7 WordPress Books for Beginners That Build Real Skills

Discover beginner-friendly WordPress books authored by trusted experts like Stephen Burge and Dr. Andy Williams, designed to guide you every step.

Updated on June 27, 2025
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Starting a new journey in WordPress can feel daunting, but the platform’s accessibility means you can learn progressively and gain confidence quickly. WordPress remains a leading choice for creating websites because it balances powerful features with user-friendly design, making it ideal for newcomers eager to build professional sites.

The books featured here come from authors with solid teaching backgrounds and real-world experience. Stephen Burge, known for OSTraining.com, and Dr. Andy Williams, an educator in websites and SEO, craft guides that break down complex topics into manageable steps. Their approach emphasizes hands-on learning and clear visuals, helping you build a strong foundation without overwhelm.

While these books provide excellent starting points, your learning journey can be even more effective when tailored to your unique pace and goals. Consider creating a personalized WordPress book designed specifically for your background and interests, giving you exactly the guidance you need to succeed.

Best for hands-on beginners building sites
Stephen Burge has split his career between teaching and web development, writing for OSTraining.com, a platform trusted by clients like Apple and Pfizer. His expertise in guiding beginners through website development inspired this book, designed to make WordPress accessible for anyone. Burge’s clear instructions and practical approach ensure you won’t just read about WordPress—you’ll build your own complete site by the book’s end, gaining skills that extend beyond theory into real-world application.
WordPress Explained: Your Step-by-Step Guide to WordPress (2020 Edition) book cover

by Stephen Burge, Mikall Angela Hill, Robbie Adair··You?

2017·330 pages·Wordpress, CMS, Wordpress Development, Website Development, Site Planning

Stephen Burge’s decades of experience teaching website development shine through in this approachable guide that removes barriers for WordPress newcomers. You’ll learn to build a full WordPress website from scratch, following clear, jargon-free instructions paired with visuals and analogies that make complex concepts manageable. The book walks you through everything from installation and content planning to plugins and security, all without requiring any prior coding knowledge. If you want a hands-on, confidence-building introduction that prepares you to manage and grow your site independently, this book fits the bill perfectly.

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Best for visual learners starting WordPress
Dr. Andy Williams graduated from Hull University and Cardiff University. He is a seasoned author and educator specializing in websites, SEO, and related topics. His expertise shines through in this beginner-friendly guide that breaks down WordPress into manageable visual steps, reflecting his commitment to teaching newcomers how to build professional websites with confidence.
2018·227 pages·Wordpress, Websites, SEO, Website Hosting, Content Creation

The clear pathway this book provides for first-time learners is evident in Dr. Andy Williams' careful breakdown of WordPress fundamentals. Drawing from his extensive background in websites and SEO education, Williams guides you through setting up hosting, installing WordPress, and mastering the dashboard with over 330 screenshots to make each step visual and approachable. You’ll explore themes, plugins, content creation using both Classic and Gutenberg editors, and crucial SEO and security settings, making it particularly useful if you want to build anything from a blog to a business site without feeling overwhelmed. This book suits absolute beginners who want hands-on confidence rather than abstract theory.

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Best for personal learning pace
This AI-created book on WordPress building is crafted based on your background and skill level. You share which WordPress aspects you want to focus on along with your goals, and the book provides a tailored learning path designed specifically for you. This personalized approach helps remove overwhelm by introducing concepts at a comfortable pace, making your WordPress journey smoother and more effective.
2025·50-300 pages·WordPress, WordPress Basics, Site Setup, Theme Customization, Plugin Management

This tailored book explores the essentials of building WordPress websites, crafted to match your current knowledge and learning pace. It covers foundational concepts progressively, ensuring you gain confidence without feeling overwhelmed. The content focuses on guiding you step-by-step through setting up, customizing, and managing your site with clear explanations tailored to your interests. By addressing your specific goals and background, it creates a learning experience that feels approachable and rewarding, making complex topics understandable and relevant. Whether you're new to WordPress or refining your skills, this personalized guide reveals practical insights and techniques aligned with your unique journey.

