Simple Way to Create a Social Media Website (Full Guide)

Do you want to build a social media website? Making a social media site lets people share news, updates, and opinions on different topics. It helps create a community of people with similar interests and encourages engagement through discussions and forums.

In this guide, we will show you how to create a social media website using WordPress, step by step.

Getting Started: Checklist for Your Social Media Website

Before you begin, plan the features and concepts for your social platform.

1. Choose the Type of Social Media Website: Decide if your site will be like Instagram (media-sharing), Glassdoor (professional business), Quora (informational forum), or Facebook (social network).
2. Identify Your Target Audience: Determine the age group, location, and behavior of your audience.
3. Study User Trends and Preferences: Find out what features your audience will like.
4. Understand Legal Requirements: Make sure your platform complies with laws about data privacy, intellectual property, etc. Consider consulting a lawyer.
5. Hire a Developer (Optional): If you don’t want to build the site yourself, you can hire a developer.

If you prefer to build the site yourself without coding, follow these steps.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Social Media Website

Step 1: Choose a Website Builder

WordPress is highly recommended for building social media platforms because it’s easy to use, scalable, and feature-rich. Use WordPress.org (not WordPress.com) for full control and integration with numerous plugins.

Step 2: Choose a Domain Name and Hosting

You need a domain name (your website’s address) and web hosting (where your website lives online). Bluehost offers a discount, a free domain name, and an SSL certificate . Follow these steps:

1. Click on the provided link to access Bluehost’s offer.
2. Select a hosting plan (Basic or Choice Plus recommended).
3. Choose and register a domain name related to your niche.
4. Fill in your account information and payment details.

Step 3: Create a New WordPress Website

If you used the Bluehost link, WordPress is already installed on your domain. To create another site or if you use different hosting:

1. Go to the ‘Websites’ tab in the Bluehost dashboard.
2. Click ‘Add Site’ and select ‘Install WordPress.’
3. Name your social media website and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Step 4: Select a Theme for Your Social Media Website

Replace the default theme with one that suits your niche. You can use themes designed for social media websites. Install and customize your chosen theme through the WordPress dashboard.

Step 5: Set Up Your Social Media Website with BuddyPress

BuddyPress is a free WordPress plugin that transforms your site into a social network. Install and activate BuddyPress, then:

1. Configure BuddyPress components (e.g., Friend Connections, Private Messaging).
2. Set up slugs and titles for BuddyPress pages.
3. Choose community visibility and other options.

BuddyPress will create pages like Members and Activity Streams, where users can create profiles, send friend requests, and upload profile photos.

Step 6: Use bbPress to Create a Forum (Optional)

Adding a forum encourages user engagement. bbPress is a free forum plugin for WordPress. Install and activate bbPress, then:

1. Create a new forum by visiting the Forums » Add New page.
2. Name your forum, add a description, and configure visibility.

Step 7: Create a Navigation Menu and Homepage

Make it easy for users to navigate your site by adding links to the navigation menu. Customize the menu through the WordPress dashboard. Design a visually appealing homepage and set it as your site’s homepage.

Step 8: Use WPForms to Add a Contact Form

WPForms is a drag-and-drop form builder plugin for WordPress. Install WPForms and use the Simple Contact Form template to add a contact form to your site.

Consider adding a business phone service using Nextiva for additional support and communication options.

Step 9: Use All in One SEO to Improve Site Rankings

All in One SEO is an SEO plugin that helps improve your site’s search engine rankings. Install and configure the plugin to boost traffic and grow your social network.

By following these steps, you can create a social media website that engages users and builds a community around shared interests.