Setting Up Your WordPress Site
It’s Easy to Setup Your WordPress Site
Setting up your WordPress site is quite easy and straightforward. If you are too intimidated by the process to do it yourself, you can hire someone to do it for you. But, my recommendation is that you at least give it a try first. You can’t “mess it up.”
You have options on how to install it. It can be done manually or you can use “one click” installation software
– which takes just a few clicks. A manual installation is more complicated that using the software, but some of the gurus insist that it is more secure. Personally I used the software and have had no security problems to date. The reality is that it is rare for people to choose the manual installation these days.
All the ease of setting up your WordPress site that I talked about goes out the window when you opt to do it manually because you have to build a MySQL database and use FTP to upload and install WordPress. As difficult as that sounds, it really isn’t if you have some experience. However, if you are a beginner, I highly recommend that you use the software – and if you choose the right software, it can be just as secure for most uses.
When choosing your hosting company you should ask them about the software they use for installing WordPress. The most common ones are Fantastico or Softaculous. If you can find a hosting company that uses Softaculous, that is preferable because it is the better program and also more secure. Almost every hosting company will emphasize that they have “one click installation,” which is may be true; but, if you want to sure that your information is secure, look for Softaculous.
You should also ensure that the hosting provider offers Cpanel access.
Recommended Hosting Companies
Do your research and look carefully at several hosting companies before making your final decision. The recommendations below are based on rankings and ratings as well as personal experience. It is important to choose a host that suits you. In order to get the best results, it must be a good match for your needs and your technical skills.
The hosting service is your website’s home and the mechanism that makes your website visible to the public. In order to compare apples to apples, also find out the space and bandwidth you will have for the price you will be paying. Keep in mind that videos take a lot of space; so, if you plan to use them, plan ahead. It is also important to remember that high-traffic sites require more bandwidth than low-traffic sites.
Most companies offer specials and even free trials which are great, but I guarantee that the prices will change after the free trial or special is over. A special price may cover an entire year, so be careful. It would be a good idea to get clarity about the full price that will go into effect once the special offering has run its course. You will need it for long-term budgeting.
- Bluehost.com – This is the host that is recommended by WordPress.org. They offer low-priced hosting packages and excellent support.
- Momwebs.com – This hosting provider is run by people who are used to dealing with customers who have little or no experience with Websites and servers. Their top-notch service department knows how to work with newbies who have no clue what they are talking about.
- Hostgator.com – This is a large provider with low-priced hosting accounts. Their Baby Package is good for beginners. Customer service is OK, but when you don’t know what you are talking about, the experience may be a little frustrating.
These are only a few of the options you have, but I know these three will work quite well with WordPress sites. You will have to choose the hosting package that fits your needs. In the beginning, the basic package will probably be adequate – you can always upgrade.
In order to use the following instructions, you must be sure that your host offers Cpanel access as well as the Softaculous program.
- Log in to your Cpanel. Your login and password will be provided by your website hosting provider. It can be located at: http://www.yourdomain.com/cpanel.
- Scroll down until you see the Softaculous icon or the Softaculous Apps Installer area. It is after the Software/Services area in your hosting Cpanel.
- Click the Softaculous icon if it shows, or look under the Softaculous apps installer area and choose the WordPress icon – Click it.
- Look for the “install” icon – This is usually on a TAB – Click the TAB.
- Type in the domain name – OR – Choose the domain in which you want to install WordPress where it says “Choose Domain.”
- Select which directory to install WordPress — NOTE: As a rule, you want WordPress to be accessed through: http://www.yourdomain.com. If not, and a site already exists, type in the directory you want. By default it has the letters “wp”. Delete that and choose a better location.
- Choose your protocol: If you want http:// in front of your domain name, choose it.
- Database Name — Create a random name that cannot be guessed easily – Write it down!
- Leave table prefix – don’t change it.
- Site Name and Site Description – This is not critical – it is not permanent and can be changed later in your WP Dashboard
- Admin Account Information – Be sure to use the email where you receive all your important business information.
- NOTE: Don’t use Admin and Password as your admin name and password. Use something original and difficult – and write it down! Anytime you access your website this is the name that will show.
- Choose your language – English (or your preference)
- Email Results — Enter a secure email address that you check frequently.
Click install – Congratulations! You have installed WordPress on your hosting account’s server. Now you can access your site at the domain you chose. It will be either http://www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin or http://www.yourdomain.com/blog/wp-admin.
- “Blog” is the new directory in which you installed it.The window will give you that information when it’s finished.
Copy and paste the information into a text file with passwords and all other information.
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