How You can Create Websites and Blogs Using cPanel
If you have a web hosting account that uses cPanel as the interface, then it is vital you know how to instantly create websites and blogs. This article lays out the process so you can get your new websites and blogs running in just a few minutes.
So how long will you need to get your new website or blog built? Generally speaking an experienced user can create a new blog or website in as little as five minutes. Once you have bought your domain name and set your name servers, you simply log into your cPanel and run the Fantastico de Luxe app which runs you through the blog installation. Set an admin name, password, set your blog title and description options and let the installer do the rest. Just follow the prompts and your new WordPress or other platform blog will be live literally in seconds.
You should note that when you purchase a new domain name it can take up to twenty four hours to become fully propogated, although it usually happens a lot faster than that so go ahead and proceed and if a delay does happen then be prepared to wait a little while.
Setting up a regular html website takes longer than setting up a blog. It is a good idea to download and install a free FTP client such as Filezilla, set up an FTP account from your cPanel, and upload your website files using FTP access. Alternatively you can upload your files using the File Manager, which is also found in your cPanel.
Setting up websites in your cPanel account is quick and simple using Fantastico de Luxe, website templates or website builders that are included with your web hosting account. You can also upload website files from your own computer or create new web pages on the fly. This article will get you started building your new website. The steps vary slightly according to the type of website you are building and these differences will be pointed out as we go along. So let’s get started.
So first of all, you need to buy your domain name and set your DNS or Domain Name Servers. If you bought your domain from your web hosting provider, your name servers should be already set. If you bought your domain name from another source then you will need to set your name servers at their website. It is usually a very simple procedure but it can be a little confusing for the first time user. From your cPanel you can see the Domain Name Servers to use. They should be called ns1.yourwebhost.com or similar. You need to use at least two, so fill in both boxes when prompted.
If you are setting up a whole new account based on a new domain name, then your website files can go straight into the root directory. The root directory is shown as public_html in your File Manager. In this case you would now set up your FTP accounts. Addon domains and subdomains require a new folder or directory in the root directory of your hosting account, and we will cover that step next.
Once your name servers are set, you need to create a new directory in your web hosting account for your new domain. Open up your cPanel and click on Addon Domains to add your new domain to your account. If you are setting up a new site on a subdomain of an existing domain, click on Subdomains and complete the required details on the next page. For both Addon Domains and Sub Domains, complete the steps as required until the sytem gives a confirmation message, then navigate back to your cPanel home page.
It is important to set up at least one FTP account and one email address for your new domain now. You will need them when you set up your new site. You can access the FTP and email accounts from your cPanel. It is important to use strong passwords.
This next section relates to setting up a regular html website, or a website that uses a commercial script you already own. We will cover the installation of blogs after this section.
Once you have set up an FTP and email account, go ahead and install and configure your FTP client. We recommend Filezilla but there are many others you can use, and most of them are free. Configuring the settings can be frustrating but take your time. You will need to get the settings exactly right for your FTP to work but once it is set up you will find it gives you good access to your files.
For a primary domain, your website files need to be uploaded to the public_html folder, also known as the root directory. For subdomains, you should see a folder with the name of your new subdomain. For example, if your main domain is mywebsite.com, and you are setting up a website on a subdomain called blog, the you should see a folder called blog in your public_html folder. From your FTP client, double-click on that subdomain folder to open it. That is where you should upload your website files. So, a file called index.htm, when uploaded to that folder, will open in a browser if you type in blog.mywebsite.com
Alternatively, you can access your File Manager from your cPanel, and browse to the subdomain folder. Upload and edit files from your PC using the appropriate functions. File Manager does give you better control over your files than using an FTP client but FTP clients allow you to manipulate and rename files on your PC before uploading them.
Another option for accessing your website files is to set up a virtual disk on your PC. This is set up from your cPanel and gives immediate access to your files in your web hosting account, as if they were on your own computer.
Once you have loaded your files into the correct folder, check your work by typing your new domain name into a browser. The default or index page should load up and your website should be fully functional. If your site does not load up, check that your files are in the correct folder and that you typed in the right file name.
To set up a new blog, follow the steps to create the Addon or Subdomain folder, create your FTP and email accounts, then login again to your cPanel. Select the Fantastico de Luxe installer. When fantastico loads up, choose the blogging platform you wish to use from the list provided. Most blogs are built on WordPress, Drupal or Joomla!, so pick whichever platform you prefer to use. If you are new to blogging we recommend using WordPress because there are so many freely available themes and plugins, as well as a huge user base and developer network.
You will then be prompted to enter an admin username, password, blog title, description etc. Complete all the required fields and click to start the installation. The platform installs in just a few seconds, and you will receive a confirmation message along with a link to your new blog’s admin page or dashboard. Visit that page and bookmark it in your browser. You should also navigate to the home page of your new blog and bookmark that as well.
Your new blog is now LIVE and is ready for new content, your choice of theme and plugins. Access your admin dashboard for those functions.
Your web hosting package may give you access to a selection of website templates and website builders, all of which you can access from your cPanel. The templates are zipped, and you should download the ones you like to your own PC for editing before you upload them to your domain or subdomain folder.
You can try the website builders to create your new website. They have good functionality and you are only limited by your own creativity. Full instructions for setting up your new site are included with the website builders.
To optimize your websites, you should add a sitemap, robots text file and META tags to give them the best search engine exposure. These do not need to be set up immediately but at least within the first few days. You should also submit your website’s details to some search engines to get it indexed. WordPress blogs automatically Ping to a number of search engines whenever new blog posts and pages are added. To manually Ping your static or html website, visit Pingomatic and enter your website details there.
To install Custom Scripts, use either your FTP access or the File Manager. Alternatively, Login to your cPanel and select Fantastico de Luxe or QuickInstall to install any of the scripts they feature by default.
From inside your cPanel, you can access your File Manager. File manager gives you hands-on control of your website files. It allows you to create, view and edit your files as well as set and adjust file permissions. You can also upload files directly from your own PC to your website folders in your web hosting account.
Familiarize yourself with your File Manager. You will find it works better for some tasks than your FTP client and not quite as well for others.
You should now be familiar with some of the functions of your cPanel, and are now ready to go ahead and use it to create your new websites and blogs.
Michael Nunn has written a number of guides and publications instruction people on the best use of their web hosting accounts. Read his blog posts for iBall Hosting.
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