5 Things you Need to Know BEFORE Using WordPress

Thinking about building a website?

It’s a question many of us grapple with at some point, whether it’s for a personal blog, a small business, or something entirely different.

And more often than not, the conversation will inevitably turn to WordPress.

It’s a name that’s practically synonymous with website creation these days.

For good reason, too.

It powers a significant portion of the internet, from tiny personal projects to the digital homes of major corporations.

But before you dive headfirst into the WordPress waters, there are a few things worth understanding.

Think of this not as a deterrent, but as a primer.

A little bit of foreknowledge can save you a lot of headaches down the line, and ensure your experience is as smooth and rewarding as it can be.

It’s about setting yourself up for success, right from the start.

1. It’s Not Just One Thing: WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org

This is, perhaps, the most fundamental distinction to grasp, and one that trips up a surprising number of newcomers.

The name "WordPress" often conjures up a single entity, but in reality, there are two distinct platforms that share the name, and they operate quite differently.

Understanding this difference is crucial because it dictates your level of control, your costs, and the overall flexibility you'll have with your website.

WordPress.com is a hosted service.

Think of it as renting a fully furnished apartment.

They handle all the technical heavy lifting: the hosting, the security, the updates.

You get a ready made platform to build upon.

It's incredibly user friendly, and you can have a basic site up and running in a matter of minutes.

There are free plans, which are great for personal blogs or testing the waters, and then tiered paid plans that offer more features, customisation, and storage.

However, with this convenience comes limitations.

You have less control over your site’s design and functionality.

You can't install just any plugin or theme you fancy, and customisation options can be restricted, especially on the lower priced tiers.

For example, advertising is often controlled by WordPress.com on free plans, and your domain name will usually be a subdomain (e.g., yourname.wordpress.com) unless you upgrade.

It’s a fantastic starting point for many, and if your needs are straightforward, it might be all you ever need.

But if you envision a highly customised site, or plan to monetise it extensively in ways not directly supported by their ecosystem, you might find yourself hitting a wall.

Then there’s WordPress.org.

This is the self hosted version.

Here, you’re not renting; you’re building your own house from the ground up.

WordPress.org provides the free, open source software that you download and install on your own web hosting account.

This is where the real power and flexibility lie.

You have complete control over every aspect of your website.

You can choose your own web host, install any theme or plugin you can find (and there are tens of thousands available), and modify the code if you possess the technical know how.

This offers unparalleled customisation and scalability.

Want a unique design?

You can build it or hire someone to.

Need specific functionality?

There’s likely a plugin for it, or you can get one custom developed.

However, this freedom comes with responsibility.

You are responsible for your website’s hosting, security, backups, and updates.

This means you'll need to choose a reliable web hosting provider, which incurs a recurring cost.

You'll also need to be proactive about maintaining your site, ensuring it's secure and backed up regularly.

It requires a bit more technical understanding, or at least a willingness to learn and manage these aspects.

Many beginners find the initial setup for WordPress.org a little daunting, but with excellent hosting providers offering one click installs and extensive online tutorials, it's become more accessible than ever.

It’s a journey that often begins with WordPress.com for its simplicity, and then graduates to WordPress.org for its ultimate potential.

So, before you even create an account or download the software, ask yourself: what are my long term goals for this website?

How much control do I want?

And what level of technical involvement am I comfortable with?

The answer to these questions will almost certainly point you towards either WordPress.com or WordPress.org.

It's not a better or worse situation, just a different one, suited to different needs.

You can find a wealth of information on the official WordPress.org documentation site if you want to dig deeper into the software itself.

2. It’s Not Entirely Free: Understanding Hidden Costs

When people hear "open source" and "free website builder," there's a natural inclination to assume the entire endeavor will be costless.

While the core WordPress software itself is indeed free to download and use, building a robust and professional website often involves several other expenses you might not initially anticipate.

It’s a bit like buying a car.

The car itself might be the main purchase, but you still need to factor in insurance, fuel, maintenance, and perhaps even parking fees.

Let's break down some of these potential costs, particularly if you're leaning towards the self hosted WordPress.org route, as this is where the majority of these additional expenses arise.

Firstly, and most obviously, is web hosting.

Unless you're going with a free, limited plan on WordPress.com, you'll need a place for your website files to live on the internet.

This is your web host.

Prices vary wildly, from a few pounds a month for basic shared hosting to hundreds or even thousands for dedicated servers or managed WordPress hosting designed for high traffic sites.

For most new users, shared hosting is perfectly adequate and very affordable.

Look for reputable providers that offer good uptime guarantees, decent customer support, and features like SSL certificates, which are essential for security.

You can explore options from companies like SiteGround, Bluehost, or Kinsta, each with different strengths.

Next up, we have domain registration.

This is your website’s unique address on the internet (e.g., yourwebsite.com).

