How to Host a WordPress Site on a Secondary Domain

Most of us know what a secondary domain is; it’s the domain beside the.com,.org, or.net that you purchase when you register a new domain. But did you know that you can use your secondary domain for more than just blogs? You can use your domain for everything from an online store to a portfolio site for designers. In this article, you’ll learn how to host a WordPress site on a secondary domain so you can explore these new opportunities.

Why Host a WordPress Site on a Secondary Domain?

If you’re seeking flexibility with your websites, you can’t go wrong with a secondary domain. With a secondary domain, you’re not tied down to just one platform like WordPress. You can use a content management system (CMS) like Drupal or Joomla, or even a completely different platform like Blogger or TypeKit for your site’s content.

The great thing about a secondary domain is that it gives you the flexibility to host your site wherever you please. With the Dotcom Authority + WordPress bundle, for example, you get a free domain with a custom-built WordPress site with all the essential features (such as custom posts, pages, and themes) within minutes. When you’re ready to launch, all you have to do is type in the address of your new site into your browser.

Because of this flexibility, you may find it easier to grow your site than to maintain it. Having a secondary domain means that you can update your site with ease, without worrying about breaking the site’s functionality when making design changes or adding new content.

The Basics of Hosting a WordPress Site on a Secondary Domain

Before you begin hosting your WordPress site on a secondary domain, there are a few things you should know and consider:

• Cost: The cost of web hosting will vary depending on your plan. The bigger your site, the more you’ll need to spend. But don’t worry, you can always cancel your plan whenever you want.
• Bandwidth: As the name implies, bandwidth is the amount of data you’re allowed to upload to your site per month. Some web hosting providers limit how much data you can upload based on how much you’re paying for. If you exceed your monthly bandwidth limit, your site may be temporarily or permanently disabled. This is why it’s important to determine how much bandwidth you’ll need before making a decision.
• Email: Since your WordPress site will be sending out automatic emails to registered users, you have to think about your email provider. You don’t want to host your site on a web hosting provider that doesn’t offer email-related services.
• Logs: Like a good cook, you want to make sure that your server has all the necessary logs in place so that you can troubleshoot any problems that may arise. Your web hosting provider will happily provide you with a space where you can keep all your site’s log files.
• DNS: Your domain name system (DNS) server is a device that determines how to properly route your website’s traffic to your site. If you’re just planning on using your domain for a blog, you can very easily set up a DNS record to point your domain to your server’s IP address. But if you want to do more than just a blog with your site, you may need to consult with your web hosting provider.
• SSH Access: Your server’s shell (command line) interface is what gives you access to all its functions and settings. Since you’ll be using it to manage and configure your site, you need to make sure you have an SSH client installed on your computer. If you have a server login, you can use the command line to connect to your server and log in as root.
• SQL Databases: A database is a collection of information stored in a structured format. The most common and popular databases used on WordPress sites are MySQL and SQL Server. If you go with a free web hosting provider, you’ll probably be limited to MySQL.
• Disk Space: Your site’s disk space is the amount of data that your site can store. This is measured in gigabytes (GB) and often requires a premium account to get. Having a lot of disk space gives you the flexibility to store any number of videos, images, or other files on your site without worrying about running out of space.
• Custom Domains: If you want to use a custom domain for your site, you have to register it with your domain name registrar. When you register your custom domain, you’ll also need to set up your DNS records to point your domain to your server’s IP address. Be sure to read the instructions provided by your domain name registrar carefully.

Aside from the above considerations, you also want to make sure that your chosen web hosting provider offers the features you need. For example, if you’re looking for a simple web hosting provider that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg, then you should investigate Hostgator or Bluehost. Both of these web hosting providers offer very affordable pricing that gets you started with a free domain and all the essential features needed to launch your WordPress site within minutes.

Pricing

As we mentioned above, the cost of web hosting will vary depending on your plan. But don’t worry, you can always cancel your plan whenever you want. The important thing is that you’re aware of the pricing before you make a decision.

This is because the prices are pretty transparent. You don’t have to go digging through a lot of hidden charges to figure out what you’re paying for. Instead, you can simply look at the price list to know what you’re getting into. Also, make sure to read the reviews and check out what others are saying about their services.

Features

Apart from cost, you need to consider what additional features your chosen web hosting provider offers. Extra features might include a free domain privacy policy, free backups, free domain parking, etc. It’s a good idea to look for web hosting providers that offer a lot of features for the low cost they charge. This will help you save money in the long run.

For example, if you’re looking for a simple, yet affordable web hosting provider, then you should check out Dreamhost or Bluehost. Both of these web hosting providers offer a free domain, as well as the features you need to launch a WordPress site. Plus, they both offer a money-back guarantee if you meet the requirements.

If you decide to go with a premium web hosting provider, then you should look to invest in a reliable and professional-looking domain name. One of the best known and most popular premium web hosting providers is Bluehost. They offer reliable and affordable web hosting solutions that allows you to build your domain name the way you want it. And best of all, Bluehost provides a money-back guarantee.

Security

You also need to consider the level of security your chosen web hosting provider offers. You don’t want to host your site on a web host that doesn’t provide a high level of security. This way, your site will be safe from hackers and malware.

You can find out how secure their server is by visiting their website and looking at the security certificates on display. If everything is OK, then you can proceed to set up your site. If you’re still worried about security after looking at their certificates, then you can opt for a different web host.

Ease of Use

Once you have your site up and running, you need to make sure that it’s as easy to use as possible. Aside from security, you also want to make sure that the interface is straight forward and doesn’t leave you struggling to figure out how to do something. When setting up your site, you should look for a web host that offers a lot of useful tools that make managing your site easier for you.

For example, let’s say you’ve just launched your WordPress site and want to change its theme. With most web hosts, this will require you to login to your dashboard and then change the theme from there. But with a solid web host, you’ll be able to change the theme from within your browser without needing to log out and back in.

Managing a WordPress site can be a daunting task. Keeping up with all the updates and security patches can be hard. Using a tool like WordPress Clone can help. It’s a free and open-source tool that allows you to create a copy of your existing WordPress site and make any necessary changes without having to worry about breaking anything.