1. The Plugin Route: Swift and Simple

For most people, the easiest way to put your site into maintenance mode is by using a plugin. Think of it as flipping a switch—no code, no fuss. If you’re looking for a quick fix, plugins like Maintenance (by WebFactory Ltd) are an excellent choice.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Install and Activate the Plugin: Head over to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New Plugin and type “maintenance” in the search bar. Find the Maintenance plugin and click on Install Now. Activate the plugin, and you’re good to go. Easy as pie. Note that Maintenance mode is automatically turned on after you activate the plugin.

2. Customize Your Maintenance Mode Page: After activation, it’s time to design the maintenance mode page. Whether you want a simple “We’ll be back soon” message or a full-blown custom maintenance mode page with social links, this plugin’s got you covered. Note that the free version of the plugin only offers limited customization options. The PRO version offers beautiful ready-made themes for a more professional look.

3. Activate Maintenance Mode: This plugin comes with a straightforward toggle. Turn it on, and your WordPress site is officially in maintenance mode. Visitors will now see your customized page, rather than your unfinished website.

Here’s an example of how a customized Maintenance Mode page designed with this plugin looks like.

2. The Hands-On Approach: DIY Maintenance Mode

If you’re feeling a bit more daring or prefer not to rely on plugins, you can manually put your WordPress website in maintenance mode. This involves adding a code snippet to your theme’s functions.php file. It’s a little more technical, but it gives you greater control.

Follow these steps to try it yourself.

1. Access Your Theme Files: Go to Appearance > Theme File Editor.
2. If this is your first time editing theme files, you will get a popup warning you that you are directly editing theme files, which could break your site (if you do something wrong). Click on I understand. I recommend creating a child theme from your active theme, setting it as the active theme, and modifying it instead of directly modifying the parent theme files.

3. Open the functions.php file of your active theme.

4. Add the Maintenance Mode Code: Insert the following code at the end of your functions.php file:

function wp_maintenance_mode() {
  if (!current_user_can("edit_themes") || !is_user_logged_in()) {
    wp_die(
      "<h1>Under Maintenance</h1><p>Our site is currently undergoing maintenance. Please check back soon!</p>",
    );
  }
}
add_action("get_header", "wp_maintenance_mode");

5. Save Your Changes: Once the code is in place, save the file by clicking on the Update File button. Your site is now in maintenance mode, displaying a simple “Under Maintenance” message to visitors. Only you and other admins can bypass this and access the site normally.

6. Delete the code or comment it out to take the site out of maintenance mode.

3. Built-In Maintenance Mode: The .maintenance File Method

There’s another way to put your WordPress site into maintenance mode, and it’s one that’s built right into WordPress itself. This method involves creating a .maintenance file in your site’s root directory. It’s a more minimalist approach but gets the job done without any extra plugins.

Here’s how:

1. Create the .maintenance File: Using an FTP client or the File Manager app in cPanel, create a .maintenance file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.

2. Add a Simple Script: Open the file and add the following code: <?php $upgrading = time();. This will put your site in maintenance and the below message will be shown to visitors.

3. Remove the File When Done: Once you’ve completed your updates, simply delete the .maintenance file to bring your site back online.

Dealing with the Dreaded “Stuck in Maintenance Mode” Issue

It happens. Sometimes your site can get stuck in maintenance mode, usually because an update didn’t finish properly. If your WordPress website is stuck in maintenance mode, don’t panic. Just delete the .maintenance file from your site’s root directory, and everything should return to normal. I cover this topic in more detail here.

Wrapping Up: Bring Your Site Back Online

When you’re done with updates, and your site is ready for visitors again, you’ll need to disable maintenance mode. For those using a plugin, simply toggle it off in the plugin settings. If you used a code snippet, remove it from functions.php, or if you opted for the .maintenance file method, just delete the file.

Your WordPress site should be back to its regular self, and your visitors none the wiser about the work that went on behind the scenes.

Maintenance mode is a simple yet powerful tool to keep your WordPress website looking sharp, even when you’re busy with updates and changes. Whether you go the plugin route or prefer a more hands-on approach, putting your site in maintenance mode ensures your visitors only see the best version of your site.

The post How to Put WordPress Site in Maintenance Mode appeared first on Cyberillo.

Complete Script

## How to Check Website Status Using Powershell ##

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#╚█████╔╝░░░██║░░░██████╦╝███████╗██║░░██║██║███████╗███████╗╚█████╔╝
#░╚════╝░░░░╚═╝░░░╚═════╝░╚══════╝╚═╝░░╚═╝╚═╝╚══════╝╚══════╝░╚════╝░

try{
    $siteUrl = "https://yoursite.com"
    $httpRequest = [System.Net.WebRequest]::Create($siteUrl)
    $httpResponse = $httpRequest.GetResponse()
    $httpStatus = [int]$httpResponse.StatusCode

    If ($httpStatus -eq 200) {
        Write-Host "Website is OK!"
    }
    Else {
        Throw "Website could be down, please check!"
    }

