The Set Up – WordPress using a Web Host

1. Go to www.godaddy.com or www.bluehost.com. Millions of others have done this before you, so the trail is nicely worn and idiot-proof.
2. Pick a domain. Most web hosts offer a free domain for the first year with your web hosting plan. This ensures more money for the webhost, but also saves you from the esoteric labor of pointing a domain to some other web host. But you need to search for a domain name first. These websites have a domain finder box on the home page. Enter a desired name and see if it’s available and for how much per year. FYI, the name of the domain database is WHOIS.
3. Sign up for a hosting plan. There are a number of hosting options available, but I prefer to keep things simple. One important feature to look for is at least one free mailbox. I don’t recommend paying for a mailbox when you can have it for free.
A mailbox is space on your host’s mail server where you can receive emails. You can create a mailbox by giving it a name. However, it’s essential to monitor your mailbox effectively. My practice is to set up one official mailbox that receives online payments, and then use email forwarders or aliases for any other email addresses. A forwarder is an email address that only forwards emails to your personal email. Forwarders are free, and you can set up multiple ones. To create a forwarder, simply enter a fake alias email address like info@whyamIdoingthis.com and specify the real email address where you want the mail to be delivered, such as raul.einstein@gmail.com.
Other services you may want to consider include automatic backup and recovery options, as well as security features. I recommend not using custom designers from these hosts or opting for their advanced marketing services.
Whichever hosting plan you choose, keep in mind that you can upgrade or downgrade it later by contacting technical support, who will be happy to assist you.
4. Make the payment, validate your email, and log in to your new user account.
Most hosting providers will show a page with your “products” that includes options to renew or set up auto-renewal. Additionally, there will be a link to manage your domain’s web host. Make sure to click on the link to manage your website, not your domain. Don’t worry if you accidentally access the DNS management page; it’s not relevant to your needs. Instead, go to the section labeled “Manage your Website.”
Once you’re on the page, you’ll see various sections, including an email section where you can manage your mailbox and forwarders, an FTP section for accessing your website’s folders and files using an app like Filezilla, and an application section where you can install and manage WordPress sites. It’s worth noting that these pages, often referred to as “Control Panels,” are usually powered by cPanel, which is a popular control panel software used by many hosting providers.
5. Set up WordPress.
The most commonly used software for installing WordPress on web hosts is Scriptaculous. I mention this because you may receive email notifications from it during the process.
To install WordPress, click on the “Install WordPress” icon, which will take you to a simple form. Fill in the required fields, such as selecting a domain for your WordPress site, entering your email address, choosing an admin username and password, and specifying your site’s tagline. Once you’ve filled in the details, click on the “Install,” “Submit,” or “Go” button. After a few moments, you’ll receive an email confirming that your WordPress site is ready to go.
To view your site, simply go to www.[your domain], for example, https://www.streetcar.org. To manage your site, access https://[your domain]/wp-admin, like https://www.streetcar.org/wp-admin. Enter your admin username and password, and you’ll gain access to the admin area.