| The good news is that today you can get a website | | | | you now need to get details of your hosts |
| or blog online quickly and easily without any technical | | | | nameservers (may be in a welcome email) go back |
| expertise. Here I run through four steps which result | | | | to your domain registration site and enter the |
| in having a WordPress powered website or blog up | | | | nameservers in the DNS information. |
| and running. These are: | | | | Step three is to go to and open Fantastico in the |
| 1. Register a domain name | | | | control panel (smiling face icon) and use it to install |
| 2. Select from the numerous website hosting | | | | WordPress. Select WordPress from the left margin |
| providers | | | | (under Blogs) and click "New Installation". 'Install on |
| 3. Install WordPress | | | | Domain' should already show your domain and 'Install |
| 4. Configure WordPress and enter your content | | | | in Directory' can be left blank. The other fields should |
| (text, pictures, videos etc.) | | | | be completed but don't spend time on this as the |
| Step one is to find and then register a domain name. | | | | data can be edited later, which you will no doubt |
| You should browse a few domain registration | | | | want to do anyway when you see how it is used. |
| websites before buying as prices are not consistent. | | | | The field that is important is the admin password, |
| and are sites which should be included in your search. | | | | use a strong password to avoid any risk of your site |
| Remember that you need to select a good name at | | | | being hacked. Click 'Install WordPress' and 'Finish |
| the outset as this is the one thing you don't want to | | | | Installation' on the next page. You should now see a |
| change in the future, so it is worth spending time | | | | confirmation of the installation and a facility to email |
| finding the best available name. | | | | the details. You should enter your email address so |
| Step two is to select one of the many website | | | | that you receive a record of your logon details and |
| hosting providers available. There are many suppliers | | | | URL. |
| that will be fine but for a WordPress site is a good | | | | Step four is to go into your WordPress dashboard |
| choice. Many website hosting providers also offer a | | | | and select a theme and layout that you like and install |
| domain name registration service and the most simple | | | | the plugins you want. Then you can start publishing |
| way forward is to use this. However, whilst it is | | | | your text, pictures, videos etc. |
| simple it will probably not be the cheapest option. | | | | It really is an easy process but in practice it cannot |
| Some website hosting providers include a free | | | | be done as fast as is suggested above. Having gone |
| domain in the package, this may be fine but ensure | | | | through the process of registering a domain name it |
| that you own it, that the extension is acceptable and | | | | takes a few hours before it is available for use and |
| that it continues to be free. | | | | after you have completed the DNS information for |
| After you have signed-up for a hosting plan you will | | | | the domain name it will take 24-48 hours for this to |
| be able to access your control panel. Assuming that | | | | be circulated around the internet. |
| you got your domain name from a different supplier | | | | |