Prerequisites for the Seminars
You’ll need two critical items:
1. A “Linux” Website hosting account.
2. A well-chosen domain name.
Help is available on how to do all this. I’ll give you free, one-on-one email and/or phone help by contacting me at larry@nullbarefootlogic.com. I strongly recommend we talk before buying your domain name, because your selection can make a huge difference in your online marketing success. Your domain name has to say the right things to two important groups: your potential customers and the search engines!
The good news is you can get your domain name free (normally around $13/year) when you buy your Linux Web hosting account from one of several prominent Web hosting companies. It will also make your Website setup much easier if you get your domain name where you have your Web hosting account.
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Your total cost for both items? As low as $2.75 per month when paid in multiple years. Without your own private domain name and “self-hosted” Website (that is, not hosted at WordPress.com like some WordPress sites) your business Website won’t have the full functionality it needs, and won’t be able to compete effectively in the search engines.
You’ll be working on Mayland CC computers.
If you already have one or both items, make sure you bring the usernames and passwords for your hosting and domain account, and the passwords for each email address that is tied to your Web hosting and/or domain account.
Have your own laptop?
You may use Mayland CC’s computers but if you have a laptop, you can bring it instead. That might be more convenient for copying passwords, retaining convenient login cookies etc.
Your Web Hosting Account
You’ll need a hosting account that’s set up for WordPress sites and where you have administrative control of some important functionality on the server. What if you already have a business Website? If it’s hosted on a Microsoft Windows server, or one hosted “in the cloud,” you’ll need to buy a Linux hosting account for your new WordPress site. Or perhaps you have a Webmaster who handles everything and you’re not sure about any of this. No problem– I can help on a case by case, individual basis! Email me at larry@nullbarefootlogic.com.
Where to buy your Linux Web hosting account? Here are some inexpensive but dependable hosting companies: (Update on hosting company rates. It’s been brought to my attention that to get the lowest quoted monthly rates many companies require multi-year commitments. You won’t learn these true costs until you actually begin the order process. I view this practice as quite deceptive and I sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. Dreamhost does offer a transparent pay-as-you-g0 monthly plan at $10.95/month.)
- eHost is one that offers the $2.75/month plan including the free domain name. You’ll need to sign up for multiple years.
- Dreamhost is recommended by WordPress. Straightforward terms, not deceptive. They do offer a monthly, pay as you go hosting plan for $10.95/month without a free domain. If you want a free domain you’ll need to pay annually at $9.95/month. Billed annually at $119.40. Domain is free for the first year.
- Bluehost also offers good WordPress hosting (recommended by WordPress here) plus a free domain name with the hosting account– but you’ll need to pay your hosting annually.
- Hostgator is another company that’s good for hosting WordPress, but, as with Bluehost, you’ll have to pay annually.
About “Managed WordPress Hosting.”
Godaddy and others offer variations of this service. Godaddy charges $3.99/month (but $7.99/month when renewed). You’ll get a free domain name when paid annually, but that only lasts for 1 year. Upon renewal you’ll pay the current price for the domain. In my opinion, Managed WordPress Hosting just isn’t worth dealing with all the disadvantages.
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a) the automatic updating of WordPress installation (but not the plugins) and
b) the quality, informative how-to videos for those new to WordPress and who like to learn new concepts by watching rather than reading. But you can access these for free on a “how-to” Website we’ll tell you about.
But you don’t get a “cPanel,” or control panel, with Managed WordPress. Sometimes that can be an important disadvantage. Godaddy also touts their automatic site backup plan that comes with this hosting package, along with automatic updates when WordPress comes out with a new version. But you can get site backups for free by adding a plugin such as UpdraftPlus to your WordPress site. And their automatic updates only update WordPress versions– not plugins, which may cause site security problems. Finally, you don’t get free email accounts with Managed WordPress Hosting. You have to pay extra for what you get for free with normal Linux hosting. This ain’t cool. We’ll go over all this in a non-geek, simplified way in your seminar, and we’ll have fun doing it!
Full disclosure: I don’t make a commission for steering you, or when you link from this page and when you decide to buy any of the above services. I mentioned those hosting companies because they are inexpensive, they’ve been around for years, and they have easy installment scripts for WordPress. You’re certainly free to get your hosting at another company, but make sure they offer easy, one-click WordPress installation scripts. Just make sure you get Linux hosting.
Last Minute Sign Up for the Seminar?
If you’re a last minute registrant and don’t yet have your domain name and/or Web hosting account, not a problem. We can guide you through the process in real time during the first class. Bring a credit card or debit card with you to set up your hosting account and buy your domain. You can get started for as little as $2.75.
Your Domain Name
Know what domain name you want– and confirm that it’s available for registration– before you sign up for your Web hosting account. You’ll need to sign up for the domain name when ordering your hosting. It’s always convenient– but not necessary– to get your domain name the same place you get your hosting. You’ll save yourself some extra work this way, as your domain name and hosting account will set up seamlessly.
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E-mail Addresses
You’ll get free email addresses and email forwarding under your new domain name along with your hosting. For example, jane@nulljanedoewidgets.com. For marketing purposes, that’s much more professional than jane@nullyahoo.com or jane@nullgmail.com. We’ll go over basic email setup and maintenance in the seminar.