How To Setup A Website

For me a simple website / blog is a best done using WordPress. This has a similar appearance to Office so is familiar to most, the difference being you log onto WordPress via your web browser and build it from there. There are nice themes which present your site in a professional way and the software itself is free (always a good thing!). You’ll still need to pay to register your websites name (domain name) and pay someone to host it (this is on a network computer where all the files and data that make up your site reside) but this is small amount. So following on, here’s what to do:

  1. Buy a domain name.
    1. For this I use GoDaddy. Click on the link and type the name of the domain you want. Godaddy will return the available names and domains.
    2. Select and do the following
      1. Deselect Privacy Protection – There are different views on this but I chose not to pay the extra. My reason is I don’t want to hide information from public records (ICANN, WHOIS).
      2. Deselect – Create an email address. Again this isn’t needed, why not use your normal email to get started at least.
  2. Find a provider to Host your Website
    1. For this I use Bluehost. They offer cheap hosting and provide you with a quick wordpress install via cPanel.
  3. Repoint the DNS servers from Godaddy to Bluehost. As you bought the domain from Godaddy it is parked with them so this little trick lets the web find your bluehost server, i.e. it directs the reader to Bluehost and not Godaddy!
    1. Logonto your Godaddy Account
    2. Select the website from “manage my domains” and click on settings (top right corner of domain box). Select “Domain Settings”
    3. Scroll down to bottom of page and click “Manage DNS”. This is in normal font so easy to miss.
    4. Next to “Using custom nameservers”, click on the “Change” button
    5. Enter in the boxes:
      1. ns1.bluehost.com
      2. ns2.bluehost.com
    6. Click to Confirm It. The changes are now done and can take 24 hours or so to update. Then you are ready to go!
  4. Install WordPress
    1. Log Into Your CPanel at Bluehost
    2. Navigate to “Install WordPress” in the Website Section (See Below)
    3. Click On the Installer, and click “Continue Installation” on the next Page.
    4. Select Your Website From the DropDown Then Press “Next”.
    5. If you are asked to confirm its ok to overwrite content tick this (this is a new website so its ok). Then click Next,
    6. Enter your site info. (Use a working email for the admin email and use the website name with “admin” added to the end of it if you can’t think of anything else to add. Make sure all the boxes are checked then Click Next to Install 
    7. Ignore all the sales offer while it installs and wait until the install is complete!
  5. And now you’re ready to go! Some additional stuff to help is given below.
    1. Useful Stuff on WordPress