Want to know how to install WordPress? In order to have a blog you can monetize, you need to find a place where you can host it. A good WordPress host will also install WordPress for you.

In this tutorial, we’re going to use Flywheel. I never knew it was possible to be in love with a hosting platform until I used Flywheel.

Check out this blog post where I go through all the reasons I love Flywheel for hosting. 

But just to give you a few of the reasons I love Flywheel, and I think it’s perfect for beginning bloggers is: 

1. It is easy to use and navigate. 

2. It is lightning fast, which is super important when it comes to hosting. 

3. The Customer Support is amazing. 

4. They do a backup of your website every night. 

But, I have also used Siteground, which is decent, so if you would like to see a tutorial about how to use Siteground, drop a comment below, and I’ll create that for you. 

How to Install WordPress With Flywheel

Note: If you haven’t done so already, you will need to purchase your domain name before purchasing hosting and installing WordPress. I walk you through how to purchase a domain from my favorite domain name registrar, Google Domains, in this blog post and video.

Step 1: Go to GetFlyWheel.com

Step 2: Click Get Started

Click on the “Get Started” button in the top right-hand corner

Step 3: Choose Your Hosting Plan

I recommend going with the Tiny plan which will be totally sufficient for you as you get started. Click where it says “Get Started.”

Step 4: Create an Account

You can log in with Google if you have a Gmail account or you can create a new account.

Be sure to write down your username and password, which you can do in the workbook you can grab here. 

Step 5: Pay for the Plan

Fill out your name and billing information.

It’s up to you whether or not you want to go with the yearly or monthly plan. The yearly rate comes out to $13 per month. The monthly rate comes out to $15 per month. 

I typically skip the Managed Plugin Updates add-on because I find that WordPress itself does a good job of letting you know when plugins need to be updated. 

Once you are done entering all your information, click “Purchase.”

Step 6: Start Creating WordPress Website

Click here where it says to “Create a New Site.”

Step 7: Enter Site Details

• Click where it says “Me” (if it’s not already selected).

• Then, click on your name and click “Select.”

• Enter the site name. (This information is only internal, but it should still make sense.)
• Where it says “Temporary Domain,” I just let Flywheel create a randomly generated name. 
• Then, select “I don’t want to use a Blueprint.” (This should be your only option.)

• Create your WordPress username and password, and click on Create Site
• Note: Make sure you write this down somewhere. Again, you can use this workbook where I have provided a place for you to keep track of all of your usernames and passwords. 

If you see this, you did it right. This can take a few minutes so this is a good time to hit pause, and stand up and stretch or go get a fresh cup of coffee. 

Step 8: Point Your Domain to Flywheel

• Click on the “+” sign, you see here.

• Where it says “Domain” enter the domain name you purchased from Google Domains. 
• To be sure that you don’t make any accidental typos, it might be a good idea to copy and paste it from Google Domains. 
• Check where it says “Primary” and also check where it says to add the “www” version. Then, check “Yes” where it asks if you have purchased the domain. 
• Then, click on Next. 

Flywheel should be able to detect that your domain is from Google Domains. (This is an added perk of Flywheel because I can tell you that with most hosting platforms this is a much more manual process.)

Click where it says “Log in to Google Domains”

This should take you right to Google Domains. From there, select “Yes, Connect.”

Once you get this green checkmark, click where it says “Go to Flywheel.”

How fast was that!

You should see this green success message, and then you’re going to finish pointing to the domain by adding the “www” version of your domain.

Click on “Point WWW.”

Just like before, you’re going to select “Yes, connect.”

And again, click “Go to Flywheel.”

And… again, you should see another green success message, and click on “Back to Site.”

Step 9: Install an SSL Certificate

The next step is to install an SSL certificate on your website. 

Have you ever noticed that little lock that shows up to the left of a web address in the address bar? That’s how you know the website you are on has an SSL certificate. 

SSL is short for Secure Sockets Layer. According to SSLShopper, “SSL creates an encrypted connection between your web server and your visitors’ web browser allowing for private information to be transmitted without the problems of eavesdropping, data tampering, and message forgery.”

What does that mean for you? It adds a layer of security to your blog, and it tells your readers that their information is safe when they use your site. 

It also tells search engines that your blog is safe, so your visitors don’t get a warning like this when they come to your website:

With Flywheel, the SSL certificate is included at no extra cost.

Now that you know why it’s worth the trouble, let’s go get that SSL certificate installed. 

Click on Enable SSL right here: 

Next, click on “Complete SSL Setup”:

When done, it should look like this with a padlock next to “Simple SSL.” If it doesn’t, wait a few minutes or try refreshing the page. If you don’t see it within 24 hours, I recommend reaching out to Flywheel support: 

Step 10: Log into WordPress

Start by turning off Privacy Mode. I like to have my sites live when I’m building them out because it takes so long for Google and search engines to even know it’s even there. The only reason to keep the blog in privacy mode is if you’re building a website for a business that doesn’t want it live, yet. 

Click on “WP Admin” in the top right-hand corner. 

Woo hoo! You have just logged into your website for the first time!

Step 11: Get to Know Your WordPress Blog

I recommend taking out some time and poking around and getting to know the back end of your blog. 

You Have a Blog!

The boring part is over. You can now dive into picking your theme, picking your colors, and fonts, and creating your first pages. 

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below, and I will get back to you.