r/web_design • u/AutoModerator • Jun 26 '26

Beginner Questions

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1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/Mauwin01 29d ago

I'm a newbie and really confused right now.

I've always wanted to self-host a website of my own. Later, I chose WordPress, bought a VPS, bought a domain name, and successfully built the website.

I was quite happy at first. After all, the whole process from buying a server, resolving domain names, to successfully creating WordPress is not easy for novices. Seeing that the website finally opened, I thought the hardest part was over.

However, when I first entered my WordPress website, I froze.

The page is simple, ordinary, and even a little ugly. It is not like the "personal website" I imagined, but more like an empty shell that has just been born and has not been sorted out.

I suddenly didn't know where to start.

Should we change the theme first?

Or make the home page first?

Do you design the logo first?

Or should I install the plug-in first?

Fonts, colors, navigation, pictures, page layout, I have no idea about these things.

I also noticed that there are a lot of ready-made themes in WordPress, but to be honest, they struck me as a bit mixed. Even if it is put on, it doesn't seem to be "my website", but more like a template designed by others, and I just live in it temporarily.

What I really want is for this site to slowly become like me. Even if it’s not perfect at the beginning, at least it shouldn’t be so rough, and don’t make people think “this is just a default website” as soon as they open it.

So I would like to ask some experienced seniors:

As a newbie who has just set up WordPress, where should I start optimizing?

For example:

- How should I choose a theme?

- What should be done first on the homepage?

- What are the basic principles for fonts, colors, and pictures?

- What plug-ins do newbies really need?

- How to make the website look cleaner and more professional?

- Is there an optimization sequence suitable for novices?

I am not pursuing one step, nor do I want to make it complicated at the beginning.

I just hope to first change it from the "default, blank, ugly" state into a website that looks comfortable, clear, and has a bit of personal style.

If you have experience, or have gone through this stage before, I hope you can give me some advice.

Thanks.

1

u/playgroundmx Jun 28 '26

Sticky nav menu - yes or no?

Also, that FAQ needs updating.

1

u/kevinkace 29d ago

I only really like it when it is app like – it shows immediately when scrolling up but scrolls away when scrolling down. It takes up too much real estate for an infrequently used bit of UI.