Before we can build you a Web site, you need a domain name (that’s a Web address, like http://www.jiffybat.com) and a hosting account (that’s server space where the files that make up your Web site will live). You can purchase a domain name separate from or along with your hosting account from most Web hosts.
For a Wordpress site, your Web host needs to provide the following:
- PHP 4.3 or greater
- MySQL 4.1.2 or greater
- The mod_rewrite Apache module
Most hosts provide these things. We recommend Hostgator and BlueHost. This tutorial will show you how to make your purchase using Hostgator.
If you go with Hostgator, we thank you, and we would love for you to use this link to purchase. We are a Hostgator affiliate, which means we earn a commission for each sale through the JiffyBat! site.
- Go to the Hostgator Web site and click Web Hosting in the top navigation menu or click View Web Hosting Plans in the home page banner area.
- Scroll down to the Web hosting plans and select your plan. If you only plan to have one Web site (one domain), then the Hatchling plan will be fine. If you have multiple Web sites or think you might want to have multiple Web sites someday, then the Baby plan is for you. (The Business plan includes a free toll-free number and dedicated SSL/IP, but for a basic site you probably don’t need these.) Select a plan using the drop down menu below each plan’s description. Notice that the monthly hosting price goes down when you purchase a longer subscription plan. You plan to be in business for the long haul—right?—so go ahead and take advantage of this deal!
- Now you have a choice of buying a new domain along with your hosting or just buying a hosting plan. If you want to buy your domain now, select Register New Domain and type the domain you want (without the “http://www.”) in the field. (You may want to check to see that the domain is available first.)
Registering a new domain while purchasing a hosting plan
If you already have a domain, select I will use My Existing Domain and update My Nameservers only. and type your domain (without the “http://www.”) in the field.
Use your existing domain
Click Next and continue on to verify and complete your order for hosting only or for hosting and domain registration. You will be prompted to select a username and password during this process, which you will use later to access your hosting account. You’re done! You will receive a confirmation email with a welcome message and your login information.