    If ($httpResponse -ne $null) { $httpResponse.Close() }
}
catch
{
    Write-Host $_
    $smtp = "smtp.yourdomain.com"
    $recipients = @("email1@yourdomain.com","email2@yourdomain.com")
    $to = $recipients
    $from = "no-reply@yourdomain.com"
    $subject = "Website Unreachable!"  
    $body = "<p><span style=`"color: #ffffff; background-color: #ff0000; font-size: 20px;`"><strong>Website is unreachable! Please have a look!</strong></span></p>"
    Send-MailMessage -SmtpServer $smtp -To $to -From $from -Subject $subject -Body $body -BodyAsHtml

}

Script Breakdown

1. Try Block: Checking the Website Status

The script begins with a try block that attempts to check the status of the specified website. Here’s what each line does:

• $siteUrl = "https://yoursite.com": This variable stores the URL of the website you want to monitor.
• $httpRequest = [System.Net.WebRequest]::Create($siteUrl): A web request is created using the WebRequest class, targeting the specified URL.
• $httpResponse = $httpRequest.GetResponse(): This sends the request and retrieves the response from the server.
• $httpStatus = [int]$httpResponse.StatusCode: The status code from the response is stored in the $httpStatus variable. This status code tells you if the website is up and running. A code of 200 means “OK”, while other codes indicate various issues.
• If ($httpStatus -eq 200): This checks if the status code is 200. If it is, the script prints “Website is OK!” to the console.
• Else { Throw "Website could be down, please check!" }: If the status code is anything other than 200, an exception is thrown, triggering the catch block.
• If ($httpResponse -ne $null) { $httpResponse.Close() }: This closes the response object to free up resources.

2. Catch Block: Sending an Alert Email

If the try block encounters an error (like a non-200 status code or an unreachable website), the script enters the catch block. Here’s what happens:

• Write-Host $_: This outputs the error message to the console, which can help with troubleshooting.
• Email Configuration:
  • $smtp = "smtp.yourdomain.com": The SMTP server used to send the email. This should be replaced with your actual SMTP server address.
  • $recipients = @("email1@yourdomain.com","email2@yourdomain.com"): This array holds the email addresses that will receive the alert. You can add as many recipients as needed.
  • $to = $recipients: Sets the recipients of the email.
  • $from = "no-reply@yourdomain.com": The sender’s email address. It’s common to use a no-reply address for automated messages.
  • $subject = "Website Unreachable!": The subject of the alert email.
  • $body = "<p><span style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #ff0000; font-size: 20px;"><strong>Website is unreachable! Please have a look!</strong></span></p>": The email body, formatted in HTML to make it visually noticeable.
• Send-MailMessage -SmtpServer $smtp -To $to -From $from -Subject $subject -Body $body -BodyAsHtml: This sends the email using the Send-MailMessage cmdlet. The -BodyAsHtml parameter ensures the email body is interpreted as HTML, not plain text.

How to Use This Script

1. Specify the Site to Monitor: Replace "https://yoursite.com" with the URL of the website you want to monitor.
2. Set Up the SMTP Server: Replace "smtp.yourdomain.com" with the address of your SMTP server. Ensure that the server is configured to send emails from your script’s environment.
3. Update Email Addresses: Modify the $recipients array with the email addresses you want to receive the alerts. Also, update the $from address to an appropriate sender.
4. Schedule the Script: You can schedule this script to run at regular intervals using Windows Task Scheduler, ensuring you are promptly notified if your website goes down.

Conclusion

This PowerShell script is a straightforward solution for monitoring the uptime of a website. By periodically running the script, you can stay informed of any issues with your site’s availability and address them before they impact your users. Adjust the script’s settings to fit your specific needs and keep your online presence in check.

The post How to Check Website Status Using Powershell appeared first on Cyberillo.

In this post, I’ll be showing you a similar application of custom fonts; this time to create semantic yet SEO friendly rating stars for reviews. No JavaScript, no divs and no SVGs. Just a custom font-family and plain CSS.

Here’s an example of the fraction-filled rating stars using the custom seostars font family.

And here’s the same snippet, without the custom fonts.

Try it yourself

1. Download the seostars fonts by Sergio Zambrano.

2. Upload the individual folders to the fonts directory on your website.
3. Add the following code to your CSS stylesheet. Make sure to replace yoursite.com with the URL of your website. This basically adds a reference to the custom fonts we uploaded and some basic CSS styling.

Note how the different star patterns (fractions, full, outline) are mapped to the different font styles and weights.

@font-face {
  font-family: "seostars";
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-fractions/seostars-fractions.eot");
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-fractions/seostars-fractions.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-fractions/seostars-fractions.woff2") format("woff2"), url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-fractions/seostars-fractions.woff") format("woff"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-fractions/seostars-fractions.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: normal;
  font-style: normal;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "seostars";
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-full/seostars-full.eot");
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-full/seostars-full.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-full/seostars-full.woff2") format("woff2"), url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-full/seostars-full.woff") format("woff"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-full/seostars-full.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: bold;
  font-style: normal;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "seostars";
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-outline/seostars-outline.eot");
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-outline/seostars-outline.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-outline/seostars-outline.woff2") format("woff2"), url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-outline/seostars-outline.woff") format("woff"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/seostars-outline/seostars-outline.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: normal;
  font-style: italic;
}
.seostars {
	font-family: seostars;
	position: relative;
	width: 5em;
	font-size: 1em;
	color: #ffffff;
	text-indent: -5000px;
	display: inline-block;
	font-style: normal;
}
.seostars strong {
	font-weight: normal!important;
	display: block;
	position: absolute;
	left: 0px;
	color: #5e17eb;
	font-family: seostars;
	text-indent: 0;
}
.seostars strong:first-letter {
	font-weight: bold;
	position: absolute;
	left: 0px;
	font-style: normal;
}
.seostars i {
	color: #666;
	position: absolute;
	text-indent: 0;
	color: #4B7D70;
	left: 0;
}
.starsbox {
    background-color: #fff;
    border-radius: 20px;
    padding: 30px;
    font-size: 5vw;
    margin: 0.4em 0;
    text-align: center;
}
.starsbox .seostars strong {
    color: rgb(255, 136, 0);
	