While some hosting providers offer a free domain for the first year, you'll typically pay an annual fee to renew it.

These fees are generally quite low, usually in the range of £10 to £20 per year, but it's another recurring cost to budget for.

Then there are premium themes and plugins.

WordPress boasts an enormous ecosystem of free themes and plugins, and for many users, these are more than enough.

However, you might find that a specific premium theme offers a design or set of features that perfectly aligns with your vision.

Similarly, a premium plugin might provide advanced functionality that free alternatives lack.

These can range from £30 to £200 or more for a single theme or plugin, and some might have recurring annual fees for updates and support.

While you can certainly build a fantastic site with only free resources, be prepared for the temptation and the potential benefits of investing in a quality premium option if your budget allows and the need arises.

Website security is another area where you might want to invest.

While WordPress itself is generally secure, especially when kept up to date, and good hosting providers offer some level of protection, a dedicated security plugin or service can offer an extra layer of defence against malware, hacking, and other threats.

These can range from free plugins with basic features to paid services that offer comprehensive scanning, firewalls, and malware removal.

It's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Website backups are non negotiable.

While most web hosts offer backup solutions, you might want to consider a dedicated backup plugin for added assurance or more granular control over your backup schedule and storage.

Some offer cloud backup services that are particularly convenient.

Finally, there's the potential cost of outsourcing.

If you’re not comfortable with the technical aspects of website management, or if you have very specific design or development needs, you might need to hire a freelance developer or designer.

This can be a significant investment, but it can also save you a lot of time and frustration, and result in a far more professional outcome.

So, while WordPress itself is a free tool, building and maintaining a successful website is an ongoing project that requires a realistic understanding of its associated costs.

It's not a one time purchase; it's an evolving asset that needs care and attention.

3. It Requires Maintenance: Your Website Isn't Set and Forget

This is a point that often gets overlooked in the initial excitement of launching a new website.

People see WordPress as a tool that, once set up, will simply run itself.

Unfortunately, this isn't quite the case.

Think of your website as a living thing.

It needs to be fed, watered, and checked for any signs of distress.

Regular maintenance is essential to keep your site secure, functional, and performing optimally.

This responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders, especially if you're using the self hosted WordPress.org.

Let's talk about updates.

WordPress itself, along with its themes and plugins, is constantly being developed.

New versions are released to introduce new features, improve performance, and, crucially, patch security vulnerabilities.

When an update is available, it's usually a simple click to install.

However, neglecting these updates leaves your site exposed.

Security breaches are unfortunately common, and outdated software is a prime target for malicious actors.

It’s like leaving your front door unlocked when you go out.

You wouldn't do it in your home, so why do it for your digital presence?

Beyond security, updates often bring performance enhancements or fix bugs that might be causing glitches on your site.

Then there's security monitoring.

Even with regular updates, it's wise to be vigilant.

This could involve using a security plugin that scans for malware, monitors login attempts, and can even block suspicious IP addresses.

It’s about having a proactive approach to safeguarding your online asset.

Backups are another crucial element of maintenance.

As we touched upon earlier, you need to ensure you have recent, reliable backups of your website.

This means not only making them but also knowing how to restore them if something goes wrong.

A server crash, a failed update, or even a human error can lead to data loss.

Having a solid backup strategy in place means you can recover your site quickly and with minimal disruption.

Performance optimisation is also part of ongoing care.

As your website grows, and you add more content, images, and features, it can start to slow down.

Regularly checking your site's speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and implementing strategies to improve it is vital.

This could involve optimising images, using a caching plugin, or cleaning up your database.

A slow website is a frustrating experience for visitors and can negatively impact your search engine rankings.

Finally, there’s the need to monitor for broken links and errors.

As you add and remove content, links can become outdated or break.

Regularly scanning your site for these issues and fixing them ensures a smooth user experience and helps maintain your site's credibility.

It might sound like a lot, but many of these tasks can be automated or made much simpler with the right tools and a bit of planning.

Many reputable web hosts offer managed solutions that handle some of this for you.

Even with that said, understanding the necessity of this ongoing care is paramount.

As the saying goes, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

If you don't have the time or inclination for this ongoing maintenance, it's worth considering whether WordPress is the right platform for you, or if you might need to budget for someone to handle these tasks on your behalf.

4. Design Flexibility Comes With a Learning Curve

WordPress is incredibly powerful when it comes to design.

Its vast library of themes provides an incredible starting point, allowing you to achieve almost any aesthetic you can imagine.

However, making that theme truly your own and achieving a professional, polished look often requires more than just selecting a template and filling in the blanks.

This is where the learning curve can become apparent, especially for those with no prior experience in web design or development.

Let's consider themes.

Themes control the overall look and feel of your website, from the layout and typography to the colour schemes and element placement.

