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How to create a WordPress backup.

Importance of backing up  WordPress is a powerful website builder featuring both back & front end functionality through a CMS. Many CMS-type website builders exist, but WordPress is, without doubt, the most popular.  Creating a WordPress Backup is an important part of running a WordPress site. Regularly scheduled backups can help you prevent downtime and data loss. This is especially true if you’re operating a business through a WordPress website. It’s critical to keep downtime to a minimum otherwise, it could have serious implications on customer’s satisfaction. Because of its popularity, WordPress also comes under lots of pressure from bad actors such as hackers, spammers, scammers, etc. To protect WordPress users, the WordPress foundation releases regular updates, patching known security issues. This is why keeping either scheduled backups or manual backups of your site is important, it provides a safety net in the event your website becomes compromised. Just deploy an existing backup and bring your website back! Create a Local WordPress Backup There are 2 different ways to create a backup.  WordPress uses a theme and plugins to determine how a site looks and its functionality. The MySQL backed stores the content of the website. To manually back up a WordPress site, both the WordPress files and WordPress database must be restored. This can be done using an FTP client like Filezilla to download your files. And, the phpMyAdmin tool found within your cPanel or Plesk Control panel to export your database.  Manual WordPress Backup File Transfer Access phpMyAdmin The phpMyAdmin application is the same for both cPanel and Plesk. However, accessing it is different for each control panel, if you don’t know how to access phpMyAdmin the following should help. cPanel Plesk  Export your database phpMyAdmin

How to change or reset your WordPress admin password

One of the most popular CMS platforms available WordPress helps to power a lot of the internets most popular websites and can handle everything from small blogs to eCommerce sites. In WordPress most content changes can be made via the wp-admin area including creating posts, pages and more, to access this area the WordPress admin username and password need to be entered. If you don’t already have a WordPress hosting account get one now! If you have forgotten your WordPress password or need to change it for another reason there are several methods you can reset or change it. In this guide learn how you can update or recover your login credentials. Reset via the WordPress Login Page 1. To start enter your WordPress website login URL into the address bar of your browser. This is usually yourdomain.uk/wp-admin but may be different depending on your configuration, it should look like below. 2. Moving on click Lost your password? as shown highlighted this will start the reset process. 3. Afterwards enter your admin email or username and click Get new password, if you see an error message at this stage you will need to try another email or username or another reset method. 4. Continuing on check the email account for mail from your WordPress site, you should receive mail similar to the one shown below. 5. Finally, using the link provided set a new password and note it down. You should now have regained access to your WordPress account. Change your password with phpMyAdmin 2. Afterwards within the file manager tool navigate to the wp-config file, right click on it and click view as shown. 3. Moving on note down the database name for your WordPress install which you will use later. 4. Now head back to your main cPanel page, navigate and click on phpMyAdmin. 5. Afterwards click on the database that matches the name you noted down earlier. 6. Once inside that database click the users table which will list all of the current configured WordPress users. 8. Now click the edit button next to WordPress admin user to begin changing that password. 9. After clicking the edit button using the dropdown menu highlighted [1] select MD5 and then enter your new password as shown in highlighted [2]. 10. Finally click go as shown to apply those changes to the database changing your admin password.

How can I Install WordPress?

