How to Install WordPress in a New Domain Bought to Your Hosting in A2Hosting
Installing and using WordPress is a snap. All you need is a web browser and a few minutes to set up the most popular content management system on the web. However, sometimes life gets in the way and you want to set up WordPress in a new domain you have purchased to use with your hosting account. In this article, we will discuss step-by-step how to install and configure WordPress to work in a new domain name. It is assumed that you have already purchased the domain and are now using A2Hosting to host websites.
The Importance Of A Backup
As the name implies, a backup is a copy of your data that you can use to restore in the event that your original data becomes unusable for some reason. Data loss is a major concern for anyone who values their information online. This is why you need to take a backup of your WordPress database before you start editing it.
The most reliable way to back up WordPress data is to use a WordPress backup plugin. These software applications save you the effort of regularly backing up your WordPress database, as well as enable you to restore your site in the event of an accident or hack. Some examples of WordPress backup plugins are VaultPress and UpdraftPlus. Keep in mind that if you use these plugins, you will need to use their paid versions to get the most out of them. If you want to backup and reinstall WordPress regularly, you can use a free tool like BackWPup.
Set The Right Permissions For New Sub-Domains
WordPress comes with a built-in function that allows you to control access to different aspects of your site’s functionality depending on where you want to use it. For example, you can make sure that only your selected guests can access your blog’s comments or that only your site administrators can edit posts. Setting the proper access permissions for a new sub-domain is very simple and you can do it in two ways:
- Navigating to
wp-config.phpin your Domain Records manager and adding the following lines: define('WP_USE_THEMES', false); // Disable loading of wordpress themesdefine('WP_USE_ABSPATH', false); // Disable ABSPATHdefine('SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL', false); // Prevent installation of WordPress on sub-domains- Or, you can use the WP-Starter Kit to automatically create a new sub-domain for your WordPress site and set the proper permissions for it.
Rename The Default Root Directory
Your WordPress install will have a directory with the name public_html that is used to store web pages served from your domain. This is the default WordPress installation directory and it usually contains a sub-directory named after the domain you are using (e.g., example.com will have a directory named public_html inside).
If you have just bought a new domain name and created a new public_html directory to store your site's files in, you will need to rename it to something more suitable. The most common suggestion is using htdocs instead of public_html
As a general rule, you should avoid using the www sub-domain for your non-www versions of your site. When users type in the URL of your site, they will automatically be directed to the www sub-domain (e.g., www.yoursite.com will point to the same directory as yoursite.com). So, if you want to use your non-www versions of your site, buy an additional domain and set up CNAME records so that users can reach them easily (e.g., yoursite.com can be replaced with www.yoursite.com).
As an alternative option, you can leave the public_html directory untouched and use a plugin like Search Engine Optimization by Yoast to create additional sub-directories (e.g., blog, about, services, and contact) that can be used to organize your site content. Doing this will help make your site easier to navigate and it will also boost its discoverability in search results on the web.
Create A Maintenance Plan
Keeping a regular backup means you can always revert to the previous version of your site's files if something happens. However, sometimes it is not enough to have a backup. You will also need a way to repair or restore your site's files in the event of a disaster. This is why you should consider creating a routine maintenance plan.
To do this, you need to login to your A2Hosting account and head to the Honeywell Control Panel where you can create a new service called Maintain Plan.
"Honeywell has been providing hosting services for nearly 20 years and we are proud to offer a world-class data center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our team of engineers and operators are continually working to provide our customers with a top-notch experience whether it's via our state-of-the-art technology or our outstanding customer support. We're confident that you will be satisfied with the service we provide, as well," says Michael Greene, Director of Marketing for A2Hosting.
Once you have created the plan, you can install WordPress in a new domain and set up the proper access permissions as discussed above. Alternatively, you can use the WordPress-Starter kit to quickly create a brand new site with a custom domain name and all the default content you need to get started.
Use DNSimple To Manage Your DNS
One of the most convenient features of A2Hosting is the Domain Name System (DNS). Using a service such as DNSimple to manage your DNS is very easy and it can be done from the convenience of your mobile phone.
With DNSimple, all you need to enter is the domain you want to manage (e.g., yoursite.com), and you will immediately receive a certificate that can be used to verify the ownership of the domain. Along with the certificate, you will receive a confirmation email from DNSimple containing detailed instructions on how to change the DNS records for your domain. Changing the DNS for your domain is very easy and does not require technical knowledge.
To use DNSimple to manage your DNS, simply visit this link on your phone or computer and sign up for a free account. After you have created your account, you can enter the domain you want to manage and click on the Create Record Set button to create the DNS records for your site. You can also find all the information you need in the FAQ section of the site.
The above steps will help you install WordPress in a new domain bought through A2Hosting. Hopefully, this article will help you get started quickly and easily so you can begin updating your site with the latest news and information. If you find this article useful, please consider subscribing to our blog so you can stay up-to-date on all the latest news and tips related to content management systems like WordPress.