If you are new to using wordpress, this article is for you. You will learn how to log into your dashboard. And on top of that, I will also show how to publish an article, install plugins, and change themes.
Sounds good?
Awesome!
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a platform used to create and manage websites and blogs. More than 60 million websites are powered by WordPress, including some of the biggest in the world, such as CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
The first version of WordPress was launched in 2003, and since then it has evolved into a platform with a wide variety of tools for creating and managing websites and blogs, including themes, plugins, and online courses for improving web design and coding skills.
Why is WordPress popular?
Well, for a start, it is super easy to use. Once you have your website built, all you have to do is log in to your WordPress dashboard, choose a theme, add in some content, and you’re ready to go.
WordPress also has a huge community of support available if you ever get stuck, which is great if you’re a new WordPress user.
However, more experienced users appreciate the range of additional tools and services that are available through the WordPress platform, too.
With WordPress, you can build a website in a matter of minutes, without having to know HTML (or any other coding language). WordPress is easy to use, and the drag and drop editor makes it simple to customize the layout and look of your site.
You can host your WordPress site on the web, or on a server of your choice – either way, WordPress will automatically optimize your site for the best performance.
Best of all, WordPress is free to use as we have already mentioned!
And that explains why WordPress powers 60% of the entire internet.
How to download and install wordpress
To get started with WordPress, you need two things;
a). A domain name
Domain names are the addresses of websites. When someone says “Website X,” they’re talking about the domain name of the website, not the website itself.
Your WordPress site is hosted on a server, which is an electronic device that runs software and stores data for websites. Your WordPress site is “registered” using a domain name.
b). Web hosting account
Web hosting is the hardware, software, and space that website owners use to build and host their online presence.
When you buy a web hosting plan, you’re purchasing the service provided by the provider to build your website on its server.
The provider takes care of the technical aspects of hosting, like setting up the server, installing the web application, and securing the website’s data. You’re responsible for the design and content of your website.
c). cPanel
cPanel is the easiest web hosting control panel to use. It includes features like drag-and-drop site builders, built-in email, and an easy-to-use dashboard that makes managing your website and making changes on the fly a breeze.
With cPanel’s built-in features, it is a no-brainer for anyone who has ever built a website before.
Now, once you have these three things, you can proceed to install wordpress.
First, you need to log into your cPanel account.
You will need the username and password, as provided by your hosting provider.
Once logged in, use the search bar to find an app called Softaculous.
This is a free script installer, a tool you can use to install WordPress among other scripts to your domain.
So, go ahead and click on it;
Finally, click on Install WordPress.
The next step is to fill in details about your wordpress website.
This includes setting the site name, site description, and language.
Here also, you need to set your WordPress password and the admin email.
Once you have keyed in everything, go and scroll down to the Install Now button.
Do not worry about anything else including a theme and the advanced options, we can work on it later when we reach WordPress how to login.
WordPress How To Login
Once wordpress has finished installing on your domain, you will be given links to access your site and where to login to admin dashboard.
The links look something like example.com/wp-admin.
To login to wordpress, click on that link and you will be taken to a place like the one below;
Remember the username you created when installing wordpress? Well, it is time to use it to log in to wordpress.
So, go ahead and type in the credentials to log in.
Once in, this is how your dashboard will look like;
Everything you need to control your new wordpress website is here.
The first thing you need to do is to change the theme to something pretty or whatever you want.
How to change wordpress theme
WordPress themes are the individual components of a WordPress site. Each theme is a package of HTML and CSS files that define the look and functionality of a specific kind of site.
There are a lot of free and premium themes available, both free and premium themes developed by WordPress itself, and commercial themes available from third-party developers.
Themes define the appearance and functionality of your site, allowing you to change the layout, add new features, and customize the look and feel to fit your brand and your website’s content and theme.
To change your theme, click on Appearance on the dashboard;
And then click on Themes.
Then Add New.
Here, you can either upload a new worpress theme, that is, if you have downloaded one into your computer.
Alternatively, you can search directly here by typing in the keywords.
For example;
If you are looking for a theme for a digital marketing agency, all you have to do is type words like “Digital Agency” or “Agency” and you will find the themes you are looking for.
Once you find the one you are looking for, go ahead and preview it, and then click on Install.
Finally, Activate the theme.
How to install wordpress plugins
Besides WordPress login, installing themes, there are also plugins.
WordPress plugins are extensions that add new features and functionality to WordPress.
There are thousands of free and premium plugins available, allowing you to customize and enhance your site’s functionality in countless ways.
are also tons of premium plugins available that enable you to do things that would be difficult or even impossible to do with WordPress alone, like sell products online or build a business website.
WordPress plugins are some of the most powerful tools in the entire WordPress ecosystem.
Here is how to install WP plugins;
Go back to your dashboard and click on Plugins and then Add New.
Next, either search for the plugin you are looking for;
Upload one from your computer, or use the recommended buttons to find the right one.
Now that you have plugins on your website, the next step is to start publishing articles.
How to publish your first article on WordPress
Inside your dashboard, click on Posts and then Add New.
The next step is to give your article a title and then start writing. Once done, click Publish.
There you have it, wordpress; how to login, change theme, install plugins, and finally publish your first article.