Initial Setup: Hosting And Domain Name

You can get started for as little as $5 / year! The Websavers Helium hosting plan is free; it's just the domain name registration you'll be paying for.

The only catch with Helium is that it includes no support from us, so we strongly recommend starting with the Carbon hosting plan to ensure we'll be standing by to answer all your questions. It's just $60 CAD per year + the domain name registration, which is typically just $5 - $25.

You can always start with Helium, then upgrade to Carbon if you find you require our help with anything. If you decide to pre-pay for two or three years you will receive an even larger discount. All of these plans are the cheapest hosting of their kind that you'll find for the high quality and high performance service that is provided.

Click below to get your order started, then either opt to watch the video guide or scroll through the text and photo guide that follows.

SELECT A SHARED HOSTING PLAN

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Step 1: Choose an available domain name

How To Choose The Best Domain Name

There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a domain name. The first is that although choosing a good name is important, it's not as important as actually getting started. Far too many people never start a website because they can't figure out what to call it. Keep it simple. Maybe it includes your name, maybe it's a play on words in your own life. Whatever you do, don't let choosing a domain stop you from starting. And to make things even simpler for you, we can change up that domain at any time if you decide you want to register a new one later -- the only cost is the price of the new domain registration - most common names are just $20 CAD /yr!)

Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

1. Try to get a .com or a .net. These extensions are the two most universal and global. They are also the most well known so going with either a .com or a .net is pretty important. Try to find a domain that has one of these available. If your target market is Canadian, go for a .ca.

2. Make it easy to say and spell. More important than length is the ability to say or spell your domain easily. The domain I choose to go with for this demonstration is "adamsfitnessblog.com." This definitely isn't very short, but it is easy for me to say and easy for people to remember. I wouldn't recommend having it too long but don't let that get in your way.

How To Check If A Domain Is Available

If you already have a domain name registered you can opt to either "Transfer your domain from another registrar" or choose "I will use my existing domain and update my nameservers" if you wish to keep your current registrar. Note that Helium plans do not have the latter option: you must register anew or transfer your domain.

Most of you probably won't have a domain name already, so simply enter the domain you would like to useunder "Register a new domain". It will show you a list of available extensions (also called TLDs) for you to select from. If you can get a .com, go with that, otherwise you can pick just about any other TLD you'd like.

Once completed scanning, you'll be presented with different TLD options to select from, like .com, .net, .me, .ca, etc. You can add as many of these TLDs as you would like to your order, but just one is all that's necessary.

Tip: If you selected the Titanium hosting plan on a 1, 2 or 3 year cycle, the domain will be free!

Step 2: Select Add-ons and Config

When configuring the hosting plan, you have the option to "Preinstall WordPress". This will save you a ton of time! By choosing this option, once your order is completed, WordPress will be automatically installed for you, allowing you to skip most of the installation process in step 2! I highly recommend it.

Consider the Platinum Shared Hosting Management. It's completely optional, but having it ensures that Websavers staff will be taking care of all WordPress updates, including plugins and themes. Even better, you'll get 30 minutes of hands-on maintenance every month!

Prefer to do all that yourself? No problem, and no need for Platinum.

Without Platinum Management, you can ask all the questions you like and we'll be happy to provide advice but with Platinum Management, you'll get both advice and action; we'll take care of things like code changes, content updates, plugin installations and integration, etc.

For example, let's say you get a couple plugins installed and they're working great, but they don't 100% fit in with your design style. No problem! With Platinum Management, you can ask us to tweak the code to make it better fit in.

Since you're setting up your own site, you can simply ignore the "SiteMaker Professional Website Set-up" option. The same is true of "SiteMigrator Transfer Service".

Step 3: Enable ID protection and click "Update Cart"

ID protection is what will hide your personal information when someone does a public "whois" lookup on your domain name. It's free, so we recommend it for all domains, since many spammers now scan the WHOIS directories for new registrations, enabling it will prevent an influx of spam shortly after you register the name. It's automatically included on .ca domains with the "Canadian Citizen" type selected.

Step 4: Fill In Your Account & Billing Details

You can pay by Credit Card or Paypal. Fill out all the payment information and click on the green "Complete Order" button.

Be sure to save your password! You will need this along with your email address to log in to your Websavers account in the future.

If you don't make use of one, we strongly recommend using a password manager, like LastPass. Then save your Websavers login details in your password manager.

To get to your account, after completing your order, you can click on the button that says "Proceed to the Client Centre" or click here.

Continue To The Next Stage Of The Guide

Install WordPress

How to Create a WordPress Website Navigation

Set-Up

WordPress How-Tos

CUSTOMIZE & EXTEND WP

ADVANCED THEMING

Making Money

PRODUCTS / E-COMMERCE

Marketing - learn how to increase visitors

Support - get help at any time! Just click here.

Why Do You Recommend Websavers Hosting?

There are lots of reasons I recommend Websavers. Here are just a few:

It's our service! And since we want you to renew your services with us, we have an interest in you doing well with your website.
It was built for bloggers just like you. Our WordPress Hosting is optimized beautifully for speed and SEO. From their one-click installer, to their advanced support and knowledge, they specialize in hosting blogs for people just like you.
Rock solid services. At the end of the day you need to make sure your blog is going to be online. With over 10 years experience in infrastructure and hosting, Websavers just does it right.

What if i don't like or don't wish to use Websavers?

There is a 30-day, 100% money back guarantee for your hosting account. All you need to do is let us know and we'll refund your payment. I really believe Websavers is the best solution for setting up your blog and I'm sure you'll enjoy the guidance and support.

This guide is completely free and can technically be used on any hosting account! However, we won't be able to provide you with personalized support or help you throughout the process if you get stuck if you choose another hosting provider; you'll simply have to ask them for help instead.

What If I Already Have A Domain Name?

That's no problem at all! When you're going through the sign up process for the hosting, there is a button that says "I already own this domain." Just check that off instead and you're good to go.

Once you complete the order for the hosting, you'll receive an email with the name server information. You'll need to update the name servers for your domain as described here so as to point it to your new hosting solution.

Are There Any Hidden Costs or Fees?

Where Do I Find My Username And Password For Websavers?

I'm Sort Of Lost What Do I Do Now?

Don’t worry about that! Most people who are just starting out get a little lost and confused - it's normal! If you already have your Websavers account setup you can continue along to the installing WordPress page. If you get stuck and need help getting the package setup or getting anything installed please don’t hesitate to contact us. We have a 100% success rate at helping people get setup quickly but it is all done one step at a time so that you do not get too overwhelmed.