How to create WordPress website with Hostinger
In today’s digital world, having a website is essential for establishing an online presence—whether you’re building a personal blog, showcasing a portfolio, or launching a business. WordPress is one of the best platforms to create a website because of its flexibility, user-friendliness, and endless customization options. Paired with a reliable hosting service like Hostinger, you can set up a professional-looking WordPress website in no time, even if you have no prior technical experience.
Hostinger is a popular web hosting provider known for its affordability, fast loading speeds, and excellent customer support. With Hostinger’s one-click WordPress installation, it’s easier than ever to start building your site right away. This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything—from signing up for a Hostinger account to launching your fully functional WordPress website.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to:
- Choose the right hosting plan for your needs.
- Register a domain name that reflects your brand.
- Install and configure WordPress using Hostinger’s simple control panel, called hPanel.
- Customize your site with themes, plugins, and essential pages.
This tutorial is designed with beginners in mind, breaking down each part of the website-building process so you can follow along with ease. In a few straightforward steps, you’ll learn how to create a website that’s not only attractive but also fast, secure, and optimized for growth.
So, let’s get started on your WordPress journey with Hostinger and turn your ideas into an online reality!
Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.
Step 1: Sign Up for a Hostinger Account
Getting started with Hostinger is easy and user-friendly, making it a great option for beginners looking to create a WordPress website. Hostinger offers affordable pricing, reliable performance, and excellent support, making it one of the top choices for WordPress hosting. Let’s walk through the steps to sign up for a Hostinger account.
1. Visit the Hostinger Website
First, go to Hostinger’s official website. On the homepage, you’ll typically see promotional offers and information about their hosting plans. Hostinger frequently offers discounts, especially for new users, so it’s a good idea to look out for any promotions when you’re signing up.
2. Click on “Get Started” or “Start Now”
On the homepage, locate the button that says “Get Started” or “Start Now”. Clicking this button will take you to the page where you can choose a hosting plan. Hostinger has several plans, each suited to different types of websites and user needs.
Step 2: Choose a Hosting Plan
3. Choose a Hosting Plan
Hostinger offers a range of plans, including Shared Hosting, WordPress Hosting, and Cloud Hosting. For creating a WordPress website, you can go with the WordPress Starter plan or a similar option that suits your needs. Each plan includes a variety of features, like free SSL certificates, daily backups, and increased storage as you move to higher-tier plans. Here’s a quick overview of their popular plans:
- Single WordPress Plan: Ideal for beginners who need basic hosting for a single website.
- WordPress Starter Plan: Great for small business websites, offering more storage and bandwidth.
- Business WordPress Plan: Suitable for e-commerce or larger sites that expect higher traffic.
When choosing a plan, consider your budget and the size of the website you plan to create. If you’re just starting, the WordPress Starter plan is usually a good choice, offering an ideal balance between price and features.
4. Select Your Billing Term
Once you’ve chosen a plan, you’ll need to select the billing term. Hostinger provides several options, typically ranging from one month to four years. The longer the term you choose, the lower the monthly cost will be. For instance, selecting a 24 or 48-month plan can significantly reduce your overall costs, but it requires upfront payment.
5. Create an Account
Next, you’ll be prompted to create a Hostinger account. You have three options to sign up:
- Using Email: Enter your email address and set a password.
- Using Google: Sign up with your Google account for easy access.
- Using Facebook: Use your Facebook credentials to create your account quickly.
Pick whichever method you prefer. Signing up with Google or Facebook is convenient and lets you log in without needing to remember a new password. If you choose email, make sure to use a secure, frequently accessed email account since you’ll receive important information there.
6. Complete Payment
After creating your account, you’ll proceed to payment. Hostinger accepts several payment options, including:
- Credit/Debit Card
- PayPal
- Google Pay
- Cryptocurrency (for users who prefer this method)
Fill in the necessary details, and make sure to review your billing information and the plan details before confirming the purchase. Hostinger will process the payment and activate your hosting account almost instantly.