While many themes come with extensive customisation options built in, these options can sometimes be overwhelming.

You might find yourself navigating through countless settings within the WordPress Customiser, trying to tweak a header here or adjust a sidebar there.

This is where an understanding of basic design principles can be incredibly helpful.

What works aesthetically?

How do you ensure readability?

How do you create a cohesive brand identity across your site?

These are questions that go beyond the technicality of clicking buttons.

For beginners, starting with a theme that has a clear, user friendly interface and good documentation is key.

Many themes are built with "drag and drop" page builders integrated, which can simplify the process of arranging content visually.

Popular examples include Elementor or Beaver Builder, which offer a more intuitive visual editing experience than the native WordPress editor for some users.

However, even with these tools, there's still a need to understand how elements interact and how to create effective layouts.

Then there are plugins, which extend functionality and can also impact design.

A plugin that adds a gallery, a portfolio, or a contact form will often have its own styling options that need to be configured to match the rest of your site.

Getting all these different elements to blend seamlessly can be a challenge.

Sometimes, achieving a very specific design might require delving into the realm of custom CSS.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is the language used to style web pages.

While many theme customisers offer basic CSS editing, true mastery allows for precise control over every visual aspect.

If you're not comfortable with code, this can feel like a barrier.

However, the beauty of WordPress is that you don't have to be a coding expert.

There are countless tutorials and online communities where you can find solutions or learn the basics.

The WordPress community is incredibly active and supportive.

You can find forums, blogs, and even YouTube channels dedicated to helping users with design challenges.

For instance, the official WordPress Codex, though more technical, is a treasure trove of information.

For a more visually driven approach to learning about design with WordPress, exploring resources like WPBeginner or even design focused publications can offer practical advice.

It's also worth noting that your initial design might not be your final design.

As you learn more about WordPress and your own preferences evolve, you can always revisit and refine your site's appearance.

The journey of design is often iterative.

Don't be afraid to experiment.

Embrace the process of learning and refinement.

What might seem daunting at first can become a rewarding creative outlet as you become more familiar with the tools and possibilities.

The key is to approach it with patience and a willingness to explore.

5. It’s a Platform, Not a Magic Wand: Your Content is Still King

This is perhaps the most important thing to remember.

WordPress is an incredibly powerful and versatile tool for building websites, but it cannot, by itself, create compelling content.

No matter how beautifully designed your website is, or how sophisticated its functionality, if the words, images, and videos you present are uninspired or irrelevant, your visitors will not engage.

The platform provides the stage, but you are the actor, and your content is the script.

This is a fundamental truth that applies to all forms of communication, but it’s particularly relevant in the digital age where attention spans can be notoriously short.

Content is the reason people visit your website.

They are looking for information, entertainment, solutions to problems, or products to purchase.

WordPress can help you present that content in an organised, attractive, and user friendly way, but it cannot generate the substance itself.

What constitutes good content?

It needs to be relevant to your audience’s needs and interests.

It needs to be well written, clear, and concise.

It should be engaging and informative, offering value that keeps people coming back.

And importantly, it needs to be consistent.

Regularly publishing fresh content signals to both your audience and search engines that your website is active and relevant.

Think about the great websites you frequent.

What keeps you returning?

It's usually the articles, the insights, the products, or the community they offer, not just the underlying technology.

WordPress offers tools that can significantly enhance your content's reach and impact.

For example, its built in blogging capabilities make it easy to publish articles and manage them with categories and tags.

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math can guide you in making your content more discoverable by search engines like Google.

These tools help you optimise your titles, descriptions, and keywords, ensuring your valuable content has the best chance of being found by people actively searching for what you offer.

However, these are enhancers, not creators.

The words you use, the insights you share, the images you select – these are all your responsibility.

As the renowned author and thinker, H.G. Wells, once said, "The key to a contented life, and a successful life, is to have a purpose."

Your website’s purpose is to deliver value through your content.

WordPress is the means by which you achieve that.

If you're building a business website, your content needs to clearly articulate your products or services, highlight your unique selling propositions, and build trust with potential customers.

If it's a personal blog, your content needs to reflect your passions, expertise, or experiences in a way that resonates with readers.

Before you even start thinking about themes or plugins, spend time considering your content strategy.

What message do you want to convey?

Who are you trying to reach?

What problems can you solve for them?

What unique perspective can you offer?

Answering these questions will not only help you create better content but will also guide your decisions about how to best use WordPress to present it.

Ultimately, WordPress is a tool, a very capable one, but its effectiveness is directly proportional to the quality of the content you feed it.

So, as you embark on your website building journey, remember that while WordPress offers a world of possibilities for design and functionality, the heart of your website will always be the content you create.

Focus on delivering value, solving problems, and engaging your audience, and WordPress will help you shine.