Setting Up WordPress on a Server: A Comprehensive Guide

WordPress is undoubtedly one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) used by website owners across the globe. It is an open-source platform that permits users to quickly create, manage, and publish content on their website. If you’re planning to launch a website and want to use WordPress as your CMS, the first step is to set it up on a server. However, rest assured that this process is accompanied by a lot of perplexity and burstiness.

Step 1: Choose a Web Hosting Provider

The starting point for setting up WordPress on a server is choosing a web hosting provider. A web hosting provider is a company that accommodates you with a server to host your website. But don’t be fooled, the process of selecting a reliable hosting provider requires a tremendous amount of burstiness. Here are a few factors to consider while making your selection:

• Server uptime: It’s the amount of time your website remains up and running. A hosting provider with a high uptime percentage ensures your website is available to visitors at all times.
• Speed: A fast loading website is crucial for good user experience. Therefore, choose a hosting provider that offers good server speed.
• Security: Opt for a hosting provider that has robust security measures in place to keep your website protected from malware and hacking attempts.
• Support: A good hosting provider always has your back. So, choose one that offers 24/7 support so that you can get help promptly whenever required.

Some of the most reputable web hosting providers that you can choose from include Bluehost, SiteGround, WP Engine, HostGator, and DreamHost.

Step 2: Choose a Domain Name

A domain name is your website’s address on the web. It’s the name that users enter in the browser to access your website. Therefore, choosing the perfect domain name is a critical step in setting up WordPress on a server. Here are a few tips for selecting an ideal domain name:

• Keep it short and easy to remember.
• Use keywords that describe your website.
• Choose a unique name that stands out.
• Avoid using numbers, hyphens, and special characters.

You can register your domain name with your web hosting provider or a domain registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy.

Step 3: Install WordPress

Once you have selected your hosting provider and domain name, it’s time to install WordPress on your server. You can either use a one-click installer or manually install WordPress. But do not underestimate the complexity of this process.

Option 1: One-Click Installer

Most hosting providers offer a one-click installer that allows you to install WordPress with ease. Follow these steps to install WordPress:

1. Log in to your hosting account and navigate to the control panel.
2. Look for the WordPress or Softaculous icon and click on it.
3. Click on the Install Now button.
4. Select your domain name.
5. Enter your website name and description.
6. Create an admin username and password.
7. Click on the Install button.

WordPress will install on your server in a few minutes, and you can access your WordPress dashboard by typing yourdomain.com/wp-admin/ in your browser.

Option 2: Manual Installation

If your hosting provider does not offer a one-click installer, you can manually install WordPress. Follow these steps:

1. Download the latest version of WordPress from the official website.
2. Extract the files to a folder on your computer.
3. Upload the files to your web server using an FTP client like FileZilla.
4. Create a MySQL database and user in your hosting account.
5. Rename the wp-config-sample.php file to wp-config.php and enter your database details.
6. Navigate to your domain name in your browser and complete the installation process.

Step 4: Configure Your WordPress Site

After installing WordPress, you need to configure your site to make it public-ready. Here are some essential steps to follow:

General Settings

• Go to Settings > General and enter your site title, tagline, and timezone.
• Set up your permalink structure by going to Settings > Permalinks and choosing your preferred structure. We suggest selecting Post Name to make your URLs SEO-friendly.

Security

• Install a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri to protect your website from hacking attempts and malware.
• Use a strong password for your admin account and avoid using “admin” as your username.
• Keep your WordPress, plugins, and themes up to date to fix security vulnerabilities.

Design

• Choose a theme for your website. WordPress has thousands of free and premium themes to offer. You could also upload a custom theme if you have one.
• Install the necessary plugins to enhance your website’s functionality. Some essential plugins include Yoast SEO, W3 Total Cache, and Jetpack.

Step 5: Launch Your Website

Once you have configured your site, it’s time to launch it to the public. Here’s how:

1. Remove the “Coming Soon” or “Under Construction” mode from your website.
2. Submit your website to search engines like Google and Bing
3. Promote your website on social media and link it to your other online properties.

Congratulations, you have successfully set up WordPress on your server!

In summary, setting up WordPress on a server can be a challenging procedure. However, by following the steps mentioned in this comprehensive guide, you can set up and manage your content on a WordPress site without any hassle or confusion.