Setting Up Your Own Website

This advanced module walks you through the complete process of setting up and building your own professional website, guided by Jason Marty. Beginning with the fundamentals of domain names and hosting, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how domains work, why they must be registered, and how to choose and configure the right setup for your needs, before moving into installing and launching WordPress on your own server.

From there, the module focuses on building, customising, and managing your website using WordPress. You’ll learn how to plan and structure your content, install and configure themes, create pages with a page builder, and refine your site through menus, widgets, shortcodes, plugins, and styling options. Alongside this, you’ll develop confidence navigating the WordPress admin area, applying security best practices, and maintaining a polished, functional website that supports your creative or professional goals.

Setting Up Your Own Website Advanced Module

Build an attractive photography website that represents your style!

Design and launch a professional website that showcases your work with clarity and confidence. This module helps you understand the technical foundations behind domains, hosting, and WordPress, while guiding you through planning, building, and customising a site that is easy to manage, visually engaging, and aligned with your creative identity.

#PIstudent creating his own website

Module Topics

In this module, we will cover the following topics and beyond:

About the Author: Jason Marty
Introduction to Setting up your own Website
Understanding Domain Names
What is a Domain Name?
Choosing the Right Domain Name for You
Why Does a Domain Name have to be Registered?
How Does a Domain Name Work?
Understanding Hosting
Registering your Domain Name & Buying Hosting
1: You Require a Domain Name & Hosting
2: You Have a Domain Name & Require Hosting
3: You Already Have a Domain Name & Hosting
Domain Name Delegation
Installing WordPress
Download WordPress
Uploading WordPress to Your Server
Setting up the Database
Completing the WordPress Installation
Building your Website
Planning your Website & Preparing your Content
Installing the Theme
Step 1: Download the Zipped Theme File
Step 2. Login to Your WordPress Admin Area
Basic WordPress Settings
Give your Website a Title and Tagline
Set the Permalink
Comments
The Theme Settings
Theme Settings
Theme Mobile Settings
Blog Settings
Project Settings
Social Media Settings
Assign a Page to be the Home Page
Using the Page Builder
Create a Home Page
Ok so now you have a go
Page Heading
Text Area
Slideshow
Promo Boxes
Feature Text

Testimonial
Parallax
Feed
Gallery
Call to Action Panel
The Standard WordPress Text Area
VISUAL versus TEXT view
The Wysiwyg toolbar
Link Tool
Full Screen Edit Mode
Remove / Retain Formatting
Custom Characters
Insert an Image into a Text Area
Insert a Gallery into a Text Area
How to Add a Blog Post and Set Up Categories
Using Widgets
Add Footer Content using Widgets
Add Blog Sidebar Content using Widgets
Use the Customiser to Set your Website Styles
Colours
Fonts
Organising your Menus with Custom Menus
What can I add to the Menu?
About Shortcodes & Chameleon Shortcode Types
Shortcode Types
How to use Shortcodes
Projects
Creating a Parent Page
Adding a Plugin and a Contact Form
Website Security
WordPress Admin Reference
The WordPress Admin Area
Admin Toolbar
Home
Updates
Pages & Posts inc Projects
Media
Appearance
Plugins
Users
Tools
Settings

Module Outcomes

By completing the Setting Up Your Own Website Advanced Module, you will:

Understand how domain names and hosting work, and confidently choose, register, and configure them.
Install and configure WordPress, including databases, themes, and essential site settings.
Plan and build an attractive and structured website using page builders, pages, posts, galleries, and blogs.
Customise your website’s appearance with menus, widgets, fonts, colours, and theme settings.
Manage, secure, and maintain your website through the WordPress admin area, plugins, and best-practice workflows.

Ready to build a unique website that represents your brand with elegance?

The Setting Up Your Own Website Advanced Module is available exclusively to students enroled in our online Photography Course. You’ll also receive a free six-month course extension and the support of a dedicated tutor who will guide you through the module and help you apply the lessons to your own website project and photography journey.

If you’re ready to create a website that represents your own photography brand and style, this module is the perfect next step. Join us and unlock the tools, clarity and confidence to customise your own website, allowing you to grow your photography business and elevate marketing abilities.