Before you can install your new blog, you basically need two things, a hosting account and a domain name.

Before you can install your new blog, you basically need two things, a hosting account and a domain name.

While there are ample choices available to you, I personally recommend using Hostgator for your hosting needs and NameCheap to register domains.

While there are several different hosting services available online for you to choose from, Hostgator is not only one of the best deals for hosting accounts, but their customer service is top notch (and I'm picky!).

I once had a security issue and needed them to fix something on my server ASAP. From the time I created a ticket to the time I recieved an email reply saying it was all fixed, only 11 minutes had gone by in total. If you need hosting, please try them, you will not be disappointed.

I have several accounts at different registrars for domain names. The reason I like NameCheap is because it's a no-nonsense admin that's super easy to use.

Navigating the site to manage your domains is effortless and easy to understand. Plus, you don't get bombarded with hundreds of upsells like you do with GoDaddy and some others. Not that I have anything against GoDaddy, I just like my account simple to use so I can get in and get out without any distractions. Aside from that, these two work really well together for some reason (I'm sure there's a technical explanation that I'm unaware of).

What I mean by that is, when I set up a new domain on Hostgator and register it at Namecheap, it's less than 5 minutes before that domain is pointing to my hosting account and live for everyone to see. For whatever reason, it's usually much longer, sometimes even up to 24 hours or more with other companies.

So, before you go on, be sure to have the following:
Hosting Account
Domain Name

Now that you have a domain and a hosting account, it's time to put this bad boy online and start making some money!
Let's do it.

5 Step Simple Installation

I'm going to be honest with you. Transferring a website to a new server isn't what I would consider fun.  It's also kind of a pain in the butt until you get used to it. Once you do it several times though, it's starts to get easier because it's the exact same process every time if you're transferring a site using cpanel (which most hosting companies use these days), and you can do it as fast as 10-15 minutes if you have a fast FTP connection.

The important thing is to remember if you haven't done this before is not to be intimidated by anything. It's easy to be nervous about messing with the database, etc., but there's nothing to be afraid of. If you make a mistake, just start over. You can't permanently wreck anything on a brand new install because you have the backup. Just relax and follow the steps at your own pace.

So, without further ado, let's get down to business.

 

Step #1:  Install Wordpress
You will need to first set up a clean install of Wordpress (the default installation without anything you purchased from me). If you have never installed Wordpress before, don't worry about it. It's easy.

If you have Cpanel with your hosting account (Hostgator does, as well as the majority of others I've encountered), then installing Wordpress is a cinch.

Also, if Fantastico is included in your Cpanel (very likely), then you can install Wordpress within a couple clicks. If not, don't worry, it's still pretty fast/easy to do it manually. Here's a couple video tutorials that will guide you through either way. 

Installing Wordpress Using Fantastico/Cpanel

Installing Wordpress Manually Using FTP/Cpanel

Now that you have a new working installation of Wordpress, we're going to go ahead and install the blog (database and theme) that you have purchased from me.

Step #2:  Replace WP-Content
If you haven't already unzipped your download file, please do that now.  Inside you will find a folder named Site Files. Open that up and you will see two folders inside that you need right now:
wp-content and database

What you're going to do first is upload the entire wp-content folder into your Wordpress installation, replacing the one that is currently there.
Using your FTP program, simply upload that folder to replace.

When your FTP program asks if you want to merge or replace, be sure to choose replace (your program may say overwrite).
That concludes Step #2. Easy, right?

Step #3 : Import The Database
Now we're going to import the database. Many people get a little frightened when they think of digging into a MYSQL database, and I was the same way my first, second, and third time. I've now transferred over 200 blogs myself and I still have no clue what 97% of this stuff works, but the blogs always work fine. Trust me, you don't have to be a techie to do this and there's nothing to worry about. You have the back up files and there's nothing you're going to break that can't be fixed.
So, are you ready? Let's do this!

Log into your Hosting Cpanel and find the icon that says phpMyAdmin

Click on it and you will be taken to your database(s) that looks something like this:

Now, you're going to want to click on the specific database that you want to edit. Remember what you named it in Step #1 (if you only have one database on your server, then it will only show one anyway).

