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How To Use WordPress RSS Feeds on Your Website [2022]

Although you may not hear much about RSS feeds, they are alive and well in blogging. They were pretty popular back in the early 2010s.

They’ve become relatively obscure, but many people still use RSS feeds to get updated on new posts and updates from their favorite blogs. In fact, over 40% of the top 10,000 websites in the U.S. still use RSS feeds.

RSS feeds are still an excellent way to increase traffic to your website and keep your audience engaged. However, few people know how to set them up and use them.

But here’s the good news: You can easily set up and take advantage of RSS feeds with WordPress.

If you’d like to learn more about WordPress RSS feeds, keep reading. Here’s what we’ll cover:

RSS Feeds: What They Are

RSS is an acronym for RDF Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication. As a blogger, RSS Feeds enable your audience to receive the latest content from your website. Often published in XML format, your RSS feed may contain an entire article, its summary, and metadata like the author and date of publishing.

As a reader, you can subscribe to and receive updates from multiple blogs and ecommerce websites using the RSS feed. Instead of visiting all your favorite websites to read new posts and updates, RSS feeds allow you to track all of them at once.

The beauty of RSS feeds is you can stream them to any of your favorite devices. Using Apps like Feedly, you can receive RSS updates on your Amazon Kindle, Windows laptop, Android smartphone, or iPhone.

Benefits of RSS Feeds

Using an RSS feed has plenty of benefits. Here are some of them:

  • RSS feeds help keep your audience updated with new posts and content. Your audience receives notifications, news, and updates directly to their desktops, iPhones, or tablets using a feed reader. Besides that, they can keep track of different media types with their RSS feeds. That includes podcasts, videos, articles, and featured images.
  • RSS feeds can help you build and increase your audience. Since your RSS feeds can make your blog more accessible, you draw more viewers and readers to it. Moreover, current subscribers are more likely to share your content across various social media platforms. In general, that helps create awareness about your content and increases traffic to your website.
  • RSS feeds reduce your need for URLs. You won’t have to remember all your favorite blogs. Instead, you can access all updates from your feed reader.
  • You can archive feed items for future reference. Your feed reader can store specific information until you need to use it. For example, if you’re too busy to read updates, you can archive them until you have time to open them.
  • RSS feeds can help you beat slow internet connections. Instead of loading plenty of blog pages over a poor connection, feed readers can deliver updates to you from several sources.
  • You can follow and search special keywords using RSS feeds. If you’re following a particular topic or interest, you can use keyword filtering to sort through your feed and deliver just that. You can also set your feed reader to notify you when certain keywords appear in your feed.

Setting Up RSS Feeds in WordPress

Before you set up WordPress RSS feeds on your blog homepage, here’s something you must know.

WordPress RSS feeds are powerful and pretty easy to set up. Your WordPress website already has RSS feed links built into its core software. For that reason, you can find your RSS feed URL pretty quickly.

To do so, add /feed/ to the end of your URL.

For example, if your URL is www.mywebsite.com, www.mywebsite.com/feed/ will return your RSS feed.

This link produces a document in XML format, which happens every time you publish new content. Feed readers will read these XML files and reproduce them into rich text you can read and interact with better.

How To Use RSS Feeds in WordPress

1. Detect your RSS feeds.

2. Redirect your feed using an RSS redirect plugin.

3. Display your feed on your website front end.

So how do you set up news feeds on your WordPress blog? Let’s go through some steps you should follow.

1. Detect Your RSS Feeds

As stated above, your WordPress site already has RSS functionality built into it. Also, it’s pretty easy to set up. But before using your RSS feeds, you must detect them. That means finding out the URLs for those feeds.

There are two ways to go about it.

First, you can use Google’s Feedburner tool.

At first glance, Feedburner’s retro look may not be appealing, but it’s useful. Enter your website URL into the address box and click Next. Google Feedburner will display every feed associated with your website.

You can use all default WordPress feeds if you prefer a more hands-on approach.

There are several types of feeds compatible with your WordPress website. You can use RSS .92, RSS2.0, Atom 1, or Atom 3. If you’re an average WordPress user, don’t worry so much about their differences, they all work the same.

For example, if you’d like to use an Atom feed, add the /atom/ shortcode to the end of your WordPress URL. You can also follow tags, categories, custom post types, and comments with your RSS feed.

Here are some examples of how to find these feeds:

  • Use www.mywebsite.com/feed/ to view content from the main page of the website.
  • www.mywebsite.com/comments/feed/ will give your RSS reader access to all the comments on the website.
  • Using /features/feed/ will give your reader category-specific RSS access.
  • www.mywebsite.com/author/johndoe/feed will give you access to a custom feed with all posts authored by John Doe.

Note that you can’t set up feeds if you mark your blog as private. Moreover, password-protected sections of your blog will not display on your blog’s feed.

2. Redirect Your Feed Using an RSS Redirect Plugin

After you create URLs to your feeds, you can tell WordPress to redirect that URL to Feedburner. This process is pretty straightforward too. After redirecting your RSS feed URLs, you can now find ways to get your audience to read them.

You can use a dedicated WordPress plugin to do this. This add-on will automatically redirect your feed within seconds.

3. Display Your Feed on Your Website Front End

Next, set up your WordPress RSS feed so visitors can access it. The best way to do this is to add an icon to the front of your website. You can add a clickable widget, which is pretty easy.

Here’s how to go about it:

  • From your WordPress dashboard menu, select Appearance.
  • Go to the widget section. Here, you’ll see the RSS widget. Click Add next to it.
  • Go to the Widget area. In the Current Widgets section, click edit to make changes to your RSS widget.
  • Add your RSS URL to the widget. You can also add a title and check items you’d like the widget to display.
  • Click Done and save your changes once you complete these actions.

How To Check if Your RSS Feed Is Working

Once you set up your RSS feed, how will you know if it works? Here’s how to test your RSS feed. You can either use your browser or an online tool.

Use Your Browser

You can validate your RSS feed URL using your browser. To do so, copy and paste the URL into your address bar. Your feed should display in its original XML format.

Use W3C Validator

You can also use the online tool W3C validator to test your RSS feed URLs.

Once you copy the link into the address bar, click on the check button. On the next page, you should tell if your feed is valid or invalid. Moreover, this tool will also give you tips on how to optimize your feed for readers.

Test Your RSS Widget

You can also test for validity if you’ve added an RSS widget to your sidebar on the website front end. Click on the feed, and it should redirect your request to your feed.

Optimizing RSS Feeds

Once you’ve set up and validated your feeds, it’s time to optimize them. RSS optimization helps you increase traffic to your website, get more backlinks and improve your site SEO.

Here are some tips to improve your RSS feeds:

  • Show excerpts instead of full-text articles in your RSS feed. If your RSS feed shows an entire article, your audience will view your pages less, affecting your ad revenue and conversion rates. Instead, show excerpts. That encourages your readers to come to your site for the full post.
  • Let users subscribe to your RSS feeds via emails. While not all users will use a feed reader to access your posts, some prefer to make an email subscription. You can get your email subscribers to sign up for RSS updates. Whenever you publish a new post, your readers get RSS emails.
  • Add social buttons to your RSS feeds. That encourages your readers to share and interact with your content on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. Sharing helps grow your audience and improves your search engine ranking on Google and other professional platforms.

RSS Feed Readers

Here are some great examples of feed reading tools you can use to access RSS feeds worldwide:

  • Feedly is a feed reader that enables you to track insights across the internet using an AI engine. It helps you follow news websites, blogs, and newsletters on your Android device, iOS, and web.
  • Inoreader tracks your favorite podcasts, blogs, tweets, Facebook pages, and newsletters, bringing you updated information on all the topics you care about. Inoreader is available on the web, Android, and iOS.
  • Bloglovin also helps you follow your favorite blogs all from one dashboard. You can use it to follow fashion, food, design, and other exciting topics. It’s also available on the web, Android, and iOS.

Final Thoughts: How To Use WordPress RSS Feeds on Your Website

RSS feeds offer an excellent opportunity for you to keep your audience updated on all your new posts and updates. Besides making your site crawlable, it helps you increase traffic to your website. They are customizable, and you can filter your feeds into topics you like.

Get started with WordPress RSS feeds on the right foot by trying Hostdedi’s WordPress hosting solutions. Sign up today to benefit from the increased speed, security, and scalability you need for your business.

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Best Magento Order Management Platforms: A Beginner’s Guide

A 2022 report by Shopify revealed that 51% of North American customers demand omnichannel shopping experiences.

Although this demand offers a unique opportunity, it also presents a challenge. 47% of retailers believe unifying business operations and data to create a seamless online experience will challenge their organization in the future.

A Magento order management system helps you overcome this challenge. It empowers you to consolidate sales channels and reduce administration costs.

This guide explores the basics of Magento order management systems and shares tips for choosing the best platform for your business.

Here’s what we cover:

Order Management Systems Explained

An order management system is an all-in-one integration hub that simplifies managing sales, customer service, inventory, and orders across multiple channels. It unifies sales channels and lays the foundation for a seamless customer experience.

For instance, Adobe offers a collection of open source modules called the Magento Order Management System (OMS), which adds the following features to a Magento store:

  • Distributed order management.
  • Inventory sourcing.
  • Store fulfillment.
  • Integrations with customer service tools.
  • Mobile point-of-sale (POS) system.
  • Business intelligence features.

Magento OMS is the most well-known order management platform for Magento. But, there are other platforms you can use.

Before we discuss those platforms, let’s explore the benefits of Magento order management systems.

Benefits of Using a Magento Order Management System

Here’s how implementing a Magento order management system optimizes your processes and benefits your ecommerce business.

Access a Single Source of Truth

Order management systems merge data from nearly every process and system involved in the order lifecycle. They provide real-time insights into business processes and help identify and eliminate bottlenecks.

You don’t need to jump between applications or worry about inventory problems. You can access all the information you need to run and grow your online business from a single location.

Streamline Order Fulfillment and Returns Processing

Consolidating your business data with an order management system enables you to implement automation to streamline order fulfillment. You don’t need to worry about manual data entry and expensive human errors.

Additionally, automation also enables you to provide customers with real-time order updates. You can configure automated email notifications that update customers as their order status changes from received to processed, packed, dispatched, and delivered.

Improve Organizational Productivity

With centralized business data and automation, your employees will have more time to focus on tasks that help you further your business goals. That’s important because Asana’s 2022 survey reveals that workers lose 58% of their workday on menial tasks.

Automating repetitive tasks with a Magento order management system helps you improve organizational productivity and boost employee morale.

Offer a Seamless Omnichannel Experience

Order management systems simplify implementing a flawless omnichannel strategy and boost customer satisfaction. As a result, your customers can engage with your business from any channel they want.

For instance, they can place an order online and pick it up from your brick-and-mortar store. Similarly, they can also return orders purchased through your website by walking into your offline store.

