Self hosting question

[Kaie]

I had someone set up my WP self hosted site for me, he is hosting me. I really want to host myself for various reasons, and also am looking into a new site and don't have him to go to.


What steps should I take? I know this is a simple question, but I am still learning all of this, am used to having help.

[Lil Chris]

What's your budget?

You can start with a shared server, like host gator or many others... It's not as complicated as you may think. You can ask your questions here, there are many people willing to help get you going...

[VinceG]

Host yourself, as in running your own web server on your own hardware, or buying hosting and administering it yourself? The latter is easy and fairly cheap, the former is free but pretty difficult, and if you don't have hardware that is switched on 24/7, your blog won't be up 24/7.

[Kaie]

My budget is not huge, I may not have to switch over just yet, so I have time. So by hosting myself, is that through something like Host Gator?

[Lil Chris]

It depends on your definition of hosting yourself. Most people start at renting server space from a hosting company like hostgator. This gives you access to your "server" which is really shared space.

With that said, you are the administrator of your "space". You control your wordpress and have access to some functions on the server using a control panel, you can get away with not having to mess with the server end too much until you learn to use it or you can give access to someone you've hired to do the work for you if you so choose (your decision). You can also set up a user for the server for web work you hire out, then turn off when job is complete. Host gator will run you about 5-15 dollars a month.

The next step would be called a VPS (this is what I run) It stands for virtual private server, which segments off space for you so there are less people on your "box". I also sell space to clients who need web design. I'm thinking this is not what you are referring to when you say server. This will run you close to 100.00 month +. If you just run a website, you want the above option.

The step after that is called a dedicated box or this is in the truest sense your own server. This will run you more, but you are the only one on that server (unless you give access to that machine. This is beyond your scope, i believe.

What is your current url? to get a "sence of where you're at"...

[GraemeMcA]

I'd say go for a hosted solution.. The market is wildly competitive these days and running a web server is a major task. If you're after a learning experience then by all means go ahead but remember website production is a big field inhabited by content authors, SEO specialists, programmers, graphic designers and network admins.

It's fine to be a specialist and not know everything about those other areas.

It's only a solution when you're doing the things that you're good at and enjoy. If your spending time on something that you're struggling with and your project is suffering.. Outsource, outsource, outsource!!

[Kaie]

Originally Posted by Lil Chris

What is your current url? to get a "sence of where you're at"...

My current sites are basically brochure sites that I have yet to monetize. I am also working on an SBI site, I am in content building stage. I am getting ready for a new venture, related to my current vocation/ area of study.

This is an example of my brochure site (I am not sure if it even possible to monetize it, I am open to ideas, I have lots of experience in this field.)

I may lose the help of the guy who is kindly hosting me, we were bartering, and are not any longer. I will probably need to move my sites, hopefully later rather than sooner. I want to learn how to do it myself. I will look into host gator, that sounds like the best option for me.

I will probably be asking for help once I am into the transition, and the new start up.

[GraemeMcA]

Hi

A few ideas.. I don't like the first photo on your home page - the one on your about page is so much more professional - go with it as the first to be seen.

Also there are no prices!! People need to know how much the haircuts cost before going ahead. Oh just realised they're in the menu section - perhaps you should rename this price list?

Could you rename your contact page to "booking" and put a day and a time field in there?

Also what about BIG links to that booking/contact page throughout the site?

How about a more unique font on the "Goddess of Hair" and a dash of colour in the layout - it's a clean site but it could use a wee tiny lift.

Not a bad start though.

[Kaie]

So, if i go with host gator and the 34. Or 39. A month plan, would that be the easiest?

I need to switch my tarotgoddess site over because I have classes coming up that will require prepayment. Will this be complicated? And if so, can someone help me?

[iDreamCatcher]

Originally Posted by Kaie

So, if i go with host gator and the 34. Or 39. A month plan, would that be the easiest?

I need to switch my tarotgoddess site over because I have classes coming up that will require prepayment. Will this be complicated? And if so, can someone help me?

Go with hostgator business - $12/mo. It's most expensive but you get dedicated IP which means no spammers with be sitting on the same computer where you are and you have no risk of being deranked by Google.

Gleb

[Kaie]

Are you talking about this business plan?

I am thinking about doing this now as I really need to set up a paypal plug in and have a couple of workshops coming up.

What do I do once I sign up? I really had a friend do the whole thing for me so I don't know. I can easily learn though. I want my site to be imported from .com to self hosted.

What are the steps I take? I want to know before I order the hostgator.

Thanks!!

[Kaie]

So, I am doing this. When it asks for my domain, do I put my domain that I have forwarded to the WP blog, or the address of the WP blog?

[iDreamCatcher]

I would do it this way:
- setup new hosting/business plan
- setup Aweber autoresponder account to handle future promotional emails and announcements
- connect domain to it (point nameservers)
- install wordpress
- import full content from wordpress.com location
- install membership management software to allow access to premium areas only for registered members and ability to create unlimited levels of membership.
- install gravity forms plugin with paypal addon and aweber addon.
- last two points will handle:
- paid registrations.
- optional free registrations with invitation codes.
- unlimited custom registration, signup, join forms.
- full database management for registered customers.
- automated registration notifications.
- automated additions of new registered members to Aweber system.
- build custom "register" form
- create join/subscribe page and embed custom form into it.

From that moment on - you'll be fully up and running.

Granted - that's my idea of maximum action plan (because I did it many times for customers). Maybe it's overkill for your needs, but some points are better to consider now - like autoresponder or flexible membership system - as they are difficult to change in a future once your business is running.

Gleb

[Kaie]

Thank you, iDreamCatcher. That all sounds a bit confusing, but I am taking it step by step. I can't afford to pay a huge amount of money though. I set up hostgator, and aWeber. Now I need to create a new WP.org (trying to figure that out)

I am taking it step by step.

[Kaie]

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

[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

[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]

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]

Question (sorry for the serial posting)

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

[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.