Planning

Once you’ve decided to create a website, the first step is choosing a name. Your domain name is your online identity, so it’s worth selecting with care. While it may seem straightforward, finding the right name can be more challenging than expected. A clean, relevant domain name builds trust and conveys professionalism, helping to establish credibility with your audience. Aim for a name that is:

• Memorable — As short as possible and easy to remember and share
• Related to your Brand — Actually use your business or brand name if possible
• Relevant — Consider using keywords related to the site’s focus (e.g. build a blocksite)

• Memorable — As short as possible and easy to remember and share
• Related to your Brand — Actually use your business or brand name if possible
• Relevant — Consider using keywords related to the site’s focus (e.g. build a blocksite)

However, once you have decided what you’d like to call your website, it’s almost certain the the name will no longer be available. So, usually some compromise is required. Maybe you can make the name longer as we did with buildablocksite.com. Longer domain names are often still available because the likelihood of someone else having already registered them decreases as the number of characters increases. Also, with a longer name you might be able to tweak it a little until a variation is available. We wanted to call our site buildawebsite.com, but settled on buildablocksite.com when we found our original choice was unavailable.

There are some creative strategies you might explore to find a name that aligns with your vision, such as:

• Use synonyms or related words
• Add a prefix or suffix like get, try, my, etc.
• Combine two short words
• Add a location (e.g. usa)
• Add a year — not necessarily the current one
• Use acronyms or abbreviations
• Even a misspelling might work (e.g. “fukc“)

• Use synonyms or related words
• Add a prefix or suffix like get, try, my, etc.
• Combine two short words
• Add a location (e.g. usa)
• Add a year — not necessarily the current one
• Use acronyms or abbreviations
• Even a misspelling might work (e.g. “fukc“)

Hyphens are also an option as they can dramatically increase the probability of the name being available. However, hyphenated names are not popular although the reason is not clear — probably more historical than rational. Hyphens don’t seem to have hurt e-bay.com and coca-cola.com.

Another consideration is the Top-Level Domain (TLD), the final segment of a domain name, appearing after the last dot. While .com remains by far the most widely used TLD, with nearly half of all websites globally using it, there are now over a thousand alternatives available. It might be tempting to choose a more novel or descriptive TLD — for instance, “buildawebsite.design” is currently available — but we generally advise caution with this approach. Unfamiliar TLDs can confuse users or even raise suspicions about legitimacy, making your site harder to find or trust. That said, some alternative TLDs can work well, particularly country-specific ones (for instance .fr for France), which signal local relevance to your audience. Ultimately, if you opt for a TLD other than .com, ensure there’s a clear and compelling reason for doing so.

If you’re struggling for inspiration, websites like Nameboy and Domain Wheel, along with various AI-powered tools, can offer helpful suggestions.

Throughout our site, we make many references to WordPress as this Content Management System (CMS) is the tool which the websites we are discussing are based on. However, you should be aware that there are actually two variants of WordPress (WordPress.com and WordPress.org), which although they are based on the same underlining software are fundamentally different.

There are a number of factors to consider when selecting the version of WordPress you will want to use. Give this serious consideration as although it may be possible to migrate from one to the other at a later stage, there will probably be some major complications and a risk that not all the functionality will be supported.

WordPress.com is a fully hosted platform, meaning you don’t need to seek out a 3^rd party hosting provider, your site will be hosted directly by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. They offer a range of plans, from a basic free tier to more advanced paid options. The free plan includes essential hosting but comes with significant limitations in terms of storage, functionality, and customization. It restricts users from installing custom themes or plugins, offers limited monetization opportunities, and provides only community-based support. Additionally, the presence of WordPress branding and ads may detract from the polished, professional image you wish to present. For these reasons, we strongly recommend avoiding the free plan.

WordPress.org, by contrast, provides the open-source WordPress software for self-hosting. Users are responsible for securing their own web hosting through a 3^rd party provider. This fundamental difference — self-hosted vs. fully hosted — is central to understanding the key distinctions between the two platforms. WordPress.com simplifies management by handling security, updates, and backups, making it ideal for beginners. However, that ease comes at the expense of control and flexibility, which are hallmarks of the WordPress.org experience.

Our website, buildablock.com, is built using WordPress.org, and while our guidance is geared toward self-hosted sites, much of the content is still relevant to those using WordPress.com.