WordPress is a great tool for distributing content. It provides a user-friendly approach to building and maintaining a website through different plugins and helpful features. You can choose to install WordPress in a few ways, either manually or through either of our easy-to-use tools. Our WordPress hosting comes with WordPress pre-installed. Get WordPress hosting now! Install WordPress with WordPress Toolkit The WordPress toolkit is an easy-to-use management tool. It has great functions, including a built-in installer and features that allow managing multiple WordPress sites. All this without needing to log in to the WordPress admin area. This is great for a reseller hosting customer who resells WordPress or a developer working with WordPress that needs quick access to client sites. 1. Log in to cPanel. 2. After, under the domains area, click on WordPress Toolkit. 3. From here, click Install. This will start the installation wizard, it should pop out from the left side of your browser. Find each area of the installation wizard explained in the sections below. If any of the configuration fields are blank, they will be automatically filled with random details. This prevents installation errors, as WordPress requires these options to function. General WordPress install options 1. Firstly, configure the installation path for WordPress. This is where core WordPress files, themes, and, plugins will go. It can be left blank, which will install WordPress in the root directory or the public_html folder. If you want a multisite install, you might want to create a separate directory that uses the websites’ domain. 2. Afterwards, set a website title for your WordPress install. This will be the site title, not the domain. 3. Once that’s completed, you can select a plugin/theme set. Leave it blank for a fresh installation. 4. Moving on, you will need to set your website language. This should match the language used on the site; This is the best practice for SEO, getting you the best search engine results. 5. Finally, you can use the version drop-down to select which WordPress version you want to use. You should always try to use the most up-to-date version to keep your site secure from any vulnerabilities. Configure WordPress Administrator options After you have completed the general installation options above, start configuring your administration area. This will determine the default admin users for the WordPress install. 1. First, enter a username in the username field. This should be something both unique and memorable. 2. Afterwards, create a password to fill the password field. You can use the generate button to create a strong, unique password for you. 3. Finally, enter the email address you want associated with this account in the email field. Configure WordPress database The MySQL database is central to WordPress, without it; it would not work. Your WordPress install will connect to the database using the wp-config.php file. When the WordPress toolkit runs, it will create a new database for you automatically, removing the need to manually create one. You can edit the automatic configuration, but this isn’t recommended. See the different options below. Automatic update settings The WordPress toolkit allows you to set parameters for automatic forced updates. These ensure that your WordPress website remains up-to-date, running the latest version of WordPress and any add-ons, including your WordPress theme. Again, these can be edited, but we suggest keeping the default settings. Disabling this feature could lead to malware issues and forced updates could cause compatibility issues. Install with Softaculous 1. Log into your cPanel account using your username and password. 2. Navigate to the Software section and click Softaculous Apps Installer 3. If WordPress is visible you can install it by hovering over it and clicking install.   4. Alternatively, use the search feature to find WordPress and then click install.  5. After clicking install you will be prompted to select a protocol, Enter a domain name and choose a directory to install WordPress too (Leaving blank will install in the root directory). 6. Set a site name, set description, and ensure that multisite is disabled. 7. Set an admin username, password, and email [Ensure that you remember these as you will need them to access your WP-admin dashboard]. 8. It is recommended in this section that you enable all auto-upgrade features as they will help protect your site. You can also use advanced options to change the name and table prefix if you desire. 

WHOIS and WHOIS Privacy

When you register a domain name, your information becomes part of a public database called WHOIS. This article will explain what WHOIS is, what information it collects, and how WHOIS Privacy can protect you when registering a domain name. What is WHOIS? WHOIS is a publicly accessible database that stores information about registered domain names, including: Anyone can look up a domain’s WHOIS record using online tools or WHOIS lookup services. Why is WHOIS Important? What is WHOIS Privacy? WHOIS Privacy is a service offered by most domain registrars to protect your personal information. When enabled, your sensitive details are replaced with the registrar’s generic contact information. In some regions, such as the European Union, WHOIS privacy may be enabled by default to comply with local laws. For example: Without WHOIS Privacy With WHOIS Privacy Registrant Name: John Smith Registrant Name: Privacy Guard Email: johnsmith@example.com Email: privacy@registrar.com Phone: +1-123-456-7890 Phone: +1-999-999-9999 Why Use WHOIS Privacy? How to Enable WHOIS Privacy? Are There Exceptions to WHOIS Privacy? Some cases where your WHOIS information might still be disclosed include: Best Practices for Domain Owners

What’s the Difference Between a Domain and a Website?

