WordPress and Web Hosting

1. 81

   David 470posted 13 years ago

   I am a total newbie when it comes to Wordpress right now. It seems many people are recommending it as a CMS.
   
   Are the web hosts such as Dreamhost, and mediatemple decent? It says wordpress is easier to install that way, but if there not good then I will not use them.
   
   I would like to create a website forum. Need to get started somewhere....

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      MrNickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I know that hostgator offer 1 press install for wordpress as well as PhpBB and SMF (both forum software - I am an SMF fan but most seem to prefer PhpBB)
      
      I use them and recommend them whole heartedly

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      1. 81

         David 470posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah that PhpBB looks pretty good. I just hope I understand everything to it.

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         1. 60

            MrNickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            If it's anything like SMF (sorry, only played around with PhpBB) then you will find helpful people on the official forum.  I know that when I started with SMF I had no real idea what I was doing (and still barely do despite running 2 forums) but thanks to people on the official forum and theadminzone.com I managed to piece everything I needed together
            
            But with regards hosting I love the 1 click install and the live help (which is very useful) I get from hostgator

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2. 67

   1974posted 13 years ago

   Due to the popularity of WordPress, a lot of hosts now offer it as a "one button" install as part of their service.  This saves you from having to download it and install it yourself. I am not sure if it configures the database for you though, but I'm sure whatever host you decide to go with, their tech support could help you out.
   
   If you want a forum, you would have to install a widget for WordPress as I do not believe it is part of the default install.  I have never used a forum widget so I honestly can not say which one is the best.  Also, if you are looking at strictly a forum, WordPress may not be the best solution for you.  You might want to look into http://www.phpbb.com/.
   
   I would suggest heading over to http://www.wordpress.org and reading up on installing, configuring, and adding widgets prior to getting a web host.  This should give you a clear idea of what you need prior to calling tech support.
   
   I have never used Dreamhost or Mediatemple so I can not comment on how decent they are.  I use HostGator personally and am happy with the service they provide.

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   1. 81

      David 470posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the information. I will check into that first link. Yeah, right now, I am looking for primarily a forum site. I do want to build a basic website for content as well though.

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      1. 81

         David 470posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Wait, a question, can I use affiliate programs with that site?

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         1. 60

            MrNickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            With PhpBB? yes you can - its just a software, you can do what you like with it on your own hosting
            
            The only site you cant do affiliates with is wordpress.com which is not to be mistaken for wordpress.org.  Although the same software and people the .com hosts the site for you - but you cant use it to make money.  The .org (or the stuff you use for 1 click install on your own hosting) is hosted by you and you can do anything you want with it

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            1. 81

               David 470posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Yeah, I am referring to wordpress.org, I understand the differences now.
               
               I am currently set up with bluehost using wordpress.org

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3. 73

   Enelle Lambposted 13 years ago

   Both HostGator and Bluehost have one button installs for WordPress, and both webhosts have good rates and are very reliable with little to no downtime. I too have never heard of Dreamhost or mediatemple so can't comment on either of them.
   I use both HostGator and Bluehost and have never had any problems with my blogs.

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4. 61

   idreesfarooqposted 13 years ago

   I am using Host Monster to host my blogs and websites. They are more advanced from others as for as I experienced. Also HonstMonster.com is not so expensive as others. So have a try.

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5. 78

   skyfireposted 13 years ago

   I answered your question in answers section as well with recommendation to Vanilla forum software.
   
   Vanilla software can be used as article directory, forum, blog and social networking etc. I've installed and tweaked SMF forums for my friends and it's ony good for forums but if your interest with forum software is to use for affiliate marketing, CMS and forum then vanilla is better choice. SMF and PhpBB will require you to tweak a lot if you want to use them as CMS or blog for affiliate marketing.
   
   By the way, why are you moving from CMS to forum software for affiliate marketing sites or blogs ?

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6. 68

   Bill Manningposted 13 years ago

   Just make sure your hosting plan gives you Cpanel as your backend, or dashboard so to speak. All good host use that as your backend.
   
   As for host, I use Hawkhost and I'm very happy with them. I always hear about how people try to get the cheapest host they can find and never understand that.
   
   Would you get the cheapest computer for your biz? Cheapest tools, cheapest building? If so you get ,,,uh,,,, cheap crap. Get a decent hosting with fair but not cheap hosting.
   
   Having said that you want to go with virtual shared hosting for now, a dedicated server is overkill for you.

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   1. 81

      David 470posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I decided to go with bluehost, it has a Cpanel. It looks like a pretty good interface. Currently, I have wordpress installed.
      
      What I do not understand, however, is if I install phpBB, I do not know if I can integrate into my wordpress as a separate page or not.
      
      For example, wordpress by default has HOME / ABOUT PAGE. If I could implement a page where it sends users to a forum that would be great.

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      1. 63

         Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I strongly advise AGAINST Bluehost. I was their customer for years, and still am in fact - but I moved all my sites to other hosts. Bluehost implements what they call "cpu throttling", and that thing interferes with any site that is getting at least some traffic. You will have delays and timeouts. If you plan to have just dormant sites, go for it.
         
         Hostgator is priced similarly and works way better.

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         1. 68

            Bill Manningposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Yup, that is exactly what I am talking about, like Misha says. Seems like all host offer you unlimited bandwidth,,,,,,,,,, except they don't.

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      2. 60

         MrNickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Assuming it is teh same as wordpress it is easily possible.,
         
         Assuming you have wordpress installed on your frontpage go to fantastico and go to set up PhPBB.  It will ask you what directory you want it in (usually the first question).  Whilst you will have left this blank for your wordpress install you want to fill it in for your forum
         
         If you want it to be yoursite.com/forum then fill in that box with forum, or with any other word that you want the forum created under for a subpage.
         
         e.g. yoursite.com/chat would need chat filled in.  yoursite.com/community will need community filled in.
         
         Pretty easy iirc

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7. 61

   Jane@CMposted 13 years ago

   You can always add a link into your wordpress blog that sends people to the forum.

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   1. 68

      Bill Manningposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Like Jane@CM said, you just add a link in whatever menu your using manually to your forum. You can link any page, even another site, as part of your menu.

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      1. 81

         David 470posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I see how you can link to other sites etc. However, is there a way to hyperlink a wordpress title page? (e.i. the word "forums") Instead of it just being a page with a link to the forums.

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            David 470posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Never mind, I figured it out, it required special coding to do it. Sort of strange, but it works.
            
            I think there are many alternative ways to create a link in the header pages though..

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            1. 68

               Bill Manningposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Oh sure, I put my own custom header menu up on some themes that don't have that option. You can do just about anything with a WP theme with a little work.

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8. 78

   skyfireposted 13 years ago

   Some reliable Hosts to choose from - Hostgator, Slicehost, dreamhost, wiredtree and mediatemple.
   
   CPU throttling is server spec issue which is not supposed to be confused with unlimited bandwidth. Unlimited bandwidth is overselling pitch which some hosts make if they own their own datacenter. I agree with CPU throttling issue related to bluehost and hostmonster.

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9. 72

   thisisoliposted 13 years ago

   I would strongly suggest Hostgator, I moved to them from Servage and I am now a much happier customer.  Not only do I receive excellent hosting, but their technical support will even help me if i have a minor coding issue with my website.
   
   The service alone has pretty much guaranteed my recommendation.

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   1. 56

      andromidaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I have a wordpress site(shared hosting).I want to transfer my hosting to Hostgator.Do you know that if the domain and site transfer is free in Hostgator?

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