    background: -webkit-linear-gradient(#FFFC00, #F40);
  -webkit-background-clip: text;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
    font-size: 1em;
    line-height: 1em;
}
.starsbox .seostars {
	margin: 0;
}
.starsbox .seostars i {
    font-size: 1em;
    line-height: 1em;

    color: rgb(171, 0, 0);
}
#maincol .starsbox h3 {
    font-size: .5em;
    margin: 0.5em 0 0.6em 0;
}
#maincol .starsbox p:nth-child(3) {
    font-size: .3em;
    line-height: 0.3;
    margin: 0em 0 1.4em 0;
    color: rgb(161, 174, 184);
}
#maincol .starsbox p.hover { 
	color: #900; 
	font-size: 0.16em; 
	font-style:italic;
}
.seostars:hover,
.seostars:hover strong,
.seostars:hover strong:first-letter,
.seostars:hover i {
	background: none;
  color: inherit;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: initial;
  font-family: sans-serif;
  position: static;
  display: inline;
  text-indent: 0;
  width: auto;
  font-size: 1em;
}

4. Use the rating stars in your HTML code through the seostars class, which in turn uses the seostars fonts uploaded earlier. Here’s an example of the HTML.

<strong>How would you rate WordPress's built-in SEO capabilities?</strong>
<br>
Rating: &nbsp;<span class="seostars"><strong>4.5</strong> out of <i>5</i></span>
<br>
based on <strong>298</strong> reviews

That’s it. Now you can have nicely formatted rating stars, using plain text that can be crawled by search engines.

If you liked this post, make sure to check out a similar application of custom fonts in my post on how to create a semantic yet seo friendly graph bar.

The post Semantic Yet SEO Friendly Rating Stars appeared first on Cyberillo.

The graph bar uses plain text with no extra fluff, no JavaScript, divs or SVGs. Just plain numbers in a custom font-type and some CSS. Here’s an example of how the graph bar looks in a poll.

• Yes   67%
• No   33%

And now here’s the exact same poll, but without using the custom fonts.

• Yes   67%
• No   33%

Try it yourself

1. Download the decbar and graphbar fonts by Sergio Zambrano.

2. Upload the individual folders to the fonts directory on your website.
3. Add the following code to your CSS stylesheet. Make sure to replace yoursite.com with the URL of your website. This basically adds a reference to the custom fonts we uploaded and some basic CSS styling.

@font-face {
  font-family: "decbar";
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/decbar/decbar.eot");
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/decbar/decbar.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/decbar/decbar.woff2") format("woff2"), url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/decbar/decbar.woff") format("woff"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/decbar/decbar.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: normal;
  font-style: normal;
  font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "graphbar";
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/graphbar/graphbar.eot");
  src: url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/graphbar/graphbar.eot?#iefix") format("embedded-opentype"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/graphbar/graphbar.woff2") format("woff2"), url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/graphbar/graphbar.woff") format("woff"),
    url("https://yoursite.com/fonts/graphbar/graphbar.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: normal;
  font-style: normal;
  font-display: swap;
}
.graphbar {
	display: inline-block;
	font-family: decbar;
	line-height: 1em;
	position: relative;
	font-style: normal;
	color: #5e17eb;
	font-size: 1.2em;
	text-align: left;
	text-shadow: none;
	z-index: 1;
	top: 2px;
}
.graphbar strong {
	display: block;
	position: absolute;
	left: 0px;
	color: #5e17eb;
	text-indent: 0;
}
.graphbar strong:first-letter {
	font-family: graphbar;
	position: absolute;
	left: 0px;
	font-style: normal;
	z-index: 3;
}
li:hover .graphbar:before {
	content: "\25";
        color: #fa6605;
	position: absolute;
	font-family: graphbar;
	font-weight: bold;
	z-index: -1;
}

4. Use the graph bar in your HTML code through the graphbar class, which in turn uses the decbar and graphbar fonts uploaded earlier. Here’s an example of the HTML.

<strong>Do you believe WordPress's default security features are sufficient for most websites?</strong>
<ul>
<li>Yes &nbsp; <span class="graphbar"><strong>67</strong>%</span></li>
<li>No &nbsp; <span class="graphbar"><strong>33</strong>%</span></li>
</ul>based on <strong>751</strong> votes

That’s it! A simple example of how a custom font can be used to create a graph bar that’s crawlable by search engines.

