Before setting up WordPress, it's important to establish the foundations of the website. This includes choosing a **hosting provider**, purchasing a **domain name**, and configuring **nameservers** to connect them.

Think of hosting as your **website's house**. It's where all your site's files, images, and databases are stored. Without hosting, your website wouldn't have a place to exist online. Hosting providers rent out space on their servers so your site can be accessed on the internet.

Definition

Hosting providers offer **server space** to store your website and ensure it is accessible on the internet. Different hosting plans come with **various storage, speed, and security options**, making it important to choose a plan that fits your needs.

Your domain name is like your **home address**—it's how people find your website. Instead of sharing a complicated server IP address, you register a **unique name** like mywebsite.com that directs visitors to your site.

Domain names are registered through domain registrars, such as GoDaddy or Google Domains, and must be renewed periodically.


Nameservers work like an **address directory**, telling browsers where to find your website. When someone types `yourwebsite.com`, the nameservers direct them to your hosting provider's server where your website is stored. Without nameservers, your domain name wouldn't know where to find your website.

Once hosting and a domain are purchased, the nameservers must be updated to ensure that visitors who type the domain are directed to the hosting provider's server.


Before purchasing hosting, it's essential to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements to run WordPress smoothly.

- **PHP 7.4 or higher**: the scripting language WordPress runs on;
- **MySQL version 8.0 or greater OR MariaDB version 10.5 or greater**: the database system that stores your content;
- **HTTPS support**: ensures secure connections with an SSL certificate;
- **At least 1GB RAM and 1 CPU core**: needed for smooth performance.

Most modern hosting providers already meet these requirements. To ensure compatibility, it's advisable to contact the hosting provider's support team and confirm that their plans meet WordPress's minimum requirements.
**For further information, access WordPress Requirements page**: <a href="https://wordpress.org/about/requirements/" target="_blank"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 30 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M17.289 17.305v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-7.76-7.759c-1.755-1.755-1.755-4.601 0-6.356v0c1.753-1.753 4.595-1.756 6.351-0.005l6.208 6.187"></path><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M12.504 13.97v0c1.754-1.754 4.597-1.754 6.351 0l7.762 7.762c1.754 1.754 1.754 4.597 0 6.351v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-5.953-5.953"></path></svg>https://wordpress.org/about/requirements/</a>


Checking WordPress Server Requirements

A domain name is your website's unique address on the internet. In this guide, a domain will be purchased through GoDaddy, one of the most popular domain registrars.

**Steps to Purchase a Domain on GoDaddy**
1. **Visit GoDaddy** at <a href="www.godaddy.com" target="_blank"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 30 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M17.289 17.305v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-7.76-7.759c-1.755-1.755-1.755-4.601 0-6.356v0c1.753-1.753 4.595-1.756 6.351-0.005l6.208 6.187"></path><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M12.504 13.97v0c1.754-1.754 4.597-1.754 6.351 0l7.762 7.762c1.754 1.754 1.754 4.597 0 6.351v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-5.953-5.953"></path></svg>www.godaddy.com</a>;
2. **Use the search bar** to find an available domain name;
3. **Choose the registration period** (1, 2, or 3 years). After this period, you will need to renew the domain to continue using it;
4. **Click "Add to Cart"** and proceed to checkout;
5. **Complete the purchase** and access your domain settings;
6. **Go to Domain → Manage DNS → Nameservers**: this page will be revisited later to configure the nameservers.

**For further information, access GoDaddy Domain Registration page:** <a href="https://www.godaddy.com/domains" target="_blank"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 30 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M17.289 17.305v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-7.76-7.759c-1.755-1.755-1.755-4.601 0-6.356v0c1.753-1.753 4.595-1.756 6.351-0.005l6.208 6.187"></path><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M12.504 13.97v0c1.754-1.754 4.597-1.754 6.351 0l7.762 7.762c1.754 1.754 1.754 4.597 0 6.351v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-5.953-5.953"></path></svg>https://www.godaddy.com/domains</a>.

Buying a Domain Name

To make a website live, hosting is required. This tutorial uses **HostGator**, though alternatives include **Bluehost**, **SiteGround**, and **DreamHost**.

**Steps to purchase a hosting plan on HostGator**
1. **Visit HostGator** at <a href="www.hostgator.com" target="_blank"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 30 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M17.289 17.305v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-7.76-7.759c-1.755-1.755-1.755-4.601 0-6.356v0c1.753-1.753 4.595-1.756 6.351-0.005l6.208 6.187"></path><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M12.504 13.97v0c1.754-1.754 4.597-1.754 6.351 0l7.762 7.762c1.754 1.754 1.754 4.597 0 6.351v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-5.953-5.953"></path></svg>www.hostgator.com</a>;
2. **Go to Hosting → Web Hosting** and review the available plans;
3. **Select the Hatchling Plan**, which meets the minimum WordPress requirements;
4. **Click "Choose Plan"**, then review the checkout page;
5. **Remove any additional services or products** that are pre-selected. These extras are optional and can be added later if needed;
6. **Complete the payment process** and log in to your hosting dashboard to manage your new hosting account.

