Beginners Guide: WordPress Website Design Basics

21st March 2025 written by Andy

Introduction

This is the third in a series of blog posts created to help complete beginners to WordPress, understand its features, functionality, flexibility and foibles.

WordPress Website Design Basics aims to give newcomers a top-down overview of the considerations involved when designing and building your website in WordPress. There's LOTS of unpack here so we hope you find it useful.

Other articles in the series are linked at the bottom.

1. Getting Started with WordPress

In our beginners guide to WordPress Website Design Basics, we'll take you step by step through everything you need to know if you're new to websites.

Building a website starts with selecting the right platform, and WordPress is one of the most powerful and flexible options available. However, before diving into creating content or customizing the design, it’s essential to understand the setup process and foundational elements that will shape your website’s performance, security, and usability.

Understanding WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com - WordPress Website Design Basics

WordPress comes in two distinct versions: WordPress.org (self-hosted) and WordPress.com (hosted). While they share the same core software, they cater to different users based on customization needs, control, and costs.

WordPress.org (Self-Hosted): This is the most popular version, offering full ownership and flexibility. Users install WordPress on a web hosting provider of their choice, giving them complete control over their site’s themes, plugins, and functionality. It’s ideal for businesses, bloggers, and developers who want a scalable, customizable solution.
WordPress.com (Hosted): This is a managed service that includes hosting and maintenance but with limited customization. It’s suitable for beginners or those who don’t want to deal with technical management but is restrictive compared to the self-hosted version.

For most website owners looking for growth and flexibility, WordPress.org is the better choice as it allows full customization, better monetization options, and plugin access.

Choosing the Right Hosting & Domain Name - WordPress Website Design Basics

To set up a WordPress.org site, you need two fundamental components:

Web Hosting: This is where your website files and data are stored. Hosting providers offer different levels of performance, security, and support. Popular hosting options for WordPress include:
- Shared Hosting – Affordable but limited in speed and resources (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround).
- Managed WordPress Hosting – Optimized for WordPress performance and security (e.g., WP Engine, Kinsta).
- VPS & Dedicated Hosting – For high-traffic sites requiring dedicated resources (e.g., Cloudways, Liquid Web).
Domain Name: Your domain is your website’s address (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com). Choosing a domain that reflects your brand or niche is essential for credibility and SEO.

WordPress Website Design Basics: Installing WordPress

Once you have a hosting provider and domain, installing WordPress is the next step. There are two primary methods:

One-Click Installations

Most modern hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation feature, making setup fast and simple. With just a few clicks, you can install WordPress through hosting dashboards like cPanel, Plesk, or proprietary tools (e.g., Bluehost’s installer).

Manual Setups (FTP & Database Configuration)

For those who prefer more control, manual installation involves:

Downloading WordPress from WordPress.org.
Uploading files via an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) to the hosting server.
Creating a MySQL database and linking it to WordPress.
Running the WordPress installation script and configuring basic settings.

Manual installation is useful for developers who need custom configurations, but for most users, one-click installs are the best option due to their simplicity.

Configuring Basic Settings (e.g., Permalinks, Site Title)

After installation, configuring key settings ensures your site runs efficiently and is optimized for search engines. Some must-configure settings include:

Site Title & Tagline: Found under Settings > General, this defines how your site appears in search engines and browsers.
Permalink Structure: Under Settings > Permalinks, changing the default link structure to Post Name (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com/sample-post) improves SEO.
Time zone & Date Format: Ensuring the correct time zone is set under Settings > General helps with scheduling posts and accurate analytics tracking.

2. Understanding the Core Components of a WordPress Website

A WordPress website is built using several core components that define its design, functionality, and structure. Understanding these elements is crucial for effectively managing your site.

WordPress Website Design Basics: Themes & Design

Themes control the visual design and layout of a WordPress website. WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes that determine:

Color schemes
Typography and font styling
Layout structure (grid, single-column, sidebar support)
Mobile responsiveness

Users can customize themes through the WordPress Customizer (Appearance > Customize) or use page builders like Elementor or Divi for more flexibility.

Plugins & Functionality - WordPress Website Design Basics

Plugins extend WordPress’s functionality, adding features like SEO optimization, contact forms, security, and e-commerce. Examples include:

Yoast SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
WooCommerce (E-commerce features)
Wordfence Security (Security & malware protection)

WordPress’s plugin ecosystem is one of its biggest advantages over competitors like Wix or Squarespace, offering limitless customization options.

