Are you a digital marketer or business owner getting ready to launch your first website using WordPress? If so, then you’re probably feeling overwhelmed with all the options and details involved when it comes to designing your new WordPress site. Don’t worry – there is hope for those who are just starting out in the world of wordpress web design! In this blog post, Thrive Custom Web Design Services will cover seven essential things that every newbie designer needs to know about working with WordPress, from understanding how to customize templates and settings, properly coding elements of your designs, and more. No matter if you’re an experienced coder or just learning the basics; these tips will help equip you with valuable information as you begin on this exciting journey of designing successful websites. Let’s get started!
1. Know Your Template: The first thing you should do when getting started with WordPress web design is to choose a template that best fits the needs of your site. There are hundreds of different themes available, so make sure you take the time to find one that works well for your site’s layout and content. Additionally, be sure to familiarize yourself with the theme’s settings and customization options – this will make it easier to customize elements such as colors, fonts, and images down the line.
2. Understand Stylesheets and Coding: Understanding how stylesheets (CSS) work is a vital part of creating successful websites with WordPress – especially if you want to add custom styling or unique components to your website. Stylesheets are the code behind your design that can help you to customize elements such as fonts, colors, and page layouts. If you have some experience with coding, then this shouldn’t be too difficult for you – however, if not, there are many online tutorials available which can walk you through the process step-by-step.
3. Get Familiar with Widgets and Plugins: Another important element of WordPress web design is getting familiar with widgets and plugins. According to a leading digital marketing agency, widgets allow users to add content or features (such as a calendar or contact form) to their websites without having to write any additional code. Plugins on the other hand, provide users with more advanced capabilities like SEO optimization and analytics tracking. While some plugins require coding knowledge, many are available as “drag-and-drop” options which make them much easier to use.
4. Optimize for Mobile: It’s no secret that the majority of people now access websites via their mobile devices – and this means it’s essential for designers to create sites that are optimized for these devices. When working with WordPress, there are a few things you can do to ensure your site is mobile-friendly such as using responsive design and making sure all images and text load quickly. Additionally, keep in mind that users may have different expectations when browsing from their phones – so make sure to test out how your website looks on all types of devices before launching it!
5. Test & Modify: As with any website design project, testing and modifying your WordPress site is a vital part of the process. This includes making sure that all pages are loading correctly, testing out different types of browsers, checking for broken links or errors, and more. Additionally, don’t forget to regularly update your plugins and themes – this will help keep your site secure and up-to-date.
6. Consider SEO: Another important element of WordPress web design is making sure that your site is properly optimized for search engines (SEO). There are many tools available which can help you achieve this such as content analysis tools which can give you valuable insights into how visitors interact with your website. Additionally, make sure to use meta tags, create quality content that includes relevant keywords, and take advantage of social media sites to promote your website.
7. Utilize Analytics: Finally, it’s important for designers to keep track of their website analytics in order to ensure that the site is performing as expected. With WordPress, you can easily install plugins such as Google Analytics which will provide valuable data about who is visiting your website, how they are finding it, and what they are doing while they are there. By understanding this information, you can make informed decisions about how to improve your site’s performance and user experience.
Creating a successful website with WordPress requires knowledge of both design and coding principles – but with a little bit of research and practice anyone can learn to use the platform. By understanding the seven items above, you will be well on your way to creating a great website with WordPress. Good luck!