How to Create a Self Hosted WordPress Site
WordPress is one of the most popular Content Management Systems (CMS) available and for good reason. It is incredibly easy to use and it is one of the most flexible platforms around when it comes to creating a blog or a site for any occasion. We will show you how to create a self-hosted WordPress site so you can take advantage of all the cool features WordPress has to offer.
The Benefits Of A Self Hosted WordPress Site
The first and foremost benefit of a self-hosted WordPress site is that you own it. You can change the website’s theme and colour scheme as often as you like. When you sign up for a WordPress account you will be given a free domain name and you can integrate your site with Google Analytics so you can track the traffic to your site. Your website will be accessible from any device which has internet access so there is no need to worry about compatibility.
A self-hosted WordPress site also gives you complete control over the look and feel of your site. You can change the headers, footers, and entire content of your site with the click of a button. In addition, you can switch from a classic to a full-blown e-commerce store with the click of a button. WordPress is extremely versatile when it comes to site building and we recommend you give it a try.
Choosing to host your WordPress site yourself gives you many additional benefits. You can integrate the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) so you can install WordPress on your own server. This gives you direct access to all the files on your site so you can make modifications as and when you like. In addition, installing WordPress on your own server means you are less likely to be affected by frequent server outages or downtime.
Setting Up A Self Hosted WordPress Site
There are several steps you need to follow in order to get started with a self-hosted WordPress site. We will walk you through each step so you can get the most out of WordPress.
Step one: Sign up for a WordPress account
To get started, you need to first sign up for a WordPress account. You can do this by visiting the WordPress website and clicking on the Get Started button. You will then be directed to the WordPress login screen where you can enter your email address and create a password. Keep in mind what password you pick as it will be associated with your account forever so make sure you use a strong password. Your account will then be created and you can begin using WordPress on a daily basis.
Step two: Install WordPress on your server
Once you have created your WordPress account you will be taken to your dashboard where you can click on the Install button. This will then direct you to a screen where you can choose your server. It is essential you use an authoritative source like Google or Bing for your domains when choosing a server for WordPress. Your server should have PHP version 5.2 or greater and have the MySQL database engine. If you are installing WordPress on a VPS (Virtual Private Server) you can take advantage of all the resources the host provides so make sure you are choosing a reputable VPS provider.
Step three: Configure your site’s email
The WordPress dashboard also gives you the ability to configure the emails associated with your account. You can allow users to send you an email when they sign up for a new account or when they make a purchase. You can choose to receive these emails instantly or you can have them queued and delivered once you have had a chance to review them. Having a service such as MailChimp handle your site’s email can also be a beneficial addition as they can provide you with advanced features such as advanced analytics and content planning so you can grow your email list and send out a constant stream of relevant and informative content to your audience.
Step four: Design your site’s appearance
The WordPress dashboard allows you to design the appearance of your site. You have the ability to set a theme for your site and pick a colour scheme so everything from the header, footer, and even the content of your site can be altered to match your taste. If you are looking for some inspiration on color schemes and themes, you can visit the WordPress community where you can find hundreds of amazing themes and color schemes to choose from. In addition to this, you can take advantage of the extensive documentation located on the WordPress website in order to learn more about using WordPress to build your site.
How To Create A Self Hosted WordPress E-Commerce Store
If you are looking to create a business site with an e-commerce store you can do so via WordPress. Themes and plugins can be used to create an entire e-commerce store with all the necessary functions needed for an online store. We will show you some of the most popular e-commerce WordPress themes available so you can choose the one that suits you best along with some of the most popular plugins for WordPress to take your e-commerce store to the next level.
One of the biggest benefits of having your own e-commerce store built on WordPress is that you gain access to features and functions which can help you run your business more effectively. Themes and plugins for WordPress give you the ability to create an entire store in house in no time at all. In addition to this, you can download all of the necessary plugins and the WordPress software to your server as you can access it from anywhere. This gives you the freedom to work remotely while also being able to access your business data whenever you like.
This flexibility is crucial when you are running an online business and being able to access your data whenever you need it is something you must have. When you use an open source CMS like WordPress, this accessibility is baked in. Every version of WordPress is automatically updated so you are protected from a lot of the security issues which plague other platforms. You must remember to update your WordPress installations regularly so you remain protected from all of the new security threats which arise on a daily basis.
The Most Popular Themes For WordPress
WordPress themes can be simply categorized as either being free or premium. The free themes are completely open-source and are therefore completely transparent as to what they are and how they work. This means you can alter the code as you see fit and in some cases even contribute your own patches.
Premium themes, on the other hand, are usually designed by a single individual or a small team and are generally more expensive to purchase. They can be downloaded directly from the WordPress website and once you have downloaded the theme you will need to place it in your WordPress theme folder. This is where all the themes you download will be stored so make sure you keep it organized so you can quickly find the theme you need when you need it. You should also backup your theme folder regularly in case you lose any of the themes you have stored there due to a hard drive crash or other such mishaps.
There are many reasons why you might want to use a premium WordPress theme instead of a free one. The most common one is to display ads on your site. The free themes usually don’t come with any ads so if this is a concern for you then you should look elsewhere for your theme. Another reason is to make money off your site. Some premium themes offer additional features which make them more suitable for e-commerce stores than blogs. If this is the kind of site you have then you should purchase a premium theme as they offer additional features which make for a more seamless e-commerce experience.
The Most Popular Plugins For WordPress
WordPress plugins can be categorized as either being free or premium. The premium plugins offer additional features and can be used to create various functions on your site. For example, you can use a premium plugin to create a Contact Us page which includes features such as email integration, online forms, and more.
The free plugins are usually smaller in size and they are also completely open-source so you can download and install them directly from the WordPress website. When you download the plugin, you will need to upload it to your server alongside your WordPress installation. After this, you can decide whether you want to activate it or leave it. Some plugins can be pretty handy and you might find yourself using them on a daily basis. Examples of these plugins include Better WordPress Security, Google Analytics, and WP Super Cache.
CMS Vs Blogging
Hopefully, you now see the value in having your own personal website or blog. You can use WordPress to create one in a matter of minutes. You can also use other platforms such as Shopify, Medium, or Blogger to create a blog but the fact remains that WordPress is the most popular option with over a hundred million downloads globally.