Services or Offers,
• References or Projects,
• Blog or Guide,
• Contact,
• Legal Notice (Impressum),
• Privacy Policy.

For service providers, a hierarchical structure can make sense, for example:

/services/webdesign/

/services/wordpress-maintenance/

/services/seo/

Such clear structures improve user navigation and thematic categorization.

7. Differentiate Between Pages and Posts

WordPress distinguishes between Pages and Posts. This distinction is important for a clean content structure.

Use pages for the main structure of your website and posts for regular, ongoing content.

8. Create Menus

A good menu helps visitors find the most important content quickly. Do not overload the navigation. The main navigation should be clear, short, and easy to understand.

Typical menu items:

• Homepage,
• Services,
• About Us,
• Blog,
• Contact.

You can manage menus under Appearance > Menus or, depending on the theme, in the Customizer or Site Editor.

Make sure that menus are also easy to use on smartphones.

9. Install Essential Plugins

Plugins extend WordPress with additional features. However, only install plugins you actually need. Too many plugins can slow down your website and dashboard or increase security risks.

Sensible plugin categories for the start:

• Contact Form: e.g., WPForms, Contact Form 7, or Fluent Forms.
• SEO: e.g., Rank Math, AIOSEO, or Yoast SEO.
• SMTP: for reliable email delivery.
• Caching: for better loading times.
• Backup: to complement server-side backups.
• Security: as needed for login protection, 2FA, or scans.
• Cookie/Consent Solution: if tracking, external services, or cookies are used.

Never install plugins from unknown sources and never use "nulled" premium plugins.

10. Set Up a Contact Form

A contact form is essential for many business websites. What matters is not just the form itself, but also the reliable delivery of messages.

Check the following:

• Are required fields set logically?
• Is there a privacy notice?
• Is spam protection active?
• Is the recipient email address correct?
• Is SMTP configured?
• Was the test inquiry successfully received?
• Is the reply-to address correctly set?

The form sender's email address should be set as the Reply-To in the form, not as the technical sender. The technical sender should be an email address belonging to your own domain.

11. Create Content Professionally

High-quality content is the most important part of your website. Design and technology only provide the framework. Your texts must explain, persuade, and build trust.

Good website content is:

• Clearly structured,
• Written for your target audience,
• Factually correct,
• Not unnecessarily long,
• Provided with appropriate headings,
• Internally linked,
• Up to date,
• Easy to read on mobile devices,
• Equipped with a clear call to action.

Use H2 and H3 headings effectively. This helps readers, search engines, and AI systems understand your content better.

12. Prepare Images Correctly

Images make a website look more professional but can heavily degrade loading times if they are too large.

Before uploading, make sure to:

• Scale images down to reasonable dimensions,
• Compress the file size,
• Use WebP where appropriate,
• Use descriptive file names,
• Maintain alt texts,
• Do not use images without usage rights,
• Optimize header images particularly well.

An image directly from a camera or smartphone is often much too large for web pages.

13. Set Up SEO Basics

SEO doesn't just start with a plugin. The foundation is a technically clean website with high-quality content, clear URLs, and a logical structure.

SEO basics for the start:

• Descriptive permalinks,
• Clear page titles,
• Good meta descriptions,
• Logical heading structure,
• Internal links,
• Fast loading time,
• Mobile-friendly design,
• Alt texts for images,
• Sitemap via SEO plugin,
• Do not block indexing.

Check under Settings > Reading to ensure that search engines are not accidentally blocked from indexing as soon as the website is ready to go live.

14. GEO: Making Content Understandable for AI Search Systems

GEO stands for Generative Engine Optimization. It refers to optimizing content for AI-powered search and answer engines. GEO does not replace SEO, but complements it.

Helpful for GEO:

• Clear questions and answers,
• Precise headings,
• Complete explanations,
• FAQ sections,
• Up-to-date information,
• Unambiguous technical terms,
• Clean internal linking,
• Trustworthy statements,
• No artificial keyword stuffing.

The more clearly your content answers specific questions, the more valuable it is for humans, search engines, and AI systems.

15. Mind Security from the Very Start

A new WordPress website shouldn't be secured only at a later stage. Many basic measures can be taken right after installation.

