How Do I Publish My WordPress Site?

Before your WordPress site can go live for the world to see, there are a few essential setup steps to complete. This guide walks you through the entire process, from configuring your site's basic settings to finally clicking the Publish button.

If you're just getting started, please see our guide on How to Get Started with WordPress.

In this article, we'll cover:

• Pre-Launch Checklist for Your WordPress Site
• How to Publish Your WordPress Site

Pre-Launch Checklist for Your WordPress Site

First, make sure you are logged into your WordPress dashboard. For instructions, see How to Log In to Your WordPress Dashboard. Once logged in, complete the following steps.

Step 1: Set Your Site Title and Tagline

1. From the left-hand menu, click Settings, then select General.
   
2. Enter your website's name in the Site Title field. You can also add a Tagline to briefly describe your site.
   
3. Click Save Changes.

Step 2: Design Your Homepage and Add Content

The look and feel of your site depend on the content and design you choose. You can add text, create photo galleries, and style your theme to match your brand. The articles below can help you design your site:

• How to Update Site Using Global Styles
• How to Add Media Files in WordPress
• How to Add a Photo Gallery

Step 3: Create Additional Pages

Most websites need more than just a homepage. You can create essential pages like "About Us" or "Contact." For instructions, please see our guide on How to Create a Page or Blog Post.

Step 4: Set Up Your Navigation Menu

A menu helps visitors easily navigate your site. Follow these steps to create one:

1. From the left-hand menu, click Appearance, then select Menus.
   
2. Enter a name for your menu in the Menu Name field and click Create Menu.
3. From the Add menu items panel on the left, check the boxes for the pages, posts, or other content you want to add to your menu, then click Add to Menu.
   
4. Drag and drop the menu items into your desired order.
5. Under Menu Settings, check the box for the location where you want your menu to appear (e.g., Primary Menu).
6. Click Save Menu.
   

How to Publish Your WordPress Site

Once your pre-launch checklist is complete, you are ready to make your site live.

1. From your WordPress Dashboard, open your theme editor. Depending on your theme, you will either:
   • Click the Open site editor link (for modern Block Themes).
   • Or go to Appearance > Customize (for Classic Themes).
2. Next, click the Publish button. Its location depends on the editor you are using:
   • In the Site Editor, you may need to click on your page content first to reveal the Publish button at the top.
     
   • In the Customizer (from the Appearance menu), the Publish button is typically located at the top of the left-hand settings panel.
     

Review

This guide walked you through the essential pre-launch checklist for your WordPress site. By completing these steps, you have:

• Set your site title and tagline.
• Designed your homepage and created key pages.
• Built a user-friendly navigation menu.
• Successfully published your site for the world to see.