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WordPress

Install, customise, secure, and optimise WordPress

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1. One-Click WordPress Installation

SillyHost makes installing WordPress incredibly simple with our one-click installer available through DirectAdmin.

1

Open DirectAdmin

Log into DirectAdmin from your SillyHost dashboard.

2

Navigate to Softaculous

Find Softaculous Apps Installer in your control panel. Click on WordPress from the popular scripts list.

3

Configure your installation

Choose your domain, set a site name and description, create admin credentials, and select your preferred language.

4

Install

Click "Install" and WordPress will be set up in under a minute. You will receive the admin URL and login details.

Tip: Change the default admin username from "admin" to something unique during installation. This helps prevent brute-force attacks.

2. Choosing a Theme

Themes control the visual design of your WordPress site. Here is how to find and install one:

  1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes > Add New
  2. Browse the free theme directory or use the search and filter options
  3. Click "Preview" to see how a theme looks before installing
  4. Click "Install" then "Activate" to apply it to your site

Popular free themes for beginners include Astra, GeneratePress, and Flavor. For premium themes, consider theme marketplaces like ThemeForest or developer-specific shops.

Info: Only install themes from trusted sources (WordPress.org or reputable developers). Pirated themes often contain malware.

3. Installing Plugins

Plugins extend WordPress functionality. Essential plugins for most sites include:

  • Yoast SEO or Rank Math -- for search engine optimisation
  • Wordfence or Sucuri -- for security and firewall protection
  • UpdraftPlus -- for automatic backups
  • WP Super Cache or LiteSpeed Cache -- for performance
  • Contact Form 7 or WPForms -- for contact forms

To install: go to Plugins > Add New, search for the plugin, click "Install Now", then "Activate".

Warning: Do not install too many plugins. Each plugin adds code that can slow your site. Only keep active plugins you actually use and delete any inactive ones.

4. WordPress Security Best Practices

WordPress powers over 40% of all websites, making it a common target for hackers. Follow these best practices:

  • Keep everything updated -- update WordPress core, themes, and plugins as soon as new versions are available.
  • Use strong passwords -- combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Never reuse passwords.
  • Limit login attempts -- install a plugin like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to block brute-force attacks.
  • Change the login URL -- use a plugin like WPS Hide Login to move /wp-admin to a custom URL.
  • Use SSL -- always have your site running on HTTPS (free with SillyHost).
  • Disable file editing -- add define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); to your wp-config.php to prevent theme/plugin editing from the dashboard.

5. WordPress Backups

Regular backups are essential. If something goes wrong, a backup lets you restore your site quickly.

Using UpdraftPlus (recommended)

  1. Install and activate the UpdraftPlus plugin
  2. Go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups
  3. Set a schedule (we recommend daily database backups, weekly file backups)
  4. Choose a remote storage destination (Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, etc.)
  5. Click "Backup Now" for your first backup

Server-Level Backups

SillyHost also creates automatic server-level backups. However, we recommend maintaining your own backups as an additional safety net.

6. Common WordPress Errors and Fixes

White Screen of Death (WSOD)

A blank white page usually means a PHP error. Fixes:

  • Enable debug mode: add define('WP_DEBUG', true); to wp-config.php
  • Rename the plugins folder via FTP to disable all plugins
  • Switch to a default theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four) via FTP
  • Increase PHP memory: add define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); to wp-config.php

Error Establishing Database Connection

Check that your wp-config.php has the correct database name, username, password, and host. Also verify the database server is running (contact support if needed).

500 Internal Server Error

Often caused by a corrupted .htaccess file. Rename it via FTP, then go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress and click Save to regenerate it.

7. Performance Optimisation

A fast website improves user experience and SEO rankings. Key optimisation steps:

  • Use a caching plugin -- WP Super Cache or LiteSpeed Cache can dramatically speed up page loads
  • Optimise images -- use ShortPixel or Smush to compress images without losing quality
  • Minimise plugins -- deactivate and delete unused plugins
  • Use a CDN -- SillyHost uses Cloudflare for DNS, which also provides CDN caching
  • Use latest PHP -- PHP 8.2+ is significantly faster than older versions

8. WordPress Multisite

WordPress Multisite lets you run multiple WordPress sites from a single installation. It is ideal for managing several related sites (e.g., a company with regional websites).

To enable Multisite:

// Add to wp-config.php before "That's all, stop editing!"

define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true);

After adding this line, go to Tools > Network Setup in your WordPress dashboard and follow the on-screen instructions.

Warning: Multisite is an advanced feature. It changes how WordPress handles domains and subdirectories. Make sure to back up your site before enabling it. Multisite requires a Business or Enterprise hosting plan.

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