If you’re like most new bookkeepers I know, you may have started building your website using WordPress and now feel confused, frustrated, and overwhelmed but can’t afford to hire a professional just yet.
So, I put together this basic WordPress website guide below to help you get started on your DIY WordPress website project.
Before we dive into the guide, I want to introduce you to an easy to use, WordPress alternative I highly recommend for DIY website projects.
If you’re just starting out on your bookkeeping business journey and don’t mind upgrading your website later when your business grows, this affordable, easy to use website builder will allow you to build your starter website quickly (as little as an hour) without any coding experience.
While I use WordPress to build professional bookkeeping websites for my digital marketing clients, I strongly recommend against using WordPress to build your own website since it isn’t the most user friendly out of the box.
But, if you’re set on using WordPress and don’t mind the learning curve, here’s a basic guide outlining what you can expect + some helpful tips to make the process a bit easier.
Getting Started with WordPress
1. Purchase Hosting
To get started with WordPress, one of the things you need is a hosting account somewhere to “put” your WordPress website and all the files associated with it (this is NOT a program that goes on your computer). You can create your account here.
2. Install WordPress
Installing WordPress looks a bit different for various hosting sites, but for the hosting I provide includes automatic setup, backups and software updates paired with 24/7, award-winning support.
3. Choose Your Theme
Dashboard > Appearance > Themes > Add New > Install > Activate
In the video below, you’ll see me install the theme “Neve”. Since recording this video, I’ve switched to the theme “Hello” by Elementor and currently use this theme for most of my clients.
WordPress Made Simple – How to install your theme – Watch Video
4. Add The Elementor Page Builder Plugin
Dashboard > Plugins > Add New > Elementor
Straight out of the box, WordPress isn’t very user friendly for non-designers and developers. However, the Elementor page builder plugin helps bridge the gap between DIYers and web professionals.
The Elementor page builder plugin is a tool that allows you to easily edit your website without any coding experience by allowing you to simply click, point, customize your website quickly and easily.
While I personally use the paid version of this plugin, ElementorPRO, which unlocks a variety of advanced features such as the ability to create contact forms and pop-ups for email opt-ins, the free version of this plugin is packed with the essential features that many small business owners need.
WordPress Made Simple – How to install your plugins – Watch Video
5. Add Your Pages
Dashboard > Pages > Add New
The essential elements your bookkeeping business website should include:
- Home
- About
- Services
- Contact
- Blog (optional but highly recommended for SEO)
- Legal pages – Here’s an article I wrote on the importance of legal website policies for bookkeepers.
WordPress Made Simple – How to add a new page – Watch Video
6. Create Your Navigation Menu
Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Menus to Create New Menu and then follow the prompts to add your site pages to the menu you’re creating.
Your navigation menu is what displays all of the pages you created in the previous step and makes it accessible to your website visitors. You can drag and drop the order of the menu links and even create sub-menus/dropdowns if necessary.
Don’t forget to press save!
WordPress Made Simple – How to create a navigation menu – Watch Video
7. Add Your Content
Dashboard > Pages > Select Page > Edit With Elementor > Point, Click, and Customize
This is the fun part – adding your business information to make the website your own. The Elementor page builder plugin you installed earlier makes this process fun and easy! Add your logo, brand colors, text, and images within just a few clicks! Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when building your bookkeeping website.
Elementor | wordpress template demo – Watch Video
8. Customize Your Footer
Appearance > Customize > Footer > Copyright.
Instead of launching your website with the default footer – “Built Using WordPress”, add your company name and business details of any other resources your potential clients will find useful.
9. Review and Publish
After you’ve added everything to your site, make sure you review each and every page to ensure all your links and buttons are linked and functioning properly.
Once you’ve double and triple checked that your website is functioning properly, go ahead and hit the publish button to share your website with the world and start promoting to drive traffic to your new website and attract new clients!
Quick tip: I shared some great post launch tips in my private Facebook community, Website Solutions + Digital Marketing Support for Bookkeepers. This growing community is exclusively for Bookkeeper Launch members. Here’s the link to the post.
Dashboard > Pages > Select Page > Edit With Elementor > Publish
Now that you know what steps to take to build your WordPress website, it’s time to learn how to keep it up and running smoothly after you launch. When you’re ready, grab my website maintenance checklist
Hopefully you found this information helpful! If you have any questions about setting up your website account and need 1:1 support, please feel free to book a strategy call with me. I’m always happy to help! 🙂
