Softaculous
We provide a comprehensive suite of web development tools, though we do not engage directly in the process of web development.
Our extensive collection of website scripts is available for download via "Softaculous" which is found in your domain control panel.
Softaculous is a commercial script library that automates the installation of web applications to a website. It is typically integrated into web hosting control panels like cPanel or InterWorx, and others. Softaculous provides a user-friendly interface for users to easily install, update, and manage a wide variety of software applications with just a few clicks.
The below are some of the benefits of using Softaculous
- Wide Range of Applications: Softaculous supports over 400 applications, including popular content management systems (CMS), e-commerce solutions, forums, blogs, wikis, and more. Examples include WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, phpBB, and MediaWiki, as seen in the above screenshot.
- One-Click Installation: Users can install applications quickly and easily without needing to manually download files, create databases, or configure settings. The automated process handles the installation, database creation, and initial configuration.
- Automatic Updates: Softaculous provides the ability to automatically update installed applications to the latest version, ensuring security and functionality. Users can enable auto-update for applications, ensuring they always run the latest versions.
- Backups and Restore: Users can create backups of their applications before performing updates or modifications. Softaculous allows for easy restoration of backups in case something goes wrong during an update or customization.
- Demos and Ratings: Each application listed in Softaculous comes with a demo, user ratings, and reviews to help users choose the best software for their needs. Users can preview the application and read about other users’ experiences before installation.
- Staging and Cloning: Softaculous provides staging and cloning features for applications, allowing users to create a copy of their site for testing purposes before making changes to the live site. The staging environment helps ensure changes are tested and approved before going live.
A quick example or breakdown of how you would go about installing WordPress and start building your website.
In Softaculous select the ‘WordPress’ icon.
The WordPress page will open, click ‘Install’ at the top of the page.
You will be required to set up the software and fill in the WordPress installation details.
- Choose Protocol - This is if your site is using an SSL certificate or not. It is recommended that you have an SSL certificate.
- Choose Domain - Select the desired domain for your WordPress installation from the drop-down menu. This domain should already be configured within your control panel.
- In Directory - Leave this field blank to install WordPress directly on the domain. This ensures that visitors can access your website without the need to append additional paths such as https://www.axxesstest.co.za/wp.
- Site Settings - If you are installing WordPress in a subfolder, such as for a blog, please enter the appropriate details under "Site Name." The site will then be accessible via a URL formatted as https://www.axxesstest.co.za/blogname.
- Admin Username - Specify the username that you will use to log into the WordPress dashboard.
- Admin Password - Enter the password associated with your WordPress dashboard login.
- Admin Email - Provide a valid email address for administrative purposes.
- What is displayed on the above screenshot is where you can make changes to your Database name, prefix as well as how often you can generate a backup
- The above screenshot shows how you can choose a theme before you proceed and install your WordPress instance. If you did not choose a theme, you can still choose one even after the installation has been done.
- The email section will send you the login details you created.
- When the instance is installed, you should see the screen below.
You may then select ‘Return to Overview’, where you will find the details of your installation. Note these important details to access your site in the future for editing.
Access Your WordPress Installation
Manage Installations:
- In Softaculous, go to the Installations tab (often found under the WordPress section).
Login to WordPress:
- Locate the WordPress installation you wish to access.
- Click on the Admin icon next to the installation you want to manage. This will directly log you into the WordPress dashboard without needing to enter your WordPress username and password.
- Alternatively, you can manually access your WordPress login page by going to https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin and entering your WordPress admin credentials.
Using the WordPress Dashboard
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Familiarize Yourself with the Dashboard: Once logged in, you’ll be taken to the WordPress dashboard. From here, you can manage your site, create posts, install themes and plugins, and configure settings.
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Security Tip: Ensure that your WordPress admin username and password are kept secure. Use a strong, unique password to protect your site.
Once you've successfully installed WordPress and logged into the dashboard, here are some essential steps and tips to help you start designing your website:
Familiarize Yourself with the WordPress Dashboard
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Navigation: The left-hand sidebar contains key sections like Posts, Pages, Media, Appearance, Plugins, Users, and Settings. Take a few moments to explore these areas.
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Welcome Panel: WordPress often displays a "Welcome" panel with quick links to common tasks. You can dismiss it or use it to get started.
Set Up Your Website's Structure
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Permalinks: Go to Settings > Permalinks and choose a URL structure that suits your site. "Post name" is a common choice for blogs and websites, providing a clean URL format.
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Pages: Create essential pages such as Home, About, Contact, and Blog by navigating to Pages > Add New.
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Menus: Under Appearance > Menus, create a navigation menu that will help visitors easily find their way around your site.
Select and Customize a Theme
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Choose a Theme: Go to Appearance > Themes to browse available themes. You can search for free themes from the WordPress repository or upload a premium theme if you have one.
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Customize the Theme: Use the Customize option under Appearance to modify your theme's appearance. This includes settings for your site title, tagline, colors, header image, background, and more.
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Responsive Design: Ensure the theme you choose is responsive, meaning it looks good on all devices (desktops, tablets, and smartphones).
Install Essential Plugins
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Plugins Overview: Plugins extend the functionality of your WordPress site. Navigate to Plugins > Add New to explore popular plugins.
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Essential Plugins:
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SEO: Install a plugin like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack to optimize your site for search engines.
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Security: Use plugins like Wordfence Security or Sucuri Security to protect your site from threats.
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Caching: W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache can improve site performance by caching pages and reducing load times.
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Backup: UpdraftPlus or BackWPup can help you back up your site regularly. Ensure you download your backups to your local drive to free up space on your domain.
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Contact Forms: Use Contact Form 7 or WPForms to create and manage contact forms.
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Activate Plugins: After installing plugins, activate them, and configure their settings based on your needs.
Customize Your Site Content
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Add Content: Begin adding content to your pages and posts.
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Images and Media: Upload images and other media via the Media Library. Ensure that your images are optimized for web use (compressed for faster loading).
Set Up Your Homepage
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Static Homepage vs. Blog: Decide whether your homepage will display your latest blog posts or a static page. You can set this under Settings > Reading.
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Homepage Design: If using a static page, design it to showcase key aspects of your business, such as services, testimonials, and a call-to-action.
Launch and Promote Your Site
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Maintenance Mode: If you're not ready to launch, consider using a Coming Soon or Maintenance Mode plugin to hide your site while you work on it.
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Launch: Once your site is ready, remove any maintenance mode plugins and start promoting your site through social media, email newsletters, and other channels.
By following these steps, you’ll have a solid foundation for designing and managing your WordPress website. As you become more comfortable, you can explore advanced features and customization options.