Once you have chosen a suitable domain name for your website (e.g. buildablocksite.com) you need to register it. Domain registration is the process of buying a domain name so you can use it on the internet. This will be used for your Uniform Resource Locator (URL) once your site is up and running (e.g. https://buildablocksite.com). This is done via a domain registrar which is a is a company authorized to sell domain names. There are thousands of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) accredited domain registrars who you can use to register your domain name.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a domain registrar. Cost is an obvious one, as pricing can vary significantly between providers, so it’s wise to compare a few before making a decision. Many hosting companies, particularly those offering Shared Hosting plans, include a free domain for the first year as part of their package. While this is a common and perfectly legitimate marketing strategy, it’s important to look ahead — check what the renewal cost will be after the first year and confirm that you’re free to transfer the domain elsewhere if you choose.

Transferring a domain typically incurs a modest fee (usually around $10–$15 USD, depending on the TLD), which generally includes a one-year extension of your domain registration. To initiate a transfer, you’ll need to unlock your domain at your current registrar and request an authorization code (often called an EPP code). While ICANN regulations guarantee your right to transfer domains, some registrars may introduce unnecessary friction in the process. Be aware, too, of ICANN’s rule prohibiting domain transfers within 60 days of initial registration or a previous transfer.

You should also check if the registrar charges for WHOIS Privacy Protection. WHOIS is a publicly accessible database that stores information about registered domain names. In addition to domain details, anyone can access a wealth of personal information (such as your name, email address, and phone number) that you might not want made public. To prevent spam and protect your privacy, most registrars offer WHOIS Privacy Protection. This replaces your personal information with generic registrar information, thus keeping your contact details secret. While some registrars offer this for free, others charge an annual fee, typically between $10 to $20 per year.

We register all our domains with Cloudflare who we can highly recommend for this service. Their pricing is totally transparent with no hidden fees or upsells. They charge the same price for registration and renewal which includes free WHOIS Privacy Protection by default.

Now we come to the most important and difficult decision you need to make with regards to your website if you have chosen to use WordPress.org as opposed to WordPress.com, namely which site hosting service you will use. The first step is to chose the type of hosting platform which fits your needs. The main types of hosting available for WordPress are Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, Cloud Hosting and Dedicated Hosting. Once you have decided on the hosting type, then you have to choose the specific plan. There are numerous providers, so this can be a real challenge.

While budget is often the first consideration when selecting a hosting solution, it is crucial to balance cost against the overall value provided. Rather than focusing solely on the initial price, you should carefully assess what each plan truly offers. Although Shared Hosting plans can be found for less than $50 per year, and additional expenses can be avoided by foregoing premium plugins, such affordability frequently entails significant trade-offs.

By investing just a bit more, you can unlock greater value in return. Options like VPS or Cloud Hosting offer superior performance, better scalability, higher reliability, proactive support, and essential features like automated backups and staging environments. These benefits not only enhance your site’s responsiveness and speed but also support its long-term growth and success. Ultimately, a well-chosen hosting plan is less an expense and more a strategic investment in your website’s future.

As mentioned in our summary, we rely on UltaHost for our VPS-hosted sites and Rocket.net for those on cloud hosting, both of which offer outstanding value and have consistently met our expectations. That said, there are a wide range of excellent hosting plans available. We encourage you to take a thoughtful, well-informed approach by researching thoroughly and consulting a variety of reviews before making your decision.

Every website must be connected to the Domain Name System (DNS), a global network that translates easy-to-remember domain names (such as buildablocksite.com) into numerical IP addresses (such as 79.133.56.277) that computers use to locate each other over the internet. Without the DNS, users would need to remember and enter long numeric IP addresses, which is clearly impractical. Because there are several ways to configure your site’s DNS, it’s important to understand how the system works so you can choose the setup that best fits your needs.

Your domain registrar maintains the domain’s nameserver (NS) settings, which determine where your domain’s DNS records are managed. When a user enters your WordPress site’s domain into a browser and the IP address isn’t cached, the request is routed through the DNS to resolve the domain name into an IP address. The DNS then returns the IP address of the server hosting your website, allowing the browser to connect to the host and load your WordPress site.