How To Choose a Magento Order Management System

Order management is a fundamental part of the online shopping experience. It impacts everything from customer experience to profit margins and long-term business goals.

Here’s how you can choose the best Magento order management platform for your business.

Identify Your Business Needs

Before exploring order management systems, it’s important to understand your business needs.

Answer these questions to identify essential features:

  • What is your business model?
  • What does your order processing workflow look like?
  • What applications will you be integrating with your OMS?
  • Do you need multi-device compatibility?

Outline a Budget

Next, it’s time to outline a budget for your OMS implementation. Look beyond the cost of the order management system itself since it’s likely that not all systems will support the software your business relies on.

Consider things like integration costs and the costs of potential downtime, if any, that will add to the total implementation costs.

Compare Features

With a clear idea of the features you need and your budget, it’s time to compare your options. Start by listing your top choices and comparing each order management system based on its features and benefits to your business.

Look for features like:

  • Customizable business rules.
  • Inventory management features.
  • In-built automation.
  • Default integrations.

Check Support Options

By now, you’ll likely have your top two or three choices. The best way to shortlist which one’s right for your needs is to look at each vendor’s support channels.

It’s likely that when you’re integrating the system with Magento 2, things will go wrong at some point. So, it helps to choose a service provider that offers support across multiple channels, such as chat and email, so you can access help when needed.

Best Magento Order Management Platforms: Top 3 Choices

Here are the best order management platforms you can use for Magento 2.

Magento Order Management by Magestore

Magento Order Management by Magestore offers a fully-integrated system for order fulfillment. It supports tracking orders across sales channels and warehouses and streamlines order processing with a customizable system that can adapt to suit your business needs.

Key Features:

  • Advanced order fulfillment with barcode scanning technology support.
  • In-store and curbside pickups.
  • Supports dropship and order fulfillment.
  • Real-time order updates.

Best Magento Order Management Platform for: Online retailers who need dropshipping functionality.

Pricing: Pricing available on request.

Order Management Suite by Amasty

The Order Management Suite by Amasty offers a unique set of features that enhance Magento’s default functionality. It supports custom order attributes, numbers, and statuses and lets you customize the ordering flow to gather customer information.

Key Features:

  • Bulk order processing with mass actions.
  • Magento orders grid customization.
  • Custom order attributes, numbers, and statuses.
  • Order segmentation and filtering.

Best Magento Order Management Platform for: Ecommerce retailers who want a little more than Magento’s basic functionality.

Pricing: Starts from $999 for the first year.

Order Management Extension for Magento 2 by Mageworx

Mageworx’s order management extension for Magento 2 offers useful order management features at a competitive price. It lets you edit orders, control staff access levels, and offers REST API support for seamless third-party integrations.

Key Features:

  • Edit and delete orders.
  • Bulk order actions.
  • Magento 2 API support.
  • External data synchronization using webhooks.

Best Magento Order Management Platform for: Merchants who need third-party integration support.

Pricing: Starts from $199 for the first year.

Final Thoughts: Best Magento Order Management Platforms

Integrating a Magento order management system with your online store empowers you to:

  • Manage inventory, orders, and returns from a single dashboard.
  • Address customer queries quickly.
  • Access deeper insights into your business activities.
  • Keep up with evolving customer expectations.
  • Sell across multiple channels.

But it’s important to remember that adding Magento order management software to your store will increase the demands on your server. Make sure you’re using a reliable host that can scale to meet your growing business needs.

Don’t know where to start? Sign up for Managed Magento Hosting with Hostdedi and access performance-optimized Magento hosting that can scale on demand.

Browse our plans to learn more.

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The Ultimate Guide to Ecommerce Payment Processing

Choosing an ecommerce payment processing provider for your online business is an art.

On the one hand, you want to give your customers the most convenient payment processing solution to make the checkout process a breeze. On the other, you also have to balance it against other factors like integrations, security, and cost.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the best payment processor for your business needs. You’ll also learn all about ecommerce payment processing, specifically:

Ecommerce Payment Processing 101

Ecommerce payment processing is the action of accepting payments from customers through a secure terminal or gateway that conceals sensitive customer information. Customers pay for their online transactions using various payment methods — so your payment processor should be able to support them.

Here are a few common payment methods:

Elements of Ecommerce Payment Processing

Before we look at how ecommerce payment processing works, let’s go over its three key players: the payment gateway, payment processor, and merchant account.

  • Payment gateway: This is the interface you see on your website’s checkout page that collects customer data and connects it to your payment processor.

There are two types of payment gateways:

  • Hosted solutions like PayPal send shoppers off-site to complete payment.
  • Self-hosted gateways like Stripe enable users to complete transactions on the ecommerce merchant’s website.
  • Payment processor: This is the payment service that acts between the payment gateway and the merchant account. It’s integrated into the ecommerce platform and handles monetary transactions like crediting the customer and transferring the money to your merchant account.
  • Merchant account: This is the bank account in which the payment from the processor is deposited after the customer’s payment has been cleared and verified.

How Ecommerce Payment Processing Works

At checkout, a customer enters their debit or credit card information into a secure form on your website or mobile app. The payment gateway sends your customer’s secure payment details to the payment processor.

The payment processor then consults with the credit card’s issuing bank to check whether there are sufficient funds. If there are enough funds, the customer’s financial institution authorizes the transaction. If there aren’t, they decline it.

The payment processor lets the payment gateway know whether the transaction was successful or not. The payment gateway then transmits this information to the ecommerce website, informing the customer.

If the transaction was authorized, the customer receives an order confirmation — usually through a receipt. If not, they’ll be asked to try again.

Even though the customer has received their confirmation receipt, the process doesn’t end there. The funds from the transaction have to appear on the merchant account first.

When a transaction is successful, the payment processor transfers the funds from the customer’s bank account to the merchant’s account.

That can take anywhere between a few hours to days for the money to reflect on the merchant account. But the whole process of payment to order confirmation only takes a few seconds.

Considerations for Choosing an Ecommerce Payment Processing Platform

There are several payment processing platforms available — each catering to different customer needs. Consider these features before choosing a provider:

Security

Security should be a top concern when choosing an ecommerce payment processing platform. After all, you’re dealing with customers’ sensitive information.

Your payment method should be compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS compliant). This ensures point of sale (POS) terminals and ecommerce websites meet a set of standards that protect credit card holders from fraud.

Besides choosing a PCI-compliant processor, you can also contribute to site security by getting an SSL certificate for your ecommerce website to encrypt transactions.

Also, choose ecommerce web hosting like Hostdedi, a level 1 PCI-DSS provider that can help your website get set up for PCI compliance.

Accepts Multiple Payment Methods

According to Fiserv’s 2021 study on customer payments, shoppers expect stores to accept multiple payment methods.

Offering options puts you at an advantage — especially when dealing with international clients — because some popular payment options aren’t available in certain countries. For example, PayPal isn’t available in Pakistan.

Your payment processor should also accept credit and debit cards from different countries and process transactions in various currencies.

Multiple payment channels give customers options to choose from when they have a preferred method or if their main payment method doesn’t work.

By giving your customers options, you also prevent cart abandonment. According to the Baymard Institute, not having enough payment options was one reason for abandoned shopping carts.

Integrations

Your payment processor should be able to integrate with your ecommerce platform. It should also work with tools such as your invoicing and accounting software, social media shops, and any other merchant services you use.

Costs and Fees

Other factors to consider when choosing a payment processor are costs and fees. You’ll want to keep these fees low because they eat into your margins.

Some costs and fees associated with ecommerce payment platforms include:

  • Set up costs: These are costs associated with setting up the payment processor. For example, Stripe accepts online and POS payments, but if you need a card reader, you have to pay for it.
  • Monthly subscription fee: On top of transaction fees, some payment solutions charge a monthly subscription fee to use their service. For example, Square is generally free to use — but if you want advanced features, you need to pay at least $60 per month for them. On the other hand, WooCommerce Payments doesn’t charge a monthly subscription fee to use its service.
  • Processor fees: These are what your credit card processor charges for acting as an intermediary between your business and the credit card company. These fees range between 1-5%. Some platforms charge a percentage on top of a small flat fee. For example, WooCommerce Payments charges 2.9% + $0.30 per credit card transaction.
  • Transaction fees: These are fees ecommerce platforms charge for their use. Transaction fees vary depending on the platform, type of product, subscription plan, and other factors. For example, Etsy charges 6.5% in transaction fees, which are separate from the payment processor fees.

Popular Ecommerce Payment Solutions

  • PayPal.
  • Stripe.
  • Square.
  • Adyen.
  • Authorize.net.

1. PayPal

PayPal is one of the most popular payment processors in the world — Statista shares that 83% of U.S. shoppers have used it in the last 12 months.

PayPal is available in over 200 countries worldwide and supports multiple types of payments. It processes online payments via PayPal Checkout and lets you accept payments through virtual terminals, physical POS terminals, and QR codes.

Having a PayPal option on your website can also boost conversion rates. Online stores with a PayPal checkout option reported a 28% increase in conversions.

Advantages:

  • Available in over 200 countries.
  • Supports multiple types of payment methods.
  • Easy to use.

Disadvantages: High transaction fees.

Types of payments accepted: PayPal balance, bank account, Venmo, PayPal Credit, all major debit or credit cards, and rewards balance.

Transaction fees:

  • 3.49% + $0.49 for most commercial transactions.
  • 2.99% + $0.49 for credit and debit transactions.

2. Stripe

Stripe is a secure online payment processing platform that lets ecommerce stores and subscription sites accept both online and in-person payments. Customers can use credit and debit cards, digital wallets, cryptocurrency, and even BNPL services.

Create your own payment processor using Stripe’s API, which powers a range of global payment methods. It lets you accept a variety of payment methods using a single API.

Advantages:

  • Can process recurring payments, which makes it perfect for membership and subscription websites.
  • PCI-compliant.
  • Transparent pricing.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited availability.
  • Primarily geared towards online stores (so may be difficult to set up if you also have a physical store).

Types of payments accepted: Major debit and credit cards, bank debits and transfers, BNPL, cryptocurrency, vouchers, and wallets.

Transaction fees:

  • 2.9% + $0.30 for online transactions (+1% for international credit cards or transactions where currency conversion is required).
  • 2.7% + $0.05 for in-person transactions.

Monthly fees: Free Stripe plan available. Contact Stripe for customized plans.

One-time payment: Hardware costs start at $59, depending on type of terminal.

3. Square

Like Stripe, Square processes digital wallet and debit and credit card payments using its online platform and POS software that turns your mobile phone into a card reader.

Besides advanced features like payroll and inventory management, Square also has a comprehensive suite of products that cater to specific industries like retail, food and beverage, and services.

Advantages:

  • Easily integrates with ecommerce shops.
  • Free plan is enough for most online stores.
  • Industry-specific features.

Disadvantages: Not ideal for large companies due to stability issues.

