Setting Up WordPress on Unmanaged VPS Hosting: A Comprehensive Guide

Setting up WordPress on unmanaged VPS hosting involves a series of steps, from choosing the right VPS provider to configuring the server settings and installing necessary software. This detailed guide will walk you through the process, ensuring a smooth setup and optimal performance for your WordPress site.

Step 1: Choosing a VPS Provider

Selecting the right VPS hosting provider is crucial for the performance and security of your WordPress site. Popular options include DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, and AWS. Consider the following factors when choosing a provider:

Performance: Look for VPS with fast SSDs, ample RAM, and a reliable network. Support: Ensure the provider offers 24/7 support and a comprehensive knowledge base. Flexibility: Check if the provider allows manual server management and customization.

Step 2: Accessing Your VPS

Once you have chosen your VPS provider, access your server via SSH. Use an SSH client such as PuTTY or the terminal on macOS/Linux.

ssh 

Step 3: Updating Your System

Before installing any software, it's essential to ensure your system is up-to-date:

sudo apt update  sudo apt upgrade -y # For Ubuntu/Debian systemssudo yum update -y # For CentOS/RHEL systems

Step 4: Installing Required Software

Next, install a web server and PHP along with necessary extensions and a database:

Installing a Web Server

Apache:

sudo apt install apache2 -y # For Ubuntu/Debian systemssudo yum install httpd -y # For CentOS/RHEL systems

Nginx:

sudo apt install nginx -y # For Ubuntu/Debian systemssudo yum install nginx -y # For CentOS/RHEL systems

Installing PHP

WordPress requires PHP. Install the latest stable version and necessary extensions:

sudo apt install php php-mysql php-gd php-xml php-mbstring php-curl -y # For Ubuntu/Debian systemssudo yum install php php-mysqlnd php-gd php-xml php-mbstring php-curl -y # For CentOS/RHEL systems

Installing MySQL/MariaDB

MySQL or MariaDB is required for storing databases. Install and secure the database:

sudo apt install mariadb-server -y # For Ubuntu/Debian systemssudo yum install mariadb-server -y # For CentOS/RHEL systemssudo mysql_secure_installation

Step 5: Creating a Database and User for WordPress

Log into MySQL and create a database and user to host your WordPress installations:

mysql -u root -pCREATE DATABASE wordpress_db;CREATE USER 'wordpress_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_password';GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress_db.* TO 'wordpress_user'@'localhost';FLUSH PRIVILEGES;EXIT;

Step 6: Downloading and Configuring WordPress

Download the latest version of WordPress and configure it for your server:

cd /var/www/htmlwget tar -xzf latest.tar.gzmv wordpress/ .rm -rf wordpress latest.tar.gzsudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/# Copy the sample configuration filecp  # Edit  to add your database detailsdefine('DB_NAME', 'wordpress_db');define('DB_USER', 'wordpress_user');define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_password');define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

Step 7: Configuring Your Web Server

Apache Configuration

VirtualHost *:80    ServerAdmin     DocumentRoot /var/www/html    ServerName your_    ServerAlias _    Directory /var/www/html        AllowOverride All    /Directory    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined/VirtualHost# Enable the site and rewrite modulesudo a2ensite defaultsudo a2enmod rewritesudo systemctl restart apache2

Nginx Configuration

server {    listen 80;    server_name your_ _;    root /var/www/html;    index   ;    location / {        try_files $uri $uri/ 404;    }    location ~ .php$ {        include ;        fastcgi_pass ; # Adjust for your PHP version    }    location ~  {        deny all;    }}# Enable the site and restart Nginxsudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/wordpress /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/sudo systemctl restart nginx

Step 8: Completing WordPress Installation

After configuring your web server, access your domain in a web browser to complete the WordPress installation. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your site.

Step 9: Securing Your Installation

Securing your WordPress installation involves setting up SSL and regular backups:

SSL Installation

Use Let’s Encrypt to secure your site with HTTPS:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginxcertbot --nginx -d your_ -d _

Regular Backups

Set up a backup solution to regularly backup your database and files. You can use tools like upcp (WordPress updraftplus) or manual backups via SSH.

Conclusion

You now have a basic WordPress installation running on your unmanaged VPS. From here, you can customize your site, install themes and plugins, and start creating content. If you have any specific questions or encounter any issues, feel free to ask!