How to Configure Your WordPress Site on cPanel Using Advanced Tools

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up a WordPress website on your hosting account through cPanel, utilising advanced tools like WordPress Toolkit, CloudLinux, AccelerateWP, and Imunify360.

Accessing cPanel

(First-Time login)
To log in and begin using your WordPress hosting for the first time, follow these steps:

1. 1. Log in to your client portal.
   2. In “Active Services”, select “Manage” next to your hosting account.
   3. Click the “Change Password” option.
   4. Create a new password and click “Save Changes.”
   5. Click “Login to cPanel.”
      Opening cPanel after your initial login: You can access cPanel directly from the client portal or by adding /cPanel to your domain (e.g., www.yourdomainname.com/cpanel).

Installing WordPress via WordPress Toolkit

1. Log in to cPanel, navigate to the “Domains” section and open “WP Toolkit.”
   
2. In the WP Toolkit dashboard, select the “Installations” tab and click on “Install.
   
3. A setup panel will appear on the left side. Complete the following details:
   1. Installation Path: Set it to HTTPS and select the domain where WordPress will be installed.
   2. Website Title: Enter a title for your website (this can be changed later).
   3. Plugin/Theme Set: Choose a pre-configured set, like WordPress Essentials.
   4. Version: Select the most recent version of WordPress.
   5. Admin Credentials: Create a secure admin username, password, and email.
      
4. For additional customisation, advanced users can modify the database and other settings.
   
5. Click “Install” to start the WordPress installation.
   
   Once installed, your WordPress site will be ready to use. To access the login page, go to http://your-domain-name.com/wp-login.php (replace “your-domain-name.com” with your domain).

Configuring Your WordPress Website

After installation, access your WordPress dashboard by clicking the “Log in” button.

General Settings:

1. Go to Settings > General to set your site title and tagline.
   
2. Navigate to Settings > Permalinks to choose your preferred URL structure.
   

Boosting Website Performance with AccelerateWP

AccelerateWP is an advanced optimisation tool that enhances the speed and efficiency of WordPress websites hosted by WHUK. It uses intelligent caching and resource management to reduce loading times and create a smoother user experience.

Steps to Enable and Optimise AccelerateWP:

1. Log in to cPanel and find AccelerateWP in the “Software” section.
2. Click on “AccelerateWP.”
   
3. Activate the desired features for your WordPress site and follow the prompts to optimise, including setting up caching and other performance enhancements.
   

Installing Essential Plugins and Themes

Installing a Theme:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to “Appearance” and select “Themes.”
3. Browse and install a theme that suits your site’s needs.
   

Installing Plugins:

1. Navigate to “Plugins” and click on “Add New.”
2. Search for and install essential plugins, such as:
   1. 1. Yoast SEO: Enhances search engine optimisation.
      2. Akismet Anti-Spam: Provides spam protection.
      3. UpdraftPlus: Manages website backups.
         

Securing Your Website

Applying robust security measures is essential for safeguarding your WordPress site from potential threats like malware, data breaches, and unauthorised access.

Using WordPress Toolkit for Security:

Log in to cPanel and open “WordPress Toolkit” under the “Domains” section.

Key Security Features:

1. One-Click Updates: Easily update WordPress core, themes, and plugins.
2. Backup and Restore: Set up automatic backups with straightforward restoration.
3. Security Scans: Detect vulnerabilities and malware in real-time.
4. Access Control: Manage user roles and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
5. Firewall Protection: Leverage a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and IP blocking for enhanced security.
6. File Integrity Monitoring: Monitor file changes and receive alerts on unauthorised modifications.
7. SSL/TLS Management: Simplify SSL certificate installation and renewal.
   

Using Imunify360 for Enhanced Security

Log in to cPanel and go to the Security section to find Imunify360.

Key Features of Imunify360:

1. Real-Time Malware Protection: Detects and removes malware automatically.
2. Advanced Firewall: Protects against malicious activities, DDoS attacks, and brute-force attempts.
3. Proactive Defense: Uses AI to identify and block threats before they impact your website.
4. Reputation Management: Monitors your site’s reputation and alerts you if it becomes blacklisted by search engines.
   

By following these steps, you can establish a WordPress website on your hosting account using cPanel while utilising advanced tools such as WordPress Toolkit, CloudLinux, AccelerateWP, and Imunify360 to enhance both performance and security.