Online Marketing
My name is Andy Williams and this is my site. The main focus of this site is WordPress, though I do have information on self-publishing, A.I. Tools, and SEO as well.
If you are interested in learning skills required to successfully build and manage a website, I have a number of articles on this site, books on Amazon, and courses on Udemy, covering a wide range of relevant topics.
Why WordPress? Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're new to website development or looking to enhance your skills, WordPress offers an accessible platform for creating dynamic and customizable websites.
WordPress powers a significant portion of the internet, from personal blogs to complex e-commerce sites and corporate portals. Its intuitive interface and extensive ecosystem of themes and plugins make it an ideal choice for beginners and experienced developers alike.
In this FAQ, we'll address common inquiries about WordPress, ranging from its basic functionality to more advanced topics like security and e-commerce integration. By the end of this guide, you'll have a solid understanding of how to navigate and leverage the power of WordPress for your projects.
Whether you're curious about themes, plugins, SEO, or site security, this FAQ aims to provide clear and practical answers to help you embark on your WordPress journey with confidence.
What is WordPress? WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that allows you to create and manage websites and blogs. It's highly customizable and widely used for building websites of all types. Whether you want a blog, a business site, or an eCommerce solution, WordPress can do it all.
Do I need coding skills to use WordPress? No, you can use WordPress without coding knowledge. It offers a user-friendly interface with themes and plugins that allow you to customize your site visually. However, some coding knowledge (HTML, CSS, PHP) can be beneficial for more advanced customization.
How do I start learning WordPress? You can start by setting up a WordPress website locally or on a web host. There are many online tutorials, courses, and documentation available to help you learn the basics. If you want a structured course, see the info box below these FAQs for a link to my own WordPress course.
What are themes and plugins in WordPress?
- Themes: Themes control the appearance of your WordPress site, including layout, design, and style.
- Plugins: Plugins are add-ons that extend the functionality of WordPress. They can add features like contact forms, SEO tools, e-commerce capabilities, and more.
Where can I find WordPress themes and plugins? You can find themes and plugins in the official WordPress.org repository or from third-party marketplaces. Always choose reputable sources to ensure compatibility and security.
Is WordPress SEO-friendly? Yes, WordPress is SEO-friendly out of the box. You can further optimize your site using SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack.
How do I secure my WordPress site?
- Use strong passwords and limit login attempts.
- Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated.
- Use security plugins like All In One Security & Firewall.
- Implement SSL (HTTPS) for secure connections.
Can WordPress be used for e-commerce? Yes, WordPress can power e-commerce websites using plugins like WooCommerce, which is one of the most popular e-commerce solutions for WordPress.
How do I back up my WordPress site? You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to schedule automatic backups of your WordPress site. Additionally, your web hosting provider might offer backup services.
What are the costs associated with using WordPress?
- WordPress itself is free, but you will need to pay for web hosting and a domain name.
- Premium themes and plugins may have associated costs, but there are many free options available.
How can I get help with WordPress issues?
- Refer to the WordPress.org support forums and documentation.
- If you are on my course (see below), ask me. I am there to help my students.
Can I migrate an existing website to WordPress? Yes, you can migrate content from other platforms to WordPress using plugins or manual methods. This process may vary depending on your current platform.
Where Can I Learn WordPress?
My WordPress for Beginners course starts from the beginning and assumes zero knowledge. I'll even show you how to install WordPress on your own computer so you can learn WordPress with ZERO costs (no webhost or domain name). It has never been easier to add WordPress to your list of skills.
Featured Posts
My Recommended Web Host?
Over the years, I have used a lot of web hosts and none have been perfect. As website owners, the holy grail is to find an affordable host that will have little or no downtime, and fast server responses.
How to Fix WordPress Not Sending My Emails Issue?
This no-nonsense tutorial shows how to fix WordPress when it fails to send your emails Issue. Most email failure is due to three resolvable causes, and I’ll walk you through each of them.
How to Add and Customise Google Maps in WordPress
There are at least 8 reasons why WordPress site owners should consider Google maps. This guide shows you 3 ways to add and customise Google Maps to enhance your blog or website.
Learn How to Check Grammar and Spelling Mistakes in WordPress
Here’s how to check for grammar and spelling errors in your WordPress editor. The Grammarly free browser extension is the perfect writing assistant that’s fast, easy to use, and highly accurate.
Learn How to Create Child Pages in WordPress
A 5-minute guide on how to create a WordPress child page and link it to any Parent Page in WordPress. The Parent/Child page structure benefits SEO and enhances user experience.
How to Allow Users to Edit their Comments in WordPress
This updated tutorial shows webmasters how to let users delete or edit their comments in WordPress. The handy plugin includes an edit countdown timer that site owners can set in minutes.
How to Add Social Media Icons to WordPress Menus
Learn how to add eye-catching social media icons to WordPress menus in minutes. This short WP tutorial is a must-read for webmasters who want to generate more traffic and increase sales.
Creating a Jump Link with Gutenberg
A jump link is a hyperlink that will jump to a location on a page on your site. It can be on the same page as the link, or another page. Jump links can be a great tool for creating a table of contents at the top of a long article giving your visitors the chance to “jump” directly to the bit of the article they are interested in. This tutorial shows you how to create these.
What Is cPanel | A Quick Tour for Beginners
What is cPanel and why do new website owners need it? This quick guide explores the simple layout of this popular dashboard. It’s a must-read for novice webmasters everywhere.
How to Change the WordPress Admin Email
This guide looks at how to change your WordPress Administrator email using one of three methods. It also explains why free, throwaway emails are not recommended for WordPress blogs and websites.
How to Bulk Delete WordPress Comments
A simple tutorial on how site owners can bulk delete WordPress comments. Options include deleting comments in WP Dashboard, using a plugin and via phpMyAdmin. Learn which method is right for you.
How to Add a PayPal Donate Button in WordPress
A quick guide on how to add a custom PayPal Donate Button into any WordPress blog post, page, or widget-friendly area. Choose between a free plugin or embed code into your WP editor.
How to Add Subscription Box to Notify Readers of New Content
A short guide to show you how to add a simple subscription box in WordPress to notify your readers of new content. It’s an effective way to engage with site visitors and create return traffic.
How to Add reCAPTCHA to a WordPress Comment Form
Learn how to add a reCAPTCHA Test to WordPress comments forms in minutes. This step-by-step guide looks at your options and explains the difference between reCAPTCHA v2 and v3.
How to Add Social Share Buttons in WordPress
New step-by-step tutorial shows you how to add attention-grabbing social share buttons in WordPress. Users can customise the share buttons and control the share counts with this simple plugin.
WordPress 5.9! Can I Update?
WordPress 5.9 releases Full Site Editing into the world. Is it safe to update your existing site to 5.9? This video answers that and other questions.