Types of payments accepted: Credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay.

Transaction fees:

  • 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person credit card payments.
  • 2.9% + $0.30 for payments through your ecommerce shop.

Monthly fees: Free Square plan available; Square Plus plan for advanced features starts at $60/month.

One-time payment: Hardware costs start at $149, depending on type of terminal.

4. Adyen

Adyen is a Dutch payment solution that caters to online, POS, and mobile payments. It’s trusted by large brands such as Pinterest, Tiffany & Co., and Tory Burch for its ability to handle large transaction volumes.

Adyen is also secure — its software is built from scratch, and doesn’t rely on third-party data. Adyen supports over 350 payment methods and 150 global currencies and has among the lowest transaction fees in the industry.

Advantages:

  • Low transaction fees.
  • Can handle large transaction volumes.
  • Secure.

Disadvantages:

  • Complex payment structure depends on location and payment method.
  • Built primarily for online payments. Little support for POS solutions.
  • Not the best payment solution for small business owners because it requires merchants to meet a monthly invoice minimum.

Types of payments accepted: Credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and BNPL solutions like Klarna, Affirm, AfterPay, and ClearPay.

Transaction fees: Adyen charges a $0.12 processing fee + a local interchange fee that depends on the type of payment. For example, credit card interchange payments are 2% in the U.S. and 0.3-0.4% in Europe.

Check Adyen’s pricing for more information.

5. Authorize.net

Authorize.net is one of the oldest payment gateways available that helps merchants accept credit card and electronic payments on their websites. Because it’s run by Visa, expect nothing less when it comes to security — its advanced fraud protection system detects suspicious transactions and IP addresses.

Advantages:

  • Advanced fraud protection.
  • 24/7 customer support.
  • Transparent pricing.

Disadvantages:

  • Outdated website interface.
  • Monthly fee.

Types of payments accepted: Credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal.

Transaction fees: $25 monthly fee and 2.90% + $0.30 per transaction.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Guide to Ecommerce Payment Processing

It’s crucial to learn about the different payment systems available and compare them according to price, security, and integrations. Doing so empowers you to choose the right payment processing service provider that suits your ecommerce business’s needs.

By choosing the right payment processor, you can deliver a smooth checkout process that lowers cost, reduces shopping cart abandonment, and improves customer experience.

A good payment processor complements an optimized ecommerce website.

Ecommerce hosting like Hostdedi’ Managed WooCommerce hosting has features designed especially for ecommerce shops. Sign up for a plan today.

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Hostdedi’s Guide to the WordPress Content Management System

You can use plenty of content management systems (CMS) to build your website. Some popular options include Wix, Joomla, and Drupal. However, no CMS is as popular as WordPress.

According to usage statistics by W3Techs, WordPress powers at least 43.2% of all the websites on the internet, up from 39.5% in 2021. In other words, at least two in every five websites run on WordPress.

With such market dominance, WordPress is the ideal go-to CMS, especially for beginners.

If you want to learn more about its ease of use, scalability, customization options, advantages, disadvantages, and how to build a WordPress website from scratch, keep reading.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

What Is WordPress?

In a nutshell, WordPress is a simple and popular way to build a website or blog. At a more technical level, WordPress is an open source Content Management System or CMS written in the PHP programming language, supported by HTTPS and a database.

WordPress uses a GPLv2 license, which means you can change or edit its core software in any way you please.

Still, WordPress is popular among users with little or no coding experience. It’s an intuitive platform with rich features and a what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) editor. WordPress gets you there fast if you want to start a new blog for a cooking or biking hobby.

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org: Differences

Whenever you Google WordPress, you’ll encounter two versions of the CMS platform. WordPress.org and WordPress.com. It can be pretty confusing if you’re new to this.

There are plenty of differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Let’s explore them, their purposes, and their target customers.

WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a hosting company that uses a WordPress-based website builder for all its websites. It’s one way to start your blog, especially if you’re on a budget or prefer to test the WordPress environment.

You can start with a free website with a branded domain name, such as myfreewebsite.wordpress.com. Once you upgrade to any of their paid plans, you can switch to a custom domain name.

However, there are some drawbacks to WordPress.com. For example, a free account won’t let you customize your blog with themes or plugins. If you want to avoid customization and flexibility hurdles, a WordPress.com plan is ideal.

WordPress.org

If you want to self-host a WordPress website, WordPress.org offers free access to the CMS. Make note that doesn’t exempt you from having to buy a web hosting plan and register a custom domain name.

In this case, your experience will depend on the type of host and plan you choose. However, a self-hosted WordPress website gives you full control over server space. Moreover, you can install any theme or plugin, even if you’ve built one.

The self-hosted version is ideal if you prefer complete control with plans to scale in the future.

Types of Websites You Can Create With WordPress

There is no limit to what you can build with WordPress. Regardless of your specific needs, WordPress has a solution.

Let’s explore some common examples of websites you can build with WordPress.

1. Blogs

WordPress remains the most popular platform for blogging. It provides an excellent platform to share your ideas, hobbies, and interests.

Once you have a good blogging idea, you can set up a WordPress blog. To add to that, create quality content, upload it, and promote it to your ideal audience.

Take WPBeginner, for instance. This blog is dedicated to all things WordPress. You can learn everything from WP Beginner if you’re an absolute beginner — from troubleshooting and securing your website to building an online store for your merchandise.

2. Ecommerce Websites

If you want to sell art, crafts, books, or music online, WordPress is the ideal platform. You can move your small business online with the WooCommerce plugin. It gives you access to a payment processor, checkout pages, and marketing tools.

3. Portfolios

You can use a WordPress website to showcase creative work online. An online portfolio improves your chances of participating in projects and getting jobs.

4. Newsletters & Magazines

Many news organizations use WordPress as the content management system for their magazine websites. You can use WordPress to report on finance, politics, and sports.

Features of the WordPress Content Management System

What does the inside of a WordPress website look like? What should you expect in the backend of your new blog or membership site?

Here, we explore some essential features of this popular content management system. We’ll also show you what to expect when you first log in to a new WordPress website.

Administrator Dashboard

On your first login, you’ll have access to the administrator dashboard or the admin area. From your dashboard, you can:

  • Manage all authorized WordPress users on your website
  • Manage all the content and media uploaded to your website
  • Moderate comments and other user interactions
  • View the health status of your website
  • View upcoming WordPress events
  • Install, change and update new themes, plugins, and versions of WordPress
  • Warnings and other website notifications

You can access the WordPress website backend by default using the following link: yourcustomdomain.com/wp-admin.

Once you access this link, the website will prompt for a username and password.

Your dashboard also gives you full access to other essential features. They include the content editor, configuration settings, plugins, themes, and widgets. More on them below.

Text Editor

The content editor has a pretty familiar interface, especially if you’ve previously dealt with a text editor.

You can add, edit, and publish content on your WordPress website. The default WordPress text editor is similar to Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

In 2018, WordPress changed its text editor to the more user-friendly Gutenberg Editor. The Gutenberg editor makes it easy to add rich content to your website.

Using blocks, you can add different types of content to your blog. For example, you can drag and drop an image into the Gutenberg editor and move it freely around your post.

The text block is the primary block of all, and you can convert it into other types like:

  • Ordered and unordered lists
  • Headings
  • Quotes
  • Code snippets
  • Pull quotes
  • Verses

After creating content in the Gutenberg editor, you can also:

  • Assign tags to your post
  • Add a featured image
  • Add a meta description

Theme Editor

You can install and activate any theme from the theme editor page. You can also change your website’s outlook, web design, and features based on the theme you choose.

For example, each theme has a unique navigation menu design and a custom homepage.

WordPress has both free and premium theme templates. Even so, each WordPress theme has different levels of customization.

However, premium themes offer more front-end customization options than free themes. You can also contact theme developers to add special features and functionality to your webpages.

If you’re an experienced web developer, you can extend some features from the theme editor. The Elementor and WPBakery plugins also help you build custom pages.

Plugins

WordPress plugins are extensions that enhance the functionality of your WordPress site. They add extra features to the core WordPress software, allowing your website to run more advanced functions.

For example, a security plugin like WordFence can secure your website from malicious attacks. WordPress, by itself, cannot do that.

The WordPress directory has over 59,000 plugins. There’s at least one plugin for every use case available, regardless of what you need your website to do.

There is always a plugin for forms, landing pages, security, speed, and social media integration.

Just like themes, plugins are either free or premium. Moreover, free plugins offer limited functionality. Upgrading to premium plugins is one way to enhance the performance of your website.

Advantages of Building Your Site on the WordPress CMS

Building your website using WordPress has plenty of benefits. Here are some:

  • Installing and setting up WordPress on your hosting service is fast and straightforward. Most web hosts have quick WordPress installation tools that make your process seamless. Updating your core WordPress software from the dashboard afterward is just as easy.
  • Setting up a WordPress website is relatively low cost. The core software is free of charge, and so are plenty of themes and plugins. The only cost you incur is the price of the hosting service and domain name.
  • WordPress has a huge community of users worldwide. You can access hundreds of internet forums if you face any challenges. A quick search on Google often gives you plenty of solutions if you need to troubleshoot.
  • You can customize and manage your WordPress website pretty easily. You don’t need advanced coding knowledge to manage media and posts. Besides that, plenty of themes and plugins handle advanced functionality to help manage your website.
  • WordPress is open source software. Its source code is open. Volunteer developers can improve the code base and add new features to address potential problems.

Disadvantages of Building Your Site on the WordPress CMS

WordPress has some cons too, although much fewer than benefits:

  • WordPress is susceptible to malicious attacks and hackers. It isn’t because of any particular vulnerabilities. Because of its large market share, this CMS platform is the main target for hackers. However, you can secure a WordPress website using a security plugin and other server-side best practices.
  • Third-party themes and plugins can cause your website to break or have bugs. Bugs can also slow down your website, hurt your search engine optimization (SEO), and ruin the user interface and experience. To prevent such problems, always read user reviews of themes and plugins before installing them. You can also remove unnecessary plugins and themes to enhance the performance of your website.

How To Build Your Own WordPress Website

Here’s how to create a new WordPress website:

  1. Buy a domain name. Your domain name directs your audience directly to your website. Before purchasing a new domain, run it through a domain checker to ensure it is available.
  2. Choose your new hosting provider. Do some research and find a reliable web host with social proof and excellent customer service.
  3. Select an ideal hosting plan for your website. Most web hosts offer services depending on your needs and budget. Some also offer WordPress hosting services which can be quite affordable.
  4. Install WordPress on your hosting server space. WordPress installation is pretty straightforward, and plenty of web hosts offer one-click installation tools.
  5. Use free themes and plugins to customize your WordPress website. You can also customize the colors and font styles of the installation. Add widgets and other features using the theme editor.
  6. Upload your web content to the website. You can add text to the editor, add and embed images, and embed videos and other media. To display them on your website, publish the posts.

