Step 2: Hosting
Assignment: Set Up Your Hosting
To set up your hosting, you will follow these steps:
- Purchase hosting from SiteGround.
- Set up your domain at Cloudflare.
- Configure your domain’s DNS settings at Cloudflare to point to SiteGround.
- Add any additional helpful DNS records as needed.
- Set up an email account for your domain at SiteGround. (Note: There is a better way to do this using Google Workspace, and you can find my course on setting it up or you can keep it at Siteground.)
- Celebrate completing Step 2!
Watch the video for a walk-through of exactly how to do this.
Mark this lesson complete and move on to the next step: installing WordPress!
What is Hosting and Why Do You Need It?
Web hosting is a service that allows you to store your website’s files and data on a server, so it can be accessed by users over the internet. Without hosting, your website wouldn’t be visible or accessible to anyone. A good hosting provider ensures that your website loads quickly and is always available to your visitors.
Choosing a Hosting Provider
There are many hosting providers available, but it’s important to choose a reliable and reputable one. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, this can often lead to issues with reliability and poor customer support. I recommend SiteGround as a hosting provider for the following reasons:
- Reliability: SiteGround has a strong track record for uptime and performance, ensuring that your website is always accessible.
- Customer Support: SiteGround offers exceptional customer support, available 24/7 to help with any issues or questions you may have.
- Features: SiteGround provides a range of features and tools to help you manage your website, including one-click WordPress installation, automated backups, and more.
Setting Up DNS Hosting and SSL Certificate with Cloudflare
To set up your hosting, you’ll also need to configure DNS hosting and an SSL certificate. I recommend using Cloudflare for this, as they offer these services for free and are used by some of the biggest companies in the world.
DNS (Domain Name System) is the system that translates your domain name into an IP address, allowing users to access your website. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security protocol that encrypts data transmitted between your website and its visitors, protecting sensitive information like login credentials and personal data.
From Cloudflare, you’ll get:
- Free DNS Hosting: Cloudflare provides free DNS hosting, making it an affordable option for managing your domain.
- Free Global SSL Certificate: Cloudflare offers a global SSL certificate that applies to all your subdomains, not just your primary domain. This is a great feature to have for added security and flexibility. From most providers, you would normally pay at least $20/year for just your root domain, then $20/year for each subdomain. It adds up quickly. Cloudflare offers a global certificate for free.
- Performance and Security: Cloudflare helps improve the performance and security of your website by providing a global network of servers, ensuring fast load times and protection from threats.
Watch the video to see a walk-through of exactly how to do this.
Set up your own hosting by following the assignment, then you’ll be ready to move on to the next step: installing WordPress!