Setting up WordPress

This article is about creating a new WordPress blog, including installation and basic customization.

You need to know how to upload files and have your MySQL database credentials available.

I used a similar setup and will update this post if I encounter any issues.

Requirements

Minimum

Webserver with:

  • MySQL 5.0 or higher
  • PHP 5.2.4 or higher
  • 10 MB free space
  • Any possibility to upload files
  • The mod_rewrite Apache module
  • An FTP client (e.g., FileZilla)

Installation

  1. Download the latest version from wordpress.org
  2. Decompress it and upload it to your web server. It should be directly in your root directory.

Example: Use www.martin-thoma.com, not www.martin-thoma.com/wordpress/

  1. Run the installation setup:
  2. Fill in your database information (database name, host, database user, database password)
  3. Store wp-config.php in your WordPress folder
  4. Make the most basic configuration of your blog (give it a title, create the admin account)

Plugins

Note: This list is from 2011 and very likely outdated. Please check for current alternatives.

  • Akismet: Protect your blog from spam. Don't forget to add your API key.
  • Sociable: A customizable link bar with icons to share posts on social networks.
  • SyntaxHighlighter Evolved: A syntax highlighter. Essential if you write about code.
  • Twitter Tools: Creates complete integration between your WordPress blog and your Twitter account.
  • WordPress SEO by Yoast: XML sitemap, Google/Bing Webmaster Tools integration.
  • WP-Piwik: Piwik is an open-source alternative to Google Analytics. Download the latest Piwik version here and install it on your website. Don't forget to add your auth token.

Configuration

  1. Add the categories you want (Go to Posts → Categories)
  2. Set your default category (Go to Settings → Writing)
  3. Delete the "Hello World!" post
  4. Delete the "Sample" page
  5. Set a default category in Settings → Writing, then delete the "Uncategorized" category
  6. Set up a custom theme. You can find free ones on wordpress.org/extend/themes
  7. Use Permalinks. I use /%postname%/ for short URLs. This URL structure never changes.

Fine-tuning

www or non-www URL: Decide whether you want www.martin-thoma.com or martin-thoma.com as your standard URL. Both should work, but one should redirect to the other. I chose martin-thoma.com because I prefer short URLs. Add this to your .htaccess if you want www.martin-thoma.com:

RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www.martin-thoma.com$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.martin-thoma.com/$1 [R=301]

Imprint: In Germany, you must create an imprint. Even if you don't have to create one, I strongly recommend giving your readers the possibility to know who writes the posts. It gives you more credibility.

Piwik

  • Piwik
  • Login → Geolocation tab → follow the instructions

Sources and Further Reading

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