to start using Wordpress and some web hosting questions?

How do I start using wordpress? (Is it a program that I have to download or do web hosting sites come with it already or what?)
What website hosting do you recommend/use for photography website.

I purchased a domain some time ago from namecheap, but I don't have a web hosting server yet. I thought I might just sign up with them for web hosting too, but I've been reading too many negative comments about their services online. I just purchased my domain there because it was on sale for .99 cents, but I originally hadn't thought of creating a website, I don't consider myself a pro photographer, but I thought I might as well get started and have some fun building a website to show my work so far.

Are there any web hosting sites you would recommend for a good price? I was using HTML5 with javascript to create a website, but I just found out those websites are not viewable on phones or iPads, so I'm going to go with wordpress now.

But how do I get started with that? I went on their website and downloaded the file, but I'm just lost. I tried searching online for help but I'm just having a hard time with this and thought I might as well ask on here.

oh and one more question, would anyone mind explaining/sharing about having an SSL certificate for your site? do most of you have one? I just don't understand, if I bought a domain name, and I sign up with a web hosting company with a shade SSL, will they still put their website name along with my domain name in the address bar?


Thanks in advance,
Nora

Naraly wrote in post #16117657
How do I start using wordpress? (Is it a program that I have to download or do web hosting sites come with it already or what?)
What website hosting do you recommend/use for photography website.

Hey Nora,

Wordpress is a web application that you install on a web server. So typically, this is installed within your hosting account at a web host.

Naraly wrote in post #16117657
I purchased a domain some time ago from namecheap, but I don't have a web hosting server yet. I thought I might just sign up with them for web hosting too, but I've been reading too many negative comments about their services online. I just purchased my domain there because it was on sale for .99 cents, but I originally hadn't thought of creating a website, I don't consider myself a pro photographer, but I thought I might as well get started and have some fun building a website to show my work so far.

Where you register your domain and get your domain hosted can be independent. So even though you registered your domain with namecheap, you can pick a different host with no issues.

Naraly wrote in post #16117657
I was using HTML5 with javascript to create a website, but I just found out those websites are not viewable on phones or iPads, so I'm going to go with wordpress now.

iPad/iPhones actually do support HTML5 and javascript in a limited form (HTML5 adoption has been relatively slow). I would google "responsive design" if you want to do some research on designing your own site from scratch.

Even using wordpress, the theme you use with wordpress needs to be responsive in design so that it is compatible with non-desktop (Tablet, phone) devices.

Naraly wrote in post #16117657
But how do I get started with that? I went on their website and downloaded the file, but I'm just lost. I tried searching online for help but I'm just having a hard time with this and thought I might as well ask on here.

Most web hosts have auto-install features in their control panel so all you have to do is log in to your hosting account and click a few buttons to auto-install web applications like wordpress. Would definitely need to check with the web host to make sure they support this otherwise you would need to manually install it.

Naraly wrote in post #16117657
oh and one more question, would anyone mind explaining/sharing about having an SSL certificate for your site? do most of you have one? I just don't understand, if I bought a domain name, and I sign up with a web hosting company with a shade SSL, will they still put their website name along with my domain name in the address bar?

Not sure what a "shade SSL" is but an SSL certificate is only needed if you plan to have anyone submit private information through your site. So for example, if you plan to sell prints on your site and your website will be able to take someone's credit card information, that URL should be secured with an SSL certificate so that the information they entered won't be "intercepted".

However, if you plan to just take the order but use a 3rd party payment provider like PayPal, you won't really need an SSL certificate.

aIpha wrote in post #16117789
Hey Nora,

Wordpress is a web application that you install on a web server. So typically, this is installed within your hosting account at a web host.

Where you register your domain and get your domain hosted can be independent. So even though you registered your domain with namecheap, you can pick a different host with no issues.

iPad/iPhones actually do support HTML5 and javascript in a limited form (HTML5 adoption has been relatively slow). I would google "responsive design" if you want to do some research on designing your own site from scratch.

Even using wordpress, the theme you use with wordpress needs to be responsive in design so that it is compatible with non-desktop (Tablet, phone) devices.

Most web hosts have auto-install features in their control panel so all you have to do is log in to your hosting account and click a few buttons to auto-install web applications like wordpress. Would definitely need to check with the web host to make sure they support this otherwise you would need to manually install it.

Not sure what a "shade SSL" is but an SSL certificate is only needed if you plan to have anyone submit private information through your site. So for example, if you plan to sell prints on your site and your website will be able to take someone's credit card information, that URL should be secured with an SSL certificate so that the information they entered won't be "intercepted".

However, if you plan to just take the order but use a 3rd party payment provider like PayPal, you won't really need an SSL certificate.

Thank you! very informative. And sorry, I meant "shared SSL" not "shade". Do you recommend any web hosting sites? I have come across so many and I try to research each individual one but there's so many negative and positive comments about each, I just want one that won't crash or lag.

I can only speak for one hosting site: Total Choice Hosting, which I have used for about 10 years now. The only issue(s) that I've ever had were when the credit card on file expired.

They also sell domain names (http://domains.totalch​oicehosting.com …efault.asp&prog​_id=simple).

i use netfirm, it has build in installer for wordpress
its relatively cheap, my 1 yr promo works out to be 3/month unlimited bandwidth and space and includes a domain name, after promo it will be 6/month