This guide will explain how to set up a WordPress website on your WordPress hosting account using cPanel, along with powerful tools like WordPress Toolkit, CloudLinux, AccelerateWP and Imunify360.
Contents:
Step 1: Accessing cPanel
Logging in for the first time
To log in and start using your WordPress hosting for the first time, please follow the steps below:
- Login to your client portal at https://portal.eukhost.com
- Under Active Services, click Manage next to your new hosting.
- Click Change Password.
- Enter a new password and click Save changes.
- Click Log in to cPanel.
Accessing cPanel after the first time: You can access cPanel via the client portal or by appending /cPanel to your domain (e.g., www.yourdomainname.com/cpanel).
Step 2: Installing WordPress Using WordPress Toolkit
After logging in to cPanel, navigate to the “Domains” section and select “WP Toolkit.”
In the WP Toolkit interface, click on the “Install” option under the “Installations” tab.
A pop-up window will appear on the left side of the screen. Complete the following fields:
- Installation Path: Set to HTTPS and select the domain where you want to install WordPress.
- Website Title: Enter your desired site title (this can be changed later).
- Plugin/Theme Set: Choose a set like WordPress Essentials.
- Version: Select the latest available version.
- Admin Credentials: Securely set your WordPress administrator username, password and email.
Advanced users may modify the database and update settings if needed.
Click the “Install” button to begin the installation process.
The installation process will run as illustrated below.
Your WordPress installation should now be complete. To log in to your WordPress site post-installation, visit http://your-domain-name-here.com/wp-login.php (replace your-domain-name-here with your actual domain).
Step 3: Setting up Your WordPress Website
After installation, log in to your WordPress dashboard by clicking on the “Log in” button.
Basic Settings
Go to “Settings” > “General” to set your site title and tagline.
Go to “Settings” > “Permalinks” to choose your preferred URL structure.
Step 4: Enhancing Website Performance with AccelerateWP
AccelerateWP is a powerful performance optimisation tool designed to improve the speed and efficiency of WordPress websites hosted by eukhost. Utilising advanced caching and resource management significantly enhances website performance, reduces loading times and provides a smoother user experience.
Steps to Enable and Optimise AccelerateWP:
Log in to cPanel and locate AccelerateWP under the “Software” section.
Click on “AccelerateWP.”
Enable the features you need for your WordPress installation and follow the prompts to optimise your site, including setting up caching and other performance enhancements.
Step 5: Installing Required Plugins and Themes
Installing Themes
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Select “Appearance” and click on “Themes.”
- Browse and install a theme that matches your site’s requirements.
Installing Plugins
- Select “Plugins” and click “Add New.”
- Search for and install key plugins such as:
Yoast SEO: For search engine optimisation.
Akismet Anti-Spam: For spam protection.
UpdraftPlus: For backups.
Step 6: Safeguarding Your Website
Implementing strong security measures is crucial for protecting your WordPress website from malicious attacks, data breaches and other security threats.
Using the WordPress Toolkit for Security:
Log in to cPanel and locate “WordPress Toolkit” under the “Domains” section.
Key security features include:
- One-Click Updates: Simplifies updates for WordPress core, themes and plugins.
- Backup and Restore: Provides automatic backups and easy restoration.
- Security Scans: Detects vulnerabilities and malware.
- Access Control: Manages user roles and supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Firewall Protection: Includes Web Application Firewall (WAF) and IP blocking.
- File Integrity Monitoring: Tracks file changes and alerts on unauthorised alterations.
- SSL/TLS Management: Simplifies SSL certificate installation and renewal.
Using Imunify360:
Log in to cPanel and locate “Imunify360” under the “Security” section.
Key features of Imunify360 include:
- Real-Time Malware Protection: Automatically detects and removes malware.
- Advanced Firewall: Guards against malicious activity, DDoS attacks and brute force attempts.
- Preventive Defence: Utilises AI to identify and block potential threats before they can damage your website.
- Reputation Management: Monitors your site’s reputation and alerts you if it is blacklisted by search engines.
In this way, you can set up a WordPress website on your WordPress hosting account using cPanel, while leveraging advanced tools like WordPress Toolkit, CloudLinux, AccelerateWP, and Imunify360 for enhanced performance and security.