To publish a WordPress site, first identify where it runs. On WordPress.com, publishing means launching the site and setting its visibility in the dashboard. A self-hosted WordPress site also requires compatible web hosting, a working installation, a domain or temporary address, and server-side security. Follow the section that matches your setup, then test the public site while logged out.
Choose between WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress
WordPress.com is a managed service: the provider operates the hosting infrastructure and supplies dashboard controls for launching, domains, security, and other features. Self-hosted WordPress uses the WordPress software installed on a web host that you select and maintain, either yourself or through the host’s managed services.
| Consideration | WordPress.com | Self-hosted WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Included and managed by WordPress.com | You must obtain compatible web hosting |
| Initial setup | Site is created in the WordPress.com dashboard and starts in Coming Soon mode | Install WordPress; many hosts provide an automatic installer |
| Maintenance | Provider handles much of the platform maintenance | You or your host handle updates, backups, security, and server configuration according to the hosting plan |
| Address | Free WordPress.com or wpcomstaging.com address, or a registered, transferred, or connected custom domain | Address supplied by your host or a domain registrar; exact choices depend on the host and domain setup |
| Backups and support | Features depend on the WordPress.com plan | Features depend on the host and your own backup arrangement |
WordPress.org explains that every self-hosted site needs a web server. When comparing hosts, check current WordPress requirements, installation method, included support, backup policy, update handling, security tools, and plan limits rather than assuming a particular provider is best.
Prepare the site before making it public
Plan the essential pages
At minimum, decide what belongs in the primary navigation and organize content categories before launch. Typical pages include Home, About, Contact, and any service, product, or legal-information pages your site needs. Confirm that the homepage displays the content you intend and that page titles and menus are understandable to a first-time visitor.
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Review content and functionality
- Proofread headings, body text, labels, and contact details.
- Replace draft text, placeholder images, and broken links.
- Check that buttons, menus, downloads, and embedded media work.
- Submit each contact form and confirm where messages are delivered.
- Check responsive layouts at phone width as well as desktop width.
Publish a WordPress.com site
1. Choose the site address
WordPress.com gives a new site a free address containing .wordpress.com or wpcomstaging.com. You can instead register a domain, transfer one, or connect a domain you already own. A custom domain is optional; the free address is sufficient for publishing.
If you plan to use a custom domain, make the intended address primary before launch. WordPress.com says a newly registered or connected domain can take 24–72 hours to become fully active, so do not treat an immediately unresolved domain as proof that the site failed to publish.
2. Finish the site and account checks
Use the WordPress.com dashboard to choose a design, configure the homepage, add pages, style the site, and set navigation. Before launching, verify the site title, menus, content, account email, and intended address. Add a contact method if visitors need to reach you.
3. Launch the site
- Open the site dashboard.
- Go to Settings → Reading.
- Scroll to Site Visibility.
- Choose Launch site and confirm.
A new WordPress.com site remains unavailable to the public until it is launched.
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4. Set public visibility
- Remain in Settings → Reading → Site Visibility.
- Select Public.
- Save the setting.
On WordPress.com, Public is the visibility choice that allows everyone on the internet to view the site, including search engines. Launching the site and selecting public visibility are related but separate controls in the documented workflow.
5. Check what visitors see
Open the site in a private or incognito window while logged out. Test the navigation, internal links, buttons, images, downloads, and contact form. Repeat the check on a phone. If you still see a Coming Soon page or an older version, clear the browser or site cache, try a private window, and allow a short time for the change to appear.
6. Verify HTTPS
For domains and subdomains hosted by WordPress.com, SSL certificates are supplied automatically. Provisioning usually takes a few minutes but can take up to 24 hours. Check the domain security or SSL status in the dashboard and resolve any domain-configuration issue shown there. These automatic-certificate details apply to WordPress.com-hosted addresses; self-hosted sites use the certificate and renewal process provided by their host.
7. Confirm your backup plan
Backup availability on WordPress.com depends on the current plan. WordPress.com documents automated backups for Business and Commerce plans, generally at least daily, with restore points from the previous six months while the site remains on an eligible plan. Its documentation says automated backups are not available on Free, Personal, or Premium plans; those users can export content and media, while automated backup requires changing plans. Check the current plan documentation before relying on any of these features, because plan benefits can change.
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Publish a self-hosted WordPress site
1. Obtain compatible hosting
Choose a web host that meets WordPress’s current requirements and offers the level of management you need. WordPress-specific hosting may include pre-installed WordPress, automatic updates, backups, developer tools, or support, but the exact features are plan-specific. Confirm the host’s current requirements and policies before purchasing.
2. Install WordPress and connect the address
Use your host’s automatic installer if available, or complete a manual WordPress installation supplied by the host or WordPress.org documentation. Point your domain’s DNS records to the host as instructed. DNS and domain activation times vary by provider, so use the host’s status tools when the address does not resolve immediately.
3. Configure and review the site
Sign in to the WordPress administrator area, select the theme, create the homepage and other pages, configure menus, and review permalinks, user accounts, plugins, and media. Remove unused themes and plugins and update the components you keep. Test forms, navigation, mobile layouts, and any ecommerce or membership functions before announcing the address.
4. Enable HTTPS and operational safeguards
Use the SSL/TLS certificate and renewal method supplied by your host, then confirm that the site loads over https:// without certificate warnings. Establish backups that you can actually restore, and determine who is responsible for WordPress core, theme, plugin, server, and security updates. Do not assume that a WordPress.com backup or SSL arrangement applies to a self-hosted installation.
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5. Remove staging or maintenance restrictions
Hosts and plugins may leave a site in maintenance, staging, password-protected, or “coming soon” mode. Disable the restriction only after the production address, content, HTTPS, and backups are ready. Then test the public URL in a logged-out private window and on a phone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot a site that is not public
The site still shows Coming Soon
On WordPress.com, return to Settings → Reading → Site Visibility and verify both that the site was launched and that visibility is set to Public. Clear caches or use a private window. On self-hosted WordPress, check for a maintenance, staging, password-protection, or coming-soon feature supplied by the host or a plugin.
The custom domain does not open
Check that the domain is connected to the intended site, that the address is primary where the platform requires it, and that DNS changes have completed. WordPress.com notes that a newly registered or connected domain can take 24–72 hours to become fully active.
HTTPS is pending or shows a warning
For WordPress.com-hosted domains, inspect the domain-security or SSL status and correct any domain setup problem; certificate provisioning can take up to 24 hours. For self-hosted sites, contact the host or follow its certificate-installation and renewal instructions.
Visitors see an old page
Clear the relevant browser, WordPress, CDN, or host cache, then retest while logged out. Verify that you edited the production site rather than a staging copy and that the site’s canonical address is the one you are opening.
Quick Recap
Launch checklist
- The correct setup—WordPress.com or self-hosted—is identified.
- The site address and, if applicable, primary custom domain are correct.
- Homepage, navigation, pages, content, images, links, and forms have been reviewed.
- WordPress.com is launched and set to Public, or self-hosted maintenance restrictions are removed.
- HTTPS works without warnings.
- The backup and update responsibilities are understood for the selected plan or host.
- The live site has been tested while logged out, in a private window, and on a phone.
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