Beginners Guides

Beginners guides to key terms in domain and web hosting services.

How to Install WordPress on Plesk Obsidian: A Beginner’s Guide

Installing WordPress on your UK Cheapest Plesk Obsidian server is incredibly easy, even if you’re new to web hosting. With Plesk’s user-friendly interface, you can set up WordPress in just a few clicks. Follow this guide to get your WordPress site up and running!

Step 1: Log In to Your Plesk Control Panel

Start by logging into your Plesk Obsidian control panel. You’ll find the login details in the welcome email from UK Cheapest, or you can log in at:

URL: https://your-domain.com:8443

Enter your username and password to access the dashboard.

Step 2: Go to the WordPress Toolkit

Once inside the Plesk dashboard, find the WordPress Toolkit on the left-hand menu. The WordPress Toolkit makes it simple to install, manage, and update your WordPress sites.

If you don’t see the WordPress Toolkit, navigate to Extensions in the menu and install the WordPress Toolkit extension for free.

Step 3: Install WordPress

With the WordPress Toolkit open, follow these steps to install WordPress:

  1. Click on Install WordPress in the top right corner.
  2. Select your domain or subdomain from the dropdown where you want to install WordPress.
  3. Choose installation path (leave blank if you want WordPress to be installed in the root directory of your domain).
  4. Under Installation Settings, enter your site title, admin username, password, and email. These will be used to log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  5. For security, make sure Enable HTTPS is checked if you have an SSL certificate installed. This will ensure that your site uses HTTPS.
  6. Click Install.

The installation process will begin, and within a few moments, your WordPress site will be ready!

Step 4: Access Your WordPress Admin Dashboard

Once WordPress is installed, you can access your WordPress admin dashboard:

  • In the Plesk dashboard, navigate to the WordPress Toolkit.
  • Under the list of installed WordPress sites, find your domain.
  • Click on the Log in to Admin Dashboard button. This will take you directly to the WordPress admin panel.

You can also access your dashboard by going to https://your-domain.com/wp-admin and entering your WordPress admin username and password.

Step 5: Customise Your WordPress Site

Now that you’re inside the WordPress dashboard, you can start customising your site:

  • Choose a theme by going to Appearance > Themes.
  • Install plugins by navigating to Plugins > Add New.
  • Create pages and posts from the Pages and Posts sections.

WordPress gives you complete control over your site, and with Plesk’s toolkit, managing updates, plugins, and security is easy.

Step 6: Enable Automatic Updates (Optional)

To keep your site secure and up to date, you can enable automatic updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins:

  1. In the Plesk WordPress Toolkit, find your site and click Manage.
  2. Under Updates, enable automatic updates for WordPress core, plugins, and themes if desired.

If you haven’t already enabled SSL during the WordPress installation, you can do so now to secure your site with HTTPS:

  1. Go to Websites & Domains in the Plesk dashboard.
  2. Click on SSL/TLS Certificates under your domain.
  3. Select Let’s Encrypt to issue a free SSL certificate for your site.
  4. Once installed, Plesk will automatically configure your site to use HTTPS.

Congratulations! Your WordPress Site is Ready

That’s it! You’ve successfully installed WordPress on Plesk Obsidian. From here, you can start customising your site, installing plugins, and adding content. Thanks to Plesk’s easy-to-use interface, managing your WordPress site will be smooth and efficient.

Need further help? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team for assistance!

Beginners Guide: Why Buy a Domain Name from UK Cheapest?

In the digital world, your domain name is your unique identity, a virtual address for your online space, be it for business or personal use. For beginners stepping into this realm, choosing where to buy your domain name is a crucial decision. UK Cheapest stands out as an excellent choice for several reasons, especially for those who are new or non-technical. Let’s explore why buying a domain name from UK Cheapest is a smart move.

1. Affordability Without Compromise

One of the most compelling reasons to choose UK Cheapest is, as the name suggests, its competitive pricing. Starting an online venture or setting up a digital space shouldn’t break the bank. UK Cheapest offers affordable domain name registration, ensuring you can secure your online identity without a hefty price tag. But don’t mistake low prices for low quality. Despite being budget-friendly, UK Cheapest does not compromise on the quality and reliability of its services.

2. User-Friendly Process

For those who are new to domain names, the process of choosing and buying a domain can seem daunting. UK Cheapest makes this process straightforward and user-friendly. Their website is easy to navigate, making it simple to search for and register your chosen domain name. Plus, if you have any questions or need guidance, their customer support team is known for being helpful and responsive.

3. Range of Domain Options

Whether you’re looking for a classic .com or a .co.uk domain, or something more niche like .photography or .guru, UK Cheapest offers a wide range of domain options. This variety ensures you can find a domain that perfectly matches your business, blog, or personal brand’s essence.