If you liked this post, make sure to check out a similar application of custom fonts in my post on how to create semantic yet SEO friendly rating stars.

The post Semantic Yet SEO Friendly Graph Bar appeared first on Cyberillo.

1. Eligibility Check: Your domain must be at least 60 days old and unlocked. If your domain is locked, you need to unlock it through your current registrar.

2. Authorization Code: Obtain the authorization code (EPP code) from your current registrar. This code is crucial for the transfer. If your registrar does not have a section in the dashboard for obtaining the auth code, you might need to reach out to their customer support team to get it.
3. Initiate the Transfer: Start the transfer process with your new registrar. Enter the domain name you wish to transfer and provide the authorization code.
4. Approval Process: Your current registrar will need to approve the transfer. This step can take up to 5 days.
5. Completion: Once approved, the domain will be transferred to the new registrar. This final step usually takes 5 to 7 days to complete.

Common Delays and Issues

• Locked Domain: Ensure your domain is unlocked.
• Authorization Code Problems: Double-check the code for accuracy.
• Pending Fees: Clear any unpaid fees with your current registrar.
• Registrar-Specific Policies: Some registrars like GoDaddy or Squarespace may have unique requirements that could affect the transfer time.

Tips for a Smooth Transfer

• Prepare Early: Gather all necessary information and unlock your domain in advance.
• Monitor Emails: Stay alert for emails from both registrars, as you may need to confirm the transfer.
• Contact Support: If issues arise, contact the support teams of both registrars to speed up the process.

The post How Long Does a Domain Transfer Take? appeared first on Cyberillo.

Seeing your WordPress site stuck in maintenance mode can be a real headache. It typically happens when something goes wrong while updating plugins, themes or your Wordpress version.

If you’re dealing with this issue right now, you’re in luck. Check out this simple 3-step solution to get your site back up and running.

How to Fix Wordpress Maintenance Mode

1. Open up the cPanel on your web hosting platform. Typically, this is accessible from your hosting provider’s dashboard or by navigating to cpanel.yourwebsite.com.
   
   If accessing the cPanel from your hosting dashboard, you will be automatically logged in. Otherwise, you will need to input your cPanel credentials at the login screen. If you do not know your cPanel credentials, contact your hosting provider to have them reset.

2. Under files, select File Manager.

3. Navigate to the public_html folder, locate the .maintenance file and delete it.

That’s it. You should be able to access your site once again. Now, login to your admin dashboard and check for incomplete updates. If there are unfinished updates, retry updating your plugins, themes, or WordPress core, one-by-one.

If you use caching plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache, clear your cache to ensure no remnants of the maintenance mode screen are displayed. Also, clear your browser cache to see the latest version of your WordPress website.

What Is Maintenance Mode?

When you update WordPress core, plugins, or themes, WordPress automatically puts your site into maintenance mode. This triggers the maintenance mode page with a message like “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.” This is a standard feature meant to prevent visitors from seeing a broken site during maintenance activities.

However, interruptions during this process can cause your WordPress site to get stuck in maintenance mode. This happens because the temporary .maintenance file created in the root directory doesn’t get deleted as it should.

Preventing Future Issues

Backup Regularly

Always have a backup of your website before performing any updates. This way, if something goes wrong, you can restore your WordPress site quickly.

Update During Low Traffic Times

Schedule maintenance during periods of low traffic. This minimizes the impact on visitors if your site gets stuck in maintenance mode.

Monitor Updates

Stay close to your computer while updating. If it seems like the update process is taking too long, you can intervene more quickly.

Increasing PHP Memory Limit

Sometimes, updates fail due to insufficient PHP memory, causing WordPress to get stuck. Increase the memory limit by editing your wp-config.php file and adding the following line before the /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */ line:

define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );

Using Maintenance Mode Plugins

Plugins can help manage maintenance mode more effectively. A plugin like WP-Optimize can manage updates and prevent your site from getting stuck in maintenance mode. These plugins offer features like database optimization, image compression, and caching, making maintenance smoother.

Handling Recurring Issues

If your site frequently gets stuck in maintenance mode, consider these steps:

Improve Server Performance

Ensure your server has adequate performance and resources. Low memory or slow servers can cause updates to fail.

Resolve Plugin Conflicts

Disable all plugins and re-enable them one by one to identify any conflicts causing the issue.

Consult Your Hosting Provider

If problems persist, contact your WordPress hosting provider. They might offer insights or solutions specific to your hosting environment.

Additional Tips

• Know How to Fix the Issue Quickly: Familiarize yourself with these steps so you can resolve the problem quickly if it happens again.
• Use Managed WordPress Hosting: Managed hosting providers often handle maintenance mode issues for you, reducing the risk of your site getting stuck.
• Customize Your Maintenance Page: Use maintenance mode plugins to create custom maintenance mode templates that match your site’s design, providing a better experience for visitors during maintenance.

By following these steps, you can fix WordPress stuck in maintenance mode and prevent future occurrences. Regular maintenance and proactive monitoring ensure your WordPress site runs smoothly and remains accessible. If your site gets stuck in maintenance mode again, you’ll know exactly what to do.

The post How to Fix Wordpress Maintenance Mode in 3 Easy Steps appeared first on Cyberillo.

