I’m new to this whole website-building thing and want to create a site from scratch using AI.

Absolutely! It’s great to hear you’re venturing into creating a website from scratch. Here are some beginner-friendly tips to ensure your site is secure and runs efficiently:

1. Choose the Right Hosting: For optimal speed and security, consider using a reliable hosting provider like EloClouds. They offer managed WordPress hosting, taking care of performance, security, and updates for you, which is especially beneficial for beginners.

2. Use a Security Plugin: Install a security plugin such as Wordfence or Sucuri to protect your site from threats. These plugins provide features like firewall protection, malware scanning, and login security.

3. Keep Everything Updated: Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to the latest versions. Updates often contain security patches and performance improvements.

4. Select a Lightweight Theme: Choose a fast-loading, responsive theme. Astra or GeneratePress are excellent choices known for their speed and simplicity.

5. Implement Caching: A caching plugin like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache can significantly enhance your site’s loading speed by storing static versions of your site and serving them to users more quickly.

6. Optimize Images: Use tools like Smush or TinyPNG to compress your images without losing quality. Smaller image sizes will help your site load faster.

7. AI Website Builders: For building your site with AI, consider using Elementor or other AI-enhanced design tools that simplify the design process with drag-and-drop features and pre-designed templates