Stage 2 · Lesson 1 of 7

Hosting choices and installing WordPress

WordPress comes in two forms. is free software you install on your own hosting. WordPress.com is a hosted service that runs WordPress for you, with fewer freedoms on its cheaper plans.

For client work, most people use or managed hosting built for WordPress, with a one-click installer. For building, they use , which runs WordPress on their own computer. When comparing hosts, look at these before price: the PHP version supported (PHP is the language WordPress runs on), daily backups, a for testing, how close the servers are to the client's visitors, and the quality of support.

Install WordPress at least twice, once locally and once on real hosting. That way you learn where wp-config.php, the and the uploads folder live.

Common trappicking the cheapest plan for a store, then chasing slowness no plugin can fix.

A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 2 cheat sheet entries come with the full roadmap. Unlock

Resources for this stage

Start with

CourseFree
Learn WordPress
WordPress.org
Free official courses on the block editor, Site Editor, themes and plugins, with lesson plans and online workshops

Practise

Local
Free desktop app for spinning up local WordPress sites in a minute, so you can break things safely

Keep handy

WordPress Developer Resources
The official theme handbook, including theme.json, templates and child themes

Also worth your time

roadmap.sh: WordPressGo deeper
A map of the wider WordPress skill set to check your coverage against once the basics feel solid