Installing WordPress on GoDaddy is a great way to create a website that’s both professional and easy to use, all without breaking the bank.
You basically get the best of two worlds. On the one hand, we have GoDaddy, a popular yet affordable web hosting provider that offers a wide range of tools and features to help you create a website.
On the other hand, we have WordPress, a content management system (CMS) that’s widely used to create and manage websites of all types.
Just imagine what you can achieve using them together!
In this article, we’ll explain why you should install WordPress on GoDaddy and how to do it, so keep reading!
Install WordPress on GoDaddy: Why use GoDaddy?
GoDaddy is one of the most popular web hosting providers out there, and for good reason.
Different strokes (plans) for different folks
One of the main benefits of using GoDaddy is that they have different plans to suit different needs and budgets. Whether you’re just starting out or have an established website, GoDaddy definitely has a plan that will work for you.
Extra features are a few clicks away
Furthermore, the giant hosting provider offers various add-ons such as email hosting, SSL certificate, and website backup that you can purchase to make website management a breeze.
24/7customer support
Finally, if you need help, GoDaddy’s customer support team is available 24/7 to help you with any questions or issues.
Obviously, GoDaddy also has several cons, which we’ve covered in this article.
Why install WordPress on GoDaddy?
Now, considering that GoDaddy’s drag-and-drop builder is one of its main advantages, you may be wondering, “why would I use WordPress instead of that builder?”
Well, there are several reasons for that, including:
Superior customisation
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that allows for much more customisation than a website builder.
- Thanks to its themes, you can customise your website’s layout and design to match your brand and business needs
- And if you need any extra functionality, you can simply use a WordPress plugin (or add-on), and you’ll get any feature you need within minutes, no matter how specific it is
Powerful SEO capabilities
WordPress is more SEO-friendly than a website builder. That’s because it has built-in functionality (like metadata) and plugins (like Yoast and RankMath) that can help you optimise your website for search engines.
To know more about SEO and why it’s important for businesses of all sizes, check some of our guides:
- On-page SEO guide
- Off-page SEO guide
- Local SEO for small businesses
- How to improve the SEO of WordPress
It’s more scalable
WordPress is more scalable than a website builder. As your website grows and evolves, you can easily add new features and functionality. This allows you to grow your website as your business grows, without needing to start over with a new website every so often.
For example, if you have an eCommerce website, you start with a simple store then later on add more payment options, checkout extras, etc.
It’s backed by a huge, friendly community
This is one of the main reasons WordPress is popular among new website owners.
If you need help with GoDaddy builder, you’ll probably have to contact their in-house support.
If you encounter any problem with WP, however, you can probably find a solution in minutes with a quick Google search.
Why, you ask?
That’s because WordPress has a large and active community of users and developers. This means that there are many resources, tutorials, and forums available to help you learn how to use WordPress and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.
You own and control your website
WordPress is open source, meaning you own and control your website. In other words, you can customise it as much as you want, with no limitations and constraints.
Furthermore, you can move your website to different hosting providers if you want to, giving you more flexibility and control over your website. On the other hand, should you need to migrate a website built using GoDaddy’s builder to another host, you’ll surely find the migration process tedious and costly.
How to install WordPress on GoDaddy with a WordPress hosting plan
Okay, now let’s get to the nitty-gritty of installing WordPress on GoDaddy.
There are two ways to do it, you can either get a WordPress hosting plan or subscribe to one of the normal hosting plans (aka Linux plans), which tend to be cheaper, and install your CMS yourself.
We’ll go over the first method in this section, then move on to the latter.
