Exploring WordPress without involving a real domain

  • Unknown's avatar
    adz19 · Member ·

    It is the tenth time I get stuck on WordPress. I am trying to play around, see what themes are available, try to build a website BEFORE actually deciding that this is the right platform. Yet every single time I leave because it forces me to pick a new domain or to transfer an existing one. How can I try it before starting the whole process? It is becoming truly annoying and I would love to avoid leaving also for the tenth time… Thanks in advance!

  • Unknown's avatar
    mywritingmuscle · Member ·

    Hello @adz19,

    I understand how frustrating that can be. I will try my level best to help you get started without having to pick a new domain or transfer an existing one.

    First things first, you start off by signing up to WordPress.com, which in your case you already have. Next step for you would be to create a site with a WordPress.com blog address. You will initially be provided with options of a .wordpress.com or a .home.blog subdomain whenever you create a site with WordPress.com.

    Also, I presume you were getting stuck at this phase if you were persistent on going ahead with a custom domain option like for example, adz19.com. Remember when creating a site with a free trial here, you cannot opt for custom domains to create a site.

    Do not worry, start with a dummy domain option like for example adz19.wordpress.com so that you can just use that as a domain for you to build the site, explore the themes, the pandora box full of WordPress.com features and determine whether or not this is the platform you want to use.

    Once you are developing the site, you can make the decision to transfer the domain over:

    https://en.support.wordpress.com/incoming-domain-transfer/

    Map an existing domain:

    https://en.support.wordpress.com/map-existing-domain/

    Or even creating a new one:

    https://en.support.wordpress.com/register-domain/

    In any case here is a step by step process you can try to create your site on WordPress.com:

    Step 1: Create a site . This is step 1 of 6. You are now given the choices for the kind of site are you building. The choices will be Blog-Business-Professional-Online store. You can go ahead with any of the first three options (which are free).
    Ref Scrn Shot here: https://prnt.sc/ot4o73

    Step 2: Step 2 of 6 is where you are asked to fill out what does your business do. No need to get fancy here, just go with the basics. For example, if you are starting a website for teas, you fill in teas.
    Ref Scrn Shot here: https://prnt.sc/ot4pft

    Step 3: Step 3 of 6 is where you tell WordPress.com your business’s name. For example it can be Example teas.
    Ref Scrn Shot here:https://prnt.sc/ot4psw

    Step 4: Step 4 of 6 you Choose a style for your site. This will help you get started with a theme you might like. You can change it later.
    Ref Scrn Shot here:https://prnt.sc/ot4qa5

    Step 5: Step 5 of 6 you give your site an address. Enter your business’s name or some keywords that describe it to get started. Following up on the previous tea example, you may type example teas. WordPress.com will now generate available site address taking into consideration the key words provided by you. You can now go ahead and choose the free option you see right below paid options.
    Ref Srcn Shot here: https://prnt.sc/ot4t87

    Step 6: Voila! You have your first free site created and waiting to be explored through selecting themes, setting up home pages and many other exciting customisations to build your site.

    Hope this helps you avoid leaving for the tenth time. Please feel free to reply to this post if you have more questions or feel stuck in the process at any given time. We look forward to making this an easier experience for you.

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