How to launch a WordPress site in under an hour
Setting up your website has never been easier than it is now, with everything from domain hosting to one-click WordPress installs being simple enough that a 10-year-old could do it.
However, even though the tools are simple and easy to use, there are still some steps that you need to take to make sure you have an up-and-running site as soon as possible and without any headaches along the way! In this guide, I’ll walk you through what it takes to launch a WordPress site in under an hour!
Choose a domain name
The first thing you need for your site is the domain name. The best place to register one is GoDaddy or NameCheap and they're both free.
Once you've found the perfect name, all you have to do is click on search and it will pop up.
After that, just type in your email address and create a password. You'll then see the screen below. Type in your desired domain name and click check availability.
Install WordPress
First, visit the WordPress website and download the latest version of the software.
Once it downloads on your computer, double-click on the file and follows the instructions that pop up next. While this is happening, you will need to purchase hosting for your website.
There are many hosting providers out there, but if you want something quick and easy that won't cost too much money, Bluehost is a good option.
Get hosting
The first thing you'll need is web hosting. Unless your blog is only going to be accessible to your user, which you can do with the help of a service like MAMP or XAMPP, then you will need a hosting company.
There are plenty of hosts out there, but you must choose one that meets WordPress's minimum requirements for PHP and MySQL support if you're not running your er.
Set your WordPress theme
When you're ready to start setting up your new WordPress website, you'll need the following:
- A domain name for your website.
- A hosting plan for your website.
- You'll also need some type of content management system, like WordPress.
- If you don't want to use the free version of WordPress, it will cost about $25 per year for the premium version.
Choose plugins for functionality
WordPress plugins are extensions of your website that add additional functionality. Here are some must-have plugins for any new site:
- WP Maintenance Mode - Keeps your website up and running even if you need to take care of urgent tasks.
- WP MailChimp Subscribe Form - Integrates your blog with the MailChimp newsletter service, making it easy for subscribers to sign up for future content.
- Google Analytics Dashboard Widgets - Provides you with valuable data on how your visitors interact with your website.
Connect your domain with your hosting
First, you'll need to purchase your domain from a company like GoDaddy. Next, you'll set up hosting for your domain with companies like DreamHost or Bluehost.
Finally, after setting up hosting for your domain, you'll need to install WordPress on the hosting service and make sure it's secure with strong passwords and SSL encryption.