Self hosting question

[Kaie]

This is so confusing I think I need help. I think I unzipped the file, bt am not sure what to do next. I printed off the instructions, but am not sure how to create a database on my server.

I might give up, I know I need extensive help

[iDreamCatcher]

Originally Posted by Kaie

It is confusing to install WP, any tips? I downloaded, and got so many options to click on. Which should I do?

If you already setup with Hostgator - they give you access to CPanel.
Login, and at your CPanel you'll have "Fantastico Deluxe" icon.
Click on it - you'll be presented with list of software to install.
Find and click on Wordpress and follow instructions, it'll create everything for you, including DB.

BUT: You must already have your domain pointed to your hosting account through DNS (nameserver record set to Hostgator's given to you by hostgator).


Gleb

[Kaie]

Do you mean, I have to go t Godaddy and forward the domain to the hostgator?

I am trying to get to my cpanel and it won't let me on, even with the password they gave me

[iDreamCatcher]

>>Do you mean, I have to go t Godaddy and forward the domain to the hostgator?

Yes.

>>I am trying to get to my cpanel and it won't let me on, even with the password they gave me

Contact HG support?
The fastest way for you to move would be to hire someone who knows all steps of this process, as questions will keep popping up. Professional already knows your questions even before you ask them and will give you the choice of answers to achieve the result you want.

Gleb

[Kaie]

Thank you, I will call

[Lil Chris]

Did you get this resolved Kaie?

[Kaie]

No, I chatted with someone from hostgator, but now have to wait 48-72 hours to hear anything (after I completed the transfer forms) I am not sure what to do now.

I also set up an email account through AWeber, and then I see that I can have one through HG. I am wanting this particular site to be a business hub, to accept registration and payments. I eventually want to monetize, but not just yet. I need to have something set up soon, I didn't know what an ordeal this would be.

When the web designer helped me, he did it quickly, like in 5 minutes. I keep thinking this is more complex than it should be.

I am also not certain how to point the nameservers to AWeber. Ugh.

[Kaie]

Originally Posted by Lil Chris

Did you get this resolved Kaie?

Thanks for asking

[Kaie]

Oh, one more thing. I keep sending myself test emails and they are getting bounced :-/

[Lil Chris]

we need to simplify your information.

Do you have the domain name at godaddy?
And your using hostgator?

Drop the AWeber and just use the 2 above.

Did you transfer your domain names over to hostgator? (now have to wait 48-72 hours to hear anything (after I completed the transfer forms).

I'm trying to understand where your at now.

Are you able to log into hostgator at all?

[Kaie]

Question (sorry for the serial posting)

Do I need the outside mail server? Can't it all be done within hostgator?

[Kaie]

Originally Posted by Lil Chris

we need to simplify your information.

Do you have the domain name at godaddy?
And your using hostgator?

Drop the AWeber and just use the 2 above.

Did you transfer your domain names over to hostgator? (now have to wait 48-72 hours to hear anything (after I completed the transfer forms).

I'm trying to understand where your at now.

Are you able to log into hostgator at all?

Yes, I can log in to the CPanel. I have decided to drop the AWeber. You are correct, I am being told to wait.

[Lil Chris]

Originally Posted by Kaie

Yes, I can log in to the CPanel. I have decided to drop the AWeber. You are correct, I am being told to wait.

By whom and for what?

[Kaie]

Told to wait by the person from hostgator that I was receiving support from.

[Kaie]

I am not sure what I am waiting for

[Lil Chris]

Did you transfer your domain over to hostgator from godaddy? It's the only thing that takes that long, usually.

[Kaie]

Yes, I think that was what we were doing. I wasn't sure I even entered the correct info, I will just wait I guess. Is there anything I can do in the meantime? or do I need to wait?

[iDreamCatcher]

Re: Aweber:

You may use Hostgator to send emails from your own domain but deliverability rates with be a fraction of what professional autoresponder like Aweber has.
In other words out of 100 emails you sent out to sell your services, 20-25-40% will end up in a spam folders of people without them or you knowing it. This is just a fact of modern anti-spam war live. To avoid that - people use professional autoresponders, like Aweber.

If you start now without autoresponder and notice that your business suffer because part of your emails are lost - you may decide to switch to Aweber later on and import your existing mailing list. The problem you'll be facing is that Aweber will require all people to be double-opt-in again. Which means half or more of existing emails in your database will still be lost, as many people will ignore double-opt-in request after the fact.

If you are launching just fun blog website - you don't need aweber.
If you are launching online business and plan to grow it - include Aweber part now as making this shortcut now will save you money now but will hurt you more later.

Each line in my todo list posted a bit back is carrying lots of personal and professional experience.

Gleb

[Kaie]

I copied the list, Gleb. I am just confused.

Now I need to go pick up some kids, that'll give me a chance to clear my head. Thank you both so much, it really is helpful! I haven't cancelled EWeber.

