Initial Words
“Self-hosted WordPress”, is a software that you download from WordPress.org and install on your own web server or hosting provider. You have full control over your site’s design, functionality, and revenue streams, but you also have to take care of the technical aspects of running your site.
As you know, WordPress is one of the most popular and powerful platforms for creating websites and blogs. It powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, and offers a lot of flexibility and functionality for users. WordPress websites, however, are not all made equal. WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress are the two main forms of WordPress websites.
WordPress.com is a service that provides you with a free or paid WordPress site that is hosted and managed by WordPress itself. You don’t have to worry about installing, updating, or maintaining your site, but you also have limited control over your site’s appearance, features, and monetization options.
If you want to have more freedom and flexibility with your WordPress site, then self-hosted WP is the way to go. In this blog post, we will show you how to set up a self-hosted WP site in 2023 in a few easy steps.
Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Hosting Provider
The first step to creating a self-hosted WordPress site is to choose a domain name and a hosting provider. The internet address of your website, such as www.example.com, is known as a domain name. A hosting provider is a service that stores your website’s files and makes them accessible to visitors.
There are many domain name registrars and hosting providers available online, but not all of them are compatible with WordPress. You should look for a domain name registrar that offers easy domain management, privacy protection, and affordable prices. You should also look for a hosting provider that offers fast, reliable, and secure servers, as well as WordPress-specific features such as one-click installation, automatic updates, backups, and support.
Some of the popular domain name registrars and hosting providers that work well with WordPress are:
- Bluehost: One of the largest and most recommended hosting providers for WordPress. They offer a free domain name for the first year, free SSL certificate, one-click WordPress installation, 24/7 support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- SiteGround: Another reputable and high-performance hosting provider for WordPress. They offer free SSL certificate, one-click WordPress installation, automatic updates, daily backups, 24/7 support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Namecheap: A popular and affordable domain name registrar that also offers hosting services. They offer free domain privacy protection, free SSL certificate, one-click WordPress installation, automatic updates, backups, and 24/7 support.
To choose a domain name and a hosting provider for your self-hosted WordPress site, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit the website of your preferred domain name registrar or hosting provider.
- Search for an available domain name that matches your website’s niche, brand, or purpose.
- Select the domain name that you want to register and add it to your cart.
- Pick a hosting package that matches your demands and price range. You can start with a basic plan and upgrade later if needed.
- Enter your personal and financial information to complete the checkout procedure.
- Confirm your order and wait for the confirmation email from your domain name registrar or hosting provider.
Step 2: Install WordPress on Your Hosting Account
The next step to creating a self-hosted WordPress site is to install WordPress on your hosting account. Depending on your hosting provider, this can be done in different ways. Some hosting providers offer a one-click installation option that allows you to install WordPress in minutes without any technical knowledge. Others require you to manually download and upload the WordPress files to your server using an FTP client.
If your hosting provider offers a one-click installation option for WordPress, you can follow these steps:
- Log in to your hosting account’s dashboard or control panel.
- Look for an option that says “WordPress” or “Install WordPress” or something similar.
- Click on it and follow the instructions on the screen.
- Choose the domain name that you want to install WordPress on.
- Enter some basic information about your website such as site title, username, password, and email address.
- Click on “Install” or “Finish” or something similar.
- Wait for the procedure for installation to be finished.
- Log in to your new WordPress site using the username and password that you entered.
If your hosting provider does not offer a one-click installation option for WordPress, you can follow these steps:
- Download the latest version of WordPress from WordPress.org.
- Unzip the downloaded file and extract the WordPress folder.
- Log in to your hosting account’s dashboard or control panel.
- Look for an option that says “File Manager” or “FTP” or something similar.
- Use it to access your server’s files and folders.
- Find the folder where you want to install WordPress, such as “public HTML” or “www”.
- Upload the WordPress folder to that folder using the file manager or FTP client.
- Rename the WordPress folder to something else, such as your domain name or “blog”.
- Visit your website’s URL in your browser, such as www.example.com or www.example.com/blog.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the WordPress installation.
- Enter some basic information about your website such as site title, username, password, and email address.
- Choose “Install WordPress” or a comparable option.
- Log in to your new WordPress site using the username and password that you entered.
