Starting a WordPress website doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to set up a WordPress site for free, even if you’re new to website building. First, though, make sure you have the basics covered: a hosting provider and a domain.
My Recommendations:
- Hosting: I personally use Rocket.net for hosting. It’s reliable, fast, and has features specifically designed for WordPress, making it a top choice for performance and support.
- Domain: I bought my domain from Cloudflare.com. They offer great security features, reasonable prices, and are known for top-tier domain management.
Of course, these are just my recommendations. If you’re exploring other options, check out Top 10 Hosting for a comparison of hosting providers and Best Domain for domain options that might fit your budget.
Once you’re set up with hosting and a domain, let’s continue!
Choosing the Perfect Template
Now that your hosting and domain are set up, it’s time to pick a template that matches your vision. A well-designed template can bring your website to life and help make a strong impression.
For a high-quality, free WordPress template, I recommend exploring Blocksy templates. You can find these at creativethemes.com, where Blocksy offers a range of templates tailored for different business types, personal brands, and creative projects.
How to Find the Right Template
- Visit Blocksy and browse their library of templates.
- Look for Free Templates: While some templates have a “pro” icon (which means they require a paid upgrade), you’ll still find plenty of high-quality free options to choose from!
How to Install Your Blocksy Template in WordPress
After choosing a template from Blocksy, you’re ready to set it up on your WordPress website. Follow these steps to get everything running smoothly:
1. Download or Install
- Once you’ve chosen your Blocksy template, either download it directly or install it through your WordPress dashboard.
2. Log In to Your WordPress Admin Panel & Navigate to Themes
- Open your website and log in to your WordPress admin area. Go to Appearance > Themes in your admin panel.
3. Add Blocksy Theme
- Click the "Add New Theme" button, then search for Blocksy.
- Install and activate the Blocksy theme.
4. Install Blocksy Companion
- After activation, you’ll see a prompt to Install Blocksy Companion. Click to install this plugin, which enables access to Blocksy’s template library.
5. Navigate to Starter Sites & Import Template
- Navigate to Starter Sites within the Blocksy theme settings.
- Browse through the templates to find the one that suits your style or business. Once you find it, click “Import”.
6. Install a Child Theme
- A popup will appear. Click “Install Child Theme” to ensure your customizations are preserved during updates.
- Then, click “Next” to continue.
7. Select a Page Builder & Complete the Import
- Choose the page builder for customizing your template. I recommend Elementor for its flexibility and ease of use.
- Click “Next” after selecting your preferred builder.
- Continue clicking “Next” through any remaining steps and wait for the installation to finish.
8. Resolve Elementor Kit Error (If Needed)
- If you chose Elementor, you might see an error message: “Your site doesn’t have a default kit.”
- Click “Recreate Kit”, then confirm by clicking “Recreate Kit” again.
🎉 Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a fully functional WordPress website! Now it’s time to explore and personalize it to truly make it your own. Your site is designed to be fully responsive and optimized for smooth performance.
If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to drop a comment—I’m here to help! Or, if you’d like more hands-on support, you can check out my services on this site.
Happy customizing!