1. Open up the cPanel on your web hosting platform. Typically, this is accessible from your hosting provider’s dashboard or by navigating to cpanel.yourwebsite.com.
   
   If accessing the cPanel from your hosting dashboard, you will be automatically logged in. Otherwise, you will need to input your cPanel credentials at the login screen. If you do not know your cPanel credentials, contact your hosting provider to have them reset.

2. Go to Email → Email Accounts.

3. On the right-hand side of the screen, click on Create.

4. Enter the name of the email account (e.g. info). The domain is populated automatically.
5. Type in the password for the email account or click on Generate to create one automatically.
6. Optionally, you may click on Edit Settings under Optional Settings to configure a storage limit on the email account.
7. Finally, click on Create to create the mailbox.

8. You can access the mailbox by navigating to webmail.yourdomain.com and entering the credentials of the account you just created.

9. At the dashboard, you can follow the steps to access the mailbox from your mobile device, or simply click on Open to go straight to your mailbox.

10. You can view your mailbox using the Roundcube Webmail client.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a business email address?

Using a business email address (like info@yourbusinessname.com) makes you look professional and builds trust with clients. It also keeps your business emails separate from your personal ones.

Do I need technical skills to create a business email address in cPanel?

Nope, you don’t need to be a tech whiz. In this guide I showed you easy steps to get your business email account up and running in no time.

Can I access my business email on different devices?

Yes! You can check your business email on your phone, tablet, or computer. The email account created through cPanel works with email clients like Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, and webmail, so you can send and receive emails anywhere.

How secure are business email accounts created in cPanel?

cPanel has good security features like SSL/TLS encryption, spam filters, and password protection. For extra security, make sure to use strong passwords and turn on two-factor authentication.

Can I create multiple business email addresses for my business?

Yes, you can set up multiple email addresses with your custom domain name in cPanel. This is handy for different departments or team members.

What are the most popular alternatives for creating a business email account?

Zoho Mail is a popular alternative that allows you to create a business email for your domain. They offer a free plan which allows you to link one domain with up to 5 individual accounts. The most popular paid alternatives are Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.

What is email forwarding and how do I set it up?

Email forwarding lets you automatically forward emails from one address to another. In cPanel, go to the Email section, select Forwarders, and add the email address you want to forward and where you want it to go.

What are MX records and why are they important?

MX records direct email to your mail server. Setting them up correctly makes sure your emails get delivered. Your hosting provider will give you the MX records you need to add to your domain’s DNS settings.

Can I use my business email for marketing purposes?

Yes, having a professional business email address is great for email marketing. It makes you look legit and keeps your brand consistent when you contact clients.

The post How to Create a Business Email Account in cPanel appeared first on Cyberillo.

1. Open up the cPanel on your web hosting platform. Typically, this is accessible from your hosting provider’s dashboard or by navigating to cpanel.yourwebsite.com.
   
   If accessing the cPanel from your hosting dashboard, you will be automatically logged in. Otherwise, you will need to input your cPanel credentials at the login screen. If you do not know your cPanel credentials, contact your hosting provider to have them reset.

2. Scroll down to the Software section in the cPanel and select Softaculous Apps Installer.

3. Find WordPress in the list of quick-install apps in Softaculous and select Install.

4. Go to Choose Protocol and select https://.
5. Go to Choose Domain and select either yourdomain.com or www.yourdomain.com depending on your preference.
6. Leave the In Directory box blank to use the default installation folder, unless you would like to install WordPress in a subdirectory on your domain.

7. Enter your Site Name and Site Description.
8. Create a username and password for your administrator account in WordPress.
9. Input your email address under Admin Email.

10. You can install optional plugins from the suggestions provided during the installation wizard. However, we prefer to skip this step and install only plugins that we truly need for the site. Keep in mind that every plugin you install has code that needs to run, potentially slowing down your site.

11. Pick a Database Name or leave the default.
12. Check Auto upgrade WordPress Plugins to make sure that all your installed plugins remain up to date with the latest features and security patches.
    
    N.B. Plugins are written by human developers like you and me. A broken update or an incompatibility between plugins can break your site.
    
    Do not enable this feature if you’re extra cautious about breaking your site.
    
13. Likewise, check the Auto Upgrade WordPress Themes option to keep your theme up to date.
14. Check the Upgrade to any latest version available to keep your WordPress version up to date. Keep in mind that incompatibilities between versions can break your theme or plugins.
15. Under Automated backups, select Once a day. Softaculous backups are disabled by some hosting providers. Typically, alternative backup options are provided.

16. Optionally, you can select a theme during the installation wizard, but this step can be completed post-installation, once the WordPress site is up and running.
17. Enter your email in the Email installation details to field.
18. That’s it! Hit Install and your WordPress site will be available in under a minute.
19. Access the admin dashboard via: https://yoursite.com/wp-admin.

The post How to Install WordPress on Shared Hosting appeared first on Cyberillo.

In this post, I show you how to get started quickly with Verpex – for the price of a coffee per month. I also discuss what to look for in a website hosting provider, as well as the pros and cons of the top hosting services out there.