Final Thoughts: Hostdedi’s Guide to the WordPress Content Management System

WordPress is a popular CMS used by many people to build their own websites. From the guide above, you can set up WordPress with ease. Once you master the admin dashboard, the text editor, themes, and plugins, you’re good to go.

Do you want to speed up the WordPress installation process? Check out Hostdedi’s Fully Managed WordPress hosting service and enjoy faster, secure, and scalable WordPress hosting solutions today.

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Wholesale Ecommerce: What Is It & How Does It Work? [2022]

The wholesale ecommerce industry is booming, and there are more opportunities than ever before to get involved. In fact, experts predict that ecommerce sales will surpass $1 trillion for the first time in 2022.

Whether you’re looking to start your own wholesale ecommerce business, or you’re just curious about the industry, this guide will explain:

What Is Wholesale Ecommerce?

Wholesale ecommerce is the sale of goods or merchandise in bulk quantities at a lower price per unit than what is typically charged at retail outlets.

Wholesale ecommerce businesses sell their products direct to consumers through online marketplaces, such as Amazon, eBay, or Etsy, or through their own branded websites. The majority of wholesale ecommerce businesses are based in China and the United States.

The history of wholesale ecommerce dates back to the early days of the world wide web in the 1990s. Businesses selling products in bulk were some of the first to establish an online presence, as they were able to take advantage of the lower costs and reach a global audience. 

Today, ecommerce for wholesale is a booming industry with businesses of all sizes selling products to consumers around the world.

There are a few key factors that have contributed to the growth of wholesale ecommerce:

  • The rise of online marketplaces: Online marketplaces, such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy have made it easier for businesses to reach a global audience of potential customers.
  • The growth of social media: Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, have given businesses a way to connect with potential customers and create a community around their brand.
  • The rise of mobile commerce: Mobile commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services through mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The growing popularity of mobile devices has made it easier for businesses to reach a mobile audience.

How Wholesale Ecommerce Works

Wholesale ecommerce involves three main types of players: wholesalers, retailers, and consumers.

Wholesalers are the manufacturers or distributors who sell products in bulk to retailers. Retailers then resell these products to consumers, usually at a higher price point than what they paid the wholesaler. 

Consumers are the individuals who purchase products from retailers. In the context of wholesale ecommerce, consumers can also be businesses who purchase products in bulk from wholesalers for resale purposes. 

The wholesale ecommerce ecosystem relies on all three of these player types working together. 

Wholesalers need retailers to sell their products and reach consumers, while retailers need wholesalers to provide them with products to sell. Consumers need retailers to provide them with products they want or need.

The goal of wholesale ecommerce is to create an efficient and seamless experience for all three player types. 

Online wholesalers should be able to easily find and connect with retailers, and vice versa. Retailers should be able to easily find and purchase products from wholesalers. And consumers should be able to easily find and purchase products from retailers.

An efficient and seamless wholesale ecommerce ecosystem benefits everyone involved by making it easier to do business and increasing the chances that each transaction is successful.

Types of Wholesalers

All wholesalers are not created equal. Here are some of the most common types of wholesalers you may do business with.

1. Merchant Wholesalers

Merchant wholesalers are B2B companies that sell products to other businesses. They usually buy products from manufacturers and then resell them to retailers, but they can also sell directly to other businesses.

Merchant wholesalers typically have a large inventory of products and may offer services such as financing, warehousing, and transportation. Some examples of popular merchant wholesalers include Costco Wholesale, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Sam’s Club.

2. Agents/Brokers

Agents and brokers are both intermediaries that can facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers. An agent is a representative of one party in a transaction, while a broker is an independent party that brings together two other parties who wish to engage in a transaction.

Common examples of agents include real estate agents and insurance agents, while common examples of brokers include stockbrokers and commodities brokers. 

While agents and brokers both play important roles in facilitating transactions, there are some key differences between the two. One major difference is that agents are typically paid by the party they represent, while brokers are typically paid by commission. 

Additionally, agents are usually more specialized than brokers, as they usually only represent one party in a specific type of transaction. Finally, agents are typically more involved in the actual transaction than brokers, as they often provide advice and guidance to their clients.

3. Sales and Distribution

Sales and fulfillment or distribution channels are the mechanisms through which goods or services are delivered to customers. There are many different types of sales and distribution channels, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

The most common type of channel is the direct sales force, which involves representatives who sell products or services directly to customers, usually in person. Other common types of channels include distributors, retailers, and online platforms. 

Each type of channel has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, direct sales forces tend to be very effective at building relationships with customers and providing personalized service, but they can be expensive to maintain. 

Distributors, on the other hand, typically have lower costs but may not provide the same level of service or attention to detail. Ultimately, the best sales and fulfillment/distribution channel for a given product or service will depend on the needs of the customer base and the resources of the company.

Wholesale vs. Retail for Ecommerce

There are a few key ways that wholesale and retail differ, the most important being pricing, marketing, location, and fulfillment.

When it comes to pricing, wholesale is generally much cheaper than retail because the middleman is cut out of the equation. Retailers have to mark up their prices to make a profit, while wholesalers sell at a lower price point and make their money on volume.

Marketing also differs between the two types of businesses. Wholesalers typically rely on word-of-mouth and referrals to grow their business, while retailers invest more in advertising and marketing to reach new customers.

Location is another key difference. Wholesalers are often located in industrial areas or near major transportation hubs, while retailers are usually in more visible locations like shopping malls or high-traffic streets.

Finally, fulfillment differs between wholesale and retail. Wholesalers typically ship their products to retailers, who then handle the customer order fulfillment. Retailers also often have brick-and-mortar stores where customers can come to pick up their orders.

Why Wholesalers Need Ecommerce

Wholesale is important for ecommerce businesses because it allows them to source products at a lower cost. This can help them to increase their profit margins and to compete more effectively with other businesses.

In addition, wholesalers often have access to a wider range of products than retail businesses, which gives ecommerce businesses a greater selection to choose from.

Wholesale is also beneficial because it allows ecommerce businesses to build relationships with suppliers. 

These relationships can lead to better terms and conditions, such as exclusive discounts or early access to new products. Strong relationships with suppliers can also make it easier to resolve any issues that may arise.

Overall, wholesale is an important part of ecommerce because it helps businesses save money, compete more effectively, and build strong relationships with suppliers.

Pros & Cons of Wholesale Ecommerce

Ecommerce for wholesale distributors isn’t without its flaws. If you plan on operating in this niche, it’s important to realize them before you start. Below are some pros and cons of wholesale ecommerce to help you make an informed decision.

Con 1: Website Costs Can Be Expensive

There’s no denying that website costs can be expensive. While the initial investment may not be too bad, the costs of website maintenance and upkeep can quickly add up. This is particularly true if you hire a professional to help you with your website design and development.

Additionally, if you want to add new features or make changes to your existing website, you may need to shell out some extra cash.

Con 2: Fraud and Security Can Be an Issue

When you’re dealing with money, there’s always the potential for fraud and security issues. When you’re running an online business, it’s important to make sure that your website is secure and that your customers’ information is safe.

There have been plenty of cases where online businesses have been hacked and customer information has been compromised. This can not only ruin your reputation, but it can also result in some serious legal trouble.

Con 3: There May Be Some Physical Expenses Involved

While most of the costs associated with running an online business are virtual, there may be some physical expenses that you need to consider.

For example, if you’re selling physical products, you’ll need to factor in the cost of shipping and handling. Additionally, if you may have to factor in storage costs if your operation expands worldwide.

Pro 1: You Can Bring Down Overhead Costs

One of the biggest advantages of running an online business is that you can bring down your overhead costs. Since you won’t need to rent office space or hire additional staff, you can save a lot of money in the long run.

Pro 2: Your Marketing Reach is Unlimited

Another advantage of running an online business is that your marketing reach is virtually unlimited. With the power of the internet, you can reach customers all over the world with just a few clicks of a button on an ecommerce landing page. This is a great way to expand your customer base and boost sales.

Pro 3: You Can Take Advantage of Drop-Shipping

If you’re selling physical products, you can take advantage of dropshipping suppliers. This means that you don’t have to carry any inventory yourself. Instead, when a customer orders a product from your website, the order is forwarded to your supplier who then ships the product directly to the customer.

Not only does this save you money on storage costs, but it can also help you avoid shipping delays and other issues that may arise.

Choosing a Wholesale Platform

Now that you know some of the pros and cons of running an online business, it’s time to choose the best wholesale platform for your needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

First and foremost, you need to consider what type of products you’re selling. If you’re selling physical goods, you’ll need to make sure that the platform you choose can accommodate your needs.

On the other hand, if you’re selling digital products, you won’t need to worry about shipping or storing inventory. This means that you’ll have more options when it comes to choosing a wholesale ecommerce platform.

Next, you need to consider your budget. Some wholesale platforms can be expensive, so you’ll need to make sure that you choose one that fits within your budget.

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of any additional features or services that you may need. For example, if you’re selling physical products, you’ll need to factor in the cost of shipping and handling.

Another important consideration is your experience level. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to choose a platform that’s easy to use and doesn’t require any technical knowledge.

On the other hand, if you’re more experienced, you may be able to take advantage of a platform that offers more advanced features.

Finally, you need to think about your long-term goals. Are you looking to build a sustainable business? Or are you just trying to make some quick and easy sales? Your answer to this question will help you narrow down your options and choose the best online storebuilder for your needs.

Final Thoughts: Wholesale Ecommerce

Wholesale ecommerce not only helps online stores deliver remarkable products to their customers, but it also helps to stimulate the economy. Eventually, wholesale ecommerce will become the status quo.

If you’re looking to start building an ecommerce website, don’t settle for anything less than Hostdedi StoreBuilder. Why Hostdedi? We provide all the tools to help you launch and scale your own online business in WordPress. Try our StoreBuilder free for 30 days and begin your online dream.

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5 Design Tips for Your International Ecommerce Store [2022]

In today’s world, people have small attention spans. You can have an amazing store showcasing your products, but if you are not able to design your store in a way that catches  the attention of your potential customers and pushes them to purchase, then there is little point in having an ecommerce store in the first place.

So, how can you attract the attention of your international ecommerce website visitors? Well, this is exactly where website design comes into play.

Design is an aspect that plays an important role in grabbing the interest of your website visitors as naturally, it is the first thing that your customers will look at and remember your brand by. It sets the first impression. In fact, 85% of a user’s first impressions are design related.

With that being the main goal of this article, we will take a look at five simple tips to design your international ecommerce store and create that first positive experience for your customers.

5 International Ecommerce Store Design Tips

1. Design Like a Website Visitor

If you want your website to ultimately connect with customers, then you will need to think like a visitor in the design phase.

