How to Configure BitNami WordPress Stack for Your Hosting Provider & Domain

WordPress is a very popular content management system used around the world and is completely free to use. There are many different editions of WordPress available which vary significantly in features included. BitNami WordPress is a great lightweight solution for smaller websites or blogs that don’t require a lot of features.

The Benefits of Using BitNami WordPress

BitNami WordPress has several advantages over other editions of the platform. Not only does it include the ctools package, which provides an integrated URL shortener and analytics tools, but it also features a fully optimized theme that is not only super easy to use but looks great too.

This makes it perfect for those who are looking to build a quick, simple site that they can easily manage without needing a developer’s help. It’s also great for those who want to save money by using free hosting providers.

What Is the Difference Between BitNami & RapidSSL?

If you’re looking for a lightweight, all-purpose WordPress solution then you might want to consider BitNami. But, if your website is going to be protected by an SSL certificate then you might want to opt for RapidSSL. However, both of these providers offer a free certificate that is fully compliant with security standards. This means that your website will be protected without the need to purchase an expensive SSL certificate from a trusted provider. (Check out our security vs cost comparison for more information.)

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of installing and configuring BitNami WordPress.

Step 1: Select the best hosting plan that suits your needs

There are several different hosting plans available from BitNami which you can choose from based on the size of your website or blog. If you’re just starting out then their basic plan might be the best option for you. It includes 1GB of storage, 1 processor, and 5GB of monthly data. You may also want to check out their premier plan which includes all of the above plus additional storage and bandwidth. (You may need to upgrade to the premier plan to take advantage of the additional features.)

You may also want to look at other hosting providers and see which one suits your needs best. For example, they all offer reliable service and a money-back guarantee for a full year, so you can try out their products without risk. After all, it’s always good to try new things.

Step 2: Install WordPress to the /public_html directory

The first thing you need to do to get started with BitNami WordPress is to download and install the program to your computer. After you’ve installed it, you’ll need to create a new site and activate the plugin. From there, you can begin using the program as you would any other WordPress installation. (For support please visit BitNami WordPress community.)

Creating a new site is extremely easy. All you need to do is head over to dashboard:

• Click Create New Site.
• Fill out the rest of the form as needed and press Create Site. (Make sure to select a.com domain name, if you have one, as this is the default site URL that WordPress will use once your site is uploaded.)
• You will now be brought to a blank screen where you can add content.

Adding content to your site is very easy too. Just click on the Add New button at the top of the screen to get the dashboard header and then click on the Posts tab to add a new post:

• Title: Fill in the title as needed
• Content: Type in the content you wish to associate with the post
• Description: This option will appear below the title in the form of a small description
• Date: Select a publication date for this post (will be displayed at the top of the page)
• Category: From the drop-down menu, choose the category for this post
• Tags: Use the additional tags to filter your posts by the most relevant content. Separate multiple tags with a space.
• Blog URL: Yours might be different but a blog URL is generally used to refer to a website’s blogging platform. For example, if you’re using Tumblr then your blog URL would be `http://somesite.tumblr.com`
• Password: This is the password you’ll need to log in to the WordPress dashboard

Step 3: Configure the WordPress dashboard to your needs

Once you’ve got your WordPress site set up and running, you can begin configuring the dashboard to your needs. First up, you’ll want to change the site’s URL so it points to your actual domain name or to `http://localhost` if you’re testing it out locally. (Make sure you’ve entered the correct URL when you create your site. This will be the address that others will see when they visit your site.)

You might also want to select a new theme for your site. From the WordPress dashboard, click on Appearance, then on Themes:

• Click Add New. (A new blank theme should now be displayed.)
• Scroll down to Activate the theme and click Activate. (If you’ve never used a theme before then this might be a good place to start out.)
• If you’ve selected a.com domain name then you may want to purchase an SSL certificate from a trusted provider. Doing this will protect your site against hacks and make it more appealing to potential customers. Most web hosting providers offer this service for free.
• To change the appearance of your site, click on Settings in the WordPress dashboard.

From here you can adjust the site’s look and feel to your liking. You may want to play around with the different theme templates or click on Read more to see the full documentation for the theme. (You may need to purchase additional licenses for some of the WordPress themes out there.)

Now that you’ve got your blog set up using BitNami WordPress, it’s time to take a quick look at some of the different tools that it provides. By default, BitNami includes the install of several different SEO tools to help you get the most out of your blog. (You may need to visit the BitNami WordPress community for support if you’re having trouble using any of the tools.)