How to Make a Website Like WikiHow: The Ultimate Guide
WikiHow is one of the most popular websites on the internet, attracting over 100 million visitors per month to its vast collection of how-to guides. If you‘re passionate about sharing knowledge and helping others learn new skills, creating your own WikiHow-like site can be an exciting and rewarding project.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through the process of building a successful how-to website from scratch. Whether you‘re a complete beginner or have some experience with web development, you‘ll find actionable tips and resources to help turn your vision into reality. Let‘s get started!
Step 1: Lay the technical foundation
Before you start creating content, you‘ll need to set up the infrastructure for your website. Here are the key components:
Domain name: Your site‘s unique web address. Aim for something short, memorable, and relevant to your niche. For a how-to site, you might include keywords like "guides," "tutorials," or "learning." Use a tool like Namecheap to find an available domain and register it.
Web hosting: This is where your website‘s files will be stored and served to visitors. For most sites, shared hosting plans from reputable providers like SiteGround, Bluehost, or HostGator will be more than sufficient. Look for a plan that includes one-click WordPress installation to make the next steps easier.
WordPress: This is the content management system (CMS) that will power your site. WordPress is free, open-source, and highly customizable, making it the ideal choice for all kinds of websites. With your hosting plan, you should be able to install WordPress with just a few clicks.
Theme: Your WordPress theme determines the overall look and layout of your site. While there are thousands of free themes available, investing in a premium theme from a marketplace like ThemeForest will give you more features, better support, and a more professional design. Look for a theme that‘s optimized for SEO, speed, and usability. Some top picks for a WikiHow-style site include Divi, Astra, and GeneratePress.
Essential plugins: These are like apps for your WordPress site, adding specific functions and features. Some must-haves include Yoast SEO for optimizing your content, Jetpack for security and performance, and a backup solution like UpdraftPlus. As your site grows, you might add more plugins for things like contact forms, social sharing, and email marketing.
Step 2: Plan your content strategy
With the technical pieces in place, it‘s time to start thinking about your content. What topics will you cover? How will you structure your guides? What‘s your target audience? Answering these questions up front will help keep your content focused and effective.
Keyword research: Start by brainstorming a list of potential topics and then use a tool like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to gauge the search volume and competition for each keyword. Look for relevant phrases that get a decent amount of searches but aren‘t too competitive. These will be easier to rank for as a new site.
Content planning: Based on your keyword research, make a list of the first 10-20 guides you want to create. Aim for a mix of broad, beginner-friendly topics and more specific, niche ones. Use a content calendar to map out your publishing schedule and keep yourself accountable.
Writing best practices: When it comes to actually writing your guides, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Break up your content with headings, short paragraphs, lists, and plenty of white space for easy skimming
- Use simple, conversational language and avoid jargon or overly technical terms
- Include step-by-step instructions, tips, and examples to make your guides as actionable as possible
- Incorporate relevant images, videos, infographics, and other media to enhance your content
- Link to reputable sources and further reading where appropriate
- Always proofread and edit your work for clarity, accuracy, and grammar
Organization: As you publish more guides, keeping them organized will be critical for user experience. Use categories and tags to group related content together. Create a clear navigation menu and add a search bar so visitors can easily find what they need. You might also consider adding a table of contents to longer guides.
Step 3: Promote and grow your site
Creating great content is only half the battle. To attract readers and build a loyal following, you‘ll need to actively promote your site and optimize it for search engines. Here are some key strategies:
SEO: Follow SEO best practices to help your content rank higher in search results. This includes researching keywords, optimizing your page titles and meta descriptions, using header tags appropriately, and building high-quality backlinks. Tools like Yoast SEO and Google Search Console can guide you through the process.
Social media: Share your content on social media platforms where your target audience is active. This might include Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, or niche forums related to your topics. Encourage readers to follow your accounts and share your guides with their own networks.
Email marketing: Building an email list is one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience and promote your content. Use a tool like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to create signup forms and landing pages. Offer a freebie like an ebook or checklist to incentivize signups. Send regular newsletters highlighting your latest guides and other useful resources.
Guest posting: Reach new audiences by publishing guest posts on other relevant blogs and websites. This can help build your authority, drive referral traffic, and earn valuable backlinks. Look for sites in your niche that accept guest submissions and pitch them ideas for helpful how-to content.
Step 4: Monetize your site
Once your site starts gaining traction, you may want to monetize it to cover your expenses and potentially earn a profit. Some popular options for how-to sites include:
Display ads: Sign up for an ad network like Google AdSense, Ezoic, or Mediavine and earn money based on the traffic to your site. As your audience grows, you can qualify for more exclusive networks with higher payouts.
Affiliate marketing: Promote relevant products or services in your guides and earn a commission when readers make a purchase through your unique affiliate link. Look for affiliate programs related to your niche on networks like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and ClickBank.
Digital products: Package your expertise into ebooks, courses, templates, or printables and sell them directly to your audience. This can be a lucrative way to monetize since you keep all the profits. Use a platform like Teachable or Gumroad to host and sell your products.
Sponsored content: Partner with brands to create sponsored guides or review their products. This works best if you have a engaged niche audience that trusts your recommendations. Be sure to disclose any sponsored relationships to maintain transparency.
Step 5: Maintain and improve your site
Finally, know that running a successful website is an ongoing process. You‘ll need to continuously update and optimize your site to keep up with changes in technology, user expectations, and your own goals. Some key maintenance tasks include:
- Regularly updating WordPress, your theme, and plugins to ensure security and compatibility
- Monitoring your site‘s speed and performance and making improvements as needed
- Tracking your traffic and user engagement with tools like Google Analytics
- Gathering feedback from your readers and using it to inform your content and design decisions
- Staying on top of trends and best practices in your niche and the broader web
- Continuing to publish new content and update old guides as needed
With dedication and hard work, your WikiHow-like site can become a go-to resource for people looking to learn new skills and improve their lives. By following the steps outlined in this guide and putting your own unique spin on the formula, you‘ll be well on your way to building a successful and profitable website.
Conclusion
Creating a website like WikiHow is no small feat, but it‘s definitely achievable with the right tools, strategies, and mindset. By setting up a solid technical foundation, planning your content carefully, promoting your site effectively, and monetizing strategically, you can build a valuable resource that helps people around the world.
Remember, success doesn‘t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and patience to grow a website from scratch. But if you stay focused on creating quality content and serving your audience, the rewards can be significant.
So what are you waiting for? Start brainstorming those guide ideas, fire up WordPress, and begin your journey to creating the next great how-to destination on the web. Your future readers are waiting!