In the name resolution chain, DNS, domain registration, and site hosting each play a crucial role. These services can be managed by one or more providers — the challenge is choosing the setup that aligns with your technical priorities and preferences. Here are the options to consider:

Site Hosting, Domain Registration & DNS all with different providers

While many individuals and small businesses prefer the convenience of consolidating two or all three of these services, splitting them among specialized providers can yield advantages in flexibility, security, and performance. Setting up the DNS in this scenario requires you to:

• Update the nameserver settings on your registrar’s portal to point to the DNS host
• Configure the DNS records to direct traffic to the website’s hosting server

• Update the nameserver settings on your registrar’s portal to point to the DNS host
• Configure the DNS records to direct traffic to the website’s hosting server

Site Hosting & DNS with the same provider, but Domain Registration with a different provider

Keeping DNS hosting and site hosting together, while having domain registration with a separate provider, is a very common approach. When you set up your site on your host’s server, the DNS records are usually generated automatically. This eliminates the need to manually synchronize or troubleshoot DNS settings, as they are already aligned with the hosting environment. Setting up the DNS in this scenario only requires you to:

• Update the nameserver settings on your registrar’s portal to point to the DNS host

• Update the nameserver settings on your registrar’s portal to point to the DNS host

Domain Registration & DNS with the same provider, but Site Hosting with a different provider

While domain registration and DNS hosting are closely related, they are technically separate services. However, most domain registrars include basic DNS hosting by default, allowing you to use their DNS setup. Keeping your domain registration and DNS hosting with the same provider while using a separate site host offers a great balance of control and flexibility. It simplifies domain and DNS management in one place while allowing you to choose the best hosting provider for your site. This setup also makes it easier to switch hosts without affecting your domain and keeps your domain ownership independent from your hosting provider for added security. As the nameserver settings will be preconfigured, setting up the DNS in this scenario only requires you to:

• Configure the DNS records to direct traffic to the website’s hosting server

• Configure the DNS records to direct traffic to the website’s hosting server

Site Hosting & Domain Registration with the same provide, but DNS with a different specialist provider

Not all DNS hosting is created equal. While basic DNS services are adequate for most needs, they often lack the speed optimizations and security protections required for high-traffic or business-critical websites. Users can benefit significantly from using more robust, dedicated 3^rd party DNS platforms like Cloudflare, Google Cloud DNS, or Amazon Route 53. These providers offer advanced features such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection, geo-routing, and greater flexibility. Setting up DNS in this scenario requires you to:

• Update the nameserver settings on your registrar’s portal to point to the DNS host
• Configure the DNS records to direct traffic to the website’s hosting server

• Update the nameserver settings on your registrar’s portal to point to the DNS host
• Configure the DNS records to direct traffic to the website’s hosting server

Site Hosting, Domain Registration & DNS all with the same provider

For those unfamiliar with DNS configuration, the whole process can be a bit intimidating. To simplify the setup, many users opt to keep everything under-one-roof by registering their domain, hosting their website, and managing their DNS with the same provider. This integrated approach usually means that the nameserver settings are preconfigured and the DNS records are automatically created, allowing your site to go live with minimal technical effort.

When you set up your site on your hosting server, it typically generates a set of DNS records automatically. If you choose to use a different provider for your DNS, you’ll need to manually copy or import those records into your DNS provider’s system. The exact steps vary depending on your hosting and DNS providers. The most common DNS record types are:

• A — Maps a domain to an IPv4 address
• AAAA — Maps a domain to an IPv6 address
• CNAME — Points one domain to another (alias)
• MX — Mail Exchange — directs email to mail servers

• A — Maps a domain to an IPv4 address
• AAAA — Maps a domain to an IPv6 address
• CNAME — Points one domain to another (alias)
• MX — Mail Exchange — directs email to mail servers

There may be additional DNS records that need to be configured manually, even if you’re using the same provider for both site hosting and DNS.

We register our domains through Cloudflare, which automatically enables access to their globally distributed, high-performance DNS network. Cloudflare is widely regarded as one of the fastest DNS providers in the world, with extremely low query response times. This speed translates directly into faster page load times for visitors, especially when combined with their integrated caching and CDN capabilities which we also use. However, since Cloudflare is not a web hosting provider, we must manually configure all our DNS records to point to the IP addresses of our web servers. In our opinion the added benefits are well worth the effort.

One often overlooked aspect when selecting a hosting plan is the inclusion of a control panel. While technically proficient users may be comfortable managing their sites using tools like FileZilla File Transfer Protocol (FTP) clients, or accessing servers through a Command Line Interface (CLI) with SSH, most users will prefer a more intuitive, user-friendly interface. A control panel provides a web-based dashboard that simplifies site and server management, making it easy to oversee everything without requiring advanced technical skills.