How to host a website with Verpex

1. Head over to Verpex.
2. Navigate to Web Hosting → Shared Web Hosting.

3. Scroll down to find the available Shared Web Hosting plans. You can choose to pay monthly, yearly or triennially (every 3 years). If you’re just starting out, it’s recommended to choose a 12-month plan. Choose Bronze if you’re just testing the waters or starting a single site, and move on to Silver or Gold as you add more websites to your portfolio.

4. Pick your plan and select Start Now.
5. Choose the preferred server location.
6. Enter your domain name. If you haven’t already purchased one, you can get the first year for free with Verpex. If you prefer a different domain registrar, you need to buy a domain name first and then point it to the Verpex web servers.

7. Enter your personal details and make sure to apply the coupon code MOVEME for an awesome discount . Take note of the email address and password used. You will need these to access your Verpex dashboard.

8. Click on Place order & pay.
9. Fill in your payment details and submit your purchase.
10. Done. Your web hosting plan should be available immediately. If you’re not redirected to the Verpex dashboard, you can access it via clients.verpex.com.
11. At the top navigation bar, select Products & Services.

12. Select your hosting plan and click on Manage product.
13. If you registered your domain with Verpex, your domain and web hosting plan would already have been linked during the registration process. If you have a domain with another registrar, take note of the name servers assigned to your hosting plan.

14. Go to your domain name registrar, navigate to the Nameservers section and specify the nameservers associated with your hosting plan. The DNS change may take from a few minutes up to 48 hours to propagate across all public DNS servers.

15. That’s it! Now you’re ready to start building your website!
16. Navigate to the cPanel by clicking on Login to Control Panel. Here, you will find all the tools you need to build your site, from setting up a custom email address to spinning up a site template in a matter of minutes.

17. Follow this guide to install WordPress – the most popular content management system.

What hosting plan do you need for your website?

The steps above describe how to use a shared hosting plan for your new website. However, most web hosting providers offer multiple types of hosting services.

Choosing the right hosting service is essential for the success of any website. Different hosting types cater to varying needs, from personal blogs to large e-commerce sites. Below are the main types of hosting services, each with its unique features and benefits.

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is the most budget-friendly and beginner-appropriate option. Your website shares the same server and its resources with other sites. This kind of hosting suits small websites and blogs that don’t need extensive server resources. However, since resources are shared, your site’s performance can be influenced by the traffic and activities of other sites on the same server.

Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting

A Virtual Private Server (VPS) offers more control and resources compared to shared hosting. Though your website still shares a physical server with others, it’s allocated a dedicated portion of the server’s resources. This results in better performance and more customization options, making it ideal for medium-sized websites and businesses requiring more power and flexibility.

Dedicated Server Hosting

Dedicated hosting provides an entire server for your website. This hosting type offers top-level performance, security, and control, suitable for large websites with significant traffic. However, it is more costly and demands more technical know-how to manage.

Managed WordPress Hosting

Managed WordPress hosting is tailored specifically for WordPress websites, offering an optimized environment for better performance and security. This service includes automatic updates, backups, and technical support. It’s perfect for those who want to focus on content creation and marketing rather than server management. This option is ideal for bloggers, businesses, and developers using the WordPress platform.

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting uses a network of interconnected servers to host your website, offering excellent scalability and reliability. Your site can pull resources from multiple servers as needed, making it perfect for websites with fluctuating traffic levels and those requiring high availability and uptime.

What should you look for in a web hosting service?

Selecting an appropriate hosting provider is a critical step in hosting your own website. Consider the following factors when making your choice.

Reliability and Uptime

Choose a hosting provider that offers a reliable service and high uptime guarantees. Providers that guarantee at least 99.9% uptime ensure your website is accessible to users most of the time.

Speed and Performance

Website speed is vital for user experience and SEO. Select a hosting provider with fast server response times and solid performance records. Look for features such as solid-state drives (SSDs) and content delivery networks (CDNs) to boost speed.

Security Features

Security should be a top priority. Seek out features like SSL certificates, firewalls, malware scanning, and automatic backups to safeguard your website and data.

Customer Support

Reliable customer support can prevent many headaches. Choose a hosting provider offering 24/7 support through various channels like live chat, phone, and email. Reviews can help ensure their support team is responsive and helpful.

Scalability

As your website grows, your hosting needs may change. Select a hosting provider with scalable solutions, allowing easy upgrades to your hosting plan as your site traffic increases.

Pricing and Features

Compare the pricing and features of various hosting providers. Look for a good balance of cost and features, including free domain name registration, SSL certificates, and one-click CMS installations.

Which hosting provider is right for you?

1. Verpex

Overview: Verpex is renowned for its superior customer support and user-friendly features, making it an excellent choice for beginners and small to medium-sized enterprises. They provide a range of hosting options, such as shared hosting, reseller hosting, and managed WordPress hosting.

Key Features:

• Uptime Guarantee: Nil
• Speed: Rapid load times with SSD storage and optimized servers.
• Security: Complimentary SSL certificates, daily backups, and malware scans.
• Customer Support: 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone.
• Pricing: Competitive rates with frequent promotions.

Pros:

• Outstanding customer support.
• Intuitive interface.
• Free migration service.
• Free SSL certificate.
• Multiple global data centers.
• 45 days money back guarantee.

