Taking those first steps is a major milestone for any BigScoots client. We understand that starting a new site may feel overwhelming, but rest assured, we are here to help! This guide will walk you through setting up your fresh WordPress install, so you can start working on your site in no time.
Index:
Domain Setup
Before setting up your site, the first step is to set up your domain. If you don't have a domain registered yet, you can register one with BigScoots by following this guide. Otherwise, you are free to register your domain anywhere and follow below to point the nameservers.
** If you have a domain registered with BigScoots, you can skip this section **
For those of you with a domain outside of BigScoots we will need you to change your domain nameservers to the following:
ns1.bigscoots.com
ns2.bigscoots.com
If you need help, please use the search feature to look up your domain registrar and follow the guide to properly point the nameservers. If you don't know your domain registrar, you can check using this guide.
Once completed, you can check that your nameservers are pointed by using the link below and typing in your domain. The tool should display the nameservers as the following.
Checking SSL
Before starting your WordPress install, you need to check your SSL to ensure your domain supports https://. If not, additional steps will be required, which you can find below under 'SSL Status - Installed WordPress Before Checking SSL.' To check your SSL, please follow the guide below:
Enter cPanel - If you don't know how, you can follow this guide.
In cPanel, look for 'SSL/TLS Status' under the 'Security' tab.
If the SSL Status is showing all green locks, then you are good to proceed and set up your WordPress install. If you are seeing red locks, see 'SSL Status Red Locks' below for instructions.
SSL Status Red Locks
SSL Status Red Locks
If you are currently seeing red locks on your SSL/TLS Status page, don't worry. To turn them green, simply click 'Run AutoSSL.' The process may take a few minutes, but once completed, the page will display green locks like above.
SSL Status - Installed WordPress Before Checking SSL
SSL Status - Installed WordPress Before Checking SSL
If you completed a fresh WordPress install before configuring SSL, you can follow this guide to resolve the "Not secure" message on your site and properly set up https://:
Setting-up WordPress
Now that your domain is secure and the SSL Status is correct, you can begin setting up your WordPress site within cPanel. Setting up WordPress is a very simple process, which you can follow along below.
Enter cPanel - If you don't know how, you can follow this guide.
In cPanel, click 'WordPress Manager by Softaculous.'
Within Softaculous, click 'Install' to begin your Fresh WordPress Install.
On the WordPress page, right of 'Software Setup,' you can click 'Quick Install' to only fill out only the essentials for installing WordPress.
We will go through Quick Install in this tutorial, however, if you decide to stay on the page (or click 'Custom Install'), you can set up site settings, plugins, language and more.
Under Software Setup, you are able to choose the domain of the site along with the version of WordPress you would like to use.
If you are using 'Custom Install,' please ensure that your http: extension is one of either the two options below:
https://
Either option is correct, you will just want to avoid the http:// selections.
Under the 'Admin Account,' provide a username, password, and update the email address if you don't want it to be admin@[your site].com.
Once finished filling out the form, click 'Install' at the bottom to complete your fresh WordPress install. Once submitted, you will see a progress bar.
Once WordPress has installed, you will see a screen like below, click 'Return to WordPress Management' to see your site.
Your site is up and running! For access WordPress, click 'Login.' If you need to remove the site and start over, click 'Uninstall' at the bottom then go through the steps again.
Congratulations! You've successfully completed your fresh WordPress install. Now you can start building your site and exploring WordPress themes and plugins.
Post-Installation Steps
If you are looking for next steps for what to do post-installation, you can find additional guides within the ‘Getting Started’ section of our Knowledgebase. Below are some suggestions for what you can set up next after migration.
Congratulations! You've successfully setup your fresh WordPress install.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team via live chat.
For technical inquiries, please feel free to reach our support team by emailing support@bigscoots.com from your registered email or by submitting a support ticket.