4. Additional Services

Beyond just domain registration, UK Cheapest provides a suite of additional services that are beneficial for setting up and managing your online presence. This includes web hosting, SSL certificates for website security, and email services. Having these services available from the same provider that manages your domain adds convenience and simplifies the management of your online assets.

5. Transparency and No Hidden Fees

Transparency is key in any transaction, and UK Cheapest is upfront about their pricing and policies. There are no hidden fees or unexpected charges. What you see is what you get, which is particularly reassuring for beginners who might be wary of unexpected costs.

6. Reliable and Secure

Security and reliability are non-negotiable when it comes to your online presence. UK Cheapest ensures that your domain is not only registered but also protected. With features like DNS management and the option to add privacy protection, you can have peace of mind knowing your domain is secure.

7. UK-Based with Local Support

Being a UK-based company, UK Cheapest offers the advantage of local, UK-focused customer support. This can be particularly beneficial for UK-based businesses or individuals who prefer support in their time zone and context.

Conclusion

Choosing where to buy your domain name is a foundational decision in your online journey. UK Cheapest offers an ideal combination of affordability, ease of use, variety, transparency, and reliable support, making it a great choice, especially for beginners. It’s about more than just buying a domain name; it’s about starting your online journey on the right foot, with a provider that supports and understands your needs. Whether for a business, a personal blog, or any other online venture, UK Cheapest stands out as a wise choice for those stepping into the digital space.

Beginners Guide: What is an SSL Certificate?

Security is a paramount concern, especially when it comes to navigating the web. Whether you’re setting up an online shop, running a blog, or even just browsing, you’ve likely come across the term “SSL Certificate.” This guide aims to explain what an SSL Certificate is, highlighting how services like UK Cheapest can help you secure your website.

SSL Certificate: The Basics

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. Think of an SSL Certificate as a digital passport for a website. It provides a secure connection between a web server (where your website is hosted) and a web browser (like Chrome, Safari, or Firefox). When a website has an SSL Certificate, it means any information you input into that site is encrypted, or in simpler terms, turned into a secret code that only the website can understand.

Why is an SSL Certificate Important?

  1. Security: It protects sensitive data transmitted from and to your website. This includes personal information like names, addresses, passwords, or credit card numbers.
  2. Trust: Websites with SSL Certificates show a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. This padlock is a sign of trust, indicating that the website is secure and cares about visitors’ privacy.
  3. SEO Benefits: Search engines like Google give preference to SSL-secured websites. This means having an SSL Certificate can help your website rank higher in search results.
  4. Compliance: For certain types of websites, particularly those handling credit card transactions, having an SSL Certificate is a requirement to comply with privacy and security standards.

How Does an SSL Certificate Work?

An SSL Certificate works by establishing an encrypted connection. When you visit a secured website, the SSL Certificate creates a secure link where data can pass safely. It’s like sending a letter in a locked safe; only the sender and the recipient have the key to open it.

Types of SSL Certificates

There are different types of SSL Certificates, each serving different needs:

  1. Domain Validated (DV): This is the most basic level of SSL and is often used for blogs or informational websites. Verification is simple, with the Certificate Authority (CA) only needing to confirm the applicant owns the domain.
  2. Organisation Validated (OV) and Extended Validation (EV): These are used by organisations and businesses. They require more thorough verification, providing a higher level of security and trust.

Getting an SSL Certificate with UK Cheapest

For those new to SSL Certificates, UK Cheapest offers an easy and affordable way to secure your website. They provide various types of SSL Certificates, catering to different needs and budgets. The process of obtaining and installing an SSL Certificate with UK Cheapest is straightforward, making it accessible even for non-technical users.

Conclusion

In summary, an SSL Certificate is a critical component of website security and trustworthiness. It’s not just a technical requirement; it’s a commitment to protecting your visitors and enhancing your website’s credibility. Services like UK Cheapest make obtaining and using SSL Certificates simple and affordable, ensuring that even beginners can secure their websites effectively. Whether you’re starting a personal blog or setting up an online store, having an SSL Certificate is a smart and essential step in building a safe and trusted online presence.

Beginners Guide: What is Web Hosting?

Having an online presence is crucial, whether you’re running a business, starting a blog, or creating an online portfolio. One of the first steps in establishing this presence is choosing a web hosting service. For beginners, shared web hosting is often the ideal choice. This guide will explain shared web hosting in simple, easy-to-understand language, highlighting how UK Cheapest can be your go-to solution for this service.

What is Shared Web Hosting?

Imagine living in a large apartment building where you share facilities like the swimming pool, park, and laundry room with other residents. Shared web hosting is similar. It involves hosting your website on a server that hosts other websites too. Each website on the server shares the server’s resources, such as memory, computing power, and storage space.

