How to Install WordPress on VPS to Speed Up Your Website

Want to learn how to install WordPress on a VPS to supercharge your website? We’ve got you covered with an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide!

Now, you might be wondering why WordPress is so widely used. Well, one of the reasons is that it constantly updates its platform, both in terms of design and features. Each year, a new version of WordPress is released, which brings improvements and enhances the usability of the platform.

But it doesn’t stop there! WordPress offers a multitude of advantages, and one of them is its search engine optimization (SEO) friendliness. Websites managed with WordPress tend to rank well in search engine results, which is crucial for gaining visibility and attracting more visitors.

Moreover, WordPress is known for its affordability, making it accessible to users of all levels, even beginners like yourselves. You don’t have to break the bank to create a professional-looking website with WordPress.

Another great thing about WordPress is its vast library of plugins and themes. These tools allow you to customize and personalize your website to your heart’s content. Whether you need additional functionality or want to give your website a unique look, WordPress has got you covered. With all these options at your disposal, it’s no wonder that WordPress has gained such popularity and continues to attract more users.

So, we will focus on the installation process of WordPress on a VPS (Virtual Private Server). By installing WordPress on a VPS, you can significantly improve the speed and performance of your website. I will guide you through the steps with an easy-to-follow and effective, step-by-step guide. Let’s get started, shall we?

So, how do you install WordPress?

For those of you who may be new to this, if you want to install WordPress in a simpler and more secure way, you can make use of a virtual private server, also known as VPS.

A VPS serves as a system that organizes all the necessary data and devices to effectively run a website or a site. It provides a private and isolated environment for your WordPress installation, offering improved security and performance compared to shared hosting.

By utilizing a VPS, you have more control over your server settings and resources, allowing you to customize and optimize your WordPress installation according to your specific needs. This is particularly advantageous if you’re expecting high traffic or require more flexibility in managing your website.

Steps to Install WordPress on VPS

Installing WordPress on VPS using LAMP

Alright, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of installing WordPress on a VPS using LAMP. This will be a valuable skill for managing your website effectively.

Firstly, let’s understand what LAMP stands for. LAMP is an acronym for Linux (operating system), Apache (web server), MySQL (database), and PHP (programming language). Together, these components create a powerful environment to run web applications on a VPS.

Installing WordPress on Ubuntu 16.04 using LAMP

Now, let’s begin with installing WordPress on Ubuntu 16.04 using LAMP. The process is quite straightforward. You’ll start by creating a MySQL database and installing the necessary PHP extensions. After that, you can download the WordPress installer file and proceed to configure it on your VPS.

Installing WordPress on CentOS 7 using LAMP

Moving on to CentOS 7, the steps for installing WordPress are slightly different. You won’t need to create a MySQL database as CentOS 7 uses MariaDB. However, you’ll need to update and install Apache, followed by installing the MariaDB database and creating a new database name. Once that’s done, you can install the required PHP extensions, download the WordPress file, and perform the initial configuration.

Installing WordPress on Debian 9 using LAMP

For those using Debian 9, the process is similar. You’ll need to create a MariaDB database and install PHP extensions. Begin by creating the MariaDB database, then proceed with the PHP file installation. After that, you can download the WordPress installer and perform the initial configuration to set up your WordPress site.

Installing WordPress on VPS using Nginx

Let’s start with the steps involved in installing WordPress on a VPS with Nginx.

Step one is to update and install Nginx on your VPS. This ensures you have the latest version of the web server software. Once Nginx is installed, we move on to the next step.

Step two involves installing and creating a MySQL database. This is where WordPress will store its data. A properly configured database is crucial for the smooth functioning of your website.

Next, we proceed to step three, which is to install the necessary PHP extensions. These extensions enable WordPress and Nginx to communicate effectively. We also need to download the WordPress files to set up the website.

Now that we have the essentials in place, it’s time for step four. We configure the virtual host on Nginx, which specifies how the server handles incoming requests for your WordPress site. This step ensures that Nginx is properly set up to serve your website.

Lastly, we move on to step five, where we perform the WordPress configuration on the VPS. This involves setting up the initial settings, such as the site title, admin username, and password. It’s important to carefully configure WordPress to ensure optimal performance and security.

Installing WordPress on VPS CentOS 7 using Nginx

For those using CentOS 7, the process is similar, but we use the MariaDB database instead. The steps involve updating and installing Nginx, setting up the MariaDB database, installing PHP extensions, downloading WordPress, configuring the virtual host on Nginx, and performing the initial WordPress configuration.

Installing WordPress on VPS using EasyEngine

Now, for those who prefer an easier installation process, we have EasyEngine. It’s a command-line tool specifically designed for Nginx web servers. With EasyEngine, you can quickly install WordPress on your VPS. The steps involve updating the server, installing EasyEngine, and then proceeding to install WordPress and log in as the WordPress administrator.

Installing WordPress on VPS using OpenLiteSpeed

OpenLiteSpeed is a widely used web server application that offers powerful capabilities and, the best part is, it’s free of charge.

Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step tutorial for installing WordPress through OpenLiteSpeed on a Ubuntu VPS.

Step 1: Begin by installing the MySQL database. This will serve as the foundation for storing WordPress data and ensuring smooth functionality.

Step 2: Once MySQL is installed, it’s time to configure the database specifically for WordPress. This step is essential for seamless integration between WordPress and the database.

Step 3: Next, install the necessary PHP extensions. These extensions enable WordPress to run smoothly on OpenLiteSpeed and ensure compatibility between the web server and the PHP environment.

Step 4: Now, let’s download the WordPress installer. This file contains all the necessary files and resources needed to set up your WordPress website.

Step 5: Proceed to configure the WordPress directory. This involves specifying the appropriate file paths and permissions to ensure proper functioning of WordPress.

Step 6: It’s time to configure OpenLiteSpeed itself. This step involves setting up virtual hosts, enabling necessary modules, and fine-tuning OpenLiteSpeed settings to optimize WordPress performance.

Step 7: Finally, access your newly installed WordPress website through your web browser. This is where you can start customizing your site, adding content, and exploring the vast world of WordPress possibilities.

So, what are some tips and tricks to speed up your website?

The first tip is to choose the right web hosting that aligns with your specific needs. Opting for a WordPress hosting service that guarantees both security and speed would be beneficial.

Furthermore, you can enhance performance by selecting a server location that is closest to your target audience. Remember, proximity plays a significant role in reducing response times.

Another technique is to leverage Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). CDNs consist of geographically distributed servers that collaborate to expedite the delivery of your website’s content to users’ browsers.

Additionally, consider utilizing the HTTP/2 protocol to serve your website and content. Alternatively, you can optimize your theme installation by opting for lightweight themes that are compatible with your chosen browser.

It is crucial to optimize the size of your images and content files to ensure faster loading times. Regularly updating the core, plugins, and themes is equally important to maintain optimal performance.

You can also enhance speed by removing unnecessary plugins that may burden your server’s workload. Paying meticulous attention to the design layout and writing quality is equally vital.

So, those were the steps to install WordPress on a VPS, along with some valuable tips to expedite your website. I hope these insights will assist you in optimizing your website’s performance. Best of luck, and feel free to put these strategies into practice.