**HostGator hosting plans**: <a href="https://www.hostgator.com/web-hosting" target="_blank"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 30 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M17.289 17.305v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-7.76-7.759c-1.755-1.755-1.755-4.601 0-6.356v0c1.753-1.753 4.595-1.756 6.351-0.005l6.208 6.187"></path><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M12.504 13.97v0c1.754-1.754 4.597-1.754 6.351 0l7.762 7.762c1.754 1.754 1.754 4.597 0 6.351v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-5.953-5.953"></path></svg>https://www.hostgator.com/web-hosting</a>.


Choosing a Hosting Provider

Once hosting and a domain have been purchased, updating the nameservers is required to link them.
**Steps to Update Nameservers Domain in GoDaddy**
**Find your nameservers in HostGator:**
1. Log into HostGator at <a href="www.hostgator.com/my-account/login" target="_blank"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 30 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M17.289 17.305v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-7.76-7.759c-1.755-1.755-1.755-4.601 0-6.356v0c1.753-1.753 4.595-1.756 6.351-0.005l6.208 6.187"></path><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M12.504 13.97v0c1.754-1.754 4.597-1.754 6.351 0l7.762 7.762c1.754 1.754 1.754 4.597 0 6.351v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-5.953-5.953"></path></svg>www.hostgator.com/my-account/login</a>;
2. Go to Hosting Dashboard → Settings → DNS Records;
3. Copy the Primary and Secondary Nameservers.

**HostGator Nameservers guide:** <a href="https://www.hostgator.com/help/article/what-are-my-name-servers" target="_blank"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 30 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M17.289 17.305v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-7.76-7.759c-1.755-1.755-1.755-4.601 0-6.356v0c1.753-1.753 4.595-1.756 6.351-0.005l6.208 6.187"></path><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M12.504 13.97v0c1.754-1.754 4.597-1.754 6.351 0l7.762 7.762c1.754 1.754 1.754 4.597 0 6.351v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-5.953-5.953"></path></svg>https://www.hostgator.com/help/article/what-are-my-name-servers</a>

**Update Nameservers in GoDaddy:**
1. **Log into GoDaddy** and go to **My Domains**;
2. **Select your purchased domain** and click **DNS → Nameservers → Change Nameservers**;
3. **Replace the existing nameservers** with the ones copied from HostGator;
4. **Click "Save Changes"** and wait for nameserver propagation (can take up to **24 hours**).

**GoDaddy DNS management:** <a href="https://www.godaddy.com/help/edit-my-domain-nameservers-664" target="_blank"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 30 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M17.289 17.305v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-7.76-7.759c-1.755-1.755-1.755-4.601 0-6.356v0c1.753-1.753 4.595-1.756 6.351-0.005l6.208 6.187"></path><path fill="none" stroke="#098f67" style="stroke: var(--color1, #098f67)" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-miterlimit="4" stroke-width="2.4156" d="M12.504 13.97v0c1.754-1.754 4.597-1.754 6.351 0l7.762 7.762c1.754 1.754 1.754 4.597 0 6.351v0c-1.754 1.754-4.597 1.754-6.351 0l-5.953-5.953"></path></svg>https://www.godaddy.com/help/edit-my-domain-nameservers-664</a>


Configuring Nameservers (Linking Domain to Hosting)

What is the purpose of configuring nameservers?

Master the skills needed to build a modern, responsive website using WordPress—without writing code. Learn how to create and customize pages, install essential plugins, and launch a professional site ready for clients or personal use.

Explore the foundations of WordPress, learn how it works, choose the right hosting and domain, and get your site installed and ready to go.

Learn the core elements of WordPress: the difference between pages and posts, how themes and plugins work, and how to use the block editor.

Discover how to customize your site's appearance with themes, adjust layout and colors, create navigation menus, and add key pages using blocks.

Enhance your site's functionality by adding essential plugins for contact forms, social sharing, and more—plus learn how to manage them effectively.

Get hands-on experience creating blog posts with the block editor. Learn how to add media, organize content with categories and tags, and publish posts.

Explore important WordPress settings for site identity, visibility, comments, URLs, and media configuration to ensure a smooth and optimized experience.

Bring everything together in a real-world project. Build and launch a complete website using WordPress, covering layout, design, plugins, and testing.

Build a Code Free Website with WordPress

Preparing Your Environment

Build a Code Free Website with WordPress

Preparing Your Environment