Why Choose Shared Web Hosting?

  1. Cost-Effective: Since resources are shared, the cost is much lower compared to renting an entire server. This makes shared hosting an excellent option for small businesses, bloggers, and individuals looking to establish an online presence without a significant investment.
  2. User-Friendly: Shared hosting platforms, like those offered by UK Cheapest, often come with easy-to-use control panels, making it simple to manage your website, even for beginners.
  3. Maintenance-Free: The hosting provider, such as UK Cheapest, takes care of server maintenance, security updates, and technical issues. This means less hassle for you and more time to focus on your website’s content and design.
  4. Built-In Features: Shared hosting packages typically include useful features like email accounts, website builders, and one-click installers for popular applications and content management systems.

Considerations When Using Shared Web Hosting

While shared web hosting is a great starting point, there are some considerations to keep in mind:

  1. Shared Resources: Since you are sharing server resources with other websites, large traffic spikes on one website could impact the performance of others.
  2. Limited Customisation: There are limits to how much you can customise server settings and capabilities.
  3. Security: While providers like UK Cheapest prioritise security, sharing a server inherently comes with some risks. It’s crucial to follow best practices for website security.

How Does UK Cheapest Fit In?

UK Cheapest understands these considerations and addresses them effectively. With a focus on balancing cost-effectiveness and quality service, UK Cheapest offers shared web hosting solutions that are secure, reliable, and perfect for anyone new to web hosting. They provide an easy-to-use control panel, essential for beginners, and their customer support is geared towards helping non-technical users get their websites up and running smoothly.

Conclusion

Shared web hosting is an excellent, budget-friendly way to start your online journey. It’s perfect for smaller websites, blogs, and businesses that are just beginning to establish their online presence. With services like those offered by UK Cheapest, you can enjoy a hassle-free hosting experience, with all the tools you need to build and grow your website. As your website or business grows, you can always upgrade to more advanced hosting options, but for many, shared hosting remains a reliable, cost-effective solution for a long time.

Beginners Guide: What are Domain Transfers?

When you’re exploring the online world, especially if you’re setting up a website for the first time, you might come across the term “domain transfer.” It might sound technical, but it’s actually a straightforward concept. Let’s dive into what domain transfers are, explained in a simple, human-like way.

Understanding Domain Transfers

Think of a domain name like a mobile phone number, and the domain registrar (the company where you registered your domain) as your mobile network provider. Sometimes, you might decide to switch providers but want to keep your phone number. Similarly, a domain transfer is the process of moving your domain name from one registrar to another while keeping the same domain name.

Why Transfer a Domain?

There are several reasons why you might want to transfer your domain:

  1. Better Pricing: Another registrar might offer lower renewal prices or better deals.
  2. Additional Features: Some registrars provide extra services like improved security, better customer support, or more comprehensive management tools.
  3. Consolidation: If you have multiple domains with different registrars, you might want to transfer them to one registrar for easier management.
  4. Service Issues: You might be dissatisfied with your current registrar’s service or support.

How Does a Domain Transfer Work?

Transferring a domain isn’t as daunting as it might seem. Here’s a simplified step-by-step process:

  1. Unlock Your Domain: Log into your current registrar’s platform and unlock your domain. Domains are usually locked to prevent unauthorised transfers.
  2. Get an Authorisation Code: Also known as an EPP code or transfer key, this code is like a password for your domain. Your current registrar will provide it.
  3. Choose a New Registrar: Decide where you want to transfer your domain. This could be based on better pricing, services, or personal preference.
  4. Initiate the Transfer: Go to your new registrar’s website, enter your domain name, and follow their process to initiate the transfer. You’ll need to enter the authorisation code during this process.
  5. Verify the Transfer: You’ll likely receive an email to verify the transfer. This is a security measure to ensure it’s really you who is making the request.
  6. Wait for the Transfer to Complete: Domain transfers can take from a few days up to a week to complete. During this time, your website and email services should continue to work as normal.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Timing: Avoid transferring a domain close to its expiration date. It’s safer to start the transfer process at least two weeks before the expiry.
  • Renewal: Transferring a domain can sometimes add an additional year to your domain’s expiration date, depending on the registrar.
  • Domain Age: Your domain must be at least 60 days old to be eligible for a transfer.
  • No Interruption in Service: Typically, your website and email services will not be affected during the transfer.

Conclusion

Domain transfers are a way of moving your digital address from one service provider to another. It’s like changing phone companies but keeping your phone number. The process is designed to be secure, ensuring that only the rightful domain owner can initiate a transfer. Understanding and managing your domain effectively is an essential part of your online presence, and domain transfers offer the flexibility to choose the best service according to your needs. Remember, your domain name is a key part of your digital identity, and managing it should be straightforward and hassle-free.