If you’re wondering how to use WordPress for beginners and feeling lost already, you’re not alone. Don’t worry – that’s how I (Emma Kate) first felt with WordPress when I got started too!

WordPress is powerful. But at first glance? It can feel like a techy maze.

Menus, plugins, widgets… and what in the world is a child theme?

Let’s fix that.

Here’s how to use WordPress for beginners – broken down step-by-step.

No jargon. No coding. No 17-hour YouTube binges. Just the clear, simple stuff you actually need to know.

1. First – what is WordPress?

WordPress is the world’s most popular website builder. It powers more than 40% of the internet. Amazing stat, right?!

But not all WordPress is created equal.

There’s:

• WordPress.com – hosted for you, but limited.

• WordPress.org – self-hosted and fully flexible. This is the one you want.

So, when we talk about how to use WordPress for beginners, we’re talking about the .org version. That’s where the real magic happens!

2. Get your WordPress setup sorted

To get started, you need three things:

1. A domain name (your web address)

2. A hosting plan (where your website lives)

3. WordPress installed (most hosts have a one-click setup)

I recommend hosting with SiteGround – they’re beginner-friendly and reliable.

Once your site is installed, you’re in. Welcome to the WordPress dashboard!

🎉 Want to see exactly how to use WordPress for beginners? Watch my free training video and learn the simple, no-code way to build websites that wow.

3. Pick a WordPress theme that plays nice

Themes are your website’s design template. They control the look and layout of your site.

My go-to? Divi – a visual page builder that lets you drag and drop everything into place. No code. No tears. Just design freedom.

If you’re learning how to use WordPress for beginners, Divi is like training wheels… but for designers who want results that look anything but basic.

4. Install the must-have WordPress plugins

Plugins add extra features to your website. Like apps on your phone, but for WordPress!

Start with these:

• Yoast SEO – for search visibility

• Wordfence – for site security

• WPForms – for contact forms

• UpdraftPlus – for backups

Don’t go overboard. Install what you need. Too many plugins can slow things down.

5. Add your WordPress website pages

Most sites need a handful of core pages:

• Home

• About

• Services

• Contact

Go to Pages > Add New. Then build them using your theme or page builder. If you’re using Divi or Elementor, it’s all visual – no code required.

Learning how to use WordPress for beginners means starting simple. You don’t need 17 pages or a fancy blog on day one. Just the essentials.

6. Set your homepage and menus

Want your Home page to show first (not your blog)?

Go to Settings > Reading and choose “Static Page”.

Then create your navigation under Appearance > Menus. This is how visitors find their way around your site.

7. Launch (before you feel ready!)

You don’t need to wait until it feels perfect. Hit publish, then refine as you grow.

Websites are living, breathing things – they’re meant to change with you. Every update you make is a step forward, not a mistake. You’ve got this!

Learn fast with my WordPress online course for beginners

Learning how to use WordPress for beginners doesn’t have to be a slow, stressful mess.

With the right tools, clear guidance, and a bit of confidence, you can absolutely build stunning WordPress websites yourself!

And if you’re a designer who’s been handing your work off to devs who butcher your beautiful layouts? It’s time to take back control!

In my online WordPress course for beginners: Be The Boss of WordPress, I teach you exactly how to use WordPress for beginners — in language you’ll actually understand. Step by stress-free step.

You’ll go from confused to confident. From “no idea what I’m doing” to “charging thousands for websites I built myself.”

🎥 Get started with → my WordPress free training.

You’ll be a WordPress web pro in no time!

Em x