Lesson 7 – How to set up a CMS

There are a few steps one needs to know before setting up a CMS:

  1. Does your web host support PHP?
  2. Does your web host support Sql, MSql, MySql?
  3. Is the PHP equip with the latest version? Same as the systemdependancy.
  4. Do you have FTP access?
  5. Is there limited disk space on the host?
  6. Are you limited to how many databases you are allowed?
  7. Does your server platform support your chosen CMS?

I have chosen a free server http://000webhost.com to demonstrate how to set up a WordPress CMS and I’ll take you through the steps: andyrutter.uphero.com

  1. Got to www.000webhost.com and sign up for an account.
  2. After sign up process is complete, you will receive an email with your account activation link.
  3. Activate the account and proceed to the Login page.

Congratulations! You now have a web host!

On the right hand side you will see your account information. Take note of it, copy the two columns and send them to yourself in an email.

Now is the time to set up your FTP client:

  1. Start by clicking on Getting Started Information
  2. Here you will find a link to your FTP details. Click on it, and connect to your site with your FTP client.
  3. Create a new folder, call it your your_site_name, inside create a folder called site and inside it a folder called images.
  4. Once you connected to your site, go to your url and check to see if the site is ready for action.

Putting your CMS on the hosting server

As I stated before, there are many types of Open Source CMSs out there that all but I have chosen to use a WordPress.

  1. Got to WordPress.org (or any other free CMS) and download the zip file to your computer.
  2. Extract the folder contents to the new site folder.
  3. Check your FTP client to be sure the files are in the right directory.
  4. Now upload the CMS to the server.
  5. This might take some time so go get a cup of coffee!

Are you back already?

Great, while you are waiting for the last of the files to upload, its time to set up your MySql datebase.

  1. In the Cpanel of your new host, click on the MySql link.
  2. Now Create new database and user by filling in the text boxes
  3. You now have four lines of code you will need to set up your WordPress
    • $mysql_host = “mysql.webhost.com”;
    • $mysql_database = “###_###”;
    • $mysql_user = “###_###”;
    • $mysql_password = “###”;
  4. Keep this page open, you are going to need it very soon!

Almost done!

Click back to your fresh new website to Create a Configuration File.

  1. Click Let’s go!
  2. Enter the Database Name, User Name, Password, Database Host, from the page you kept open.
  3. Now click Run the install
  4. Here is where you fill out the site information, but don’t worry if you make a mistake, you can change it later.
  5. Now click Install WordPress and log in.

If for any reason this automatic file creation doesn’t work, don’t worry. You may also simply open wp-config-sample.php in a text editor, fill in your information, and save it as wp-config.php.

Wholah! You have a CMS!

Now see my next post called WordPress, now what?

Content Management Systems