Linode WordPress hosting is a game-changer for bloggers and website owners. With Linode's high-performance servers and intuitive interface, you can easily create a robust and scalable website.
Linode offers a range of plans to suit different needs, from small personal blogs to large e-commerce sites. The most basic plan starts at just $5 per month, making it an affordable option for those on a budget.
Linode's servers are built for speed and reliability, with fast SSD storage and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. This means your website will be up and running smoothly, even during peak traffic periods.
Linode's user-friendly interface makes it easy to manage your WordPress site, with a one-click install process and automatic updates.
Getting Started
To host WordPress with Linode, you can start with their $5/month shared instance plan, a perfect starting point for a WordPress site.
You'll want to set your domain to use the Linode name servers if you want to manage your domain DNS records at Linode. This can be done by selecting the Linode name servers in your domain settings.
Choose a region for your Linode, selecting a location closest to you for optimal performance. For example, if you live on the west coast of the United States, select Fremont, CA.
First Steps
To get started with Linode, you'll want to set your domain to use the Linode name servers if you plan to manage your domain DNS records there.
First, select the region where you want your Linode to reside. This is usually the region closest to you, so if you live on the west coast of the United States, choose Fremont, CA.
You'll also want to configure your domain to use the Linode name servers. This will allow you to manage your domain DNS records within the Linode DNS Manager.
Additional information about the Linode DNS Manager can be found here.
Select Hardware Requirements
Selecting the right hardware requirements for your server is crucial. You'll need to determine how much RAM you need, as it will dictate other specifications.
For example, on Linode, selecting 1GB of RAM comes with 20GB SSD, 1TB transfer, and 1 Core Processor. This is a pre-configured combination.
GCE and AWS don't have this limitation, giving you more flexibility in choosing your server's specifications.
Hosting and Configuration
To get started with your Linode WordPress site, you'll need to configure WordPress. This involves visiting your domain in a web browser and following the steps outlined by the configuration process. Begin by reviewing the informational page and clicking the "Let's go!" button.
You'll need to supply WordPress with the database credentials established when you installed the database server, and select "Run the install" to proceed. As you do this, you may be prompted to input your FTP information, but you can bypass this by altering your wp-config.php file to add the line /** Bypass FTP */ define('FS_METHOD', 'direct');.
To ensure that mod_rewrite is enabled, issue the following command: sudo a2enmod rewrite. You'll also need to restart Apache to apply the changes. This will allow you to use permalinks to set your posts' URLs.
Host with Apps
To host your WordPress site on Linode, you can use the Linode Marketplace Apps feature, which allows for rapid one-click deployment of popular applications.
First, you'll need to log in to the Linode Cloud Manager and click on the Marketplace in the left-hand navigation menu. From there, select the "WordPress - Latest" app.
To set up your WordPress site, you'll need to enter a name for your site, which will be used as the title. You can also create a limited sudo user to access your Linode via SSH, which is a recommended setting.
If you choose to create a limited sudo user, you'll need to enter a password that meets strong password requirements. You'll also need to enter an SSH public key if you want to access your Linode via public key instead of password.
Here are the required settings to get started:
Once you've entered all the required settings, click the Create Linode button and your Linode should be ready for use in about 5 minutes.
Create DNS Records
To create DNS records for your Linode, you should configure them now to ensure your website and email are accessible. Note the IPV4 and IPV6 addresses of your Linode.
You'll need to add an IPV4 wild card A record to your DNS with a name of '@' pointing to your Linode IPV4 address. This will help direct traffic to your website.
Next, add an IPV6 wild card AAAA record to your DNS with a name of '@' pointing to your Linode IPV6 address. This will ensure your website is accessible over IPv6.
If your website has a subdomain like www.example.com, you'll also need to add IPV4 A and IPV6 AAA records for the subdomain www.
Here's a summary of the DNS records you'll need to create:
- Add an IPV4 wild card A record with a name of '@' pointing to your Linode IPV4 address.
- Add an IPV6 wild card AAAA record with a name of '@' pointing to your Linode IPV6 address.
- Add IPV4 A and IPV6 AAA records for any subdomains, such as www.
If you plan to use your Linode to send email or want your reverse DNS lookup to resolve to your domain name, you'll also need to configure the reverse DNS lookup.
