How to get started with WordPress

Gary Eckstein WordPress 1 , , , , ,

WordPress is very well known for how simple it is to install. The problem for many people however is to get to the stage where they are ready to install WordPress. WordPress may be simple to install but how does one get hosting and a domain name and what is actually required to install WordPress? Acronyms such as FTP, DNS, TLD, IIS and others totally mystify many people never mind other terms such as MySQL, Linux etc.

Here then are the basis of what is required before you start with WordPress (considering that you want to install wordpress.org and not wordpress.com):

1.       Domain Name

Buy a domain name. This is way simpler than you may imagine if you use a reputable vendor. The steps involve searching for an available name that you like then paying for the name for a set term (e.g. 3 years). You may get asked, when purchasing your domain name, if you want to buy all sorts of additional products such as ‘Private Registration’ and email. The choice is yours as to whether you buy these products and services however they won’t be required for WordPress (if your host doesn’t provide DNS hosting except as an add-on then I recommend buying this add-on). It’s that simple.

2.       Hosting

It is easiest to manage your products if you buy your domain name and hosting from the same vendor. For WordPress choose Linux hosting and ensure that the host offers at least PHP 5 and MySQL 5 (even although WordPress runs on PHP and MySQL versions prior to version 5, you may encounter problems with some Plugins and Themes using old versions). WordPress works fine on Microsoft IIS hosting however errors are sometimes encountered with IIS permissions therefore stick with Linux hosting.

WordPress is very efficient therefore there is no need to purchase extra storage or bandwidth to start. If you are planning on setting up multiple Websites and want to use a single hosting account to host these multiple Websites then check that your hosting Plan supports this e.g. I use my one GoDaddy Hosting account to host over 30 Websites whereas my Australian Crazydomains hosting only allows for a single Website to be hosted (and the Crazydomains and Godaddy hosting costs the same!).

3.       Set DNS

You now have a domain name and hosting. It is therefore time to tell the world that if someone goes to your domain name they must be directed to your hosting account (actually a folder on your hosting account). This is done by settings the correct records on your DNS hosting. This is usually simple to do however it will be necessary to check with your DNS host of how to do this.

4.       Install WordPress

You are now ready to install WordPress. Your host may do this for you via an auto-install like Fantastico.


For someone not familiar with setting up Websites it can be confusing as to how to get to the stage of installing WordPress in the first place. Hopefully the basic points above help you on your journey to installing WordPress.


People often ask where they should buy their domain names and hosting – I recommend Godaddy as they are inexpensive, reliable and WordPress works very well on their hosting.