OK, so you’ve decided about (or you are considering) installing Wordpress for a self-hosted blog and are looking for a Wordpress host.
What are the steps needed to install Wordpress?
With Wordpress itself, or any of it’s components (themes, plugins) then the process is always the same. Download the component from an internet location (usually wordpress.org), unzip the files, upload to your host.
With the initial Wordpress install it will also be necessary to install the MySql database component and set the php configuration file to enable access to the database.
If the previous two sentences have brought you out in a cold sweat and you’re thinking “No Way. If that’s what installing Wordpress is all about… then forget it, I’ll stick with the online version”…. fear not! Select a Wordpress host that has easy Wordpress install options available.
One Wordpress Host Provider that we use and can definitely recommend is BlueHost.
The following steps will apply to any Wordpress host that uses cPanel and Fantastico.
Installing Wordpress: A Simple 5 Step Process
Step 1: Register for a Wordpress Host
If you do not have a suitable Wordpress host, then Click Here to set-up an account with BlueHost.
Note: During the registration process you will select the domain name for your host account.
Think about this domain name before rusing ahead. This will be the main domain that you can then use for many purposes eg.
Your Blog
Several other Blogs
Standard Website Hosting
Subdomains
etc.
If you are a team leader in a business you may want to give help to other team members and supply them with free sub-domains eg. www.Fred.yourdomain.com … so just think about your domain name first!
You can easily add additional domains to your host account at just $10 per domain (annual fee).
Step 2.
Login to your Wordpress host control panel (cPanel) and page down to the “Software/Services” section, click on the “Fantastico De Luxe” option.
Step 3.
From the Fantastico Home page, select the “Wordpress” option from the left side Menu and then click on “New Installation”.
Step 4.
Complete the Wordpress Installation panel as follows:
Install on Domain: Select the domain to use from the dropdown menu. If you have created “Addon-Domains” these will be available for selection here.
Install in directory: Use this option if you are using a sub folder to install the blog. for example you may have… www.yourdomain.com for a standard webpage and www.yourdomain.com/blog for the Wordpress Installation. Note: to use this option the folder must NOT exist, the install process will create the folder (and it will error if the folder already exists)
Administrator User Name: The Login ID for the Blog Administrator (additional users can be added later)
Password: Password for the Administrator.
Admin Nickname: Usually the same as the User Name above.
Admin email address: Email address for the administrator (automatic email will be sent to this address, eg. Comment Moderation emails)
Sitename: The name of the Blog that will appear on the Blog Header Section
Description: The Tag Line for the Blog Header.
(Note: the above items (Admin email, Sitename, Descrition) can be change from the Options Section of the Installed Wordpress Blog.)
Email Configuration: just enter “test” in all 4 fields, these are not required unless you want to use the Blog Update by emal functionality. This can be added at a later date.
Click On “Install Wordpress”
Accept on the next Screen and enter an email address for the administrator id and password to be sent to (for a reminder !!!).
Wordpress Install is now complete!
Step 5.
To View your Blog just enter your domain (and /subfolder if set) into you web browser.
To edit your blog, enter the blog address in your browser but end it with /wp-admin, you will be prompted for the administrator id and password that you entered in step 4 above.
As you can see Installing Wordpress for a self-hosted blog is not that difficult if you select the right wordpress host.