There are a number of potential aspects that a customer wants when going through a website, including:

  • A site that’s easy to navigate
  • Well-designed
  • Makes the process of shopping easy, straightforward, and hassle-free

Putting yourself in your visitor’s shoes will give you the perspective you might need. The most common questions to ask yourself are as follows:

  • How exactly can I make a website that is easy to navigate and improves the experience of my customers?
  • What layout can I use to make it easier for me to find products?
  • How can I simplify the checkout process?

Those three key questions offer enough food for thought to get started.

For international ecommerce stores offering language options, having a visible language switcher or choosing to redirect to the right site based on browser language are two big ways you can ease the navigation for international visitors.

According to a study conducted by the CSA, 65% of consumers prefer to read content in their own language, even if it is not good quality. This helps improve the overall bounce rate if your visitors can easily select the language of their choice.

For example, Weglot user Jimmy Fairly wanted to provide a better user experience for its international visitors. The team translated its website instantly with Weglot and saw a 70% increase in website visits.

Jimmy Fairly puts its language switcher in the top menu bar so it is easily findable by any website visitors looking for its French store.

2. Put Emphasis On Visual Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy may sound like a complicated concept but in reality, it is actually pretty simple to understand.

It can be explained by looking at the size, color, arrangement, and contrast of visual elements which determine their relative importance and the order in which they are seen by people.

Even though that sounds simple, it will weigh heavy when designing your international ecommerce store. Since not all content on your website has equal importance, the order and way in which people see it can have an impact on both in terms of purchase and visual website aesthetics.

This is where you can use visual hierarchy to your advantage and use the combination of these elements,i.e, size, color, format, etc., to emphasize what is important and guide your website visitors towards the path you want them to take (hint: a purchase!). This can easily be seen in the example below.

The first version is not appealing. It is hard to read at a glance, and it’s not clear what the reader is supposed to prioritize. Switch to the second example and you can immediately understand what part of the text is important, it is also visually appealing from a quick glance.

If used correctly, visual hierarchy can guide your visitor’s attention from interest to conversion and this is exactly why it is important for ecommerce store owners — proper use of visual hierarchy can actually lead to more conversions.

3. Break Up Your Content

Most people do not want to sit and read through blocks of text when they land on an ecommerce website. If there is just too much going on, people are more than likely to leave and end up on a competitor’s website, which is exactly what you do not want.

Text should only be used as a complement to your products. Make sure you do not have blocks of text taking up space on your website and distracting from your products — and the goal of making a sale.

A shopper does not want to spend a lot of time on your website. Usually, they want to quickly find their product and then checkout.

Take wine retailer Winc for example. They use big headers to emphasize what they do as soon as you land on their site. The simple navigation allows you to end up on the section of the website you want in only a couple of steps.

If you sell multiple categories of products, a website visitor should be able to scan your site and see each category that might interest them pretty much instantly.

Another way to achieve this is by keeping paragraphs short, using multiple header sizes, using bulleted or numbered lists, and adding images to showcase your products, much like what we discussed in the visual hierarchy section.

4. Include Social Proof

Nothing can be more reassuring to potential customers than reading a positive review about your product. Reviews are so effective that 92% of consumers are more likely to trust recommendations than any other type of advertising.

That is why it would be foolish to ignore. Instead of just talking about how great your product is within the product description, showcase how other people are talking about it instead.

Different types of social proof include:

  • Reviews from customers
  • Number of customers
  • Case studies
  • Social media widgets showing the size of your following

How much of your website should feature social proof?

According to Orbit Media’s analysis, 43% of Amazon’s product detail pages consist of social evidence and reviews. So if Amazon can do it and it works for them, it should definitely work for your international ecommerce store.

Keep in mind that to be the most effective, make sure your reviews and testimonials are visible on your high-traffic pages such as your homepage and big-selling product pages.

5. Make Your Checkout Simple and Seamless

Nothing kills the ecommerce experience of a customer quite like a badly designed checkout process. If it is difficult to navigate and requires multiple steps, you will likely end up losing sales.

If you want people to buy from you, the checkout process needs to be simple and seamless.

The checkout page has to be clean, simple, and easy to navigate. The main design components include:

1. Summary page

2. Guest checkout

3. Billing and shipping information

4. Preview order page

Non-design aspects such as giving your customers the option to either register or checkout as a guest can lead to more conversions simply because some people might be hesitant to create an account and give personal details.

Making sure everything that is needed for the checkout process is clearly mentioned to the customer is another way to retain them throughout the buying process. This includes the delivery methods, return options, etc.

And finally, once the purchase has been completed by your customer, make sure they are directed to a confirmation page so that they know everything went well.

Summing Up

Keep these tips in mind and you will have a well-designed international ecommerce store up in no time. Here is a quick recap:

1. Design like a website visitor

2. Put emphasis on visual hierarchy

3. Break up your content

4. Include social proof

5. Make checkout simple and seamless

Following these simple steps will lead to a much better experience for your customers and a better experience is bound to result in more conversions.

Get Started in Ecommerce

Now that you’ve learned all about international ecommerce, set up a store of your own with StoreBuilder by Hostdedi. StoreBuilder does the hard work of setting up a new WooCommerce website for you. Plus, it comes with expertly-vetted plugins and tools you need for a successful store.

And because it’s built on WooCommerce, you can add any additional integration you need to begin selling across borders.

Try this innovative online store builder risk-free today.

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How To Quickly Reset Your WordPress Website [Step-by-Step]

Ever experienced a WordPress nightmare? And maybe you wished there was a big red button that could delete your website? You’re not alone.

There’s no argument that WordPress is king in content management, but sometimes things get out of hand, and a reset button will do. After all, your website can use a second chance.

Here’s the good news: There’s a way you can save your website and still do away with the unwanted content. Resetting WordPress means you can remodel your brand without the pain of losing the website itself.

Resetting WordPress gives you a starting point with the complex, tedious, and expensive work of building a website. Instead of scraping your website in totality, you can just return it into factory reset, as good as new.

And you know what? You can reset your WordPress as often as needed  —  but don’t make it a habit.

You’ll learn step-by-step how to reset WordPress with a plugin or without and when you need to do it. And bonus points for learning when not to reset your WordPress site too.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Why You May Need To Reset Your WordPress Site

Understanding when and why you need to restart or reset your WordPress website is as crucial as knowing how to do it. So why on earth would you need to delete all the hard work on your website?

Before answering that, you have to understand the framework behind WordPress.

How Does a WordPress Website Work?

WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) that runs a 100% open source code that enables you to build websites quickly and with ease. It combines a series of files, plugins, and themes into a database with a hosting company. It’s a conduit between what you feed into the website and what it displays live.

When To Reset Your WordPress Website

There are a few reasons, ranging from web aesthetics to security. Let’s outline a few chief reasons down below.

How To Reset WordPress With a Plugin

1. Install the WP Reset plugin.

2. Open WP Reset.

3. Scroll down to the Site Reset section and click it.

4. Type “reset” in the box and click Reset Site.

5. Confirm the pop-up by clicking Reset WordPress.

While it’s possible to reset WordPress without a plugin, using one is simpler and faster. Plus, a plugin gives you more control on what to delete without finding the file’s specific location. You can reactivate themes and plugins after reset, right after re-installing WordPress.

WP Reset is the most decent plugin to reset WordPress, with over 400,000 downloads. It has toggles to allow for customized resets. You can take snapshots to compare when you complete a reset. You get a complete shell out of your website, just as a new WordPress installation will be.

The main advantage when using the WP Reset plugin to reset your WordPress website is you get to keep your username and passwords. You can activate themes and plugins previously installed too.

Note that the free WP Reset version doesn’t work with multisite.

The first step before restarting your WordPress site is to create a backup of your site using a WordPress backup plugin. A website backup is important as it ensures your files aren’t lost completely.

Pro tip: WP Reset plugin deletes content on your website. Backing up your website means you will not lose content like blog posts, web copy, and other metadata details you might want to keep.

1. Install WP Reset

Download the plugin from the WordPress Repository by going to Plugins > Add new.

2. Open WP Reset

Go to Tools > WP Reset.

3. Scroll Down to the Site Reset Section and Click It

4. Type “Reset” in the Box and Click Reset Site

Before resetting your WordPress website, take a snapshot of the website. The snapshot comes in handy after the reset when you need to re-install customizations like plugins and themes.

To take a snapshot, click the Create snapshot button on the Site Reset section within WP Reset WordPress reset plugin.

Next, type “reset” in the confirmation field and click Reset Site.

5. Confirm the Pop-Up by Clicking Reset WordPress

A follow-up confirmation pop-up asks if you would like to go on with the WordPress reset. Press Reset WordPress to continue.

You’ll be redirected to the WordPress dashboard and see a message that you’ve reset WordPress.

Now you’ve successfully reset your WordPress site.

To delete themes: WP Reset > Tools > Delete themes.

Next, click Delete all themes > Confirm pop-up.

To delete plugins: WP Reset > Tools.

Now, click Delete plugins > Confirm pop-up.

Other Tools for Resetting WordPress

Apart from the popular WP Reset plugin, there are other tools in the WordPress helpful repository when resetting your website. You can try them out too.

  • WordPress Reset: This tool resets WordPress to its default settings, deleting all content and website customizations.
  • Database Reset: A one-click plugin to reset your database tables on WordPress.
  • WP-Optimize: This plugin has a WordPress databases cleanup function.
  • Advanced WordPress Reset: You can run a database reset on your WordPress site using this tool.

How To Reset WordPress Without a Plugin

Can someone reset a WordPress site without a plugin? Yes, you can. No one says it’s simple, but it’s possible even for beginners.

Unlike the straightforward WordPress reset above using the WP Reset plugin, a manual WordPress reset is a little more than a few clicks. You have to log in to your cPanel or FTP client account, create a new site database, delete files, and rerun the WordPress script.

Here are the steps when you want to reset WordPress without a reset plugin:

1. Log in to cPanel from your hosting client portal.

2. Scroll to Databases and click MySQL Databases.

3. Identify your site’s database and click the Delete option under the Actions tab.

4. Scroll down to Create a New Database section.

5. Name your new database and click Create Database.

6. Go to Add a New User section, select the new database and previous username, granting all previous permissions to the WordPress admin (from the drop-down menu).

7. Click Add, and navigate to File Manager in cPanel.

8. Select the public-HTML folder, and delete the wp-content folder.

9. After completing this, all themes and plugins will be gone. You have to rerun the WordPress script to complete the reset. But you are yet to re-install WordPress.

10. On your browser, type in [your domain name/wp-admin/install.php]; for example, nexcess/wp-admin/install.php. It will direct you to a screen where you will fill in relevant WordPress details like site title, username, and passcode.

11. Click on install WordPress. Log in to the following screen with your username and password, and you’ll be done. You’ve successfully reset WordPress without a plugin.

How To Reset WordPress Multisite

WordPress multisite functionality allows you to have subdirectories under your root domain. This arrangement helps your website keep order, and you assign particular website pages efficiently.