Cons:

• No uptime guarantee
• Best suited for smaller websites.
• Renewal prices are slightly higher.

Ideal For: Small to medium websites, bloggers, and small businesses seeking reliable and affordable hosting with excellent support.

2. Hostinger

Overview: Hostinger is a popular choice for those looking for budget-friendly web hosting without sacrificing quality. They offer various hosting services, including shared, VPS, cloud, and WordPress hosting.

Key Features:

• Uptime Guarantee: 99.9%
• Speed: Superior performance with LiteSpeed cache and SSD storage.
• Security: Free SSL, Cloudflare protection, and regular updates.
• Customer Support: 24/7 support via live chat.
• Pricing: Among the most affordable, with very low introductory prices.

Pros:

• Extremely affordable plans.
• User-friendly control panel.
• Free weekly/daily backups.
• Strong performance and speed.

Cons:

• Limited phone support.
• No dedicated hosting plans.

Ideal For: Budget-conscious users, beginners, and small businesses needing cost-effective hosting with solid performance.

3. Bluehost

Overview: Bluehost is one of the most recognized website hosts, particularly recommended for WordPress users. They offer a variety of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and managed WordPress hosting.

Key Features:

• Uptime Guarantee: 100% (with Cloud Hosting Plan)
• Speed: Good speed with SSD storage and CDN integration.
• Security: Free SSL, domain privacy, and daily backups.
• Customer Support: 24/7 support via phone, live chat, and email.
• Pricing: Competitive rates with a free domain for the first year.

Pros:

• Endorsed by WordPress.org.
• Free domain name for the first year.
• Extensive customer support options.
• Comprehensive features for beginners and advanced users.

Cons:

• Higher renewal rates.
• Upselling during signup.

Ideal For: WordPress users, small to medium businesses, and those seeking reliable hosting with extensive support.

4. SiteGround

Overview: SiteGround is acclaimed for its superb customer support and high-performance hosting. They offer shared hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated servers, along with managed WordPress hosting.

Key Features:

• Uptime Guarantee: 99.99%
• Speed: Fast performance with SSD storage, NGINX servers, and CDN.
• Security: Free SSL, daily backups, and AI anti-bot system.
• Customer Support: 24/7 support via phone, live chat, and email.
• Pricing: Higher but justified by quality service.

Pros:

• Exceptional customer support.
• High performance and reliability.
• Free daily backups and SSL certificates.
• User-friendly interface with custom tools.

Cons:

• Higher pricing.
• Limited storage on lower-tier plans.

Ideal For: Users needing high-quality support, performance, and security, including small to medium businesses and developers.

5. A2 Hosting

Overview: A2 Hosting is known for its speed and reliability, offering a variety of hosting options, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and reseller hosting. They also provide specialized WordPress hosting.

Key Features:

• Uptime Guarantee: 99.9%
• Speed: Turbo servers for up to 20x faster performance with SSD storage.
• Security: Free SSL, perpetual security, and HackScan protection.
• Customer Support: 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email.
• Pricing: Competitive pricing focused on performance.

Pros:

• Exceptional speed and performance.
• Free site migration.
• Anytime money-back guarantee.
• Developer-friendly features.

Cons:

• Turbo plans cost more.
• Interface can be complex for beginners.

Ideal For: Developers, tech-savvy users, and businesses needing high-speed hosting with excellent performance and security.

6. WPX Hosting

Overview: WPX Hosting specializes in high-performance managed WordPress hosting, making it a great option for WordPress users needing fast, reliable, and secure hosting. They focus on exceptional speed and customer service.

Key Features:

• Uptime Guarantee: 99.95%
• Speed: Extremely fast with custom-built CDN and SSD storage.
• Security: Free SSL, daily malware scanning, and DDoS protection.
• Customer Support: 24/7 support with a 30-second average response time.
• Pricing: Premium pricing with all-inclusive features.

Pros:

• Exceptional speed and performance.
• Outstanding customer support with quick response times.
• Free malware removal and daily backups.
• Free website migration.

Cons:

• Higher price point.
• Focuses exclusively on WordPress hosting.

Ideal For: WordPress users prioritizing speed, security, and customer support, including businesses and bloggers with high-traffic websites.

Conclusion

Selecting the right web hosting provider hinges on your specific needs and budget. Verpex and Hostinger are excellent for those seeking affordable and dependable hosting with great support. Bluehost is ideal for WordPress users needing extensive customer support. SiteGround offers top performance and support, suitable for more demanding websites. A2 Hosting is perfect for those prioritizing speed and performance. WPX Hosting excels in managed WordPress hosting, providing top-tier speed and customer support.

When choosing a hosting provider, weigh factors such as uptime guarantees, speed, security features, customer support, scalability, and pricing. By understanding your website’s requirements and comparing the features of these leading providers, you can make an informed decision and ensure your website’s success.

The post How to Host a Website for the Price of a Coffee appeared first on Cyberillo.

How to register a domain name using Namecheap

1. Head over to Namecheap.
2. Enter the domain name you would like to register and select Search.

3. If it’s available, click on Add to Cart. If not, scroll down. Namecheap will suggest some suitable alternatives, either with a variation in the words or in the domain extension (e.g. .co.uk instead of .com).