Important security measures:

• Strong administrator password,
• No admin username,
• Only necessary user accounts,
• Assign administrator rights sparingly,
• Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated,
• Delete unused plugins and themes,
• Activate SSL,
• Regular backups,
• Consider 2FA for administrators,
• No plugins from unverified sources.

Security is an ongoing process. Plan for regular maintenance.

16. Optimize Performance

Fast websites look more professional and provide a better user experience. Especially on mobile devices, loading time is crucial.

Performance basics:

• Fast hosting,
• Lightweight theme,
• Optimized images,
• Enable caching,
• Delete unused plugins,
• Keep the PHP version up to date,
• Use Lazy Loading,
• Keep the database clean,
• Limit external scripts.

The best optimization is often to avoid building in unnecessary things in the first place.

17. Privacy and Legal Aspects

For business websites, legal mandatory pages are vital. Requirements vary depending on the website, target audience, and services used.

Typical mandatory or recommended pages:

• Legal Notice (Impressum),
• Privacy Policy,
• Cookie or Consent notice if necessary,
• T&C (AGB) for shops,
• Cancellation policy for certain online sales,
• Shipping and payment information for shops.

18. Test Before Going Live

Before you actively promote your website, you should conduct a thorough test.

Checklist before publishing:

• Is the homepage complete?
• Does the menu work?
• Has the contact form been tested?
• Is SMTP set up?
• Is SSL active?
• Are Legal Notice and Privacy Policy available?
• Has the mobile display been checked?
• Are images optimized?
• Has spelling been checked?
• Are internal links correct?
• Are there no placeholder texts left visible?
• Is search engine indexing enabled?
• Has a backup been created?

Open the website in a private browser window as well. This allows you to see the layout without being logged in as a WordPress user.

19. Maintenance After Launch

A website is not finished after going live. WordPress requires regular care.

Ongoing maintenance includes:

• Performing updates,
• Checking backups,
• Monitoring plugins,
• Paying attention to security alerts,
• Testing forms,
• Updating content,
• Fixing broken links,
• Checking loading times,
• Deleting spam comments,
• Reviewing user accounts.

Plan a brief maintenance check at least once a month.

Common Mistakes When Starting with WordPress

• Installing too many plugins: The website becomes slower and harder to maintain.
• Choosing a theme based purely on looks: Performance and updates are forgotten.
• Not checking SSL: Browsers show security warnings.
• Changing permalinks too late: Old URLs can cause problems later.
• Blocking search engines: The website will not be indexed.
• No SMTP setup: Contact form emails do not arrive.
• No backups: Errors are difficult to undo.
• Forgetting legal pages: Particularly risky for business websites.
• Uploading images that are too large: Loading time drops significantly.
• No mobile check: The website looks good on desktop but not on smartphones.

Recommended Sequence

1. Prepare domain and hosting.
2. Install WordPress via Softaculous.
3. Check SSL and HTTPS.
4. Configure basic settings.
5. Set permalinks to Post name.
6. Choose and test a theme.
7. Plan the page structure.
8. Create homepage, contact, legal notice, and privacy policy.
9. Set up the menu.
10. Install necessary plugins.
11. Test SMTP and the contact form.
12. Configure SEO basics.
13. Optimize images.
14. Set up security and backups.
15. Fully test the website before going live.

Frequently Asked Questions About Creating a WordPress Website

Do I need programming skills for WordPress?

No. A simple website can be created without programming knowledge. Technical knowledge can be helpful for custom functions, complex adjustments, or specific designs.

What is the difference between WordPress and a theme?

WordPress is the system used to manage your website. The theme determines the design and presentation of the content.

How many plugins should I install?

As few as possible and as many as necessary. Quality, maintenance, and utility are more important than the sheer number.

Should I create content or design first?

Plan the structure and the most important content first. After that, choose a theme that fits this content.

Why are contact form emails not arriving?

Frequently, an SMTP configuration is missing. WordPress should send emails via a real email account belonging to your domain.

When should I set up SEO?

Right at the beginning. Permalinks, page titles, structure, internal links, and indexing should be checked before going live.

Can I change the theme later?

Yes. Content is usually preserved, but layout, menus, widgets, and theme-specific features may change. Create a backup beforehand.

How often do I need to maintain WordPress?

Updates, backups, plugins, forms, and security status should be checked at least monthly. More frequently for shops or high-traffic websites.