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Topics

From picking a host to fixing it.

Seven topics, in the order a site needs them: choosing a host, setting WordPress up, keeping it fast and safe, and fixing it when something breaks. Start with the stage you’re at.

Stage 1 of 4

Choose a host

Before you pay: what to buy and who to buy it from.

  • Hosting Buying Guides

    Coming soon

    Ranked shortlists for your kind of site, the plan types worth paying for, and what hosting really costs after the first term.

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    Nothing published in this topic yet.

  • Host Reviews & Comparisons

    Coming soon

    One host at a time: its plans, renewal prices and limits, and how it holds up against the host you're also considering.

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    Nothing published in this topic yet.

  • Hosting Platforms & Basics

    Coming soon

    Shared, VPS, cloud and managed hosting explained, plus WordPress.com against self-hosted and what a control panel does.

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    Nothing published in this topic yet.

Stage 2 of 4

Set it up

Getting WordPress running, or moving it to a new host.

  • WordPress Setup & Migration

    Coming soon

    Install WordPress, move to a new host, set up staging, and get DNS, FTP and database access right the first time.

    Newest here

    Nothing published in this topic yet.

Stage 3 of 4

Keep it fast and safe

The ongoing work once a site is live.

  • Speed & Performance

    Coming soon

    Make a working site faster: server response time, caching, CDNs and Core Web Vitals.

    Newest here

    Nothing published in this topic yet.

  • Security, Backups & Maintenance

    Coming soon

    Keep a site safe and current with backups, SSL, updates and hardening that fits your host.

    Newest here

    Nothing published in this topic yet.

Stage 4 of 4

Fix it

When something breaks and you need it working again.

  • Troubleshooting & Errors

    Coming soon

    Fix what broke: error messages, a hacked site, downtime and login problems.

    Newest here

    Nothing published in this topic yet.

How these guides are made

One person tests, writes and answers for every guide here. These pages show the method, the rules, and how the site earns money.