4. Click on Checkout at the bottom of the page.
5. You can get most domains for under $10, although premium domain names can go up to hundreds or thousands of euro.
6. If you’re a new user and just creating your Namecheap account, you can get your domain for just $5.98 (for the first year). Enter the promo code NEWCOM598 at checkout.

7. Fill in your personal details.
8. Select your preferred payment method (card or PayPal).
9. Submit your order.

How to choose a domain name

Your domain name is your digital address. It’s what people type into their browser bar to find your website. So, choosing the right one and registering it is an important first step in building your online presence.

But what makes a good domain name?

• Memorable: People should be able to recall it easily.
• Brand-Reflective: It should give visitors an idea of what your website is about.
• Keyword-Rich: Including relevant keywords can help with search engine optimization (SEO).

Domain name generators

Can’t think of a good domain name for your website? No problem! You can:

1. Ask ChatGPT to generate one for you. Make sure to give it a good description of your website, brand and industry to help it come up with relevant names.
2. Use one of the popular online domain name generators.
   • Domain Wheel
   • Namecheap
   • Nameboy
   • Themeisle

Tips to keep in mind before you purchase and register your domain

Keep in mind the following tips when registering your domain name:

• Try to get a domain with the .com extension. It’s the most popular TLD (top-level domain) and certainly the easiest for people to find and remember.
• Keep it simple to type and memorize. Here’s what to avoid:
  • Hyphens: cyber–illo.com
  • Numbers: cyberillo101.com
  • Slang: cybertips4u.com

How much does it cost to buy a domain name?

It costs between $10 and $15 per year to buy a domain with a .com extension.

The cost of purchasing a domain depends on various factors, such as the domain registrar you choose, the top-level domain (TLD) you want, and any additional services like domain privacy. Specialized or premium domain extensions like .tech or .store can be significantly more expensive, sometimes costing upwards of $50 annually.

Additional costs may include domain privacy protection (to keep your personal information hidden from the public WHOIS database), which can add around $10 per year . Also, some registrars offer discounted rates for the first year but increase the price upon renewal, so it’s important to check the long-term cost of the domain name registration. Before submitting your order, check for any extra services such as web hosting or email hosting that might come bundled with your domain purchase. These can unnecessarily increase the cost of your purchase.

How to Get a Free Domain Name

Registering a domain name for free is possible through various methods, though they often come with certain limitations or conditions.

Free domain with a web hosting plan

One of the most common ways to get a free domain is by signing up for a web hosting service that includes a free domain as part of their package. Hosting providers like Hostinger, Verpex, and Wix offer plans that include a free domain name for the first year when you purchase their hosting services.

Free subdomain from a website builder

Another option is to use platforms that offer free subdomains, such as WordPress.com, Blogger, or Wix. While these are not custom domain names, they can be a good starting point for personal projects or small blogs.

Free domain name for the first year

Some domain registrars also run promotions where you can register a domain name for free for the first year, though these offers usually require you to commit to a multi-year registration at regular rates thereafter.

Which is the best domain name registrar?

When selecting a domain registrar, it’s important to consider factors such as pricing, customer support, additional services, and ease of use. Here are three of the best domain registrars in my opinion.

1. Namecheap

Namecheap is renowned for its affordability and excellent customer service. They offer a wide range of domain extensions, including popular TLDs and new domain extensions, making it easy to register the domain you want. Here are some key features:

• Affordable Pricing: Namecheap offers competitive pricing for domain registration, often with discounts for the first year.
• Free Domain Privacy: Namecheap includes free WHOIS privacy protection, ensuring your personal information remains private.
• User-Friendly Interface: Their intuitive user interface simplifies the process of searching for and registering a domain name.
• Additional Services: Namecheap provides additional services such as web hosting, email hosting, and SSL certificates, making it a one-stop shop for your website needs.

2. Hostinger

Hostinger is primarily known as a web hosting provider, but they also offer excellent domain registration services. If you’re looking to combine web hosting and domain registration, Hostinger is a great choice. Here’s why:

• Free Domain with Hosting: Hostinger offers a free domain name for the first year when you purchase one of their hosting plans, which is perfect for new websites.
• Competitive Pricing: Even if you’re just purchasing a domain, Hostinger provides competitive rates and frequent promotions.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Hostinger offers round-the-clock customer support to assist with any issues related to domain registration or web hosting.
• Wide Range of TLDs: They offer a variety of domain extensions to choose from, including standard and niche TLDs.

3. Verpex

Verpex is a newer player in the domain registration and web hosting industry but has quickly gained a reputation for its excellent services and customer support. Here are some highlights:

• Comprehensive Packages: Verpex offers domain registration as part of their web hosting packages, making it easy to manage both your domain and hosting in one place.
• Free Domain with Hosting Plans: Similar to Hostinger, Verpex provides a free domain name for the first year when you sign up for their hosting services.
• Exceptional Support: Verpex is known for its outstanding customer support, with a focus on personalized assistance.
• Competitive Pricing: They offer competitive pricing for both domain registration and renewal, ensuring long-term affordability.

The post How to Register a Domain Name In 5 Minutes: Step-By-Step Guide appeared first on Cyberillo.