Setting up WordPress on a shared hosting plan is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following this guide, you will be able to ensure DNS is pointed correctly, create a Fresh WP Install, and log into your new WordPress site to get things started!
Step #1: Point your domain name to BigScoots
To get started, we first need to ensure your domain name is pointed to BigScoots.
You can use the following URL to determine if your domain is pointed to BigScoots:
https://www.bigscoots.com/tools/nscheck
Enter your domain name into the search box and hit enter. Example:
Once entered, you should be seeing our nameservers:
ns1.bigscoots.com
ns2.bigscoots.com
If you do not, please use the search feature to look up your domain registrar to properly point the nameservers.
Step #2: Log into cPanel
Now that the nameservers have been adjusted, we can log into cPanel and get started. In order to log into cPanel, please browse to https://www.bigscoots.com/portal/clientarea/ and sign in.
From here, please select your Shared service from the dashboard:
Now click, Access Control Panel and then click Click here to access Control Panel.
This will take you to your cPanel account where you will see a similar dashboard.
Step #3: Issue an SSL (https://)
Before we install WordPress we will need to issue an SSL certificate, otherwise, more steps are needed after the install is complete. If you already installed WordPress please check out this article to issue your certificate and get your domain to use https://
In cPanel, scroll down to the Security Section and click the SSL/TLS Status link.
If you see red then that indicates we need to issue an SSL:
Simply click the Run AutoSSL option and allow it to run, this may take several minutes. Once it completes, it will automatically refresh in which case you will now see green locks!
Now click the cPanel logo at the top left go to back to the main dashboard.
Step #4: Installing WordPress 🙌
To install WordPress, scroll down to the Scripts Section and click the WordPress link.
Click the blue Install button.
This will bring you to a form where there are several options to fill out. For simplicity's sake we'll point out the necessary ones.
Please choose from one of the 2 options:
https://
https://www
There is no right or wrong option, it is simply up to preference whether you want to use www or not.
Once completed with the installation URL, you will want to change Site Name and Site Description in Site Settings and the Admin Username and Admin Password in Admin Account:
Then click the blue Install button.
WordPress has now been successfully installed!
Step #5: Logging into WordPress
There are a few ways to log into WordPress. Below we will give two main methods of entry.
Method 1:
This first method requires the most clicking, but doesn't require you to remember your login at all.
If you go back into cPanel, click the WordPress icon again at the bottom. Now scroll to the bottom and you will see a Current Installations section. From there, click the login link:
Once clicked, you will be logged into WordPress as the admin user you created initially.
Method 2:
This method will be for browsing to your domain's WordPress Admin URL, which is achieved by adding /wp-admin to the end of of your domain.
Example: if your domain is bobsburgers.com then your WordPress Admin URL will be:
https://bobsburgers.com/wp-admin
Once accessed, you will see 2 screens.
The first screen is a verification to block any bots:
The second is a login page to access your WordPress Admin account:
Please enter in the Username and Password you created when installing WordPress.
You have now accessed your WordPress Admin account!
This concludes all the steps needed to get your new WordPress site up, good luck!
If you have any questions while doing so, please submit a support ticket and our team would be happy to help.