Click on that database:

Now you'll come to a new screen with a list of tables in your current database. You're going to delete all of them.
1. Click Check all on the bottom left of the tables

2. From the drop down menu, choose Drop

3. Click Go

It's going to look like the following screenshot (don't be scared to click Go!)

Note: It's important you choose Drop and NOT Empty or any others in the drop down menu.

You will now see something along the lines of a positive response similar to: Your SQL query has been executed successfully

Now click Import from the top tabbed menu

Now, you're going to click the Browse button and upload the database that came with your purchased blog package.

Remember in step #2 when you opened the Site Files folder and saw that database folder? Well, that's where your database is – inside that folder. There's only one file, so you can't mistake it.

Once you've found it after clicking Browse, select it and click Go.
Congrats! You just installed a database! Not too bad, right?

Step #4: Change URL And Password
Ok, your database is installed but unfortunately, we can't leave phpMyAdmin just yet. Since you're uploading this database on a different domain than the one it was originally created on, you have to change that url to your own.

The same goes for the Wordpress password. The database (that came with your blog purchase) has the original login password stored in the database. But fear not, it is easy as pie.

Are you ready? Ok, let's do this!
On the left hand side, click wp_options and then once you've done that, click Browse from the tabbed menu at the top.

Now you'll get a list of all the tables listed in wp_options. Scroll down until you see the option name: siteurl
Stop. Click the edit icon and change the URL to your own.

Now you want to find one more.
You're looking for the option name: home
There can often be several pages of tables in wp-options so if you don't see it on the first page, don't fret! Just use the > symbol to scroll through full pages or click the page number drop down to go to the next page.

The field for editing both will look like this: be careful of typos in your domain, and when you're finished each, just click Go.

Important Note: There may be more instances of domains needing to be changed in your database. However, that will be taken care of in Step #5 (from your Wordpress admin)

Ok, now let's do the password and be done with this.

On the left hand column, click wp_users
and then Browse from the tabbed menu at the top.

Click the edit icon associated with the user
In the user_pass table, choose MD5 from the function drop down menu. This is just a type of encryption.
In the value field, type whatever you want the password to be. The current user login is right above that. If you want to change that as well, you can, but you can also change that from inside your Wordpress admin later if you want. Once you've entered the new password, click Go.
Ok, we're done!  Now, you can login to your Wordpress admin by going to

http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin  or

http://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php

Use the login name and the new password.
Now, we just have a few tweaks inside Wordpress admin to ensure everything is complete and functioning properly.
Good job in phpMyAdmin! Wasn't so bad, was it?
Step #5: Finishing Up
Ok, now that you're logged into your new blog, you're going to just quickly check a few things and tweak the installation.
We're checking 3 things:
1. The permalinks
2. The domain is correct in the entire database.
Don't worry! It's literally 5-10 minutes, if that.

First, you're  make sure the permalinks are working.
Open up your browser and go to your new blog. Click on any of the article links.

Did the article load or did you get an error?

If you got an error, don't worry. We just need to change/save the permalinks.

Under Settings (on the left Wordpress admin sidebar), click Permalinks.
now, be sure that custom structure is selected and the following is in that field:
/%category%/%postname%/

If it's not, enter it, and even if it already is, click save changes.

Important Note: It's not crucial that you choose that specific format of permalinks. I usually use keywords in category names and just personally prefer that structure. If you change it to whatever you want, it won't affect your installation. However, be advised that once your blog has been indexed in search engines, etc., you won't want to change it unless you know how to do custom redirects, etc., (so you don't end up with a bunch of indexed pages in search engines and backlinks that lead to 404 error pages.)  Also, if this important note was all jibber jabber to you, just don't worry about it. J

The reason you click save changes even if it's already selected/entered how you want it is that this sends the information to your .htaccess file and makes everything work nicely again.

 Just one more thing. Remember when you changed the domain name in the database? Well, I include a plugin inside your installation that allows you to replace the rest of them automatically in one click.

 So, let's do that now.

 This time, look to the left on the Wordpress admin sidebar again, and under Tools, click Search & Replace

now, you're going to scroll to the bottom and click to check all and in the replace field put the old domain and in the with field put your new domain

Click Go.

Now you're done!