So what happens when you want to reset your WordPress multisite? The process is similar to the one above, only that you must do it to each subsite in your multisite collective. Conclusively, you can reset a multisite, but the process will be a little tasking and repetitive.

When Not To Reset Your WordPress Website

One bad apple doesn’t make the whole basket rotten, just that one apple.

A faulty design or a simple reconfiguration doesn’t have to cost you an entire WordPress reset. You can easily change what needs to be changed or delete specific parts of your website. Tools like WP Reset or the WordPress dashboard to deactivate plugins, change themes, or delete posts with a few clicks.

Let’s list a few instances when a WordPress site reset is unnecessary.

  • When redesigning a section of your website (themes and plugins): If you’re working on a section of the WordPress website or you need to delete a few pages in your website, there’s no need to destroy the whole lot. You can easily use a plugin target and delete or reset those affected files, databases, or plugins. Aim to minimize resets where necessary by noting specific areas that may need improvement for the website to be better. Work on those particular areas and recommendations, which saves a ton of time and resources.
  • When changing your host provider (web migration): Choosing a good web hosting provider is one step closer to making it online. If your website has a loading problem or cannot host your content adequately, it’s time to move houses. But the migration from one hosting service to the other shouldn’t be at the cost of your website content. You can easily migrate using a plugin or the manual WordPress migration method and leave your website intact.
  • When deleting the entire website: When push comes to shove, and you have to delete your website, just do it. You see, sometimes you just want to close a project permanently, or something close to that. Going the extra mile to reset it while you just want to discard the whole WordPress site is uncalled for. Delete your WordPress website, and be done with it — no need to reset the WordPress site.

Final Thoughts: How To Reset Your WordPress Website Fast

Website resets are important to the security and aesthetics of your website. While it’s not everyone’s favorite activity, learning to reset WordPress can help you recover from hacking, website crashes, and web redesign tasks.

Note that you don’t have to reset your WordPress site for minor upgrades like theme changes and website migration. Sometimes, a simple solution like getting reliable hosting can save you from crashes, hacking, and sluggish website speeds.

The top qualities to look for in a good WordPress hosting provider for your business are:

Hostdedi is a reputable WordPress hosting provider with reliable service and 24/7 support. Why choose Hostdedi? Call us today to see what hosting package we have for you.

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9 Best WordPress Lead Generation Plugins in 2022

There are few things more painful in business than losing a lead. You lose out on potential profit, and it can make you feel incompetent.

But here’s the good news:

There are WordPress plugins that can help generate valuable business leads.

WordPress plugins can enhance your website’s functionality. You can add important features like signup forms, contact forms, chatbots, sidebars, and much more.

43% of all websites use WordPress, meaning there are plenty of features and add-ons to choose from. And with over 50,000 WordPress plugins, you can transform your website into a business lead magnet.

But do lead generation plugins work? They certainly can — 34% of marketers say leads increase with automation, and the number one automation tool for WordPress is plugins.

Popular WordPress lead generation plugins like Convert Pro and HubSpot enable your website to accept payments, get feedback, and collect email lists, among other core business functions.

Plus, these plugins enable integration with other useful plugins for your business, like WooCommerce for ecommerce.

Now that you know what lead generation plugins are, let’s take a look at the nine best WordPress lead generation plugins available to ramp up your campaigns.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Why You Need WordPress Lead Generation Plugins for Your Business

Generally, the biggest headache for every business is getting customers, which makes lead generation a core marketing function. Incorporating plugins into your WordPress website means translating prospects into high-quality leads.

A good lead generation plugin helps you capture meaningful data, like visitors’ email addresses, to use in your next marketing campaign.

So, what are the benefits of using WordPress lead generation plugins?

Data Collection

A good plugin will grow your email list quickly, capturing website email addresses through targeting and content locking. You get a convertible email list as a result.

Analytics

Plugins with exit intent technology let you know why visitors abandon their shopping carts or bounce from your website.

Flexibility

Most WordPress lead generation plugins are highly customizable. You can toggle around the plugin’s dashboard to include or exclude certain features, like targeting, integrations, and popups.

Time-Saving

Plugins empower you to automate tasks like email subscriptions, saving you time for more productive business duties.

Reliability

Most WordPress plugins have frequent fixes and updates for the latest performance upgrades. Premium plugins often have round-the-clock customer support to fix bugs and assist you when using the plugin.

9 Best WordPress Lead Generation Plugins

WordPress lead generation plugins are lifesavers for netting promising leads visiting your website. Most of these plugins have similar functions, which can make choosing one tricky.

To make the choice easier, we’ve selected the nine best lead generation plugins for your WordPress website. We’ve also included a guide to help you choose the one most suitable for your business.

1. Convert Pro

Convert Pro’s an all-in-one email list-building tool with email functionality, popup forms, and analytics.

Convert Pro has a drag and drop feature that empowers even novices to build popups quickly and have alluring sales funnels.

Convert Pro’s a valuable tool for marketers, portfolio business websites, bloggers, and ecommerce businesses looking to capture leads.

Key Convert Pro features:

  • Multi-step popup feature for faster conversions.
  • Drag and drop editor for easy popup customization.
  • A/B testing.
  • Real-time analytics with Google Analytics integration.
  • Integrates with popular email marketing providers and customer relationship management (CRM) services like HubSpot, AWeber, Mailchimp, and Zapier.
  • Targeting with advanced methods like page level, referrer detection, cookie control, and device detection.
  • Advanced triggering based on exit intent, inactivity, scroll aftermath, and welcome messages.

Pricing: Plans start at $99/year when billed annually.

Best WordPress lead generation plugin for: All businesses that want to grow their email list.

2. OptinMonster

OptinMonster is a popular WordPress lead generation plugin with over one million sites that use it.

OptinMonster charts the lead generation waters with ease with its trademark exit-intent technology and on-site retargeting.

Key OptinMonster features:

  • All-inclusive tool kit to grow your email lists.
  • Drag and drop builder with 70+ templates.
  • Different form types for campaigns like countdown timers, floating bars, and full-screen overlays.
  • A/B testing and business analytics.
  • Page level targeting.
  • Exit-intent technology to help with cart abandonment.
  • On-site retargeting to create campaigns for new email subscribers and get more from your existing audience with scroll retargeting.

Pricing: Plans start at $9/month when billed annually.

Best WordPress lead generation plugin for: All businesses.

3. RafflePress

RafflePress has gained popularity as the giveaway plugin of choice for many due to its ease of use and efficiency. With this plugin, you can grow your audience through new subscriptions, email opt-ins, and purchases.

Turn your visitors into brand ambassadors for subscriptions, media engagement, and more traffic to your website. RafflePress is an effective WordPress plugin to pump lead generation to the next level.

Key RafflePress features:

  • Drag and drop builder.
  • Integrates with CRMs and marketing plugins.
  • Social media integrations.
  • Mobile-friendly plugin interface.
  • Viral giveaway templates to quickly build your giveaway campaign.
  • Giveaway landing page template.
  • Tracking and retargeting.

Pricing: Free (with limited features). Premium versions start at $39.50/year.

Best WordPress lead generation plugin for: Hosting giveaways.

4. WPForms

WPForms is one of the most popular form builders in the WordPress library. More than five million businesses use it to create registration forms, surveys, lead capture forms, and contact forms.

WPForms offers a solution for payments, newsletters, registration, contact, and survey forms. With its top design templates, lead generation becomes a breeze.

Key WPForms features:

  • Drag and drop form builder.
  • Instant notifications.
  • Easy to embed in blogs, widgets, and page footers.
  • Integrates with popular email marketing tools.
  • Security with its unique smart CAPTCHA to prevent spam form submissions.
  • Payment integration with Stripe and PayPal.

Pricing: Free (with limited features). Premium plans start at $39.50/year.

Best WordPress lead generation plugin for: Creating contact and lead generation forms.

5. HubSpot WordPress Plugin

HubSpot’s WordPress plugin provides powerful marketing functionality with its free CRM software.

Using HubSpot, you can quickly contact your website visitors, capture leads, and automate processes.

Key HubSpot features:

  • Drag and drop builder for marketing campaigns.
  • A/B testing and automation.
  • Forms and popup templates with elegant themes.
  • Live chat.
  • Integrates with popular lead generation and ecommerce plugins like AWeber, Mailchimp, and WooCommerce.
  • Free CRM and prospect tracking.
  • Analytics.

Pricing: Free.

Best WordPress lead generation plugin for: Small and medium businesses on a budget that need an all-in-one lead generation tool.

6. LiveChat

LiveChat helps you fire up potential customer conversions with its WordPress plugin. It enables you to embed a live chat feature on your website where you can quickly answer queries and collect emails and phone numbers. LiveChat provides a way to reach your customers 24/7 while collecting important marketing data to help you gain more leads. The plugin’s chat widget uses a contact form for offline messaging and lets visitors sign up for your offers.

Key LiveChat features:

  • Chat widget.
  • Compatible with popular website builders.
  • 100% customizable for brand-specific integrations.
  • Chat monitoring and history recovery.
  • Analytics.
  • Ticketing system.
  • Automated engagements.

Pricing: Plans start at $16/month when billed annually. A free 14-day trial is available.

Best WordPress lead generation plugin for: Adding live chat functionality to your WordPress site for enhanced user experience.

7. Thrive Leads

Similar to OptinMonster, using Thrive Leads, you can transform your website into a conversion tool with advanced lead forms, API integrations, and an intuitive interface.

Thrive Leads is easy to use and offers a drag- and drop editor to customize your campaigns.

Key Thrive Leads features:

  • Customizable lead form templates, including sticky ribbons and slide-in forms.
  • Exit intent pop-ups.
  • Integrates with email services.
  • Drag and drop builder.
  • A/B testing.
  • Analytics and business insights.
  • Advanced opt-in targeting.

Pricing: Plans start at $97/year.

Best WordPress lead generation plugin for: Creating advanced opt-in forms.

8. Leadpages

A clever yet simple way of converting visitors into warm leads is by having an enticing landing page. Leadpages helps you customize your WordPress landing page to meet your goals.Using Leadpages, you can have a website up and running using pre-designed templates in no time. That translates into quicker acquisitions and higher conversion rates, which every business wants.

Key Leadpages features:

  • Drag and drop landing page builder.
  • Customizable templates for building quick landing pages.
  • Responsive checkout form templates, alert bars, and popups.
  • Integrates with email marketing services.
  • Automated SSL certification and GDPR compliance
  • Conversion tools like A/B testing, real-time analysis, and exit intent technology.

Pricing: Plans start at $37/month when billed annually. A free 14-day trial is available.

Best WordPress lead generation plugin for: Creating landing pages that convert.

9. Sumo

Operating on a freemium model, Sumo is another competitive plugin for lead generation. The plugin helps you capture and build an email list quickly and efficiently.