Step 3: Customize Your WordPress Site
The final step to creating a self-hosted WordPress site is to customize it according to your preferences and goals. WordPress offers a lot of options and features that allow you to change the appearance, functionality, and content of your site. You can access these options and features from your WordPress dashboard, which is the admin area of your site.
Some of the things that you can do to customize your WordPress site are:
- Choose a theme: A theme is a collection of files that determines the layout, design, and style of your site. WordPress comes with a few default themes, but you can also install and activate thousands of free and premium themes from the WordPress theme directory or other sources. To choose a theme for your site, go to Appearance > Themes in your dashboard and browse or search for a theme that you like. Then click on “Install” and “Activate” to apply it to your site.
- Install plugins: A plugin is a piece of software that adds new features or functionality to your site. WordPress comes with a few default plugins, but you can also install and activate thousands of free and premium plugins from the [WordPress plugin directory] or other sources. To install a plugin for your site, go to Plugins > Add New in your dashboard and browse or search for a plugin that you need. Then click on “Install Now” and “Activate” to enable it on your site.
- Add content: Content is the main element of your site that provides information, value, and entertainment to your visitors. WordPress allows you to add different types of content to your site, such as posts, pages, media, menus, widgets, and more. To add content to your site, go to the appropriate section in your dashboard, such as Posts > Add New or Pages > Add New, and create or edit your content using the WordPress editor. Then click on “Publish” or “Update” to make it live on your site.
Final Words
Creating a self-hosted WordPress site is not as difficult as it may seem. With a few simple steps, you can have a fully functional and customizable website that you can use for any purpose. All you need is a domain name, a hosting provider, and WordPress software. If you follow this guide, you will be able to set up a self-hosted WP site in 2023 in no time.
FAQs
Question: Can WordPress be self-hosted?
Answer: Yes, WordPress can be self-hosted. Self-hosted WordPress means that you download the WordPress software from WordPress.org and install it on your own web hosting account. This gives you complete control over your website, including the ability to choose your own domain name, hosting provider, and themes and plugins.
Question: Is self-hosted WordPress free?
Answer: Yes, it is free. The WordPress software itself is open-source and can be downloaded and used for free. However, you will need to pay for web hosting and a domain name if you want to create a self-hosted WordPress website.
Question: What is difference between self-hosted site and WordPress site?
Answer: The main difference between a self-hosted WordPress site and a WordPress.com site is that a self-hosted site is completely owned and controlled by you. You have full access to the files and code of your website, and you can make any changes you want. With a WordPress.com site, you are limited to the features and customization options that WordPress.com provides.
Question: How do I install self-hosted WordPress?
Answer: To install self-hosted WordPress, you will need to follow these steps:
- Purchase a domain name and web hosting.
- Install the WordPress software on your web hosting account.
- For your website, select a theme and plugins.
- Start customizing your website.
Question: What are the benefits of self-hosted WordPress?
Answer: Some of the benefits of self-hosted WP are:
- You have full control over your site’s appearance, functionality, and monetization options.
- You can choose from thousands of themes and plugins that suit your needs and preferences.
- You can optimize your site for SEO, performance, security, and user experience.
- You can integrate your site with other services and platforms such as email marketing, social media, analytics, e-commerce, etc.
- You can build any type of website that you want, such as a blog, a portfolio, a business site, an online store, etc.
Question: What are the drawbacks of self-hosted WordPress?
Answer: Some of the drawbacks of self-hosted WordPress are:
- You have to take care of the technical aspects of running your site, such as installing, updating, and maintaining WordPress software and plugins.
- You have to pay for a domain name and a hosting provider for your site.
- You have to deal with potential issues such as hacking, downtime, errors, etc.
Question: How much does it cost to set up a self-hosted WordPress site?
Answer: The cost of setting up a self-hosted WP site depends on various factors such as the domain name registrar, the hosting provider, the theme and plugins that you use, etc. However, a rough estimate is:
- Domain name: $10-$15 per year
- Hosting provider: $3-$10 per month
- Theme and plugins: Free or premium, depending on your choice
- Therefore, the total cost of setting up a self-hosted WP site can range from $46 to $135 per year, or more if you opt for more expensive options. However, this is still a reasonable investment considering the benefits and potential returns that you can get from your site.