Are you trying to find out how to start a WordPress blog on Cloudways?
If you're here to create a blog, I'm just going to cut to the chase! I'm not going to bore you with too much fluff. In this Cloudways tutorial, you will learn:
- How to create a WordPress blog with Cloudways
- How to connect a custom domain and set up your SSL
- How to install and activate a WordPress theme
The whole ordeal can be completed in 10 minutes and requires no money down! This is the easiest and fastest way to create a self-hosted blog for WordPress. So, if you're ready, let's begin.
How to Start a WordPress Blog on Cloudways
Step 1 – Choose a CMS
Cloudways offers a few different application options, but for this guide (and creating a blog), we will use WordPress because it is the most robust Content Management System (CMS).
Note that I'm referring to wordpress.org, NOT wordpress.com. The ladder is a free (with paid extras) blogging platform that severely limits creativity and customization. WordPress.org, however, powers 40% of the internet!
You don't need to do anything here. Just kindly proceed to step 2.
Step 2 – Choose a Hosting Solution
I've already done the dirty work, so you don't need to. I recently signed up and tested 19 different WordPress hosting plans in an epic search for the fastest, most stable host with the best overall user sentiment.
The result? Cloudways blew away the competition! I was so thrilled with their hosting solution I migrated from SiteGround, leaving months of pre-paid hosting on the table, and I'm glad I did.
For this reason, I highly recommend Cloudways to everyone, newbies included. Their High-frequency servers are blazingly fast!
Now, with your platform and host in mind (WordPress and Cloudways), it's time to get to work.
Step 3 – Install WordPress on Cloudways
First, create an account on Cloudways to begin your FREE trial.
Afterward, you'll need to verify your account.
Select the WordPress version, enter the app name, enter the server name, and click VULTR.
Select High Frequency, choose your server size (2GB is perfect for starters), and select the location that is closest to you or your intended audience.
Click Launch Now.
Now, sit back and wait for your WordPress installation to be installed. Easy, right? Once installed, you need to change your WordPress admin password.
Once your server has finished setting up, select your newly installed application.
Click the pencil to change your password, and then click the arrow in the red circle to log into your WordPress dashboard.
Step 4 – Connect Your Domain
Purchase a Domain Name.
If you don't already have a domain, head on over to NameSilo to purchase one. NameSilo offers the cheapest domains on the Internet, and they don't bombard you with ads and confusing offers (or bait and switch our pricing).
Connect Your Domain to Cloudways
From Cloudways, select Domain Management, enter your domain, and click Save Changes. This will automatically set up your SSL.
Copy your application's Public IP.
From NameSilo, select your domain.
Click Update DNS Records.
Click A record, enter @ for Hostname, enter the copied Cloudways IP, enter 3600 for TTL, and click Submit.
And you're done! Depending on many different factors, you may have to wait for your website to propagate, but rest assured, it will. Don't panic!
Alternatively, in the video below, you can follow Cloudways' tutorial using NameCheap as the domain registrar.
Step 5 – Install a Theme
After your website has propagated and your domain name is connected, you need to install a WordPress theme. Below are a couple of my favorite themes for WordPress.
GeneratePress Theme
GeneratePress is a game-changing blockbuster theme that puts ancient page-builder plugins like Elementor to shame! It's incredibly lightweight and flexible, able to build anything without sacrificing your blog's performance.
To begin, log in to your WordPress Dashboard by going to yourdomain.com/wp-admin. Or log in through your Cloudways control panel (step 7 above).
From the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Themes and click Add New.
Search for GeneratePress, click Install, and then click Activate.
After activating your theme, click Customize to start customizing your blog!
Astra Theme
Astra is yet another lightweight and robust theme for WordPress. To get started with Astra, follow the same steps above to install and activate Astra for WordPress.
Customizing Your Theme With CSS.
If you're new to WordPress, go ahead and click around your dashboard to learn how everything works. Read my guide on Customizing WordPress Themes for Beginners to customize your theme. In it, you'll learn everything there is to know about styling any WordPress theme to your exact liking.
Super Easy WordPress CSS Styling Guide
Questions and Answers
How to find my blog niche?
Finding a blog niche can be daunting. Fortunately, I've got several strategies for helping you discover the perfect blog niche. The first way is to browse through this massive list of blog niche ideas to get the brainstorming underway.
How to get more traffic to my WordPress blog?
The first step to getting more traffic to your WordPress blog is mastering the art of crafting a perfect post. You will find it difficult to increase your website traffic without perfectly readable, shareable, scannable, and original blog posts.
How to use custom CSS in WordPress?
Using CSS in WordPress isn't as difficult as you may think. In fact, it's incredibly easy! First, you will need to learn how to add CSS to your WordPress blog and use this advanced CSS styling guide for beginners.
Conclusion
In this Cloudways tutorial, you've learned how to create a WordPress blog using Cloudways, connect your domain name using NameSilo, and install a WordPress theme.
It truly is an easy way to install WordPress for beginners. I hope you all enjoyed my straightforward tutorial on creating a blog. It really isn't as intimidating or complicated as many people think. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
As always, thank you for reading! If you need help with anything, don't hesitate to drop me a line in the comments section below.