7. Accessing Your Hostinger Account
Once your payment is complete, you can access your new Hostinger account. You’ll be redirected to the Hostinger dashboard, also known as hPanel. From here, you’ll be able to manage all aspects of your hosting plan, including installing WordPress, setting up domains, and customizing settings.
Congratulations, you’ve successfully signed up for a Hostinger account! You’re now ready to move to the next step, where you’ll select a domain name and begin the website setup process. Hostinger’s intuitive dashboard makes it easy to manage your hosting, giving you the tools needed to build and grow your WordPress website.
- Overview of Hostinger’s website and how to create an account.
- Key features of Hostinger’s hosting plans for WordPress.
Step 3: Register a Domain Name
One of the most crucial steps in building a WordPress website is selecting and registering a domain name. Your domain is the address where visitors find your website, so it should be unique, easy to remember, and aligned with your brand or purpose.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is the web address visitors type in their browser to access your website, like “yourwebsite.com.” It represents your brand online and makes your site accessible. For example, in “hostinger.com,” hostinger is the domain name. Choosing the right domain name helps people remember and return to your site.
Picking a domain name is a creative process but also one with practical considerations. Here are some essential tips:
- Make It Memorable: Choose a short and catchy name that’s easy for visitors to remember.
- Keep It Relevant: Your domain name should reflect the purpose of your site. For example, if you’re a bakery, including words like “bake” or “cake” can help users understand your business immediately.
- Avoid Numbers and Hyphens: Numbers and hyphens can make domains harder to remember and lead to typing errors. A domain like “my-cool-website123.com” is difficult for users to recall.
- Think about SEO: If possible, incorporate relevant keywords into your domain name. For instance, a gardening blog might benefit from having “garden” in the domain name.
Tip: Use a notepad to jot down potential domain names. You can check their availability in the Hostinger platform during registration.
2. Check Domain Name Availability on Hostinger
Once you have a few domain name ideas, the next step is to check if they are available. With Hostinger, you can search for domains directly to see if they’re taken or available for purchase.
- Go to Hostinger’s Domain Checker: Log into your Hostinger account. On the homepage, navigate to the Domain Checker section. This is where you’ll search for your desired domain name.
- Type in Your Domain Name Idea: Enter your chosen domain in the search bar. Hostinger will immediately tell you if it’s available.
- Consider Alternatives if Needed: If your preferred name is taken, Hostinger will suggest similar options or alternative domain extensions (e.g., .net, .online, .shop) that are available.
3. Select the Right Domain Extension
The most common domain extension is .com, but many other options are available depending on the purpose of your site and its audience.
- .com: Ideal for most businesses and personal websites due to its familiarity.
- .net: Often used by tech and networking companies.
- .org: Suitable for non-profits, community projects, or organizations.
- Country-Specific Extensions: Extensions like .uk (United Kingdom) or .ca (Canada) are ideal if you’re targeting a specific country.
- Niche-Specific Extensions: There are newer extensions, like .blog, .store, and .tech, that can give your domain a unique touch.
Tip: Choose a domain extension that aligns with your site’s purpose. A .com is the safest bet for general websites.
4. Register Your Domain Name on Hostinger
Once you find an available domain, it’s time to register it. Here’s how you can complete the registration through Hostinger:
- Add the Domain to Your Cart: When you’ve selected an available domain, add it to your cart. Hostinger will prompt you to proceed with registration.
- Choose Your Registration Period: Domains are typically registered on a yearly basis, though you can often secure them for longer (up to 10 years). Longer registration can protect your domain from being snapped up if you forget to renew.
- Review Additional Options: Hostinger offers extra features like Domain Privacy Protection, which hides your personal information (e.g., name, address) from public WHOIS databases. This feature is highly recommended for privacy and security.
- Proceed to Checkout: Complete your purchase by following Hostinger’s checkout process, where you’ll enter your payment details.