Some hosting providers include a free control panel with their plans. For instance, we use the Hestia Control Panel with our UltaHost VPS Hosting, which is an open-source option included in all of their packages. These dashboards offer a range of essential features to help users manage websites, databases, email accounts, backups and server settings through a graphical interface. They usually need to be set up manually, which can be a bit challenging for those without prior experience in web hosting environments. However, many users find them to be practical and cost-effective. With a bit of exploration and a willingness to learn, these tools can serve as powerful alternatives to expensive commercial solutions, ideal for those seeking to reduce costs without compromising control.

Alternatively, proprietary control panels are available, designed to make website management effortless. These polished dashboards allow users to perform key tasks through a clear user-friendly interface. While higher tier hosting plans often include these premium tools, budget options usually don’t. In which case, adding a control panel such as cPanel — the industry leader — can significantly increase the hosting costs. More affordable alternatives like Plesk exist, but they can still add substantially to the total bill. It’s wise to carefully review what’s included in your hosting plan to avoid unexpected surprises later on.

Managed Cloud and Dedicated Hosting plans often come with integrated control panels, eliminating the need to set one up yourself. These built-in dashboards are typically modern, intuitive, and user-friendly, and specifically optimized for the provider’s hosting environment, making them accessible even to users with minimal technical experience. They streamline management tasks from a centralized location inside the hosting provider’s portal. This is one of the many advantages of Cloud and Dedicated Hosting — alongside superior performance, security, scalability, reliability, and support — eliminating the additional complexity and cost of setting up a separate control panel.

When building a website, it’s essential to treat security threats as a serious concern. To harden the site against attacks, we strongly recommend using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) which filters malicious traffic and blocks known threats before they reach the site. Even though most hacks stem from human error or neglect rather than flaws in WordPress itself, a WAF provides an important layer of defence, helping protect your site even if you’ve taken all the right precautions.

Keeping a website secure involves more than just blocking threats, it also requires ongoing monitoring and prompt response to any that manage to get through. This is where malware scanners and related tools come into play. A malware scanner will regularly check the website’s files, code, and database for any signs of malicious software. These scans can detect known malware signatures, suspicious file changes, or unauthorized code injections. Many security tools offer scheduled automatic scans as well as manual scanning options, allowing you to stay proactive in protecting your site. There are free malware scanner plugins available which will detect infections, but it should be noted that most malware plugins only provide malware removal in their paid plans.

For our UltaHost VPS hosting, we use the free Cloudflare WAF in combination with the free version of Sucuri Security for malware detection. Since these tools are not included by default in the hosting plan, we handle their installation and maintenance ourselves. Although this setup isn’t as robust as the security provided by our Cloud Hosting environments, it has proven effective in safeguarding our sites.

In contrast, our Rocket.net Cloud Hosting includes the premium Cloudflare Enterprise WAF and Imunify360 for comprehensive malware scanning as part of every plan. These advanced security features are fully managed and maintained by the Rocket.net support team, requiring no manual setup or maintenance on our end. This hands-off8 approach to high-level security is one of the many benefits of choosing a Cloud Hosting provider.

Because WordPress is a dynamic ecosystem, built on a core platform and extended through a constantly evolving mix of plugins, themes, and custom code, it presents numerous potential points of failure. A seemingly harmless plugin update, an unforeseen theme conflict, or even a small error in custom code can bring an entire site to a halt. Additionally, WordPress sites are frequent targets for cyberattacks, with hackers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities, inject malware, or gain unauthorized access. If a website is compromised with an infection, or experiences a critical failure, backups provide an essential safety net, allowing users to quickly restore a stable, clean, functional version and avoid the lengthy process of diagnosing and repairing the issue. Without a reliable backup strategy in place, even a small issue can quickly escalate into a major crisis. In cases where sensitive customer data is at stake, the ability to recover quickly can be the difference between a minor disruption and a serious security breach.

WordPress backups are complete copies of a site’s files and database, captured at a point in time so the site can be restored if something goes wrong. Since WordPress sites consist of two main parts — the code and media files (core installation, themes, plugins, uploads) plus the MySQL database (posts, pages, comments, settings, and user data) — a proper backup strategy always includes both components. Missing either can result in a broken site or lost content when a restoration is attempted.