[Lil Chris]

I'm not sure once the process has begun you can stop it, if you can have hostgator stop it you should try and do that. It's generally considered better to have them separate. While it's not a big deal if you can't.

[chadcharlie]

Originally Posted by iDreamCatcher

They're amazing platform, but $240 upfront cash requirement (for unlimited pages) naturally skews weighs toward WP.org

Gleb

Squearspace is only 13.33 a month for basic, and 22.22 for unlimited. Maybe 240 if you pay the whole year upfront, that's not required though.

They have full service tech support that will walk you through any of your questions.

[chadcharlie]

Originally Posted by chadcharlie

Squearspace is only 13.33 a month for basic, and 22.22 for unlimited. Maybe 240 if you pay the whole year upfront, that's not required though.

They have full service tech support that will walk you through any of your questions.

Plus a 14 day free trial with nothing more than an email address required...give that one another look.

[iDreamCatcher]

Originally Posted by chadcharlie

Plus a 14 day free trial with nothing more than an email address required...give that one another look.

I might. In fact i think SS-based website will rank higher and faster on Google than other platforms, just because spammers never use squarespace.

Gleb

[chadcharlie]

Originally Posted by iDreamCatcher

I might. In fact i think SS-based website will rank higher and faster on Google than other platforms, just because spammers never use squarespace.

Gleb

Yup. I've been with them for a loooong time now, and always rank within 3 months. Both my sites Hard Knock Laughs Production Company - Welcome and The Blog Of Chad Tabary - This Blue Couch are squarespace.

[Kaie]

Squarespace sounds great, but I have started the process. I am in over my head. I am trying to get someone to come over and help me do this. I miss my web designer But I want to learn how to do it myself. My budget is small, so I cannot afford any upfront costs.

I have downloaded WP.org, but am having trouble installing it. I feel like an idiot I am usually good at figuring things out, but not this...

[Kaie]

Originally Posted by chadcharlie

Squearspace is only 13.33 a month for basic, and 22.22 for unlimited. Maybe 240 if you pay the whole year upfront, that's not required though.

They have full service tech support that will walk you through any of your questions.

I just saw this. I have already started the process though.

[chadcharlie]

Originally Posted by Kaie

I just saw this. I have already started the process though.

Don't worry about it. And DEFINITELY don't beat yourself up or call yourself an idiot. People make a profession out of this, and there is a reason for that. I've been doing it for 11.5 years for the Coast Guard and they sent me to 6 intensive months of vocational training just to get up to speed (granted that covers much more than websites.)

HOWEVER, you are definitely asking for services that cover the very basics that would be required to run a web business. If you don't have the know-how to do it, you have to commit to learning that, or pay a techy to get you going. If you have neither the knowledge, nor the capital to make up for that, you are in a precarious position, and are setting yourself up for failure, which becomes frustrating, and psychologically damaging.

Steve Pavlina goes to GREAT depth about what to expect if you want to successfully monetize a website. Check out his article again, he has alternate suggestions for you if you aren't up to speed on certain things.

How to Make Money From Your Blog

Lastly:
If you really are struggling with overcoming the tech part, and have no capital, BUT have a strong vision and idea, see if you can partner with someone who DOES have the technical inclination, and might be interested in getting on someone else's vision. I'm sure that wouldn't be hard to do on this forum.

I'm not suggesting you give up, by any means. But try a couple different approaches. Someone might be able to video conference with you to help you out.

Kind Regards,
Chad.

[chadcharlie]

Originally Posted by Kaie

Squarespace sounds great, but I have started the process. I am in over my head. I am trying to get someone to come over and help me do this. I miss my web designer But I want to learn how to do it myself. My budget is small, so I cannot afford any upfront costs.

I have downloaded WP.org, but am having trouble installing it. I feel like an idiot I am usually good at figuring things out, but not this...

And really, it's never too late to startup with a different service like SS and import your work so far. They have an actual tech support dept that will help, where the self hosted WP sites rely on message boards like this one to help a person stumble through the DB setup, config files, ect.

If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging, pause for a moment, and look around. If you can still see the horizon, step out of the hole, and walk to another location, if you see nothing but hole, look up and start climbing in up. But definitely don't keep digging!

Take care,
Chad.

[iDreamCatcher]

Originally Posted by chadcharlie

... If you really are struggling with overcoming the tech part, and have no capital, BUT have a strong vision and idea, see if you can partner with someone who DOES have the technical inclination ...

That's an excellent idea!

Gleb

[Kaie]

I am so wanting to learn it. It is just a lot to take in. Thank you for your answer. I had a tech guy who helped get me started before and we bartered. It was nice and mutually beneficial. I will re read Steve's blog.

Do you have any recommended methods for learning? I did buy a book that I hope will help me with coding (basic knowledge)

The way I learn best is to physically be shown. I would be more than willing to pay someone to show me.