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Hostgator provide easy one-click install Wordpress Hosting for anyone who wants to self-host their blogs.
This has to be Linux hosting and buying it from Hostgator is also very easy, so in order for you to see just how simple this is I have written this quick post to explain how to do it.
You will need a domain name. so if you don’t have one yet get one cheap at GoDaddy.
First of all just click on the Hostgator banner ad below or the “VISIT HOSTGATOR NOW” link below that – this will then display the Hostgator website in a new window in your computer’s web browser, so you can follow the instructions below…
After clicking on one of these links you will be taken you to the Hostgator sales page. Here you will see options for Reseller , VPS Hosting and Dedicated Server Hosting. If you are just starting out you can ignore these bigger options as these are for advanced users with large numbers of blogs and/or extremely busy blog or website.
What You Need:
Instead just click on the VIEW WEB HOSTING PLANS button that you see displayed above the other options.
This will take you to another page that will list details of the other web hosting plans from Hostgator that are for less advanced users that need a single website or blog hosted or a even a few websites or blogs.
These shared hosting options are all great deals as prices at Hostgator are very competitive and affordable and the support hey provide is top class.
The other benefit of Hostgator is that installing Wordpress is really easy with a one click install using cPanel and Fantastico. Cpanel is just the control panel that is provided with your hosting which allows you to manage the hosting account for your website or blog.
The different options for web hosting plans are as shown here and these are all suitable for Wordpress.
You will see that these are called the Hatchling Plan, the Baby Plan and the Business web host plans. The business plan is for high traffic or e-commerce type sites and you probably won’t need this just yet!
So that leaves the other 2 plans for you to consider.
The Hatchling web hosting plan is ideal if you only ever think you are going to create just one blog or website (single domain) and it is very cheap at just $4.95 per month, if you select the 3 year plan.
The Baby hosting plan allows you to host more than one domain (unlimited in fact!) and is the plan to buy if you aer going to be building or creating more than a single web site or blog. Again the best deal here is the 3 year plan.
Notice that the longer you take out your plan, the cheaper the monthly cost becomes!
Use the drop down price list for the type of plan you want to get the length of hosting plan that you need.
So select the type of plan (Hatchling or Baby), select the Price from the drop-down and then just click on the Order Now button for that plan…
You will then be taken to the Order Wizard page…
When you order web hosting you always have to provide a domain name before your hosting can be setup (the setup will be done automatically for you after the order process has been completed).
You are given 2 options:
[1] Register a brand new Domain Name now.
[2] Use an existing Domain Name that you already own and have registered.
If you need a new domain name then check the first option and enter the domain name you would like to have, but if you have a name you want to use then check the other and enter the domain name you wish to use.
Then click NEXT.
If you asked for a domain name and it is already taken then you will see this page and you must enter a new domain name and repeat the process, by clicking LOOKUP DOMAIN, until you find want that is not taken.
You will know this when you see Available! Order Now. Just check the name available and click on Continue to complete the order process.
If you enter a domain name you already own you will see a page similar to this one displayed that lists the price options available to you for the web hosting plan you have selected…
Choose the price you want to pay from the drop-down list of price options (Billing Cycle). The best deal on the BABY hosting plan is the 36-months @ $119.40, which equates to $7.95 per month over 3 years. Then click on CALCULATE TOTALS.
Note : The process for buying hosting for a new domain name is very similar and just as easy to follow.
You will then see your order details displayed and options to say if you are a new customer or not. Select the appropriate option and just click on CONTINUE to carry on with your order.
If you don not have an account you will then be asked to fill in your details to create one and if you have an account you will have to login.
The rest of the order process is to do with the payment processing and I won’t bore you with the details of that here.
So that is basically it – ordering Linux Wordpress web hosting from Hostgator really is very easy, very affordable and their technical support and customer service is also very good too!
Note: You will need a domain name to open your web hosting account and I recommend you checkout GoDaddy if you want to buy a really cheap domain name.
If You Are Using Wordpress You Will Need A Theme!
Don’t forget that you will also need to pick and install a theme for your Wordpress blog or website and to really impress visitors to your site I recommend you go with an attractive premium theme. These are themes that you have to pay for, but they will make your blog site look really professional and this is essential if you want your site visitors to get the best experience when they come to your site.
The following Wordpress premium theme providers all have great designs for you to choose from and they can all be configured to make them more personal to you.
Note: Currently the best deal from the theme providers above is at Elegant Themes, where you can get a whole bunch of awesome themes for a really affordable price – just $20!
Nice post! Dont forget to get a discount for all Hostgator plans. Currently there is a 20% off coupon available. It changes every month, but you can find it on their frontpage.