WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world today, powering more than 35% of the websites on the internet. If you’re thinking about using WordPress to start your own blog or website, it’s a great idea to try it out before you commit to using it for the long term. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of getting a trial WordPress site up and running, so you can get a hands-on feel for how it works and assess whether it’s the right platform for your needs.
Step 1: Choose a WordPress Hosting Provider
The first step in getting your trial WordPress site set up is to choose a hosting provider that offers a free trial or money-back guarantee. There are several hosting providers that offer WordPress hosting, such as:
Compare the features, pricing, and trial periods of these hosting providers to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Step 2: Sign Up for a Trial Account
Once you’ve chosen a hosting provider, sign up for a trial account with them. You may need to enter your credit card information, but you won’t be charged until the trial period is over. Make sure to take note of when the trial period ends, so you can cancel the account if you decide not to continue with the hosting provider.
Step 3: Install WordPress
After signing up for a trial account, you’ll need to install WordPress on your hosting account. Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation process. For example, if you’re using Bluehost, simply log into your Bluehost account, go to the “My Sites” section, and click on “Create Site“. From there, follow the on-screen instructions to install WordPress on your account.
Step 4: Customize Your WordPress Site
Now that WordPress is installed on your trial account, it’s time to start customizing your site. Log into your WordPress dashboard by going to yourdomain.com/wp-admin and entering your username and password. From the dashboard, you can:
- Choose a theme: Navigate to “Appearance” > “Themes“, and browse through the available themes. You can preview each theme and install the one you like the most.
- Customize your site: Go to “Appearance” > “Customize” to personalize your site’s color scheme, logo, fonts, and more.
- Add plugins: Visit “Plugins” > “Add New” to search for and install plugins that can add functionality to your site.
- Create pages: Click on “Pages” > “Add New” to create new pages for your site, such as an About page, Contact page, or Blog page.
- Create blog posts: Go to “Posts” > “Add New” to write and publish blog posts on your site.
Step 5: Evaluate Your WordPress Trial Experience
After customizing your trial WordPress site and using it for a while, it’s important to evaluate whether the platform meets your needs. Consider the following factors:
- Ease of use: Did you find the WordPress dashboard easy to navigate and use?
- Customization options: Were you able to customize your site to your liking using the available themes and plugins?
- Performance: Did your site load quickly and perform well overall?
- Support: If you encountered any issues, was the hosting provider’s customer support helpful?
If you’re satisfied with your trial experience, you can continue using your WordPress site by upgrading to a paid plan with your hosting provider. If not, you can cancel your trial before the trial period ends to avoid being charged.
Conclusion
Trialing WordPress is a smart move if you’re considering using the platform for your website or blog. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up a trial WordPress site, get hands-on experience with the platform, and make an informed decision about whether it’s the right choice for your needs.
