Setting Up a WordPress Website & Server

There’s a lot more involved than just simply installing WordPress

Setting up and maintaining a WordPress server involves several steps, from server setup to SEO optimization and ongoing maintenance. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the entire process, focusing on using cPanel in a Linux environment. Ideal for beginners, this guide will help you understand each step in detail.

1. Setting Up Your Server on cPanel

a. Choosing a Hosting Provider

• Research: Look for reputable hosting providers such as Bluehost, SiteGround, or A2 Hosting.
• Considerations: Evaluate factors like uptime, customer support, scalability, and pricing.

b. Accessing cPanel

• Login Details: Obtain your cPanel login credentials from your hosting provider.
• URL: Typically accessible via http://yourdomain.com/cpanel or through your hosting provider’s dashboard.

c. Creating Your Domain

• Domain Registration: Purchase a domain through your hosting provider or from registrars like GoDaddy or Namecheap.
• Point Domain: Use DNS settings to point your domain to your hosting provider if purchased separately.

d. Setting Up SSL in cPanel

• What is SSL? SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data between your site and its visitors, which is essential for security and SEO.
• Install SSL:
  • Navigate to “SSL/TLS” in cPanel.
  • Choose “Install and Manage SSL for your site”.
  • Use AutoSSL for free certificates or purchase one.
  • Follow prompts to install.

e. Creating an Email Account in cPanel

• Go to “Email Accounts” in cPanel.
• Create Account: Set up your email (e.g., info@yourdomain.com).

f. Setting Up FTP Access in cPanel

• Go to “FTP Accounts” in cPanel.
• Create Account: Useful for manual file management.

2. Installing WordPress in cPanel

a. Using Softaculous (or Similar Auto-Installer) in cPanel

• Find Installer: Look for “Softaculous” or “WordPress” under “Auto Installers” in cPanel.
• Install:
  • Choose “WordPress”.
  • Click “Install Now”.
  • Fill in details: site name, admin username, password, email.
  • Install and wait for confirmation.

b. Manual Installation in cPanel

• Download WordPress: From wordpress.org.
• Upload Files: Use FTP to upload files to your /public_html directory.
• Create Database:
  • Go to “MySQL Databases” in cPanel.
  • Create a database and user.
  • Assign user to database with full permissions.
• Run Setup: Navigate to http://yourdomain.com to run the WordPress installation script.
  • Enter database info.
  • Complete setup with site details.

3. Designing Your Website

a. Choosing a Theme

• Navigate to Appearance > Themes in the WordPress dashboard.
• Add New: Browse free themes or upload a premium theme.
• Activate: Click “Activate” to apply the theme.

b. Customizing Your Theme

• Go to Appearance > Customize to access the customization menu.
• Options: Modify colors, typography, layouts, and more depending on theme capabilities.

c. Installing Essential Plugins

• Go to Plugins > Add New to browse or search for plugins.
• Install and Activate:
  • Page Builders: Elementor, WPBakery.
  • SEO: Yoast SEO, Rank Math.
  • Security: Wordfence, Sucuri.
  • Performance: WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache.

d. Creating Pages and Posts

• Pages: Use Pages > Add New for static pages like Home, About, Contact.
• Posts: Use Posts > Add New for blog entries.

e. Adding Menus

• Go to Appearance > Menus to create and manage navigation menus.
• Add Items: Include pages, posts, categories, and custom links.
• Assign Menu Location: Assign the menu to a location like the primary navigation.

4. Optimizing for SEO

a. Setting Up SEO Plugins

• Yoast SEO:
  • Go to Plugins > Add New, search for Yoast SEO, install, and activate.
  • Follow the setup wizard for initial configuration.
  • Use features to edit SEO titles, meta descriptions, and analyze readability.
• Rank Math:
  • Similar process as Yoast SEO.
  • Use the setup wizard to configure.

b. Keyword Research

• Tools: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush.
• Identify Keywords: Focus on relevant and high-volume keywords for your niche.

c. On-Page SEO

• Title and Meta Description: Craft compelling titles and meta descriptions for each page/post.
• Headings: Use H1 for titles, H2-H6 for subheadings.
• Content Optimization: Include keywords naturally in the content.
• Images: Optimize image file names and use alt text for images.

d. Technical SEO

• Sitemap: Generate and submit a sitemap via SEO plugins or third-party tools.
• Robots.txt: Configure robots.txt to control search engine access to parts of your site.
• SSL: Ensure SSL is properly installed and the site uses HTTPS.
• Speed Optimization: Compress images, use caching, and minimize CSS/JS files.

e. Off-Page SEO

• Backlinks: Aim for quality backlinks through guest posts and partnerships.
• Social Media: Promote content on social platforms to drive traffic.

f. Analytics and Tracking

• Google Analytics: Install Google Analytics to monitor traffic and behavior.
• Search Console: Use Google Search Console to track search performance and fix issues.

5. Maintaining Your Website

a. cPanel & WordPress Regular Backups

• Tools: Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or your hosting provider’s backup tools.
• Frequency: Schedule regular backups (daily/weekly).

b. cPanel & WordPress Updates

• WordPress Core: Update WordPress to the latest version regularly.
• Themes and Plugins: Keep all themes and plugins updated to avoid security vulnerabilities.

c. cPanel & WordPress Security

• Plugins: Use security plugins like Wordfence to monitor and protect your site.
• Firewall: Enable a web application firewall (WAF) if available.
• Strong Passwords: Use strong passwords and change them periodically.

d. Performance Monitoring

• Speed Tests: Use tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights to check site speed.
• Hosting: Upgrade your hosting plan if you notice performance issues.

e. Content Updates

• Review Content: Regularly update content to keep it fresh and relevant.
• Check Links: Ensure internal and external links are working.

f. User Experience

• Mobile Optimization: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly.
• Accessibility: Make sure your site is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

Conclusion

Creating and maintaining a WordPress website involves multiple steps, from initial server setup to ongoing SEO and performance optimization. Utilizing cPanel for server management simplifies many technical aspects, while WordPress provides a flexible platform for designing and maintaining your site. By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to launch a professional and efficient website.

Feel free to ask questions or seek clarification on any of the steps outlined in this guide!