Many people use the terms “domain” and “website” interchangeably, but they refer to two distinct concepts in the online world. Understanding the difference is essential for managing your online presence effectively. What Is a Domain? A domain is the unique address that users type into a browser to access your website. Think of it as your website’s “home address” on the internet. Key Features of a Domain: What Is a Website? A website is a collection of files, code, and data that are hosted on a server and displayed in a web browser when someone visits your domain. It’s the actual content and structure users interact with. Key Features of a Website: Comparing a Domain and a Website Feature Domain Website Purpose An address for locating a website The content and design users see and interact with Function Points users to a server Displays content to users Required Services Domain registrar Web hosting provider Examples example.com, blog.mywebsite.com Homepages, blogs, e-commerce sites How Do Domains and Websites Work Together? Without a domain, users would need to type a numerical IP address to access your website. Without a website, your domain would be an empty address. Key Takeaways

What Is Domain Parking?

Domain parking refers to registering a domain name and then setting it aside without actively using it for a website. Instead, the domain displays placeholder content, often including advertisements. Why Park a Domain? 1. Reserve the Domain 2. Monetize Unused Domains 3. Prevent Domain Squatting How Domain Parking Works 1. Register the Domain 2. Set Up a Parking Page 3. Earn Revenue (Optional) Considerations for Domain Parking When to Park a Domain

What Is a Name Server?

A name server is an important part of setting up your domain and pointing it to your website. It translates domain names (example.com) into IP addresses (192.0.2.1), allowing users to access a website without needing to remember an IP address. How Do Name Servers Work? When you type a domain name into your browser, here’s what happens: In short, name servers act as the internet’s directory system. Why Are Name Servers Important? Common Name Server Formats Name servers typically follow a format like this: Most domains have at least two name servers, pointing to two different servers that act as a “cluster”, for redundancy, ensuring reliability if one server fails. Where Do You Find Name Server Information? Your name server details can be accessed by visiting your service details in the Client Area. You will also receive a copy in your service’s welcome email. How to Update Name Servers? If you need to change your domain’s name servers:

What is a Host Name?

A hostname is a label or tag assigned to a device connected to a computer network so that it can be identified within that network. Hostnames are essential for distinguishing devices and services on both local networks and the internet. A hostname may be a simple name or part of a structured format. For example: These structured hostnames translate to their respective services, making it easier to navigate networks. Structure of a Host Name Hostnames are often part of a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN). For instance: The FQDN uniquely identifies the specific device or service on the internet. How Are Host Names Used? Examples of Host Names Best Practices for Host Names

What Is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the address used to access websites on the internet. It serves as a user-friendly substitute for an IP address, which is a series of numbers identifying a server or computer. A domain name consists of letters and/or numbers and can be in the form of words or phrases. For example: Instead of remembering numbers, users can simply type the domain name into their browser. Structure of a Domain Name Domain names consist of two main parts: Types of Domain Names Why Are Domain Names Important?

Installing WordPress

We’ve made it really easy for anyone who uses our services to go ahead and install WordPress. The overall procedure takes around 3-4 minutes with the installation time of 60 seconds and under once you’ve inputted all the required setup details. To get WordPress installed, please follow the steps below: Log into your cPanel hosting account – you can access cPanel directly from your clients.hexhosting.uk client area > services – Once you’re logged in, you’ll need to scroll to the bottom of the page till you find Softaculous Apps installer. Please click on Softaculous. Please click on WordPress and then install now. Please complete the fields required (The version you may wish to install and the domain you would like WordPress installed on). Please note, if you require WordPress to be installed on the root of the domain, please kindly remove the text ‘wp’ from the ‘In Directory’ section and keep this blank. Themes are provided by WordPress to help get you started if you require one, if you already have a theme you’d like to upload please ignore this section as the theme can be changed at any time. Once you have everything filled, please click install to complete the installation. This process is pretty fast and will take just under 60 seconds. You now successfully installed WordPress, in order to access the WordPress admin area, please enter a browser and enter /wp-admin after as the example below (Please remove the testdomain.com to you’re desired domain name set). If you face any issues during setup and need some help, please contact us and we’ll be delighted to help you further along with any questions you may have.