Sumo’s free version has useful features that some plugins would sell. That makes it perfect for small businesses, and you can always upgrade to a premium plan with more features later.

Key Sumo features:

  • Advanced visitor targeting.
  • Email opt-in forms.
  • A/B testing and analytics.
  • Social media integration.
  • Integrates with email marketing services.

Pricing: Free (with limited features). Premium plans start at $39/month when billed annually.

Best WordPress lead generation plugin for: Capturing leads through email.

5 Steps To Choose a WordPress Plugin for Your Business

Plugins offer powerful functions for your website, but hunting for the right one is just as important. While your plugin selection will be on a case-by-case basis depending on your business’s needs, there are some best practices to follow.

Here’s a five-step checklist for choosing the best WordPress lead generation plugin for your business.

1. Research

Look into a plugin’s features, specs, support, and reviews. Follow the needs of your business and how well the WordPress plugin solves pain points.

2. Determine Compatibility

Note that some hosting providers block specific plugins for security reasons. If unsure, check with your hosting company before making any purchases.

Also, be on the lookout if the plugin allows integrations with other website optimization tools.

3. Compare Plans

Some plugins with free plans offer similar features to premium plugins. On the flip side, plugins with paid plans often offer more features. Choose a plugin in line with your needs, not just your budget.

4. Test the Plugin

Test your plugins before deploying them on your website. A staging website will help you see if the plugin works as intended and if it’s worth keeping.

Pro tip: Have a WordPress subdirectory on your website where you can run trials before installing plugins on your main website.

5. Install

After testing, it’s time to install the plugin. Check if it runs as it should.

Pro tip: Contact the plugin’s support team if you’re having any trouble running the tool. You can also consult the plugin’s FAQ page or knowledge base to find a solution.

Final Thoughts: 9 Best WordPress Lead Generation Plugins in 2022

WordPress plugins can boost your lead generation if you do it correctly. Start by identifying what you need to accomplish, and then select a plugin that brings in results.

WooCommerce is a WordPress ecommerce plugin that works seamlessly with WordPress lead generation tools. WooCommerce integrates with other plugins to enable payments, contact forms, and chats, among other vital website functions.

Hostdedi offers complete WooCommerce hosting with 24/7 support for both small and large ecommerce stores. Learn why you should choose Hostdedi. Call us today for a free consultation to find out which WooCommerce hosting package is best for you.

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How To Install WordPress in a Subdirectory [2022]

Running multiple websites is sometimes a huge ask. It calls for extra management, not to mention the high maintenance load.

To many, the solution is to have a subdirectory or subdirectories to hold parts of your website. It fine-tunes how your content appears to readers, making your website easy to comb through.

Before installing WordPress in a subdirectory, it’s essential to capture the definition.

Consider this. A guest room comes in handy when visitors come over to your house. Your visitors enjoy their privacy, and no one takes the sofa for the night.

Subdirectories are extra rooms for website content.

A subdirectory is a section in the website structure under the root domain that houses your website content in a file. It gives your website a smart and classy outlook, which wins visitors over.

WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that runs on more than 43% of all websites. Installing WordPress in your subdirectory, by extension to WordPress reach, gives you an edge over your competitors in terms of service and flexibility.

In this post, you’ll learn how to install a WordPress subdirectory step by step. You’ll also learn the difference between a subdomain and a subdirectory and which is better for business.

Is a Subdomain the Same as a Subdirectory?

Many people may confuse a subfolder for a subdomain. However, they’re different in rooting. Both subdomains and subdirectories, sometimes called subfolders, help you categorize content on your website.

Although a subdomain and a subdirectory have similar functions, the subdomain has a different server. In contrast, subdirectories are extensions of a domain on the same server.

If your domain name is nexcess.net, you might want to create a blog for your readers. A subdomain extension for the blog will read www.blog.nexcess.net, while a subdirectory will read www.nexcess.net/blog.

So which is better between the two for search engine optimization (SEO)? Both subdomains and subdirectories have their advantages.

Google search algorithm sees subdomains as individual websites from parent domains. Therefore blog.nexcess.net and nexcess.net are individual websites in Google’s eyes. The shortcoming is that your new subdomain has no domain authority affiliation with the root website, nexcess.net.

Whereas with subdirectories, Google sees it as a branch of the root domain. A subdirectory like nexcess.net/blog enjoys the security and domain authority of the parent website, nexcess.net.

It’s clear now that subdirectories have a headstart with domain authority while subdomains have to build theirs. And since you’re trying to lessen the work, subdirectories are in your favor.

Why You Should Install WordPress in Subdirectories

Subfolders help create content sections that are easy to manage within your parent domain. As a result, your website will be more presentable to prospects, which is what you want.

That aside, a subfolder helps you in content management in that you can section out parts of your website. You can easily edit and move categories compared to when you would be doing it to the whole website.

If a specific section of your WordPress site, say contact page, is outdated, you can take action without affecting other parts like the homepage of your WordPress website.

Below are some of the main advantages of installing WordPress in a subdirectory.

Improved User Experience

How effective are subdirectories in managing user experience? 88% of consumers are less likely to return to a website after a bad user experience. Subdirectories categorize content to increase scannability by your readers, gathering more eyes to your website.

Your Website Looks Professional

Professionalism is vital to business growth. Installing WordPress in a subdirectory means you look the part to your audience. Research shows that website design affects 94% of first impressions, either positively or negatively.

Improved SEO for Your Subdirectory

SEO is royalty to Google. Subdirectories don’t change your SEO score but enjoy the same authority as the root domain. Unlike subdomains, you have a starting block in discoverability through the root domain with subdirectories.

Test Environments

Testing environments allow you to experience new tools before launching them on your website.

You can make changes to your website and save them as drafts for publishing. These changes include proposed upgrades to your website.

Subdirectories are a significant part of content segmentation affecting your web authority. Installing WordPress in a subdirectory improves website aesthetics through content compartmentalization within your website.

And who doesn’t like taking a look at a beautiful sight? Everyone does.

5 Steps To Install WordPress in a Subdirectory

WordPress is one of the most accessible CMS platforms to use today. Its praise is for how customizable it is. Installing WordPress in a subdirectory is, therefore, complication-free.

Below, you will learn in five simple steps how to create a subdirectory in your website and make a WordPress installation. But first, let’s talk about requirements.

What You Need To Install WordPress in a Subdirectory

Installing WordPress requires no unique alignment. All you need is a working domain and access to the Internet — a simple process.

If you already have a WordPress installation in your root directory, there’s no need to reinstall it, as it will work just fine on your new subdirectory. Remember, a subdirectory is an extension of the primary domain on the same server. It will enjoy all the customizations and plugins present in the root domain.

An important aspect to consider when creating a new subdirectory is whether it will fit your website bandwidth. Shared web hosting has a capping on size since a server is shared amongst several users.

You can always upgrade to a higher package if you need the space, which most WordPress hosting providers have. If your hosting provider is not matching your needs, consider migrating to a better hosting provider.

You can set up a subdirectory WordPress installation process using File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or through cPanel with your hosting provider. Choose an appealing name for your subdirectory that tells the reader what to expect, for example, a blog or portfolio.

With that out of the way, let’s look into the five actionable steps to installing WordPress on a subdirectory in detail now.

Step 1. Create a New Subdirectory

To install WordPress in a subdirectory, you must first create the subdirectory under the root domain.

Go to your hosting provider client portal and log in to the control panel or FTP client area. From there, access the File Manager. Note that your cPanel might have a different interface as the one below, but find the File Manager regardless.

On the file manager, create a new file under the /public_html/ folder. Choose a name not already existing in the folder, as this might bring clashes within your main site.

Also, align your subdirectory name with related content; for example, name your subfolder blog for posting blog content.

If your name is longer than one word, don’t leave a space to separate the two words. Instead, use a hyphen ( – ) between the two words, as in [blog-content].

You’ve now successfully created a subdirectory, and you can proceed to install WordPress.

Step 2. Import WordPress Files

Go to WordPress.org using any browser to download WordPress CMS.

Note the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.

In this case, you need the WordPress software downloaded on wordpress.org. Go to the website and click the Get WordPress button at the top.

On the next screen, click the download and install link to download WordPress to your local computer.

Alternatively, you can download WordPress directly from the download page. Ensure that you download the latest version of WordPress to get the best experience using it. Also, some plugins don’t work with outdated WordPress versions.

After a successful WordPress download, the next step is to import it to your new subdirectory.

Access the new subdirectory via the File Manager on your cPanel, and open the root WordPress folder. Open the new subfolder and click on Upload at the top of the cPanel. You can find the zipped file download in the downloads section on your device.

After uploading the zipped file, go to the new subdirectory and click on the uploaded file. Hit Extract at the right top corner of the current cPanel screen. This command will extract files into a file now named WordPress.

You have no further use for the zipped file now —  delete it.

Now, your WordPress is in the WordPress folder, not the new subdirectory you have created. You need to change that.

Select all files in the newly created WordPress folder and right-click for a drop-down menu. Select Move, and a popup will come for you to select the path. Here, designate the new subdirectory as the destination and move the files.

Wait for the process to be complete. Check if the WordPress files are in the new subdirectory, after which you can delete the WordPress folder.

Step 3. Create a New Database

Creating a new database is essential as it will hold the login details of the new subfolder. After this step, you can install WordPress in the new subdirectory.

On the cPanel’s main screen, navigate to MySQL Database on the databases section. Click on it and create a new database by entering a name for the new database.

Then press the Create Database button.

Scroll down to the Add New User under MySQL Users, filling all fields as required. Note the username and password used here, as you will use these details later to log in to the subdirectory.

Scroll down again to add users to the database section, select the new database and user, and then press the add button.

On the next screen, add user privileges to the new user. This step allows you to define what the new user can do to the database of your new subdirectory. Check all boxes since you are the admin of the website. You can edit these permissions if the need arises.

Step 4. Install WordPress

You have created a subdirectory and a database. Now what remains is to install WordPress to the subdirectory. You’ve already done the heavy lifting, so here you go with the light stuff.

Search for domain/subdirectory on your browser, for example, nexcess.net/wordpress. A drop-down menu allows you to select your preferred language, say English.

After that, you will see the login page; enter your database name, username, and password saved earlier when creating your database in step three.

Hit submit after filling in the information correctly.

You will now see a tab asking you to run the WordPress installation. Confirm this step, and insert details in the open fields on the following screen. Enter the details as per the new user details in step three.

You can now log in to your new WordPress subdirectory!

But before you pop the champagne, there’s one more thing you have to do.

Step 5. Edit Permalinks

The last step in installing WordPress in the subdirectory is to edit your subdirectory permalinks.

A mismatch between the .htaccess in the root domain and the new subdirectory can cause permalink issues when you open your new subdirectory, like 404 errors.

Enable hidden files if you cannot locate your subdirectory’s .htaccess files. To do this, go to the cPanel settings page, click on the Show hidden files (.dotfiles) option, and hit save.

