Getting started with Django can be an exciting journey for beginners looking to dive into web development. Django is a high-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. To kick off your journey, the first step is to ensure that you have Python installed on your system. Once Python is set up, you can install Django using pip, the Python package manager. Simply open your command line interface and run pip install Django. After installation, you can verify its success by checking the version with the command django-admin --version.

Once you have Django installed, it's time to create your first project. Start by creating a new directory for your project and navigate into it. Use the command django-admin startproject myproject to create a new project named 'myproject'. This command generates the necessary files and directories for your Django app. To run your newly created project, navigate into the myproject directory and execute python manage.py runserver. You should see a message saying the server is running, and you can visit http://127.0.0.1:8000/ in your web browser to see your site in action. Congratulations! You've successfully set up a basic Django project.

Django is a powerful web framework that enables developers to build robust applications efficiently. To maximize your productivity and ensure that your projects are maintainable, it's vital to follow best practices. Here are some crucial guidelines:

1. Use Virtual Environments: Always create a virtual environment for your Django projects to manage dependencies cleanly.
2. Organize Your Project Structure: Follow Django's conventional project structure to make your code more readable and maintainable.
3. Utilize Built-in Django Features: Leverage Django's built-in functionalities, such as authentication and routing, instead of reinventing the wheel.

Another essential aspect of Django development is testing and documentation. Here are additional best practices to consider:

1. Practice Test-Driven Development (TDD): Write tests before implementing features to ensure your code meets requirements from the start.
2. Document Your Code: Use docstrings and comments generously to explain your code, making it easier for others (and yourself) to understand.
3. Stay Updated: Regularly update your Django version and libraries to keep your application secure and performant.

Django is a powerful web framework that simplifies web development, but developers often encounter common challenges. One of the most frequent issues is handling database migrations effectively. As your project evolves, changes in the data model can lead to complications such as conflicts or lost data. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to test migrations in a safe environment before applying them to your production database. Leveraging Django's built-in migration tools and following best practices for version control can significantly alleviate these challenges.

Another challenge faced by Django developers is managing static files, particularly in production. Static file management can become cumbersome if not handled properly, thus impacting site performance. To overcome this, it is advisable to use tools like Whitenoise for serving static files or configuring a proper content delivery network (CDN). Additionally, ensuring that your settings.py file is correctly configured will streamline the collection and serving of static assets, making your application more efficient and resilient.