This is a step by step simplified and detailed instruction for WordPress installation. This is for WordPress.org which requires that you upload WordPress to your own hosting account. WordPress.com which is similar is hosted by WordPress for free but many feel that the freedom to blog under a domain name that you own is better in the end. So to have a WordPress.org blog you will need:
A domain name.
A hosting account.
Pick a domain name that suits the content of your proposed blog and change the nameservers to those supplied by your hosting provider. I will lay out simplified instructions for changing the DNS settings later. So you have your domain name pointed to your hosting. Let’s get started. These instructions are laid out as per a HostGator hosting account which uses a cPanel. I am sure that these instructions will suffice for other major hosting providers. But as I said this is exactly how it works with Host Gator
If the domain name you opened your hosting account with is also the domain name you choose to use for your WordPress blog skip to number 1 below. If you are using an add on (different) domain name for your WordPress installation continue on to number 2.
Log into your hosting account and scroll down to domains.
Click on add on domains.
Type or paste the domain name into the “New Domain Name” box.
Move to password and type in your chosen password.
Type password in again.
Click add domain.
The domain is now installed on your hosting and you are ready to install your WordPress.
In the control panel of your hosting scroll down to Software and Services which is just below the Domain section.
Click on Fantastico DeLux which is the blue smiley face icon.
In the left hand menu click WordPress.
Click on new install.
From the drop down menu “Install on Domain” pick the domain name you wish to install WordPress on.
Leave install directory blank.
Administrator name and password are the name and password you will use to log into your blog control panel so make sure you remember them.
Site name is the name that will appear in the header of your blog.
Description will appear under the name of your blog.
Both name and description can be altered at a later date from your blog control panel if you so desire.
Click install WordPress and you are finished.
If your domain name has propagated then you should be live right now. Note that sometimes it can take up to 24 hours for a domain name to propagate. Propagate is a techie term for your domain name migrating from one set on DNS to another. How do I change my DNS settings? This instruction is for the Go Daddy control panel. Go Daddy is the largest domain name registrar and so most people use it. I’m sure these instructions will get you through any domain registrar control panel.
Log into your Go Daddy control panel.
Rest the cursor over domains on the right of the top menu.
On the drop down menu click the “my domains” tab.
Find the domain name you wish to change the settings on.
Click the box in front of it and the top menu will light up.
Click nameservers from the top menu.
Put the dot in custom nameservers
In your HostGator control panel at the bottom of the left hand menu you will find your hosting nameservers, it will be something like “ns161.hostgator.com” and “ns162.hostgator.com”. Copy and paste them into nameserver 1 and nameserver 2 in your Go Daddy set nameservers page.
Press OK and then OK again.
A further note WordPress plugins are uploaded to your WordPress Blog control panel. However WordPress themes are uploaded to your hosting control panel into the Themes folder for the domain name that your WordPress blog is loaded on.
Chris Brennan brings you http://MyWebWorks.com
