So, setting up a self hosted wordpress blog is easy, but finding the right host isn’t. Its not because we do not have good webhosts around, with good blog hosting, but because we have too many of them. So, I am not suggesting you any hosting company as of now, but, I will give you a list of things that you need to look in to while searching for a good webhost for your wordpress blog.

1. Price
2. Support
3. Server Requirements
4. Additional features/offers
5. Wordpress friendly ? [Read more →]

So you want a self hosted wordpress blog ? hmm that’s a good idea. It’s always good to own a little piece of web for yourself.

First, you should get a domain name. Yes, think hard, and select a domain name. But, keep domain registrar’s website open while you are doing this serious thinking. Because, you need to make sure that the domain that you want to register, is actually available. You can’t register someone Else’s domain name

You can use any of the following checkdomain.com register.com godaddy.com So, when there is a domain name ready, you can register it.

Tip: Do not register the domain straightaway , if you are planning to buy hosting for 1 year, or 2 years, most of the webhosts give you a free domain name with the hosting plan, you can make use of this offer.

It is okay to have the domain name registered with one company, and webhosting with another one. So, if you someone who can share their webspace with you, you can simply register a domain name from any  registrar, and start hosting

Some technical stuff

What makes a website ? ( from a webhost’s view ). It’s a domain name and some server space. It is possible that, domain name is registered at the company “A” and the server space is at company “B”.

[Read more →]

Yes !! another question for you. Is it easy to set up and manage a self hosted wordpress blog ? Or, is it a difficult job ?

My experience ?

Installing a new wordpress blog : 2 to 5 minutes.
Uploading a theme and making changes : 10 minutes
Uploading basic plugins and activating them : 5 minutes

Yes, setting up a new wordpress blog, including installation, theme, and plugins, -  30 minutes maximum. Well, this is after you get your hosting account activated. So, after you sign up for a hosting account, you will have to wait to get it activated. Sometimes it will be done within 30 minutes or less. If there is any issue with your payment, it may take little more longer, depending up on the kind of issue.

After you sign up, there is something called “DNS propagation”, which may take 24 to 72 hours. Once this is  done, ie - an active account, and DNS propagation completed, you are almost done. Because, as I told you, installation and set up will need only less than 30 minutes.

So -

[Read more →]

If you do not know what cPanel is,

cPanel (control Panel) is a graphical web-based web-hosting control panel, designed to simplify administration of websites. cPanel handles all aspects of website administration in its interface. The software, which is proprietary and distributed by cPanel, Inc., is designed for use by commercial web hosting services, so the company does not offer a reduced-cost personal use license; however, owners of non-profit organizations such as educational institutions and charities can request a license at a free or reduced cost. Reduced prices are frequently available from dedicated-server companies, who install it along with the operating system.

I am familiar with cPanel, and was expecting my new webhost to have it. It’s too common in the hosting industry and I did not look for it in the features list on the plan page. After I got the login information, I started looking for the link to login to cPanel. Nothing !! I have no idea how to manage the website. I went back to the webhost’s site and started looking for cPanel. Well, they don’t use cPanel, but a custom control panel, which they have developed.

It took almost 30 minutes for me to figure out how things are and what I am supposed to do. Setting up wordpress and uploading my theme was easy and somewhat similar to cPanel. Anyways, problem starts when I want to something else other than wordpress. I will have to figure out how to do it before doing it. What if some error comes up ? search for the fix again.

Other than that, I am happy with the service, and performance of the new host. And yes, its always to good to learn new stuff… right ?