Step 1: Sign up and purchase a plan on GoDaddy
Before you can install WordPress on GoDaddy, you’ll need to purchase a domain and hosting. Here’s how to do this:
1. Go to GoDaddy.com and click on “Create an Account”
2. Fill in your details then verify your email address
3. Next, you’ll have to purchase a domain name if you don’t already have one. Just look up your domain name of choice and follow the prompts to make the purchase
4. Now, head over to the WordPress Hosting page and pick whichever plan suits you the most. If you’re just starting out, we recommend opting for the basic option to test the waters before committing to a pricier subscription plan
5. Finally, enter your billing information and complete the purchase
Step 2: Install WordPress on GoDaddy: Set up WordPress
1. After signing up and purchasing a plan, you’ll find yourself on the following page:
2. Scroll down and click on “Manual WordPress setup”
3. Next, create a username and a password for your WordPress website. Save those credentials because you’re going to need them every time you need to use your site. After doing so, click on “Continue”
4. You’ll be asked to pick a data centre. Of course, there are no right or wrong answers here; just pick the location in which your customers or followers are located. For example, if you’re planning to serve people in the UK, click on Europe
5. Click on “Continue” and wait for the setup process to be completed. The process can take a few minutes, so just sit back and relax
6. Congrats! Your site is ready! Now, click on “View My Site”, and you’ll be redirected to your WordPress website’s login page
Step 3: Attach your domain name
1. Your website will be created on a domain name generated by GoDaddy. To use the domain name you created earlier, click on “dashboard” from the side menu, then click on “Add Domain”
2. Pick your domain name from the drop-down menu and click on “Attach Domain”
3. Voila! You’re ready to explore your WordPress website!
Wondering what to do next? Check some of our WordPress guides:
- How to Make a One-Page WordPress Site
- Website Management: Three Steps To Get It Right
- Landing Page vs Website: How Are They Different?
- How to Create Your Own Website Design
- Website Design Mistakes And How To Fix Them
How to install WordPress on GoDaddy with a Linux hosting plan
If you’re low on cash and don’t mind dealing with a few technical steps to install WordPress, follow these steps.
Step 1: Sign up and purchase a plan on GoDaddy
Just follow the same steps mentioned above, but instead of choosing a WordPress hosting plan, go with a Linux hosting subscription. For the sake of simplicity, we’re going to use the “Economy Linux Hosting with cPanel” plan when demonstrating different steps.
Before going forward, let us explain what cPanel is
So, you know how you have a house and inside that house, you have all your rooms (like the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms)?
Well, think of cPanel as the control panel for your website’s house.
It’s like a virtual housekeeping assistant that helps you keep your website organised and running smoothly. You can use it to create email accounts, manage your files, and even install apps like WordPress.
It’s like having your own personal website butler, who helps you take care of all the behind-the-scenes stuff, so you can focus on creating awesome content for your visitors!
So, if you’re a website owner, cPanel is your best friend. It makes your website management easy, and you can use it to access all the features you may need from one place.
Step 2: Install WordPress on GoDaddy
Once you’ve purchased a domain and got yourself a decent hosting plan, you’re ready to install WordPress on GoDaddy. Just follow these steps to do so:
1. Log in to your GoDaddy account
2. Go to the “My Products” section under “My Account”
3. Click on “Manage” next to the web hosting plan you purchased earlier. That will take you to the hosting dashboard page
4. Click on “cPanel Admin”, which will take you to your cPanel account
5. Scroll down to the “Web Applications” section and select “WordPress”
6. On the next page, click on “Install your application”
7. Pick your domain and fill in the necessary information, such as the site title and admin username and password. You can also choose the language and select the checkbox if you want to search engine to index your site. The only options that you should be really concerned about right now are the username, password, and administrator email
8. Click “Install” and wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes
9. Once the installation is complete, you will be given a link to your new WordPress site. You will also receive an email containing the login URL and your username and password
10. Log in to your new WordPress site using the admin username and password you provided during the installation process
11. And that’s it! You’ve successfully installed WordPress on GoDaddy
Which method should you follow?
Well, it depends. As mentioned, Linux hosting tends to be cheaper, especially if you’re planning to get a long-term subscription.
- The basic Linux hosting plan costs £3.99 if you opt for a 36-month subscription for a total of £144
- The basic WordPress-managed hosting plan costs £4.99 if you opt for a 36-month subscription for a total of £180
The difference isn’t substantial, but it can be significant if you’re just starting out. So, if you’re looking to spend as little money as possible on this project (something we don’t generally recommend since you get what you pay for), a Linux hosting plan would be enough.
On the other hand, getting a WordPress-managed hosting plan means that you won’t have to worry about security, updates, etc. So, if convenience is what you’re after, this is the way to go.
We don’t you leave this headache to us?
Managing a WordPress website can feel overwhelming to new webmasters who have never managed a digital property before. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone. Just book a discovery call with us today, and we’ll explain how we can take all of this hassle off your plate.
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