5. Verify Your Domain Ownership
After registering, Hostinger will prompt you to verify your email address. This verification step is important because it proves your ownership of the domain. Here’s what to expect:
- Check Your Email: Hostinger will send a verification email to the address associated with your account. Open the email and click on the verification link to confirm your domain registration.
- Complete Verification Promptly: Domain registrars require verification within a specific period, so complete this step right away to avoid any delays in activating your domain.
6. Connect Your Domain to WordPress Hosting
With your domain registered, the next step is linking it to your hosting account so it displays your WordPress website.
- Go to the Hostinger hPanel: Hostinger’s control panel, hPanel, simplifies this process. Log in to your hPanel, go to Domains > My Domains, and select your registered domain.
- Link to Hosting Plan: Under the domain settings, you’ll find an option to connect your domain to your hosting plan. Follow the prompts to link it to the WordPress hosting you chose in previous steps.
This connection may take a few minutes to a couple of hours to propagate, meaning it can take some time for your domain to display your website on the internet.
Tips for Success with Your New Domain
- Secure Your Domain with SSL: Once your domain is connected, set up SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) through Hostinger’s hPanel. This adds “https” to your URL, showing visitors your site is secure.
- Keep Track of Renewal Dates: Set a reminder for your domain’s renewal date to avoid lapses. Hostinger offers an auto-renew option for convenience.
- Consider Upgrading Privacy Protection: Even if you skipped privacy protection during registration, it’s possible to add it later through hPanel. This can keep your contact information private.
Step 4: Accessing Hostinger Control Panel (hPanel)
After setting up your Hostinger account and choosing your hosting plan, the next step in building your WordPress website is accessing the Hostinger Control Panel, also known as hPanel. Hostinger’s hPanel is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing even beginners to navigate it without confusion. This guide will walk you through accessing and familiarizing yourself with the hPanel, so you’re ready to install WordPress and manage your site.
What is hPanel?
hPanel is Hostinger’s custom-built control panel for managing your website hosting. Similar to cPanel (a popular hosting control panel), hPanel organizes all the tools you need to manage your website into a clean, accessible interface. From hPanel, you can install WordPress, manage files, set up email accounts, check security settings, and more.
How to Access hPanel
- Log in to Your Hostinger Account
- Go to Hostinger’s login page and enter the email and password you used to create your account.
- Click the Log In button, and you’ll be directed to the main dashboard of your Hostinger account.
- Navigate to Your Hosting Account
- Once you’re logged in, you’ll see an overview of your Hostinger services on the dashboard.
- Look for the Hosting tab in the top navigation menu, and click on it. Here, you’ll see a list of all hosting plans associated with your account.
- Locate the domain associated with the hosting plan you want to manage, then click Manage next to it. This action takes you directly into the hPanel for that specific hosting account.
- Explore the hPanel Interface
- After clicking Manage, you’ll arrive at the main interface of hPanel. Here, you’ll find an organized layout of tools and settings, divided into sections like Website, Domains, Email, Files, Databases, and more.
- Each section contains options and tools for different aspects of website management, from installing applications to setting up email accounts.
Key Features of hPanel You Should Know
- Auto Installer
- The Auto Installer is located under the Website section. This tool lets you install WordPress (and other applications) with just one click, saving you from having to manually upload files or configure databases.
- This is the feature we’ll be using in the next step to install WordPress on your website.
- File Manager
- The File Manager is a crucial tool found in the Files section. It lets you access and manage your website files directly without needing an FTP client.
- You can upload, delete, or modify files here, which is useful if you ever need to manually update a file or fix an issue with your website.
- Domain Management
- Under the Domains section, you can manage your domain settings, add subdomains, set up redirects, and configure domain-based email addresses.
- This is particularly useful if you want to create multiple sections or microsites under the same domain, or if you want to handle email directly through Hostinger.
- SSL Management
- Hostinger offers a free SSL certificate with many of its plans, which you can manage through the SSL section in hPanel.
- SSL certificates secure your website by encrypting data, making it safe for users to share personal information. This is a must-have for both SEO and user trust.