Backups also give users the freedom to experiment and grow without fear. With a reliable backup strategy, complete with off‑site storage, versioned snapshots, and a staging environment — users can trial new ideas, test a major redesign, install a new plugin suite, or even migrate to a different host — and then roll back at will if something goes wrong. This peace of mind not only safeguards the current site but also empowers users to innovate, knowing they can always revert to a previously known state.

Now that we’ve emphasized the importance of regular backups, it’s crucial to take a closer look at how to implement them. Backups are only effective if they’re done properly. This means ensuring that they are performed frequently, stored securely (preferably off-site or in the cloud), and easy to restore when needed. It’s also wise to test the backup system periodically to confirm it works as expected.

Even on Shared Hosting, some providers offer plans with daily or weekly backups stored on the same server or a nearby cluster. However, such backups usually have a short retention window (3–7 days), and restoration may require a ticket or be limited to one or two free restorations per month. They’re OK for simple recovery after a small error, but they’re not sufficient for longer‑term archives or instant rollback capabilities.

With Managed VPS plans, providers frequently offer more comprehensive backup solutions. These typically include hourly, daily, or even real-time incremental backups retained for weeks or months, with off-site storage options like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud to protect against regional failures. Such plans may also come with a control panel (or allow one to add one for an additional fee) that lets users browse their backup history, preview files or database tables, and perform one-click restorations to production or staging environments.

Most Managed Cloud and Dedicated Hosting plans come with comprehensive backup services that ensure websites can be quickly restored if anything goes wrong. Such plans often offer advanced recovery options, allowing sites to be restored to very recent versions and changes to be undone down to the smallest detail, providing greater control and peace of mind. Backup management is seamlessly integrated into the provider’s dashboard, giving users clear visibility and control over the entire process.

Regardless of the plan, good hosts allow configuration of backup frequency, retention length, and storage location, and provide clear documentation on how to restore data. In every case, the key is understanding the host’s backup window, periodically testing restoration processes, and maintaining at least one off-host copy to avoid reliance on a single point of failure.

If a provider limits restorations or shortens retention periods to encourage add-on sales, their service can be supplemented with a plugin-based solution. WordPress backup plugins streamline site protection by automating the creation, storage, and restoration of both files and databases. Rather than relying solely on a host’s built-in snapshots, these plugins provide granular control over scheduling, retention, and remote storage locations — enabling the maintenance of as many restoration points as needed, off-site and without manual intervention. While hosting plans with robust backups are always preferred, we also regularly use the Duplicator plugin to store additional offline backups as a precaution against potential compromises of on-site copies (an event which has never occurred, but it’s better to be safe than sorry).

Caching is a technique used in computing to briefly store frequently accessed data in a high-speed layer, allowing future requests for the same data to be served quickly. Instead of retrieving the data from its original source each time, the system first checks the cache and, if the data is available (a cache hit), delivers it immediately. This significantly reduces latency, eases the burden on the host server, and improves overall efficiency.

Caching plays a vital role in the performance of a WordPress site. It comes in several forms, each targeting a specific part of the delivery chain — from server-side processing to browser-level storage. Used in combination, these techniques reduce load times, boost responsiveness, and create a noticeably faster experience for users. When implemented thoughtfully, a comprehensive caching setup can significantly enhance both speed and scalability. Where possible, enabling multiple layers of caching will deliver the best results.

Everyone who uses a computer or smartphone, benefits from browser caching as it’s built into every browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, etc.). Browser caching is like letting people keep copies of the site’s images and other files on their own device for a while. That way, when they come back or click through the pages, the browser reuses those files instead of fetching them again, so pages load faster and feel snappier. For WordPress websites this means better user experience and less strain on the host’s server.

Browsers only cache files when instructed by the website, so as a WordPress creator, it’s important to ensure it’s been enabled on your site.

With page caching, the host’s server stores a snapshot of the website’s page the moment it’s first accessed. On repeat visits, this stored version is served directly, sparing the server from regenerating the page each time. As a result, load times are dramatically reduced, and pages appear almost instantly.

Cached pages remain valid for a set period, or until a user makes an update that needs to appear immediately, such as editing a post. When the cache expires, or is manually purged after an update, the next visitor triggers a fresh build-and-save cycle, ensuring everyone eventually sees the most up-to-date content.

