Install WordPress on Host Server

Loading WordPressWell Folks, this blog to show you how easy it is to get WordPress loaded on your host ended up being a wonderful learning curve. Always a new opportunity for learning. I decided to make you a screen capture video. Because it Really Is easy to install WP on your host – the hosting companies that I recommend have a one button (they say) install of the software. The biggest thing you have to remember is to take out the wp in the directory location and put your email down at the bottom so you get the installation instructions. They have the login info and I’ve found it vitally important to keep track of that!

 

Check out the video below. Created with opensource VLC media player as the screen capture and Windows Movie Maker, Windows 8.

Step by step instructions:

  1. Login to hosting account (with GreenGeeks this is a two step process)
  2. Login to your Cpanel – interface with the “backend” of your website
  3. Look for the Software installer – GG’s is Softaculous and it is at the bottom of the Cpanel
  4. Click on the WP icon – that takes you to installation panel
  5. Click on Install
  6. Choose Protocol – http:// is fine for now, for small non-commercial websites. You can still have a shopping cart and let PayPal or another free service worry about the security certificate. That is another level of complexity.
  7. Choose Domain – Your new domain will likely be the only one listed in the domain area (unless you have more than one domain on the account – then use drop down to pick correct one).
  8. In directory – This is an important space – where the wp install will go. There are even instructions on the left to “leave this space blank”. There is a “wp” in the space – delete the wp so that space is blank. Otherwise browsers won’t find your website.
  9. Site Name – Next place to change is the website name. Site Title
  10. Site Description – This correlates to the “Tagline” in many themes.
  11. It is advisable to change the admin to something else – Write it Down!
  12. Also you need a Strong password – Write it Down!
  13. Last but not least be sure to put an email where you want the installation instructions to go down at the bottom, before you click Install.
  14. If you have that email address in at the bottom then go ahead and click Install.
  15. Very quickly it will tell you everything was installed properly – or what the problem was. Usually it is Easy Peasy. And the login location for your website is right there. It was also mailed to the email you listed.

Just found this video from GreenGeeks on easy installation of WordPress.

Your Domain Name

Domain Name – How do I get the domain name I want?

Getting Domain Name and Finding Web HostgreengeeksblogHostGator-Logo-PNG-1-300x122

A domain name is a unique name that identifies a website says Wikipedia. So how do you get one? Especially the one you want?

First – Try out the one you want. Open up a new browser window – Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc. In the URL address location up at the top left put in the domain name you want. If the name you want is not being used you will get a search page generated by your service provider. That’s a good start.

Example – if you put in ezwordpress4u.com. My personal website will come up. When I put in crazyladywordpress.com I got a Frontier (my service provider) search page. If what you want isn’t available Get Creative. Try different combinations of words. I found that adding 4U to websites – ComputerTutor, CreativePlay and EZWordPress not only enabled me to purchase the domain name, but actually enhanced the original concept and developed a cohesiveness between several of my businesses.

Second– decide what company you want to have host your website. Again I suggest GreenGeeks (Green, real people on telephone support, easy, unlimited domains hosted on one account and independent from the megalith EIG ). You get one free domain registration with opening an account AND your domain name belongs to you if you decided to switch to a different host later for some reason. Bluehost comes well recommended, as does Hostgator. But they were both smaller companies that were bought out by EIG – Endurance International Group. Bluehost also has unlimited domains on one account for its lowest price. With Hostgator you have to go up to next high plan if you decide to create a second website.

I wouldn’t recommend GoDaddy to an enemy. I have three clients with websites hosted on GoDaddy and they each have had different simple problems that have been excruciatingly hard to resolve. And I had problems with Yahoo as a host. They gave me a free domain name when I signed up but then wouldn’t release it when I had months of trouble with them. Now that was years ago but…. Naw!

The first step when you set up your website hosting account will be a search to see if the domain name is available. Then the webhost will take you through all the steps to set-up the account and get going. Just realized that GreenGeeks will migrate a website for you for free – Bluehost charges $99. wow

Next blog will be on loading WordPress onto your hosting providers servers.