Add the following code to your .htaccess to match the main domain.

# BEGIN WordPress

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /your-subdirectory/
 #Replace /your subdirectory/ with your subdirectory name

RewriteRule  ^index.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule  /your-subdirectory/index.php [L]
</IfModule>
 #Replace /your subdirectory/ with your subdirectory name
 
# END WordPress

Go to your new subdirectory and right-click on the .htaccess file. From the drop-down menu, select edit and insert the code above. Hit save changes, and you’re all done, finally.

Don’t forget to change the code before executing. Replace /your-subdirectory/ part with the name of your subdirectory.

Final Thoughts: How To Install WordPress in a Subdirectory

Creating a subdirectory is a step forward to decluttering your website. You can have the advantages of SEO from the root domain yet have separate folders for specific website landings. A WordPress installation in a subdirectory adds customization and ease of running multiple WordPress instances, multi-site style.

WordPress websites are fully customizable, making them ideal for small and large brands. Build a faster and fully scalable website for your business using Hostdedi WordPress hosting. Contact us today to get a package that suits you best.

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Making Money With Video: 6 Methods to Try [2022]

These days, home videos have become more than just a hobby — they can be a lucrative way to make a living.

By creating educational, entertaining, or even mundane content and sharing it online, many regular folks have become self-made celebrities — with a few getting paid in the millions.

These video creators leveraged their growing audiences — earning through ads and affiliates, collaborating with brands, selling merch, and more.

The good news?

You can too. Making money with video content doesn’t require any special skills or equipment — people have literally started with their phone cameras and far less.

In this guide, you will learn how to make money on YouTube. You’ll also learn:

What To Expect When You’re Expecting $ From Your Videos

It can be exciting to begin a new career, and content creation is no different.

Many may expect to be making tens of thousands of dollars off their first videos without realizing the truth — it’s hard work.

During the first few days, you’ll have to do things by yourself to keep expenses low. Doing everything yourself keeps things personal but also slows down video production. If you want to create more videos, you’ll need an editor or team to help you with tasks like:

  • Shooting and editing videos
  • Thinking of new concepts
  • Growing your audience

Besides buying new equipment, getting video editing software (if you don’t already have it), and licensing images and music, hiring a team will incur additional costs — so watch out for that.

If you plan on being consistent, you’ll earn back the cost — especially if you start now. The global digital content creation market is still growing and is expected to exceed $16 billion by 2025.

The most common way of making money with online videos is through ad revenue. Video platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Daily Motion pay out commission when videos reach a certain number of views.

Influencer Marketing Hub estimates that YouTube pays content creators an average of $3-5 per 1,000 views for ad placement on their videos. It may not sound like a lot, but it definitely adds up. Once you gain a following, obtaining viewers will become easier, but that aspect can be challenging in the beginning.

Some of the most prolific YouTubers today suggest focusing on creating quality content and releasing videos on a schedule for the first year.

Focusing on monetization early on can be career-killing in the content creation world. Doing so can cause you to lose momentum when the view count isn’t what you expected.

Making Money With Videos: 6 Ways To Generate Revenue

Ad placement isn’t the only way to generate revenue.

Many content creators see a benefit in diversifying their earning methods, often taking part in multiple sources of revenue.

Below are just a few examples of different sources of income when it comes to making money with videos online.

1. Create Original Content

Content creators often earn through ad placements on their original content — but that’s not the only way they can monetize it.

For example, brands can contact creators serving a specific target market to sponsor videos. Brands pay creators to promote their product on the video. For brands wondering how to increase sales online, sponsored videos are the answer.

You may have come across videos sponsored by Skillshare, Audible, or Blue Apron — those are ways brands are using videos effectively.

Creating original content also gives creators a chance to build their personal brand. From there, brands can reach out for opportunities like speaking gigs, guestings, sponsored trips, and more.

2. Sell Stock Footage Online

Stock photography has been a lucrative revenue stream for photographers, but did you know there’s also a growing demand for stock footage online?

Individuals and organizations use stock footage for multiple purposes, such as creating original content or putting together presentations. If you enjoy shooting footage and editing, this is another lucrative way to be making money with videos too.

There’s no shortage of online platforms to sell your footage, but one of the most popular websites for this is Shutterstock. Thousands, if not millions, of people visit Shutterstock every day looking for stock photos and video footage to use. Shutterstock pays contributors anywhere between 15-40% in commissions.

3. Join Partner Programs

Media platforms offer partnership programs, and so do companies and brands looking to reach out to the audiences of multiple content creators.

Partnerships act as a mutually beneficial relationship between a content creator and a brand.

In some partnerships, a company may aid in video production in return for the creator promoting the partnered company. In others, a brand may give products to the creator in exchange for them providing a review or using the item in a video.

Partnerships with other brands and companies is a great way to earn extra revenue or, at the very least, offset some of the costs associated with making videos.

4. Do Product Reviews

Doing product reviews is one of the most popular ways to make money with video.

Consumers prefer gathering the opinions of other verified buyers when making a purchase, and video reviews let them do that. Product reviews provide visible insights and direct feedback from individuals using the item, enabling the consumer to make more informed buying decisions.

Product reviews are also a great way for content creators to earn money through affiliate programs. Creators link to the company’s page and earn a small percentage for every user that uses their link to purchase an item.

For example, Hostdedi has a generous affiliate program for web hosting.

5. Sell Merch

Another way to diversify your earnings as a content creator is by selling merch (merchandise) related to your brand.

That can be highly lucrative if you have great designs and a decent-sized following of people willing to buy items related to your brand.

In a nutshell, you need to:

1. Find suppliers.

2. Build an ecommerce store.

3. Market your merch through social media or by promoting it in your videos.

If you’re looking for a platform to sell merch, Hostdedi StoreBuilder empowers you to create an online store in 10 minutes.

6. Create a Subscription Site

Another way video creators make money online is by creating subscription or membership sites. Those sites put premium content behind a paywall, meaning viewers will have to pay a subscription fee to access the content.

It’s a great way to earn additional revenue, especially if you provide information-based content. For example, TikTok’s Miss Excel started out by providing free Excel tutorials on Twitter. Now, she offers more in-depth courses on her website.

There are various platforms to build a subscription site on. We recommend WordPress for its flexibility and ease of use. When starting a subscription site, be sure to optimize WordPress for rich media so you can embed videos.

Making Money With Videos: Choosing a Channel for Original Content

Now you know the various ways creators are making money with videos, the next step is choosing a platform (or platforms) that makes the most sense for your goals and intended audience to give you the best chance of discovery.

Here are a few platforms with great monetization options:

YouTube

With over 14.3 billion monthly visits, YouTube is the most popular video-sharing platform in the world.

While YouTube has tons of monetization features for content creators, it’s best known for paying out creators using AdSense, where income is based on number of ad views. The platform pays users at least $3-5 per 1,000 views, so the more views your video has, the more you can earn.

Patreon

If you haven’t heard of Patreon yet, chances are you will soon.

Content creators who have gained a following often use Patreon to gate premium content. And loyal fans who subscribe pledge a certain amount each month to access it. Patreon charges creators between 5-12% in fees.

If you can convince your followers that your premium content is worth it, this platform can be extremely lucrative, providing you with recurring monthly income from your supporters.

TikTok

TikTok is a platform where users make short videos that are discoverable from a video feed once they open the app.

It’s a fantastic platform to gain followers and increase sales — especially if you’re targeting Gen Z audiences. Brands like Kylie Cosmetics and Glossier are using TikTok for ecommerce.

TikTok put all its monetization features into its Creator Next platform, which gives creators tools and features to grow their communities. Its features include:

  • TikTok Creator Fund: Similar to YouTube, TikTok pays creators to place ads in or on your video. Rates vary depending on different factors, but it starts at 2-4 cents per 1,000 views. If you have a video with a million views, you earn $20-40.
  • TikTok Creator Marketplace: It is the official platform for brand and creator collaborations. Brands can browse the marketplace to find creators for their next campaign.
  • LIVE and Video Gifts: Like Reddit awards, fans can give creators video gifts, which are convertible to cash.
  • Tips: Fans can also send creators tips, similar to YouTube’s Tip Jar.

Like Instagram, TikTok has become a social commerce platform that allows creators to sell directly on the platform via TikTok shops.

Making Money With Videos: What Else You Need

Now that you’ve learned how to generate income using video and the platforms you can use to do it, here are a couple of things you need to do to ensure people watch your videos. After all, how will you make money with videos if people don’t know your videos exist?

Market To Target Audiences

The best way to build an audience is to market your channel to people who will most likely be interested in your content.

Some ways to do that are to:

  • Create useful and relevant content: What does your audience usually search for? What do they want to know? Create content centered around those themes.
  • Use SEO-optimized titles for videos: YouTube is one of the world’s biggest search engines, and Google returns YouTube videos as results on search engine pages.
  • Use targeted advertising: If you have the extra funds, platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok let you promote your content to a specific audience.
  • Offer giveaways and referrals: Giveaway mechanics often involve sharing your account to the participants’ audiences, which is a great way to gain new followers.
  • Do collaborations: YouTube collaborations are popular for a reason — besides serving as content, they give creators access to each other’s audiences.

Build a Social Media Presence

Another way to market to different audiences is to build a social media presence on multiple platforms.

Generally, Boomers are often on Facebook, millennials are on Instagram, and Gen Z is on TikTok. You could have a potential audience on Facebook but wasted the opportunity because you don’t have a presence there.

Here are some tips for building a social presence to market your videos:

  • Engage with your followers: They’ll be more likely to watch your videos and recommend content when they feel you’re a friend.
  • Share your video on multiple platforms: If you’re on YouTube, create a teaser for TikTok or Instagram Reels, share the video link to Twitter, your Facebook feed, or Facebook group.
  • Add share buttons to your video: Ask your audience to share the video.
  • Use hashtags to help your content be found.

Final Thoughts: Making Money With Video

Making money with video can be a lucrative career for anyone with a smartphone and enough discipline to release content on a regular schedule.

You don’t need a large audience to start making money with video — there are multiple ways to monetize your channel and online presence.

When you start growing a following, it’s best to build your own website.

Why?

When you post on video platforms like YouTube and TikTok, you’re at their mercy. Should the algorithm change, you have to adjust to get the same number of views. And if someone reports you or they think you violated their terms of service, they can remove your video.

All that hard work down the drain.

On the other hand, a website is steady and completely yours. You can control what to put on it, and it will be there unless you take it down.

The good news is, you can build a website without coding knowledge. Hostdedi’ StoreBuilder lets you build a fully-functional WordPress site in minutes with intuitive drag-and-drop tools. Enjoy powerful hosting, ecommerce functionality, and world-class support in an affordable plan.

If you’re ready to build a website that also supports ecommerce functionality, try Hostdedi’ StoreBuilder today.

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