I myself am more into domain names then building web sites, but when I found out how easy it is to create sites using wordpress, while also being very inexpensive, I have been building a great deal of them. Wordpress is FREE btw, and not just for "blogs" either. I will explain how and what you need to start your own site/blog in this article. Now remember, just because Wordpress is considered a "blog" does Not mean that you can not make it look like and function like any other website. Wordpress is really a CMS (Content Management System) It’s all about how you lay it out, the theme you pick and the plugins you use. A couple sites I have built that are not "blog like" are PremiumLogos.com and KeyFactor.com for an example.
What do you need?
First you will need a domain name. A good one, not just some crappy one.. If you need a domain, I happen to sell them and have a wide range you can check out here, which are my domains listed with the 3rd party Afternic for easy, secure purchasing. OK, self promotion is done.. lol
Secondly, you will need Hosting. Now there are thousands of hosting providers, but this is what I use, because it’s Cheap, Easy and Reliable! Plus they offer Auto Install of Wordpress with a couple little clicks using Fantastico. Once at HostGator, select Web Hosting. Now you have 3 plans to choose from. I use the "Baby" or "Baby Croc" plan personally. So sign up with that package as it also allows you to host unlimited amounts of domains/sites as well. You may also want to consider the Reseller Hosting also, which allows you to sell your own hosting and make some extra cash in the process. Hostgator offers Instant Set-Up with No Contract or hidden fees! Their live support is sweet also. Once you have paid, they will email you your IP address, Cpanel login and password.
After signing up for hosting and have your login info, go to filezilla-project.org and download the All Platforms version. It’s free btw and also what I use. You can also try out http://smartftp.com/ which is Not free ($36.95). This is the FTP program you will need to transfer your "site files" to your HostGator hosting account.
Now that you have a Hosting Account and an FTP manager, you will want to copy your Cpanel link from your email fromHostGator and paste that into your web browser’s address bar. Login using your hosting user id and password. Once into the Cpanel, you will want to click Addon Domains. (you will already have the one domain in here that you signed up with, but if you want more then one site, you will be adding domains here) Under New Domain, type in the domain you want to add. Click the User Name (enter as you wish) and set the password. Then hit Add Domain.
Now you have a domain added, go back to the "home" of your Cpanel. Scroll down to the bottom and click the Fantastico De Luxe (blue smiley face). In the Fantastico De Luxe window, look at the left sidebar where all third party scripts are located and select Wordpress. (this is another reason why I selected HostGator! Easy!!) Wordpress installation page will appear, just select “New Installation” and off you go. Fill out the forms. *If you want your blog to appear in the main directory of your website, e.g. http://yoursite.com and not http://yoursite.com/blog, leave install in directory blank. You’re done! You just installed your wordpress software and started your database. Be sure to copy the link location for your login to your site. Now, just do not forget the username and password that you used in the installation process, as you will need that to login in your blog’s administrative panel aka backend.
At this point, you will want to select a theme to use for your site. I have use wpthemesfree.com they have some great FREE themes. Once you pick a theme, you will have to Download it. Download it to your desktop so it’s easy to find and unzip the file as well to your desktop and unzip the folder. Looking for a more professional theme and not spend and arm and a leg? Use ElegantThemes.com . Stunning themes and you can use them all for $19.95! DotWeekly.com is an Elegant Theme.
Now open your Filezilla program. Once the window opens, you will need your IP Address for your hosting. Put that number into the upper left box. The next box is your user ID for your hosting login account, then your password for your hosting account. Then hit ENTER or Quick Connect. (the port can be left blank, or use 80 or 22).
Now you will see all kinds of files open in the ftp file manager. First, on the bottom lower right (4th middle box) you will see files like .cpaddons and .cpanel etc. scroll down until you see Public_html and double click it! Then find the file that you created for your site. It will be the name you put in during Instalation of the site. Double click that file. Now your wordpress files are open and you will need to double click on wp-content. Once that file is open, double click on Themes.
Now in the box that says Local Site on left, make sure it is searching in the "desktop" or where you saved the theme folder. Then the box under that, search for the file of the Theme you downloaded. Now click on that file (will have a yellow folder) and Drag that into the Theme folder section (4th middle box) and release the mouse. The files should start to transfer in. Once that is done transfering, you have just added a new theme to your blog.
Now it’s time to log into your blog. You will have a login link like this http://www.YourDomain.com/wp-login.php put in your login info and hit enter or login. Now that you are into your "backend" of your site for the first time, you will want to click Appearance/Themes. You will see two basic themes and the one you picked as well. Simply click on the theme you want to use and Activate it. This will automatically change your blog to that theme.
After setting the theme, you will want to "play around" and change some things in the Settings area, Tools area and you can also use the Editor link in the Appearance section. So you will be clicking on Theme Editor and changing some things in there as well.. Each theme is different, so again, just play around. Under the Pages, Posts tabs, is where you will set up your Pages & Categories etc. Links for links etc. This part is more trial and error.
Under the Plugins tab, there should be Two plugins in there already, but you will want to add many plugins to your site. Plugins are Vital to your site, SEO and the Function. You can read a lot more about the plugins I use and install on all my sites here, right on DotWeekly.com.
Once you pick a plugin that you want, it will be the same process as you did for the theme. Download the plugin, unzip it. Login to your Filezilla. Look for the Public_html file, find your blogs file, then the only difference, you will open the Plugins file, instead of the Theme file. Again, drag the plugin file and drop it into the plugins file.
After doing the above, then login again to your sites backend, click Plugins tab/Installed. Then you will have to Activate the plugin(s) you installed and want to use. After activating the plugin, you can go to a new page and your plugin should be activated. Now again, each plugin is different, so follow the directions for each.
It will take a little to get use to the Cpanel and the FTP manager (filezilla). It will also take a little getting use to the Wordpress backend etc, but just keep playing around and it will come to you. It really is easy, so do not over think it. Now have fun and get building! If you have any questions, I will try to help, so just use the Contact page on the homepage here and I will try my best.
The only thing I ask for providing this info, is if you do not have a HostGator Hosting account, you use my affiliate link by clicking on the banner below and purchase your hosting. It will make no difference to you or your pricing, but it will be a way of saying Thank You to me.