WordPress Website Design Basics: Posts vs. Pages

WordPress differentiates between posts and pages:

Posts: Time-sensitive content (e.g., blog posts, news updates) that appears in chronological order.
Pages: Static content (e.g., About, Contact, Homepage) that remains unchanged over time.

Understanding how to use categories and tags for posts improves content organization and SEO rankings.

Media, Menus, and Widgets - WordPress Website Design Basics

Media Library: Stores images, videos, and documents, allowing users to manage uploaded files efficiently (Media > Library).
Menus: Found under Appearance > Menus, menus allow users to structure their navigation bars for an improved user experience.
Widgets: Small functional blocks that add search bars, recent posts, contact forms, and other features to sidebars or footers.

3. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard

Once WordPress is installed, the WordPress Dashboard serves as the central control panel where users manage content, settings, and customization.

Navigating the WordPress Admin Panel - WordPress Website Design Basics

The WordPress dashboard can be accessed via www.yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/. Key sections include:

Dashboard Overview: Displays site health status, quick actions, and news.
Posts & Pages: Where users create, edit, and manage content.
Appearance: Controls theme customization, menus, and widgets.
Plugins: Manages installed plugins and new feature integrations.
Users: Allows assigning roles and permissions (Admin, Editor, Author, Subscriber).

WordPress Website Design Basics: General Settings Overview

Within the Settings menu, users can configure:

Reading Settings: Determines whether the homepage is static or displays the latest posts.
Discussion Settings: Manages comments and spam protection.
Media Settings: Controls image sizes for automatic resizing.

User Roles & Permissions - WordPress Website Design Basics

WordPress offers role-based access to control who can edit content, manage settings, and publish updates:

Administrator: Full access to the site.
Editor: Can manage all content but cannot modify core settings.
Author: Can publish and manage their posts.
Contributor: Can write posts but requires admin approval to publish.
Subscriber: Can only manage their profile.

Proper role assignments help secure WordPress sites and prevent unauthorized changes.

How WordPress Works: Back End vs Front End

4. How WordPress Works: The Backend vs. The Frontend

A WordPress website consists of two key areas: the backend (admin dashboard) and the frontend (public-facing site). Understanding how these two elements interact is crucial for managing your website effectively.

WordPress Website Design Basics: What is the Backend?

The backend, also known as the WordPress Admin Panel, is where website owners and administrators create, edit, and manage content, design elements, plugins, and site settings. It is accessed by logging into yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/.

Key areas of the backend include:

Dashboard: Provides an overview of site health, recent activity, and quick access to key functions.
Posts & Pages: Where users create and manage website content.
Media Library: Stores uploaded images, videos, and documents.
Appearance: Controls themes, menus, and widgets.
Plugins: Enables adding or removing additional website functionality.
Users & Roles: Allows assigning different permissions to users.
Settings: Configures global site settings such as permalinks, comments, and reading preferences.
Updates Section: Ensures WordPress core, themes, and plugins are updated regularly for security and performance.

What is the Frontend? - WordPress Website Design Basics

The frontend is what visitors see when they land on your website. It consists of:

Homepages & Landing Pages – The first impression of your site.
Navigation & Menus – Helps users find relevant content.
Blog Posts & Static Pages – Displays written content in different formats.
Media Elements – Images, videos, and interactive content that enhance engagement.
Forms & User Interactions – Contact forms, comments, and lead generation tools.

How Changes in the Backend Affect the Frontend - WordPress Website Design Basics

Changes made in the backend immediately or eventually reflect on the frontend. Some key interactions include:

Content Updates – New posts or pages published in the backend appear live on the frontend.
Design Customization – Changing themes, adjusting colors, or modifying layouts affect how visitors see the site.
Plugin Activation – Adding a plugin in the backend can introduce new frontend elements (e.g., contact forms, galleries, social feeds).
Performance Optimization – Backend caching settings or database optimizations can speed up frontend performance.
Theme and Layout Adjustments – Theme updates in the backend can completely change the website’s appearance on the frontend.

5. Themes and Customization

Customizing a WordPress site allows users to create a unique brand identity and user experience. WordPress themes provide the foundation, while customization tools enable tailored designs.

