How to Install WordPress on New Hosting
Installing WordPress on a brand new host can be pretty daunting. Let’s take a look at some of the steps that you will need to take to make sure that you get the most out of your new website.
Step one: Set up a new hosting account
You will need to set up a new hosting account to run WordPress. If you are looking for a free option, you can use the fast and reliable Bluehost web host (which is owned by the famous WordPress foundation).
You will also need to install a WordPress theme from the dashboard of your new Bluehost account. This will depend on whether you are using the free version or the paid version. For more information on installing WordPress on Bluehost, check out this detailed guide from ThemeForest.
Step two: Install WordPress on your new site
Now that you have a new hosting account and a WordPress theme that you like, it’s time to install WordPress to make your site live. You can use the 1-click installer from Bluehost to do this quickly and easily.
Depending on whether you are using the free version of Bluehost or the paid version, you will need to follow a different set of steps. For the paid version, you can use the 1-click installer to install WordPress. Otherwise, you will have to follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Step three: Activate the WordPress installation
Once you have installed WordPress on your new site, you will need to activate it so that it can run properly. This can be done from the dashboard of your new Bluehost account. From there, click on the word Activate to activate your new WordPress installation. Make sure that you click on the confirmation link that is sent to you via email.
Step four: Create your WordPress login
You will need to create a WordPress login so that users can log in and create accounts on your site. You can do this from the dashboard of your new Bluehost account. From there, click on the Users icon in the toolbar and then click on Add User. Type in a username and a password for this new member.
Step five: Set up your new website with a domain name
The last step to get a fully functioning WordPress site is to set up the domain name for your site. For this purpose, you can use Bluehost’s 1-click installer to install a free domain name with your new Bluehost account. Alternatively, you can use the 1-click installer from a reputable domain registrar like GoDaddy to get a free domain name.
Once you have a domain name installed, it’s time to set up your site with a nice, professional-looking web design.
Step six: Customize your new site with a header, footer, and plugins
After you have set up your new site with a domain name, you will need to customize it with a header, footer, and with plugins that you might want to use on your site. You can use the WordPress SEO plugin or the WooCommerce plugin (or both) to get the best of online shopping on your site. Then, you can use the Jetpack plugin to quickly and easily create a fully functioning blog that is mobile-friendly.
Step seven: Test your new site in multiple browsers
You will need to test your site in different browsers to make sure that it looks the same no matter what device it is accessed from. For example, if you are on a mobile phone and you click on a link, you will see a slimmed-down version of the site that has been optimized for small screens. To test your site in different browsers, simply visit the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store on your mobile phone and download a couple of browsers to test with. Once you have downloaded the browsers, open them and go to your site in the same way you usually do.
Step eight: Optimize your new site for performance and security
After you have tested your new site and found it to work well for your needs, it’s time to optimize it for performance and security. For this purpose, you can use the free version of the SEO Tool by SEO Agile to track down some performance tweaks and security settings that you can make on your site. Then, you can use the free version of the WP SuperCache plugin to cache (or store) frequently accessed pages on your site so that they can be quickly loaded by your visitors.
Step nine: Maintain your site
Now that you have launched your new site, you will need to maintain it and make sure that it stays up-to-date. For this purpose, you can use the free version of the Hands-On Optimizer from SEO Agile to keep an eye on your site’s stats and to make sure that it stays at the top of its game. You can also use this tool to track down any broken links or outdated content on your site.
Last but not least, we want to point out that while installing and configuring WordPress can be tricky, it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours to get everything setup properly. So, don’t be discouraged if it takes you a while to get everything done. In the end, it’s all worth it.