Looking for the theme subscription service? In 2019 a service called WP Starter Pack started showing up in Google searches and Facebook Ads. They resell a bunch of WordPress themes and plugins using a loophole in the WordPress licensing rules. You can read my review of their service here. I am not affiliated with that organization and do not provide any support for their products, themes or plugins.
The tools I use to launch MVP websites in under an hour
In this post, I share my WP Starter Pack which I’ve been using to build and launch websites for almost a decade.
Save time and money by skipping the difficult WordPress setup and avoiding the theme selection process. The WP Starter Pack will help you build and launch a website in as little as one hour, no purchase necessary.
By using the WP Starter Pack to build your website, you’ll save time and money up front, while setting yourself up with room for added features and improved design in the future.
Get the WP Starter Pack
The WP Starter Pack is a ZIP file with a pre-packaged theme, essential plugins, and a getting started guide. The best part: it’s completely free.
WP Starter PackView and download >>
Why I built the WP Starter Pack
Ever since I bought my first domain name, I’ve been using WordPress to build websites. Even after learning to code, I’ve continued to build and launch sites on WordPress.
At the beginning, I loved WordPress for starter sites because I could get professional websites without writing code. I would search out the perfect theme and spend time filling out the widgets to make it look just like ‘those other sites’.
Today I use WordPress because it’s my most pragmatic choice. I can launch the basic WordPress framework in 15 minutes, which lets me put time into the important part of the site: the content. Also, I know that if I need to extend the site, my options are virtually limitless.
In order to be able to launch a starter WordPress site quickly, I’ve developed a system for how I set up new projects. It’s allowed me to reduce setup from weeks to minutes.
Before you go any further, make sure you have a fool-proof plan for password management. I recommend using the LastPass password manager, but whatever method you choose, make sure it is the safest and most reliable option you can handle.
Of all of the website-related problems I’ve experienced in 10 years of website building, lost passwords were the most frequent problem – and the easiest problem to avoid.
Once more for good measure: If you lose access to your domain, hosting, or WordPress instance, you may permanently lose control of your website. Make sure you have a plan for where you’re storing your usernames and passwords.
Getting started
In order for you or me to view a page or read an article, every website needs two things: a server and a domain.
- A server (also known as hosting) is a fancy computer that runs 24/7 to make your website show up when people visit it.
- A domain (for example, google.com) is like the street address of your website. It’s the way your computer or phone knows where to find the server.
Website hosting
A website host is the company that owns and operates your server. You rent the server, and the host takes care of making sure it is up and running around the clock.
I’ve been using Dreamhost for hosting since I built my first website. They have a premium hosting option called DreamPress that takes all of the work out of getting started with WordPress. From this point on, DreamHost will be the company that’s responsible for making your website accessible to the rest of the world.
Tip: Don’t forget to add your DreamHost username and password to LastPass. If you lose this, you will lose control of your website. Do not lose this.
Domain name
You’ll need a domain. If you’re using Dreamhost for your hosting, you can also register your domain on the same account.
- After setting up hosting, click “Continue with Domain Registration”
- Sign in to your account
- Enter your information
- Register for 1 year, click “Proceed…”
- Confirm your registration
If you’re having trouble deciding on a domain name, don’t fret. Just find one that seems okay and use it. Domains are inexpensive, and you can always buy another if you don’t like the one you started with.
Configuring WordPress
If you followed instructions correctly, you should now have an email in your inbox with the subject: “DreamPress install complete!” If you see that email, congratulations, you’re ready to start configuring WordPress.
When you open the email, look for the line that says “In order to log in for the first time…” and click that link to set a password. Make sure you save this password somewhere safe!
Once you’ve set your password, you’ll be able to log in to your new WordPress dashboard.
Removing defaults and filler content
- Create a “Home” page
- Trash the “Sample” page
- Trash the “Hello World” post
- Change “Settings > General”
- Change “Site Title”
- Change “Tagline” if available
- Save settings
- Change “Settings > Reading”
- Change your “Homepage Displays” to “A Static Page” (select below)
- Change “Home Page” to “Home”
- Leave “Posts” Page unset
- Save settings
Configuring the settings
You’ll find this first set of changes in the left toolbar under Settings > General.
- Change “Site Title” to the title of your website.
- Change “Tagline” to your company tagline, if you have one. If not, it’s okay to leave this blank.
- Make sure you save settings before moving on!
Now we’ll go to the next set of changes, found in Settings > Reading.
- Change your “Homepage Displays” to “A Static Page”.
- Change “Home Page” to be the home page you created earlier.
- For now, leave the “Posts” Page unset.
- Save your settings!
Jump into WordPress
From here, you’re ready to start writing blog posts or publishing pages! Feel free to experiment with themes, install plugins to expand your features, or just keep your website plain and simple.
Get the WP Starter Pack
The WP Starter Pack is a ZIP file with a pre-packaged theme, essential plugins, and a getting started guide.
WP Starter Pack View and download >>