Getting Set-up with Hosting and WordPress

Gregory YoungAlternative Hosting

https://www.alternativehosting.com

support@alternativehosting.com

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844-ALT-HOST

Choosing a Host

• Windows vs. Linux• Linux is by far the most common for WordPress• Linux is more compatible with plugins

• cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin• cPanel is the most popular, user friendly

• Web Hosting vs. VPS• Web hosting you worry about your site• VPS you worry about everything, more control

Setting up WordPress

• Get your Host to do it• Not every host will do this• Extra cost

• Install using Fantastico/Softaculous• Easy wizard driven interface• No need to change passwords later

• Manual Install• Upload files to server• Setup database• Manually configure

Uploading Files to Your Site

• FTP• Fast, easy with tools like Filezilla. May not be supported by all hosts• Sometimes requires some configuration

• cPanel File Manager• Web based, similar to FTP• Has maximum file size limits set by host

• WebDav• Mount your website as a drive on your computer

Installing Plugins

• From inside WordPress• Easiest method

• Upload and install• Custom plugins and ones not listed in the WordPress Plugins site

Site Maintenance

• Plugin/Theme updates• Need to periodically check and update

• WordPress updates• Some servers need to be done manually• Correctly configured servers will do minor updates automatically• Major updates still have to be launched manually

• Prevents broken plugins/themes

Working with SSL

• Why use SSL• Protect the logins of you and your users• Protect any e-commerce transactions on your site

• How to get a SSL Certificate• Need a static IP address• Certificate signing request• Purchasing a SSL certificate

• Installing a SSL Certificate on your site• Enabling SSL• Redirecting traffic to SSL

• .hosts file• Inside WordPress

Safely Do Business with SSL

Prevent hackers from stealing data your customers share with you. SSL stops hackers from tapping into your site to get passwords, credit card details, and sensitive information.

Troubleshooting With Your Host

• .hosts file• Apache and PHP Plugins• Check your Apache, PHP and MySQL versions

.htaccess

• Many plugins require changes to .htaccess• Most common problems relate to permissions

Apache, PHP, MySQL versions

• Current stable Apache is 2.4.9• Current stable PHP is 5.4.27 (5.5 is experimental)• Current stable MySQL is 5.6.16• You want to make sure you are on the same major versions as above

for maximum compatibility with WordPress

Backing Up Your Site

• Host Backups• Good for a quick recovery, but should not be counted on

• cPanel Backups• Need a “Home Directory” and a “MySQL Databases” backup for WordPress• “Full Backup” can only be used to move to another server

• Third Party Backup Tools• UpdraftPlus Backup plugin

• Scheduling options• Amazon S3, Dropbox, Google Drive

Migrating Your Site

• cPanel Backup/Restore• Backup existing site and restore on the new server• Your new host can also do a site transfer

• Third Party Applications• Deploy a new WordPress site and restore the content

• The Hard Way• Manually backup the site files and export the database• Must edit the WordPress config files on the new host

Speeding Up Your Site

• W3 Total Cache• WordPress plugin. Disk cache, memory cache, site optimization, CDN

• Amazon Cloudfront• Low cost CDN solution. Works with W3 Total Cache

• Cloudflare• Similar to a CDN, but sits in front of your server.• Provides hack/attack protection for your site• Works with W3 Total Cache• Free for personal use – Cost for SSL sites

Questions?

• https://www.alternativehosting.com• support@alternativehosting.com• 1-844-ALT-HOST• @AlternativeHost• https://www.facebook.com/AlternativeHosting• @TheGregoryYoung