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Get started with GreenGeeks
Go to GreenGeeks start up page and click “Get Started Now”
Step 1. Firstly you will be asked to register a domain name. Choose your name wisely. After all you want customers to be able to search for your website once it is built.
Step 2. After that is done, fill out your name address and email that you want the account to be associated with. Choose “EcoSite Lite” unless you know you need a bigger package. Most importantly, ensure that you check mark “Domain WHOIS privacy”. This makes sure your data is private. Enter credit card details and select “Create Account”.
Step 3. You will receive some emails from GreenGeeks with your account information including login information.
Step 4. Log in to the host account. Click on "Cpanel." This is where all the tools are located to make changes to your website
Now don’t touch anything if you are not confident about what it does. We can build great thing, and we can break things too. Always research first or hire a web designer. Now let’s learn about the simple 1-click WordPress install.
1-click WordPress Website Installation
Softaculous is an App installer located within the Cpanel. First of all the really great thing is you can install WordPress quickly and easily with a few steps. Additionally you can install the database with no coding skills at all. Furthermore In just a few steps you will have the platform in which to build your new website.
Step 1. Scroll to the bottom of the cPanel till you find the Softaculous section. Click on “WordPress”.
Step 2. Once inside the Softaculous window click “install now”.
Step 3. In this new window there will be several sections to fill out.
Sections: 1-click WordPress Website Installation
Software Setup
Choose the version you want to install. It is best practice to install the latest versions for security reasons. Choose Installation URL. If you have installed an SSL certificate choose HTTPS. Choose the domain you want WordPress installed.
Site Settings
Add the name and description of your website. Typically it is similar to the domain name and type of company.
Admin Account
Add a username and strong password. Do not use the default “Admin” for security reasons. Use the email you want associated with the website. This is your login info, don’t forget it!
Choose Language
Self-explained.
Select Plugins
Here are a few popular plugins. Loginizer is a brute force security plugin. It works great, but if you forget your password you will have 3x attempts before it locks you out. Elementor is a popular page builder. Since WordPress updated their editor to Gutenburg, people have disliked it. Elementor is great but has a steep learning curve. WP forms lite. It is a simple contact form. There are many plugins to choose from after you install WordPress. These ones will auto install if you check the boxes.
Advanced Tab
If you select these, it is adviseable to install the best themes and plugins that have support and maintenance. Otherwise update manually from the WP Dashboard.
Backup location
You can backup files here. Automate them and make sure they download to a location not in the server. Google Drive, Dropbox or something in the cloud. After you install WordPress you will be able to go back in to Softaculous, at the top of the screen right hand side there is a zipped folder where you can configure backup and restore. This is just one option. There are also plugins that will achieve the same thing.
Select Theme
Don’t select a theme. Unless of course you see one you like. WordPress will automatically select and install the default theme. Later in the Dashboard you can choose a theme by going to Dashboard-->Appearance-->Theme.
Finally, click “Install”
Log in to WordPress
It may take a few minutes for WordPress to install. Softaculous will then give a couple of links to go to your website. Furthermore this will take you to the place where your website is located and where to log in.
Congratulations!! You did it 🙂
Let’s log in. Click the links to go to your domain login.
The WordPress Dashboard
The WordPress Dashboard is where everything is located. It is also the back end of your website. To get to the front end click in the top left corner where your website name is. To go back also click the same area.
Install Pages in WordPress
Dashboard-->Pages
Install Themes in WordPress
Dashboard-->Appearance-->Theme
There are many comprehensive tutorials out there to assist with building the theme. The theme builder likely has documentation files. One of my favorite themes is probably Astra theme.
Install plugins in WordPress
Dashboard--> Plugins
Plugins are certainly amazing. They add extra functionality to your website. Be careful and selective as to what you add though. Too many plugins can consequently slow down your website.
Settings
General Settings
If you entered it in Softaculous your site name and tagline should certainly be there. Adjust if necessary.
Permalinks
Change the permalink structure to something more user friendly. Domain.com/Postname is better than Domain.com/?=123. Why that is the default is beyond me.
Congratulations on creating a WordPress website!
Hope you enjoyed this easy WordPress website Installation in a few easy steps tutorial. Many people are afraid to try something that feels a bit complicated. With proper hosting, cPanel and 1-click installers it is much easier than it used to be. Installing WordPress is just the beginning though. Then comes designing.
Design on the other hand can be a bit more challenging. How did you do? If you have any questions please let me know in the comments or email me if you need website design assistance. Happy to help.