A number of people have asked me lately about how I went about setting up my website, Central Oregon Trail Horse.com, using WordPress. There are a lot of variables, but in a nutshell the following information should help you understand the process. And even though most of the people I talk too are discussing the idea of creating a website for their horse business, the following information could be used my anyone entertaining the idea of creating their own website. I truly hope this information is of value to you, iIf after reading thru this, you would like help, just give me a jingle.
If you are planning to use your existing web server/hosting plan – extra steps are need to prevent your current website from breaking while your new website is being set up and is beyond what can be taught on one page.
I recommend using Cheapsignup.com for all domain names and hosting purchases because that’s the one I’m affiliated with and the one I use.
Step One: Register your Domain Name
Visit Cheapsignup.com – In the Domain Name Search field, enter the domain name you want to register, and then select the domain name extension from the list. Click GO. Skip the promotion offers and at the bottom of the page click “No Thanks. Proceed to Checkout.” REMEMBER to write down you new account username and password and keep them someplace safe. You’ll need this info for the next step.
Chances are the domain name you want to use is already taken but if you keep an open mind you might be able to come up with one you like. Example: Silver Edge Equestrian Drill Team used EquestrainDrill.com as their domain name because SilverEdgeEquestrianDrillTeam.com would have been too long to remember and spell.
Step Two: Sign up for Hosting
Log in to your Account Manager using info from the preceding step. Sign up for the ‘Economy Plan’. You can ignore the promotional offers and click “No Thanks. Proceed to Checkout”. Wait for CheapSignup.com to send you an email letting you know your hosting plan is ready before proceeding to Step Three.
(I don’t recommend using the “Free with Domain” hosting account because it’s Ad supported – meaning Ads (that you have no control over) over appear at the top of your website and it doesn’t look very professional) The following steps will not work if you choose to stay with the free hosting)
Step Three: Install WordPress on Your Hosting Account
1. Log in to your Account Manager.
2. From the My Products section, click Web Hosting.
3. Next to the hosting account you want to use, click Launch.
4. From the Content menu, select Value Application.
5. Click WordPress.
6. Click Install Now!.
7. Select the domain name you want to use.
8. Enter a database description and password, and then click Next. Choose an unused installation directory, and then click Next. For example, if you want your WordPress website to display when someone goes to yourdomainname.com/blog then blog is the installation directory. If you want your WordPress website to display when someone goes to yourdomainname.com (without the “/blog”), remove any text from this field and leave it empty.
9. Enter the Admin Name, Admin Password, Email and Blog Title for your WordPress installation (you make these up – be sure to write them down!.)
10. Click Finish.
WordPress will be installed to your hosting account with the options you selected within 24 hours. When it is complete, you will receive a confirmation email.
Step Four: Customize and setup WordPress -
Visit yourdomainname.com/blog or yourdomainname.com (depending on your previous choice) to see what your website looks like. To login and customize your website go to yourdomainname.com/blog/wp-admin or yourdomainname.com/wp-admin
There are so many options when customizing your WordPress setup that there is no way to go thru all the options here but this .pdf and this website should help.
Again, if after reading thru this, you would like help, just give me a jingle, my rates are very affordable.
Affordable Options:
- I set up domain name registration, hosting and set up and install WordPress for you, then you customize WordPress and start creating your website.
- I set up and install WordPress , customize it a little and get it ready for you to maintain. Example: cascadevacationrentals.net
- I can set up and install WordPress , customize it a little, enter the original content then you edit, add pages/posts and maintain it. Example: MoonDanceReining.com
- I can set up and install WordPress , customize it a little, enter the original content, you edit, add pages/posts while I take care of the techie stuff. Example: owlcreekarabians.com, MelanieBills.com, EliteRetreatDeMexico.com, WorldwideTimeshareAuctions.com
- Let me be your webmaster – you tell me what you want and what your budget is and I try my darnedest to accomplish it. Examples: Lynns-BarberShop.com, RollingMRanch.com, CentralOregonTrailCourse.com