Hosting an OVH WordPress Site: A Beginner’s Guide
Launching a WordPress site is easy. There are plenty of tools that will let you do it from anywhere. The problem is, once you have launched your site, keeping it up and running smoothly can be tricky. For small businesses that are just getting started, the idea of maintaining a web presence can seem overwhelming. What is a web presence, you ask? A web presence is simply the existence of a website – whether it’s professionally designed or simply a few pages created on an inexpensive word processor like Squarespace.
An online presence is important. Having a website, even if it’s just a personal blog, can help you gain credibility as a business. It can also be a way for potential customers to learn more about your business and what you offer. Finally, having a website means that you’re accountable for what you publish. You can’t hide behind a generic social media account when a customer or client comes looking for you specifically because of what they found on the web.
The Good News
Thankfully, there is good news. You don’t have to be a tech whiz to host a WordPress site. All you need is a reliable internet connection, a laptop or desktop PC, and a few minutes to configure the software.
WordPress is a free, open-source CMS – content management system. What this means is that there are no software costs to maintain a WordPress site. What you need to do is simply install the WordPress software on a web server – which is what powers a website. Doing this is easy. You can either use a simple service like WordPress.com, which provides you with everything you need, or download the WordPress software and install it on a laptop or desktop PC.
Once you have installed WordPress on your web server, you will need to log in to your account so that you can begin configuring the platform to suit your needs. From here, you can create articles, set up affiliate programs, and more. You will not need anyone’s help. If you’re uncomfortable configuring the software or don’t have the time, you can always hire someone to do it for you – at an affordable rate.
Choosing A Hosting Company
If you decide that you would like to host your site yourself, then there are several options available to you. One of the best, most popular, and most widely supported is WordPress itself. As mentioned above, WordPress is a free and open-source platform that can be easily installed and set up on your web server. One of the biggest advantages of this is that you don’t have to worry about finding a hosting company that supports it. The WordPress community has sprung up around the world, and there are thousands of plugins and themes available for the platform.
Another great option is Shopify. Similar to WordPress, Shopify is also a free and open-source platform with the ability to be hosted on any web server. It was specifically designed for e-commerce websites and stores. What this means is that you don’t have to have a physical store to use Shopify. You can create an online store, without any physical goods, using the platform. This is a great option for people looking for a free and easy way to create a website for their business.
The Bad News
Unfortunately, not everything is perfect with WordPress and Shopify. For starters, if you decide to use WordPress because it is so popular and easily accessible, then you will be limited to the themes and plugins that are already available for the platform. This can be problematic if you want to create a unique and innovative website for your business. If you want to use a different theme or plugin, then you will either need to pay for the upgrade or find an alternative solution.
Another downside to using WordPress is that if you decide to go down the DIY route and install it yourself, then you will be solely responsible for keeping it updated. This can be a major hassle, especially for larger businesses with multiple sites across the country or around the world. Finally, if you choose to use Shopify, then you will need to set up an e-commerce store in advance. This means that your customers will need to have an account in advance to make a purchase. If this is something you’re looking to avoid, then WordPress might not be the best option for you.
In summary, both platforms have their perks and their annoyances. Ultimately, you will need to decide what is most important to you and your business and choose a tool that can help you overcome the disadvantages that you might face.