Setting Up Essential Pages for Your Website

Now that you’ve got WordPress installed, your theme picked out, and your plugins in place, it’s time to focus on the core content of your website. Every website needs a few essential pages to provide visitors with the information they need and guide them through your site. Think of these pages as the foundation of your site—without them, your visitors won’t know where to go or how to interact with you.

We’re going to cover the essential pages you need and how to set them up in a way that keeps things simple but effective.

1. The Home Page

Your home page is the first thing most visitors will see when they land on your site. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression. A well-designed home page tells visitors who you are, what you do, and how you can help them—all within a few seconds.

Here’s what you should include on your home page:

Headline: A clear, bold headline that communicates what your site is about. This should be short and to the point—visitors need to understand your message right away.
Call to Action (CTA): Guide visitors on what to do next. Whether it’s signing up for your newsletter, checking out your services, or reading your latest blog post, make it obvious.
Brief Introduction: A short section that explains who you are or what your business offers. Keep it concise—people want a snapshot, not a full biography on the home page.
Visuals: Include images or graphics that represent your brand. These could be product images, a personal photo, or an illustration that enhances your site’s message.

To create your home page, go to Pages > Add New in your WordPress dashboard, and name the page “Home.” Add your content, and use the theme’s customization options to arrange the elements (text, images, buttons) as needed. Once it’s ready, go to Settings > Reading, and set this page as your “Static Front Page.”

2. The About Page

Your About page is where visitors go to learn more about you or your business. This page is an opportunity to build trust with your audience by showing them who’s behind the website. The more personal and relatable you make it, the more likely people are to connect with you.

What to include on your About page:

Your Story: Share a bit about how you got started, what inspires you, and why you do what you do. Keep it authentic and real—people want to get to know the person or company behind the website.
Mission Statement: Explain what your goals are and how you plan to help your audience. This adds a sense of purpose to your website.
Photos: Personalize the page with a photo of yourself or your team. This makes your site feel more human and relatable.
Call to Action: Don’t forget to include a CTA at the end of the page, whether it’s to contact you, follow your blog, or check out your services.

To create this page, head to Pages > Add New and title it “About.” Write your content and format it to reflect your style. A mix of text, images, and possibly even a video can make this page engaging.

3. The Contact Page

A Contact page is crucial for letting visitors know how they can reach you. Whether you’re running a business or just a personal blog, giving people a way to get in touch is essential.

Here’s what you should include on your Contact page:

Contact Form: This is the easiest way for people to reach you without exposing your email address directly. If you’ve installed a plugin like WPForms, creating a simple contact form is a breeze.
Email Address: If you prefer, include your email address so visitors can contact you directly.
Phone Number: If your business requires phone support or inquiries, add your phone number to the page.
Social Media Links: If you’re active on social media, include links to your profiles so people can connect with you in more ways.

Go to Pages > Add New and name it “Contact.” Use a plugin like WPForms to add a form, and include any other details (like phone number or email) that are relevant.

4. The Services or Products Page

If your site is for a business or you’re selling something, a Services or Products page is essential. This is where you outline what you offer and how people can get it. Make sure this page is clear and straightforward—visitors should immediately understand how to work with you or purchase what you’re selling.

What to include:

List of Services/Products: Clearly list your services or products with brief descriptions. Highlight the main benefits and why people should choose you.
Pricing: If applicable, include pricing details so visitors know what to expect.
Call to Action: Whether it’s scheduling a consultation or adding a product to their cart, make sure there’s a clear next step for your visitors.

To create this page, go to Pages > Add New, name it “Services” or “Products,” and add your content. If you’re selling products, you might want to install an e-commerce plugin like WooCommerce to handle the details.

5. The Privacy Policy Page

A Privacy Policy page is important for legal reasons, especially if you’re collecting any kind of visitor data (like emails for a newsletter). It’s a good practice to let visitors know how their information is being used, and many countries require this by law.

Most privacy policies include details about what kind of data is collected, how it’s used, and how it’s protected. If you’re not sure where to start, you can find templates online to help you draft a privacy policy that fits your site.

To create this page, go to Pages > Add New, name it “Privacy Policy,” and paste in your privacy policy content. If you’re using a plugin that collects user data (like Google Analytics), you’ll want to mention it here.

6. The Blog Page (Optional)

If you’re planning to run a blog, a Blog page is where your posts will be displayed. WordPress automatically creates a blog archive page for you, so all you need to do is make sure it’s set up properly.

To do this, go to Settings > Reading and under “Posts page,” select the page where you want your blog posts to appear. This is typically titled “Blog” or “News.” Now, when you publish new posts, they’ll automatically show up on this page.

These essential pages lay the foundation for your website, helping visitors understand who you are, what you offer, and how they can get in touch. Take the time to build each one carefully, ensuring they’re clear, well-organized, and easy to navigate.

Now that your essential pages are set up, it’s time to dive into creating content and making your website even more engaging. Next up: Writing your first blog post or adding services to your site!