WordPress is one of the most widely used open-source content management systems (CMS) globally. A CMS is software that helps you build and manage website content without needing advanced technical skills. WordPress makes it easy for website owners to update their pages and manage content through a user-friendly interface, eliminating the need to learn complex web design or coding.
Initially designed for blogging, WordPress has expanded to support a wide variety of websites, including eCommerce stores, portfolios, news platforms, job boards, and real estate listings. Its popularity stems from its excellent balance between ease of use and flexibility. The admin dashboard is intuitive, but you can also add diverse features to your site through plugins. Notably, WordPress powers WooCommerce, the leading eCommerce platform, which millions of online businesses rely on.
Important:
Be sure to differentiate between WordPress.org (CMS to use on self-hosted installations) and WordPress.com (a standalone hosting provider).
At 10Web, we offer reliable, fast, and automated WordPress hosting on Google Cloud’s premium servers with AI tools for streamlined creation and design of WordPress sites.
Understanding the basics of WordPress
Front end vs. back end
- Front End: The public-facing part of your website that visitors see and interact with. This includes content such as posts, pages, product listings, and interactive elements like forms or menus.
- Back End: The administration area, accessible only to logged-in users, where you can manage your website. Here, you can create and edit content, configure site settings, install plugins, and more.
WordPress admin dashboard
The Admin Dashboard is your website’s control center. It allows you to create and manage content, customize your site’s appearance, and install plugins or themes. You can access the Admin Dashboard from your 10Web dashboard by clicking the “W” icon on your site’s management card. Alternatively, add /wp-admin to your site’s URL to log in directly using your admin username and password.
WordPress core
The WordPress Core consists of essential files that enable your website to function properly. These files handle critical tasks like managing users, creating posts, and uploading media.
They are located in the root directory of your website. For sites hosted on 10Web, this directory is called wp-live or wp-staging, depending on the environment, and is accessible via SFTP/SSH.
WordPress database
The WordPress Database stores all the information your website needs to function, including posts, pages, user data, and settings. WordPress uses MySQL, an open-source database management system, to organize and retrieve this data. When you create or migrate your site to 10Web hosting, the database is automatically set up for you and you can access and manage it using phpMyAdmin directly from 10Web dashboard.
Keeping WordPress updated
Regular updates are crucial for your website’s security and performance. Most WordPress updates include security patches and fixes for vulnerabilities, protecting your site from potential threats.
When a new version of WordPress is available, you’ll see a notification at the top of the Admin Dashboard. To update your WordPress core, themes, or plugins, navigate to Dashboard → Updates.
Important:
Running outdated versions increases the risk of hacking and data loss.
Configuring WordPress settings
WordPress offers various settings to help you customize your site’s configurations starting from site language to privacy settings. You’ll find these under the Settings menu in the Admin Dashboard. Here’s an overview of the main options:
- General
- Writing
- Reading
- Discussion
- Media
- Permalinks
- Privacy
Posts and pages
WordPress content is typically organized into Posts and Pages:
- Pages are used for static content, such as "About" or "Contact Us", for instance. These are usually timeless and don’t show publication dates.
- Posts are time-sensitive and usually appear in reverse chronological order. They can be organized using categories and tags, making it easy to manage large amounts of content.
Comments
Comments allow visitors to engage with your content. They are usually displayed below blog posts, showing the commenter’s name and the time they left their comment. You can enable or disable comments in Settings → Discussion.
Categories
Categories help you organize posts into different sections, improving site navigation. For example, a news website might have categories like News, Sports, and Entertainment.
Note:
By default, WordPress assigns uncategorized posts to the "Uncategorized" category. You can change the default category under Settings → Writing.
Media library
The Media Library is where you manage all your uploaded files, such as images, videos, and documents. It consists of two main sections:
- A library view of all uploaded files.
- An upload screen for adding new files.
You can also upload media directly while editing a post or page.
Plugins
Plugins are the key WordPress customization feature, allowing you to enhance your site with new functionalities. Whether you need social media integration, SEO tools, or security enhancements, there’s likely a plugin for it.
To install a plugin, go to Plugins → Add New, search for the desired plugin, and click Install Now, followed by Activate. If you’ve purchased a premium plugin, you’ll need to upload it manually via the Upload Plugin button. You can also install and manage plugins directly from your 10Web Dashboard.
Note:
Avoid installing too many plugins, as they can affect your site’s performance. Stick to essential plugins and delete any unused ones.
Themes
Themes control the visual design of your website. You can choose from thousands of free or premium themes tailored to different types of sites.
To install a theme, navigate to Appearance → Themes → Add New, search for a theme, and use the preview feature to see how it will look on your site. Once you find one you like, click Install and then Activate. Premium themes can be uploaded manually via the Upload Theme button. You can also install and manage themes from your 10Web Dashboard.
Menus
A navigation menu in WordPress helps visitors easily access key sections of your website. Depending on your theme, it typically appears as a horizontal bar in the header, though its placement can vary.
By creating custom navigation menus, you can organize your content more effectively, guiding visitors to the information they need. Menus can include pages, posts, categories, custom links, and even drop-down options for a hierarchical structure.
The steps for editing menus depend on your WordPress theme, but there are two main methods:
Using the Dashboard
- Go to Appearance > Menus in your WordPress dashboard.
- Here, you can either modify an existing menu or create a new one.
- You can add, rearrange, or delete menu items based on your needs.
Using the Theme Customizer
- Navigate to Appearance > Customize.
- Select Menus
- This method lets you see real-time updates as you edit.
Both methods should generally provide similar options (unless you want to use theme-specific design options for your menus), so choose whichever works best for you.
Users and roles
WordPress allows you to add multiple users with different roles:
- Administrator: Full control over the site.
- Editor: Can manage content created by others.
- Author: Can create and manage their own posts.
- Contributor: Can write posts but needs approval to publish.
- Subscriber: Can only view content and manage their profile.
You can also create custom roles using plugins like Membership.
Backups
A backup is a copy of your website that you can use to restore your site in case of issues like hacking, data loss or if you inadvertently disrupt site’s design or configurations. At 10Web, we automatically back up your site every 24 hours, also presenting you with an option for manual backups. These incremental backups are stored separately and do not count against your storage quota.
By mastering these WordPress fundamentals, you’ll be well-equipped to manage and grow your website efficiently. Take advantage of WordPress’s powerful tools and features to build a site that meets your needs.