Tailored Guide
Personalized Learning Path
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for up-to-date WordPress fundamentals
Dr. Andy Williams graduated from Hull University and holds a Ph.D. in Endocrinology. An experienced educator and author of how-to books on websites and SEO, he created this guide to make WordPress accessible for beginners. His background in teaching complex topics with clarity shines through, offering you straightforward steps and plenty of visuals to build your site confidently.
2023·294 pages·Wordpress, Website Building, Web Hosting, Themes, Plugins

When Dr. Andy Williams noticed that many newcomers struggled with WordPress’s complexity, he crafted this guide to demystify the platform for absolute beginners. You’ll learn how to set up hosting and domains correctly, navigate the WordPress dashboard, and select themes and plugins to customize your site’s appearance and functionality. The book also clarifies essential concepts like categories, tags, and the difference between posts and pages, helping you avoid common pitfalls that can harm your site’s SEO. Whether you want a blog, business site, or hybrid, this book walks you through building a professional, device-friendly website step by step.

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Best for stepwise WordPress mastery
Dr. Andy Williams graduated from Hull University and holds a Ph.D. in Endocrinology. As an experienced teacher and author of technical 'How To' books, he brings a clear, patient approach to guiding beginners through WordPress. His background in education shines through in this book, which simplifies complex topics and encourages hands-on learning through detailed screenshots and practical tasks.
2023·288 pages·Wordpress, Web Development, Content Management, Website Design, SEO Basics

Dr. Andy Williams' extensive background in education and technical writing culminates in this approachable guide designed specifically for beginners eager to master WordPress. You’ll navigate topics from setting up hosting and domains to managing themes, plugins, and content creation with clear visual aids and practical screenshots that demystify the platform. The book walks you through essentials like understanding the dashboard, using both Classic and Gutenberg editors, and optimizing your site for SEO, making it a solid toolkit for anyone starting out. If you want to build a professional, responsive website without getting overwhelmed, this book lays out a straightforward path that respects your pace and curiosity.

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Best for structured, practical beginners
Dr. Andy Williams graduated from Hull University and earned a Ph.D. at Cardiff University, specializing in endocrinology in fish. Transitioning from research to teaching, he brings a clear, instructional style honed through international teaching experience. His focus on crafting accessible guides led him to write this visual, easy-to-follow WordPress manual designed to help newcomers build professional websites confidently and efficiently.
2019·222 pages·Wordpress, Website Building, Content Management, SEO Basics, Plugin Usage

Dr. Andy Williams's extensive academic and teaching background uniquely positions him to demystify WordPress for beginners. This book offers a visual, step-by-step approach, with over 340 screenshots guiding you through everything from setting up hosting and domains to mastering themes, plugins, and the intricacies of the dashboard. You’ll gain practical skills like organizing content with categories and tags, optimizing SEO basics, and scheduling posts, making it easier to build professional websites without prior experience. Its clear structure and tasks at the end of each chapter ensure you not only learn but also apply your knowledge confidently. If you want a grounded, approachable introduction to WordPress that walks you through every essential element, this book fits the bill.

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Best for custom learning pace
This AI-created book on WordPress fundamentals is tailored to your experience and learning style. You share your background, comfort level, and the specific areas you want to focus on, and this book is written to fit those needs precisely. By concentrating on foundational skills without overwhelming details, it creates a comfortable, progressive path through WordPress basics. This personalized approach helps you gain confidence steadily and builds your knowledge in a way that matches your pace and goals.
2025·50-300 pages·WordPress, WordPress Basics, Site Setup, Theme Customization, Plugin Management

This tailored book explores foundational WordPress skills crafted specifically around your background and learning preferences. It covers essential concepts starting from the ground up, providing a clear, steady introduction that builds your confidence at a comfortable pace. The content removes common overwhelm by focusing on the basics that matter most to your needs, helping you grasp key site building elements without unnecessary complexity. This personalized guide matches your interests and skill level, allowing you to progress naturally while reinforcing core techniques. It reveals how to navigate WordPress effectively, making the learning experience both accessible and empowering.

