Easy Guide: Setting up a Self-Hosted WordPress Website from Scratch

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So you want to create your own website but have no clue where to start. I've totally been there! When I first decided to make a site a few months back, it felt overwhelming trying to make sense of domains, hosting, and how to put it all together.

But it doesn't have to be so confusing! I figured it out through lots of Googling, YouTube videos, and valuable help from other bloggers.

So in this beginner's guide, I'll walk you through exactly how to register a domain, get hosting, and install WordPress step-by-step. I'll share the hosting companies I personally use and recommend. By the end, you'll have your very own self-hosted website up and running!

No tech expertise needed for this – I'll explain each piece in simple terms. Whether you want to create a personal blog, business site, portfolio, or community forum, this tutorial has you covered. Let's get you started on your online journey!

Note: Feel free to reach out with any questions as you go through the process. I'm always happy to help troubleshoot! Now let's get creating…

Step 1: Purchase a Domain Name

The first step is buying your domain, which is the unique web address that will lead people to your site (like yoursitename.com). Here's how:

1. Go to Namecheap or GoHosting to search for domain availability.

I recommend Namecheap for .com domains or GoHosting for .au Australian domains, you will need to have a registered ABN to purchase an Australian domain.

2. Enter your desired name and see if it's available for purchase.
3. If available, proceed to checkout.

You can use my Namecheap affiliate link or my GoHosting affiliate link which gives me a small commission at no cost to you.

4. Complete the purchase by providing your information and payment details.

Once purchased, you'll officially own your custom domain! It's best to buy for at least 2 years, which secures the name.

Let me know in the comments if you need any help checking domain availability or deciding on the right name. The perfect domain helps make a great first impression!

Step 2: Purchase Shared Hosting

Now that you have your domain name, it's time to get hosting space from BigScoots. Here's how:

1. Go to BigScoots and browse their shared hosting plans.

• Use my link for the best deal: BigScoots affiliate link

2. Choose the plan that fits your needs. The Starter or Business plans work well for new sites.
3. Proceed to checkout and enter the code: SHFG

• This gives Side Hustles for Gals members 20% off hosting!

4. Complete your purchase with payment info.
5. Connect your previously purchased domain name.

Once purchased, you'll receive login details to access your BigScoots hosting server and install WordPress next. The SHFG code saves you 20% as a member!

Step 3: Install WordPress on Your Hosting

Time to get WordPress set up! Here are the steps:

1. Log into your BigScoots account you just created.
2. Find the cPanel dashboard which manages your hosting account.
3. In cPanel, look for the “Softaculous” or “Apps Installer” icon. This allows easy installations.
4. Click the WordPress icon in Softaculous.
5. A setup screen will appear. Choose your purchased domain from the dropdown menu.
6. Enter your desired details:

• Site Title – The public name of your site
• Admin Username – Your private login ID
• Password – Choose a strong password
• Admin Email – Your contact email address

7. Click “Install” and WordPress will begin setting up on your hosting. This may take a few minutes.

Once complete, your WordPress site is ready to go! You can access the admin dashboard to start building your site. Let me know if any part of the install process is confusing!

Step 4: Access Your New WordPress Dashboard

After waiting a few minutes for WordPress to fully install, you're ready to log in:

1. You'll see a confirmation message with your custom WordPress login URL.

For example: yourdomain.com/wp-admin

2. Click this URL to go to your unique WordPress login screen.
3. Enter the admin username and password you created during the installation.
4. Click “Log In” to access your new WordPress dashboard!

This is the behind-the-scenes hub where you can create pages, write posts, add menus, choose designs, and manage your entire site.

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the WordPress dashboard. The menus on the left side allow you to navigate between different functions

Step 5: Customize Your Website

1. Explore the WordPress dashboard to familiarize yourself with its features.
2. Choose and install a theme for your website from “Appearance” > “Themes” section.
3. Add and customize essential pages like “Home,” “About,” and “Contact” from “Pages” > “Add New.”
4. Install essential plugins, like “RankMath SEO” for search engine optimization and “Akismet” for spam protection, from “Plugins” > “Add New.”

Step 6: Create and Publish Your First Post

Time to publish your first piece of content! Here's how:

1. Go to “Posts” > “Add New” in your WordPress dashboard menu.
2. Give your post a title at the top. Write an introduction in the main editor.
3. Format your text using the formatting tools in the editor toolbar. Make it bold, italic etc.
4. Add images by clicking the “Add Media” button. Upload images or insert from URL.
5. Preview your post using the “Preview” button to see how it will look.
6. When ready, click “Publish” to make your post live on your site!
7. Repeat this process to create more blog posts, pages, and content.

Some tips:

• Write useful, engaging content for visitors.
• Use keywords in titles and text to help with SEO.
• Include images, videos, quotes etc. to make it visually appealing.

Step 7: Launch Your Live Website

You're almost there! Here are the final steps to launch your website:

1. Once you're happy with your initial content, design, and setup, it's time to go live.
2. In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Settings” > “General”.
3. Make sure your WordPress Address and Site Address are both set to your purchased domain.

For example: http://yourdomain.com

4. Click “Save Changes” at the bottom.
5. Open a new browser tab and visit your custom domain name.
6. Your new website should now be live on the internet for the world to see!

Congratulations, all your hard work paid off! Now you can share your beautiful new website. Let visitors start finding you.

Remember, launch is just the first step. Keep adding content and improving your site over time. But take today to celebrate getting your website up successfully! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Congratulations! 🎉

You did it – your very own self-hosted WordPress website is officially up and running on the internet.

All that hard work researching, purchasing your custom domain, getting hosting set up, installing WordPress, and creating your first posts has paid off.

Now you have a professional website and powerful platform to share your passions, promote your business, and continue growing an influential online presence.

The world of website creation may have seemed daunting at first. But by taking it step-by-step, you've developed valuable skills.

This is just the beginning! Continue adding great content, exploring WordPress features, and making your site distinctly yours.

I'm proud of you for taking this big leap. Your dedication will inspire others who are dreaming of launching their own websites.

Enjoy the journey ahead. Your unique ideas deserve to be shared. Feel free to reach out if you ever need guidance.