Settings
To set up your WordPress site, you'll need to configure the database credentials and run the installation process. This involves visiting your domain in a web browser and following the steps outlined by the configuration process.
You'll need to supply WordPress with the database credentials established when you installed the database server, and select "Run the install" to proceed. Along the way, you may be asked to input your FTP information, but you can bypass this by altering your wp-config.php file to include the line `define('FS_METHOD', 'direct');`.
To enable mod_rewrite, which is necessary for setting up permalinks, you'll need to issue the command `sudo a2enmod rewrite` on the command line. Don't forget to restart Apache afterwards.
You can also configure your server timezone to determine when server cron jobs run and the date format of some log files. This is done when naming your WordPress app, server, and project, where you'll be asked to enter a hostname for the server.
The hostname should be a unique identifier for your server, such as a domain name like xyzvanlines.com. You can also enter an optional post-provision script on this screen, which will be run on the server once the provision process has completed.
Here's a summary of the required settings:
- Database credentials
- Server timezone
- Hostname for the server
- Optional post-provision script
Database Settings
Database settings are a crucial part of setting up your WordPress site. You can choose to install MySQL on the server or connect an external database server.
To get started, you'll need to supply WordPress with the database credentials established when you installed the database server. This involves visiting your domain in your web browser and following the steps outlined by the configuration process.
The configuration process will ask you to input your database credentials, so make sure you have those handy. Once you've entered the required values, select "Run the install" to complete the setup.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you're using Apache, you'll need to issue the command "sudo a2enmod rewrite" to ensure that mod_rewrite is enabled. This will allow you to use permalinks to set your posts' URLs.
Here are the key steps to follow for database settings:
- Install MySQL on the server or connect an external database server.
- Supply WordPress with the database credentials established when you installed the database server.
- Enable mod_rewrite on Apache by issuing the command "sudo a2enmod rewrite".
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to setting up your database settings and getting your WordPress site up and running.
Select Location
Selecting the right location for your server is crucial for optimal performance. You can host your website at eight different locations offered by Linode.
This means you can choose the one closest to your target audience, ensuring faster page loading speeds. In fact, Linode's Cloudways powered hosting solution allows you to host your website at any of their data centers.
By doing so, you'll be able to provide your users with the best possible experience.
Configure
To configure your WordPress site, you'll need to set up the database credentials and WordPress admin account. First, visit your domain in your web browser and follow the configuration process. Begin by reviewing the informational page and clicking the "Let's go!" button. Supply WordPress with the database credentials established when you installed the database server.
You'll be prompted to input your database credentials, including the MySQL root password and WordPress database password. This information was required when you installed the database server.
To bypass the FTP information prompt when updating WordPress or installing new themes or plugins, you'll need to alter your wp-config.php file. Add the following line to the file: `define('FS_METHOD', 'direct');`.
If you're using Apache, you'll need to enable mod_rewrite by issuing the command `sudo a2enmod rewrite`. This will allow you to use permalinks to set your posts' URLs.
Akamai vs DigitalOcean vs Vultr vs AWS: Hosting Comparison
Let's compare Akamai, DigitalOcean, Vultr, and AWS for hosting WordPress. Akamai and AWS are more expensive, with Akamai costing around $100 per month for a basic plan and AWS starting at $36 per month.
DigitalOcean and Vultr offer more affordable options, with DigitalOcean starting at $5 per month and Vultr at $2.50 per month. This makes them a great choice for small businesses or individuals on a budget.
Ease of use is another key factor to consider. DigitalOcean and Vultr have user-friendly interfaces that make it easy to set up and manage your WordPress site. Akamai and AWS have more complex interfaces, but still offer robust features and tools.
Benchmarking performance is also important, and Akamai and AWS both offer high-performance options. Akamai's edge network can help reduce latency and improve page load times, while AWS offers a range of services to optimize performance.
Sources
- https://www.thelazyitadmin.com/host-wordpress-with-linode-marketplace-apps/
- https://spinupwp.com/doc/how-to-install-wordpress-on-linode/
- https://www.instructables.com/WordPress-on-Linode/
- https://github.com/linode/docs/blob/develop/docs/guides/websites/cms/wordpress/how-to-install-and-configure-wordpress/index.md
- https://spinupwp.com/provider/akamai/
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