Tailored Guide
Progressive Learning
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for quick, no-code website builders
Brian Patrick is an entrepreneurship enthusiast who combines hands-on WordPress experience with a passion for teaching beginners. His approachable style and practical knowledge come through clearly in this book, aimed at anyone wanting to build a website without technical barriers. Drawing from his own journey creating sites for clients and personal projects, Patrick offers a beginner-friendly blueprint that helps you create professional sites with confidence.

What started as Brian Patrick's personal challenge to bridge the gap between tech novices and website creation became a straightforward guide tailored for beginners. You learn how to select domains, install WordPress with one click, master five core fundamentals, and optimize your site for security and traffic—all without coding experience. The book even supplements instruction with 40+ video tutorials to visually guide your progress. If you're someone eager to build a portfolio, blog, e-commerce, or business site with clear, easy steps, this book speaks directly to you.

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Best for beginners securing WordPress sites
Niko Guruli is a serial entrepreneur known for developing new business and marketing strategies and thriving under challenging conditions. His firsthand experience with his small community newspaper’s website being hacked motivated him to craft a guide that demystifies WordPress security for beginners. Combining his practical business insight with clear visuals and simple instructions, Guruli’s book empowers you to protect your site without needing deep technical expertise.
2017·90 pages·Wordpress, Security, Small Business, Blogging, Website Maintenance

Niko Guruli challenges the assumption that securing a WordPress site requires advanced technical skills. Drawing from his entrepreneurial background and personal experience with a hacked small community newspaper website, he offers a visual, step-by-step guide designed specifically for beginners who want to protect their sites without becoming IT experts. The book breaks down security into manageable tasks with screenshots, practical code snippets, and clear instructions, making it accessible if you can follow a recipe. It’s particularly useful if you’re launching a blog or small business site and want straightforward, no-frills guidance to maintain safety.

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Beginner-Friendly WordPress, Tailored

Build confidence with personalized guidance that fits your pace and goals.

Clear step guidance
Customized learning paths
Practical WordPress skills

Many successful professionals started with these same foundations

WordPress Mastery Blueprint
WordPress Fundamentals Toolkit
WordPress Launch Formula
WordPress Confidence Code

Conclusion

These seven WordPress books share a commitment to beginner-friendly instruction and progressive learning. They guide you from installing WordPress to mastering themes, plugins, and even site security, ensuring you build confidence with each step.

If you’re completely new, starting with "WordPress Explained" or "How To Create A Website Using Wordpress" offers a gentle introduction. For a structured path through WordPress fundamentals, Dr. Andy Williams’ series from 2019 to 2024 provides clear, visual progressions. Finally, "WordPress Security Made Easy" fills an essential niche in protecting your site early on.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized WordPress book that fits your exact needs and goals, crafting your own learning journey. Remember, building a strong foundation early sets you up for lasting success with WordPress.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "WordPress Explained" for a clear, hands-on introduction that builds your site step-by-step without assuming prior knowledge.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to WordPress?

No, all these books are designed specifically for beginners, with clear instructions and visuals to make learning manageable and approachable.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational guides like "WordPress Explained" or "How To Create A Website Using Wordpress," then progress through Dr. Andy Williams’ editions for deeper mastery.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Both approaches work. Newer editions reflect the latest WordPress updates, but classic beginner guides offer timeless fundamentals that remain relevant.

Do I really need any background knowledge before starting?

No background is needed. These books assume no prior experience and teach you WordPress basics from the ground up.

How can personalized WordPress books complement these expert guides?

Personalized books tailor expert knowledge to your pace and goals, making learning more efficient and focused. They complement guides like Stephen Burge's by meeting you exactly where you are. Learn more here.

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