Introduction

Many people who are new to having a website want to have either a content management system or a forum. What are the steps to getting them installed?

Step 1: Get a host

If you have a free website, typically that is not going to cut it unless you have a sql database included in your package.

Step 2: Download it.

Find what CMS or Forum you going to be using and download it. Usually they are zipped up so once you download it, please unzip it. You can use winzip or 7 zip to accomplish that.

Step 3: Download your ftp client

In order to batch upload you need a ftp client. I use ftp core.

Step 4: Set up your database

Most host have a cpanel. Go in there and you will need to set up your database. You will find a icon that says database and you should double click it. There create whatever name you want for your database. After you do that, you will have to set up a username. It should be near the bottom the database screen. There you may choose whatever username and password you like. Once that is done then you need to connect it to your database. Where it says add user to database, pick the username and database you want to add and click add. Then you should be coming to another screen which gives you the option to set privileges. There I set all of the options.

Step 5: Upload your files

The next step is you have to upload your files. Usually your username and password you use to log into your cpanel is enough for the ftp program. Once you have your ftp program loaded there will be some setting you need to add

website name: whatever you named it.

host ip/url is usually something like this ftp.yourwebaddress.com

then it will ask for your username and password. Use what you use to log into your cpanel.

Once you get logged in via your ftp program. Make sure that you are in your public html directory at least otherwise whatever you load will not show up on the internet. Load up your files.

Step 6: Install your CMS or Message Board

By now you should have all your files uploaded to your webserver. Most forums or cms you can go to the main website that you installed your files up to and it will havew an install page. If not and you get a white page then there is a install directory or install/index.php. Either case follow the directions.

When you get database server hostname thats is usually localhost. Then it should be asking for database name. That is the database you made up. A lot of cases its a mix between your cpanel username and your database name so I usually copy and paste that. The same idea goes for the username and then obviously you have to put your password in. Once that is all in, just follow what the screen tells you.

Originally Posted November 12, 2012