So. You’ve got a domain name. You have a hosting plan. Now what?
The very easiest way to start a website is to install a WordPress platform. WordPress can be used as the framework for a static site, a blogging site, or a combination of the two. (The combo is our favorite!) Installing WordPress is so simple that it’s almost frightening. Here’s what you do:
1. Go to http://www.YOURWEBSITE.com/cpanel and log in. (Have you signed up for Roboform yet?!)
2. On the cpanel page, scroll down to the bottom and click on “Fantastico Deluxe”. You’ll recognize that blue smiley face.
3. On left hand side, click on “WordPress”.
4. Click on “New Installation”.
5. Unless you have an unusual case, install the blog in the home directory, which means you won’t type anything in the box beside “Install in Directory”.
6. For “Admin Access Data”, fill in the fields with your choice of login and password. Write down your login and password. Of course.
7. For “Base configuration”, your “admin unsername” will be what your blog readers see when they read your posts, so you probably want something beside “admin”. Make sure you fill in the email address. It’s prepopulated, but often with an email that doesn’t exist.
8. Your “Site Name” is just that – the name of your site that will appear at the top of your blog. The description is your tag line. (These aren’t permanent and can be changed.
9. Click “Install WordPress”.
Then go to your site and see what you’ve created. It will say, “Hello World”. You’ll want to change this, so to get into the blog administration, type in http://YOURWEBSITE.com/wp-admin and log in.
And you’re ready for your first post!
PS Obviously, this is just the tip of the iceburg. If you want to learn more, attend one of our classes, or grab you a copy of the excellent From Beginner to Blogger.