If your hosting plan doesn’t include page caching, the easiest and most effective way to add it is by using a plugin. Typically, you can enable the caching with just a few clicks — installing the plugin and adjusting a few settings. Many optimization plugins provide caching features for free, while some reserve advanced options for their premium versions. These paid plans often include additional speed and performance benefits that are well worth considering to further enhance your site.

Managed Cloud and Dedicated Hosting providers usually include page caching as standard features in their plans. This may come through plugins or built-in page caching like Varnish/NGINX integrated into their stacks, delivering significant gains in site responsiveness right out of the box.

Object caching, helps dynamically generated pages load faster by reducing the number of database operations, such as database query results or API calls, that are frequently reused. These elements are stored in a high-speed cache, allowing the site to assemble pages quickly without having to recreate them from scratch each time. By avoiding repetitive database lookups, it reduces server strain and helps pages display more efficiently, especially under heavy traffic. The result is a more responsive experience for visitors. Used together, page and object caching complement each other, with page caching handling the front-end delivery and object caching streamlining the backend processes. In short, page caching delivers whole pages instantly, while object caching accelerates the building blocks that make those pages.

Object caching is rarely included with Shared Hosting plans, as it depends on background processes and persistent memory — resources that shared servers typically lack. More robust hosting options, such as VPS, Cloud, or Dedicated Hosting, have more advanced capabilities and are capable of supporting object caching effectively.

To enable object caching, the caching service (e.g., Redis or Memcached) must first be installed and running on the server. Once this is in place, a compatible WordPress plugin can be installed and activated. The plugin typically adds a settings panel (often located under Tools → Object Cache), where the caching can be enabled with a single click.

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) acts as a global cache for the WordPress site’s static assets, images, CSS, JavaScript, and video, by distributing copies to servers (or edge nodes) around the world. When a visitor requests a page, these assets are fetched from the node closest to them, slashing latency, accelerating page delivery, and reducing the burden on the host’s infrastructure.

Almost all hosting plans support integration with a CDN. If yours does not, consider choosing a different plan as this is an essential service that can significantly boost the site’s performance. CDNs vary widely, from free, entry-level options like Cloudflare’s basic plan to fully managed premium services. When choosing a CDN, consider factors such as the geographic distribution and number of edge nodes, cache-control flexibility, analytics, and additional features like security or image optimization. Pairing a WordPress site with the right CDN ensures faster speed, greater stability during traffic spikes or attacks, and a consistently smooth user experience across the globe.

Beyond raw speed gains, CDNs can bolster the site’s resilience under heavy traffic and help absorb malicious traffic spikes. Many CDN providers offer built‑in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation and Web Application Firewall (WAF) services, filtering out attack traffic before it ever reaches the WordPress installation. This layered defence ensures that during sudden surges, whether from legitimate spikes in traffic or malicious attacks, the server remains protected and responsive for genuine users, minimizing the risk of downtime or resource throttling.

Setting up a CDN with WordPress is straightforward. Optimization plugins like WP Rocket, FlyingPress, and W3 Total Cache can automatically rewrite URLs for static assets to point to the CDN’s domain, and handle cache purging when content is updated. Many Managed WordPress hosts also offer one-click CDN integration, bundling edge caching into their infrastructure so global distribution can be activated automatically.

WordPress websites frequently need to send emails for essential functions such as contact form submissions, user registrations, password resets, and order confirmations. These emails play a vital role in how the site interacts with its visitors. Whether you’re running a blog, an online store, or a business website, ensuring reliable email delivery is crucial for keeping users informed and engaged.

By default, most hosting providers rely on WordPress’s built-in function to send emails. This uses the server’s PHP mail capabilities, which are fairly limited and often unreliable for dependable message delivery. Without proper authentication, such as Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), messages are far more likely to be flagged as spam or rejected by recipient mail servers. To make matters worse, WordPress doesn’t have any built-in logging or error notifications, so failed deliveries can slip by unnoticed, potentially disrupting key site operations that rely on timely messaging.

Regardless of whatever hosting plan you choose, it’s possible to use a plugin for your email setup. Email plugins let you connect to trusted 3^rd party SMTP services built specifically for sending email messages reliably. SMTP is the standard for sending emails and ensures your messages don’t get marked as spam. This improves deliverability and provides tools to track or troubleshoot problems. For most websites, taking the time to set up proper email delivery is a simple way to build trust and keep communications flowing.

