I'M MOVING!

noreply@blogger.com (Susie Jefferson) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:53:00 +0000

Just to let everyone know, I'm moving to my own self-hosted blog, 1st Floor Flat!

As my Blogger code is scrambled, and simply won't transfer to TypePad as I'd hoped, I've taken the most sensible option and moved to WordPress.org as a self-hosted site. Also, with TypePad it's all in US dollars, and there's the problem of a monthly direct debit involving an exchange rate, so I've had to opt out of that one.

Before you ask, yes, setting up the initial files in WordPress.org IS more complicated initially - the setting up of it all - but it only took me 5 minutes as the wonderfully patient Paul at ehosting.com talked me through and sat on the other end of the phone, going through it with me step by step. They'll be introducing a one-click installation very shortly.

There is are several sites which already support the one-click installation system, and which WordPress recommend - but they're all in the States! Which isn't much good to me here in the UK.

Simply put, you need to set up a hosting account with a web server that supports WordPress, and also buy yourself a domain name. This is a website name, and can be anything you like - but once you've bought it, you can't change it (ie: it's no good buying happysalle and then realising you should have spelt it happy sally, for example). Website names do need renewing: every two years for a .co.uk and every year for a .com, .org or .net. In the UK, anyway.

So... once you've bought your name and set up your hosting sytem (my name cost me around £10 and I'm paying £4.99 a month - they do do cheaper packages starting at only £1.99) that's basically it. The domain name is a one-off, and the actual hosting is very cheap. Any hosting service will talk you through the setup, which is pretty straightforward - the main thing you need to do is make a note of your email address, password etc.

Next, download filezilla and download the latest file, which also has (recommended) next to it. This is a free php client, and will do all the loading up of the programme for you.

Go to WordPress.org and download the programme - which is free. The only thing you're paying for is the hosting.

Unzip the programme, then get on the phone to your web provider and let the nice person at the other end talk you through it. When you bought your domain name and set up your hosting site, you WILL have asked whether you'll get some help, won't you? If they aren't willing to help, then find somewhere else. Of course I am recommending Paul at ehosting for anyone in the UK, as he made it totally painless.

The actual posting is easy peasy, exactly as with their free site - WordPress.com. My main beef was that I couldn't customise fonts etc as we can in Blogger - but hosting your own site with WordPress.org does give you that freedom.

My backgrounds fit, so do my widgets - so I am now very relieved and a lot less stressed. This past week has been a nightmare!

1st FLOOR FLAT

I'M MOVING!