How to Design a Website with WordPress

As a digital agency you may excel in design, but sometimes translating your vision into a functional website can seem daunting, especially without in-house coding expertise. White Label Agency has partnered with hundreds of design agencies, and in that time we have encountered this common challenge:  excelling at creating beautiful and innovative designs but struggling to implement those designs on a client’s website. This gap often leads to delays, additional costs, and missed opportunities; which can lead to frustration when you see a vision compromised because of technical limitations. 

However, WordPress is versatile enough to build fully functional websites without a single line of code. We will guide you through every necessary step, from how to design a website with WordPress, to strategies that allow you to overcome the technical barriers that once held you back.

Choosing a Hosting Provider

The hosting provider can be confusing, especially for agencies who aren’t web development experts. They may often step into it with limited knowledge of the services they’re about to purchase. Caution is advisable from the start. Here is what we recommend: 

• Reputation Matters: Start by researching the reputation and track record of the hosting provider.  Look for established companies that are known for reliability and security.
• Built for WordPress: Ideally, choose a provider specializing in WordPress hosting. They’ll have the infrastructure and expertise needed to ensure the smooth operation of your client’s website.
• Look Beyond Specs: Don’t get caught up in advertised technical jargon. Focus on the provider’s approach to updating security, protecting from malware, and preventing downtime – these measures are crucial to the health of your client’s website.  Unreliable hosting can lead to security breaches and lost business for your clients.

WLA highly recommends WP-Engine as a hosting service. See our previous blog if you want to see in detail how to select the right hosting provider.

Installing WordPress in 3 Steps

Obviously, if you are interested in how to design a website with WordPress, you must know how to install the CMS itself. You can do this by following three easy steps: 

1. Most hosting providers offer a “one-click install” option that gets WordPress up and running on your client’s domain name in minutes. 
2. Once you’ve chosen your hosting provider and domain name, access your hosting account’s control panel. Look for the WordPress installation option, often found in sections like “Website” or “Script Installers.” 
3. Follow the prompts, which typically involve selecting your domain, entering the site name, and setting up admin credentials. In just a few clicks, WordPress will be installed, and you’ll be ready to start building a website.

Selecting a WordPress Theme

Picking the right theme is like choosing the foundation for your client’s website. Here are some key things to consider:

• Mobile-Friendly: Make sure the theme looks great and functions flawlessly on all devices, from desktops to smartphones. Today, most users browse websites on their phones, so this is a must-have!
• Easy to Customize: Look for themes that offer pre-built layouts that you can adjust to match your client’s brand. Ideally, you want some flexibility to add your own creative touches without the need to start from scratch.
• Drag-and-Drop Editing (Optional): Many themes work with popular page builder plugins like Elementor or Divi. These tools let you visually edit the website layout using drag-and-drop functionality, which is a great way to achieve a custom look without coding.

Bonus Tip: Just like any tool, your theme should be reliable and well-supported. Look for a theme developer with a responsive support team that can answer your questions and help you with any issues. Go for established distributors and those with thousands of active installations, for instance, products from Elegant Themes.

For additional considerations on how to design a website with WordPress themes, you can see our blog.

Adding Essential WordPress Plugins

Plugins are crucial for extending the functionality of your WordPress website. They are easy to install and can significantly enhance your site’s performance and capabilities. Here are some essential plugins you should consider:

1. SEO Plugins: Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital for improving your website’s visibility. Plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math help optimize your content, meta tags, and keywords, making it easier for search engines to find and rank your site.
2. Security Plugins: Protecting your website from threats is critical. Security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri provide robust protection against malware, hackers, and other security threats. They offer features like firewall protection, malware scanning, and login security.
3. Backup Plugins: Regular backups are essential to safeguard your data. Plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup make it easy to back up your entire website, including content, themes, and plugins. In case of any issues, you can quickly restore your site to a previous state.
4. Performance Optimization Plugins: Speed is crucial for user experience and SEO. Plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache will help you optimize your site’s performance by caching content, compressing files, and improving load times.
5. Contact Form Plugins: Having a way for visitors to contact you is essential. Plugins like Contact Form 7 or WPForms allow you to create and manage contact forms easily. They offer drag-and-drop builders, spam protection, and customization options.
6. Additional Plugins Based on Clients’ Needs: Depending on your client’s requirements, you might need additional plugins for example WooCommerce for e-commerce websites and so on. 

Read our blog and explore how to find compatible and safe plugins for your website.

Launching & Maintaining the WordPress Website

Launching your WordPress website is an exciting milestone, but it’s important to ensure everything is perfect before going live. Before you launch, you must thoroughly test your website across different devices and browsers to ensure it looks and functions correctly everywhere. Check for responsiveness on mobile phones, tablets, and desktops. Test all features, links, forms, and plugins to make sure they work smoothly. This step helps you catch any issues that could affect the user experience.

Once your website is live, regular maintenance is crucial to keep it running smoothly and securely. Maintenance involves regular updates and bug fixes on core parts of the website. You can learn more about it in this blog: 5 essential WordPress maintenance tasks you need to do regularly.

Consider White Label Solution

Now that you have learned how to design a website with WordPress,  you can bring your design visions to life. At White Label Agency, we have developed thousands of websites for design agencies just like yours. Whether you need assistance with coding or ongoing maintenance, we’re here to help. Our expert team ensures that your website functions flawlessly and stays secure. Don’t let technical challenges hold you back. Contact us today to get started!