Most email plugins allow you to keep a log of all emails sent from your site, which is useful for troubleshooting. If someone doesn’t receive an email, you can check whether it was actually sent and what it contained. These plugins also let you set the “From” name and email address, choose the “Reply-To” address, and configure formatting, giving emails a more professional and consistent appearance. While your hosting provider’s built-in email system can handle basic needs, plugins offer much greater reliability and customization. So, Even if your host claims to manage email delivery, it’s safer to explicitly configure SMTP using a plugin.

While the default WordPress Gutenberg Bock Editor offers a solid foundation for building content with blocks, many users find it somewhat limited out of the box. To fill in the gaps, a variety of 3^rd party block editor plugins have been developed. These tools expand on Gutenberg by offering extra design flexibility, additional blocks, and better control over layout and styling.

These enhanced editors work as add-ons to the core WordPress experience. They build upon Gutenberg’s block-based approach by introducing advanced block collections, like pricing tables, sliders, testimonials, call-to-action buttons, and more. Some also offer pre-designed templates and layout patterns that users can insert and customize which, in theory, make it faster to build professional looking pages. Examples include plugins like Spectra, Kadence Blocks, Stackable, and GenerateBlocks. Most of these have both free and premium options for building websites. 

These tools are especially helpful because they are lightweight and performance-focused, unlike traditional page builders which can be heavier and slower. Furthermore, enhanced block editors are deeply integrated into the native WordPress environment, allowing users to work within the familiar interface while gaining access to expanded customization options and advanced features. In essence, these plugins enable users to craft more sophisticated and polished websites without complicating the workflow, equipping both beginners and experts with powerful tools while remaining fully aligned within the streamlined WordPress block system.

So, before embarking on your website-building journey, we suggest you do some research and select a block editor plugin that best suits your needs. It’s perfectly fine to start with a free version and upgrade later if you require premium blocks. Be aware that once you begin using such a plugin, it must remain active — otherwise, your blocks may not function correctly, and your site’s appearance will suffer. Should you decide to switch plugins or find a specific block missing from your current choice, it’s possible to install additional editors. However, we advise against nesting blocks from different editors within each other, as compatibility issues may arise.

You may decide to use a page builder instead of a block editor, as they remain very popular and widely used. This approach to website focuses more on visual control and design flexibility, reducing reliance on themes. Plugins like Elementor, WPBakery, and Beaver Builder provide drag-and-drop interfaces that make building complex layouts easy, often including advanced styling options, animations, and responsive controls.

For all intents and purposes, page builders also use blocks, but the terminology varies. These building blocks are commonly called modules, widgets, or content elements. Essentially, they are components that users drag and drop onto a page to create layouts. These can range from basic elements like text and images to more advanced features such as forms, tables, or counters. Some page builders can also be used alongside or integrated with WordPress Gutenberg blocks.

What this means is that, regardless of whether you choose a Block Editor or a Page Builder, you will still essentially be constructing your website with blocks. Therefore, all the information on our site remains relevant regardless of which tool you choose.

Every WordPress website requires a theme to function. A theme controls the visual layout and overall appearance of the site — things like colours, typography, spacing, etc. This includes everything from header styles and fonts to how blog posts appear and how your pages and navigation menus are structured. Before you start building your pages, uploading images, or customizing layouts, you should decide which theme you’ll use. This is a foundational decision because once you’ve selected your theme, everything else will be shaped around it.

While it’s technically possible to switch themes later, this can cause major changes to how your site looks and behaves. Layouts might break, content might shift, and design settings may be lost. For this reason, changing themes mid-project is not recommended unless you’re comfortable troubleshooting the impact or rebuilding parts of your site.

WordPress allows users to install multiple themes, but a site can only have one active theme at a time. This active theme determines the overall appearance and layout of your site. While additional themes can remain installed in the background, they typically serve no function unless you’re working with a more advanced setup. In such cases, developers may create a child theme to customize the site safely without altering the original (parent) theme. However, for most everyday users and businesses child themes aren’t necessary and will never be used.

Many block editors and page builders claim they “work with any theme”. While this is technically true, most of them are actually designed to pair best with specific themes, usually developed by the same team. For example, the Spectra block editor is designed to complement the Spectra One theme; Elementor works particularly well with the Hello theme; and Divi Builder is tightly integrated with the Divi Theme which includes both the builder and theme in a unified package. So, if you’ve already decided on a page builder or block editor, it usually makes sense to go with the theme they recommend, as it will be optimized for compatibility and performance.