- Email Accounts
- If your hosting plan includes email services, the Email section in hPanel lets you create and manage email accounts associated with your domain (e.g., [email protected]).
- From here, you can set up forwarding, enable auto-responders, and manage spam filters to keep your email secure and organized.
- Databases
- Under the Databases section, you can create and manage databases, which are essential for WordPress to store and retrieve content.
- Hostinger’s hPanel allows you to create databases effortlessly, making it easy to support multiple applications or install add-ons that require database connections.
- Backups
- Regular backups are essential to protect your website data. In hPanel, you’ll find a Backups option that lets you create manual backups or restore from existing backups.
- Hostinger often provides automated daily or weekly backups, depending on your plan, but it’s a good practice to check this feature regularly and download a copy of your backups.
Customizing Your hPanel Settings
One of the advantages of Hostinger’s hPanel is its flexibility. You can customize various settings to personalize your hosting experience, such as:
- Personal Information: Update your contact details, billing preferences, and language settings under Account options.
- User Permissions: If you work with a team, you can assign user roles and limit access to specific features in hPanel. This is especially useful if you’re managing a website with multiple contributors.
- Performance Tools: Hostinger provides tools like Cloudflare integration and Caching settings, which are found under Advanced options. These tools help you optimize site speed and protect against certain types of cyber threats.
Important Tips for Using hPanel Effectively
- Bookmark Key Tools: Familiarize yourself with essential tools in hPanel, especially those for managing files, databases, and backups. Bookmarking these options in your browser can help you find them quickly.
- Use the Search Bar: hPanel includes a search bar that lets you quickly find features and tools without scrolling through different sections.
- Explore the Help Center: Hostinger’s hPanel has a built-in Help button, which links to their support center. If you’re unsure about a particular setting or tool, the help center offers extensive documentation and tutorials.
Why Use hPanel for WordPress?
Hostinger’s hPanel is optimized for ease of use, especially for WordPress websites. With features like the Auto Installer, File Manager, and SSL Management, hPanel offers everything you need to manage and grow your website without needing technical skills. This makes it an ideal choice for beginners who want to set up their WordPress site quickly and efficiently.
Step 5: Install WordPress on Hostinger
- Step-by-step guide to using the one-click WordPress installer.
- Setting up a WordPress username and password.
Step 6: Configure Basic WordPress Settings
- Quick overview of WordPress dashboard features.
- Essential settings to configure right after installation (site title, URL, etc.).
Step 7: Choose and Install a Theme
- Explanation of WordPress themes and tips for selecting a free or premium theme.
- How to install and activate a theme directly from the WordPress dashboard.
Step 8: Install Essential Plugins
- List of recommended plugins for SEO, security, and performance (e.g., Yoast SEO, Jetpack, WP Super Cache).
- How to find, install, and activate plugins.
Step 9: Create Key Pages (Home, About, Contact)
- Step-by-step on adding new pages and setting up the main pages.
- Tips for designing and structuring each key page.
Step 10: Customize Menus and Widgets
- How to organize the site navigation using menus.
- Guide to adding widgets for functionality (social icons, recent posts, etc.).
Step 11: Set Up Permalinks for SEO
- Explanation of permalinks and their importance for SEO.
- Steps to customize permalinks in WordPress.
Step 12: Launch Your Website
- Final checks before going live (testing responsiveness, checking for errors).
- Guide to publishing and making the website accessible to the public.
Step 13: Optimize Website Speed with Hostinger Tools
- Overview of Hostinger’s caching tools and Cloudflare integration.
- Tips to improve loading speed and user experience.
Step 14: Secure Your WordPress Website
- Importance of security measures (SSL, strong passwords).
- Basic security plugins and Hostinger’s security features.
Step 15: Monitor and Update Your Website Regularly
- Importance of regular updates for WordPress, plugins, and themes.
- Tips for monitoring performance and tracking growth with Google Analytics.
Conclusion
- Recap of key steps and encouragement to start building.
- Mention that WordPress with Hostinger offers flexibility for growth.