Installing and Activating Themes - WordPress Website Design Basics

Themes define a site’s overall design, including layout, typography, and color schemes. Users can install themes via Appearance > Themes in the WordPress dashboard.

Steps to install a theme:

Navigate to Appearance > Themes > Add New.
Search for a theme in the WordPress repository or upload a premium theme.
Click Install and then Activate.
Customize the theme settings through Appearance > Customize.

Choosing a WordPress Theme - WordPress Website Design Basics

WordPress offers both free and premium themes:

Free Themes: Available in the official WordPress theme directory. Good for beginners but often have limited customization.
Premium Themes: Purchased from marketplaces like ThemeForest or Elegant Themes, offering advanced customization options and dedicated support.
Custom Themes: Designed from scratch by developers for businesses requiring full branding and flexibility.

Using the WordPress Customizer - WordPress Website Design Basics

The Customizer allows real-time adjustments to site design without affecting live content. Users can:

Modify colors, typography, and background images.
Adjust header and footer layouts.
Enable or disable homepage elements.
Preview changes before publishing.
Configure responsive settings to ensure the site looks good on mobile devices.

Creating a Custom Design - WordPress Website Design Basics

For advanced customization, users can:

Use page builders like Elementor, Divi, or Beaver Builder for drag-and-drop layout design.
Edit CSS stylesheets to modify visual elements beyond theme settings.
Develop a custom child theme to preserve modifications when updating the parent theme.
Utilize the Full Site Editing (FSE) feature in block-based themes to modify headers, footers, and templates.

6. Adding Content to Your WordPress Site

WordPress is primarily a content management system (CMS), making it easy to add and manage different types of content.

Creating & Managing Pages

Pages contain static content like:

Homepage
About Us
Services
Contact

To create a page:

Go to Pages > Add New.
Enter a title and content using the Block Editor (Gutenberg) or the Classic Editor.
Click Publish to make it live.
Set page attributes like parent pages and template layouts if using a custom design.

Writing & Formatting Blog Posts -WordPress Website Design Basics

Posts are used for dynamic content, such as articles or news updates.

To create a post:

Navigate to Posts > Add New.
Write content using blocks like paragraphs, images, headings, and lists.
Assign categories and tags for better content organization.
Click Publish to make it live.
Schedule posts in advance using the Post Scheduling feature.

Adding Media (Images, Videos, PDFs, etc.)

WordPress includes a Media Library to store and manage images, videos, and other media files. Users can:

Upload media via Media > Add New.
Insert images and videos directly into posts or pages.
Use alt text for SEO optimization and accessibility.
Optimize images for speed using plugins like Smush or Imagify.
Embed videos from YouTube and Vimeo instead of hosting large files directly.

7. Essential WordPress Features & Tools

To maximize the functionality of a WordPress site, users must utilize essential features such as plugins, menus, and widgets.

Plugins & Functionality - WordPress Website Design Basics

Plugins extend WordPress’s capabilities, adding features like SEO, security, and performance optimization. Must-have plugins include:

Yoast SEO – Helps optimize content for search engines.
Akismet Anti-Spam – Protects blogs from spam comments.
WP Rocket – Speeds up site loading time.
Elementor – Allows advanced page building without coding.
UpdraftPlus – Automates backups to cloud storage services.

Menus & Navigation - WordPress Website Design Basics

WordPress allows users to create custom menus for intuitive site navigation. Steps to configure menus:

Navigate to Appearance > Menus.
Select or create a new menu.
Add pages, posts, or custom links.
Assign the menu to a location (header, footer, sidebar).
Use mega menus for sites requiring extensive navigation.

Widgets & Sidebars - WordPress Website Design Basics

Widgets enhance website functionality by displaying extra content in designated areas like sidebars or footers. Common widgets include:

Recent Posts – Displays latest blog posts.
Search Bar – Allows users to search site content.
Social Media Links – Provides links to social profiles.
Custom HTML Widgets – Allows embedding custom scripts or styling elements.

Conclusion

Understanding the basics of WordPress website design is essential for creating a functional and engaging site.

From installing WordPress and customizing themes to adding content and managing plugins, mastering these fundamentals ensures a smooth website-building experience. With these foundational skills in place, website owners can confidently explore advanced techniques, SEO strategies, and security enhancements.