How to Install a WordPress Blog with HostGator

One of the fastest, easiest and more effective ways to get your website up and running is by installing a WordPress blog. Although your website may not necessarily be a blog, WordPress is a content management system that serves as a great way to organize and store the content on your website, making it extremely useful not only for bloggers but also for traditional website owners who want a little more power without all the know-how.

Despite the fact that WordPress is generally very easy to use, installation of the blogging platform can sometimes be tricky. I’ve installed WordPress on HostGator, GoDaddy and Yahoo! web hosting services and I have to say, HostGator is by far the quickest and most painless method of getting your WordPress blog online.

Check out the short video tutorial that will demonstrate the simple steps for Installing a WordPress Blog with HostGator, or read the more specific step-by-step details below the video:

1. Visit HostGator to purchase your affordable web hosting plan. The Hatchling plan is good for most, starting at $4.95/mo. although the more expensive plans have better features.
2. Once your domain and web hosting are ready, visit your Control Panel at example.com/cpanel. These url’s are case-sensitive, so don’t capitalize anything!
3. Log in with the username and password you created for your account.
4. Scroll all the way down to the Software / Services section and click the Fantastico De Luxe icon.
5. Click the WordPress hyperlink on the left sidebar under the Blogs heading.
6. Click New Installation to install your new WordPress blog.
7. Select the directory where you want WordPress installed. If you want WordPress to be your entire website, leave the field blank so it will install in the root, or main section of your website. If you want it at domain.com/blog, then enter blog in that field.
8. Enter the administrator username and password. Keep this information a secret, because anyone who has it can access and modify or even delete your WordPress site.
9. Give your admin username a nickname if you like, in the admin nickname field.
10. Specify the email address you would like associated with the administrator information. This is where you’ll receive notifications regarding your blog including registrations and comments.
11. Enter the name of your website in the site name field.
12. Enter a brief description about the site for your records.
13. Click the Install WordPress button
14. Click the Finish Installation button
15. Enter your email address and click Send Email to receive the details of your installation including the login url, user information and more. Strongly recommended.

Congratulations! WordPress has been successfully installed on your website and can be accessed wherever you specified. If you chose not to enter anything in Step 7 then your WordPress blog will be located at example.com. If you entered blog, for example, then your WordPress blog will live at example.com/blog. When you want to tweak your blog or create new content for it, visit example.com/wp-login.php and enter your username and password to begin.