IT/Software/Web Applications/WordPress

It is not the best but it is the industry standard. There is always someone who has had your issue and can help fix it.

Install

There are a hundred ways to do this.

Here is what I recommend(incomplete/draft)

1. Put an entry in the vhosts file.
   1. Only the port 80 one for now.
   2. You can do the 443 one also
2. Setup dns to hit your site.
   1. Test with a ping or traceroute
3. Use LetsEncrypt via certbot to get a cert and redirect all traffic to https
4. Use phpMyAdmin to make a user with associated database.
5. Download the software and unzip in the folder where you will run it.
6. Hit the site and run the installation.
7. Test

Upgrade

It auto upgrades as long as you set it up.

We do encourage daily, weekly, monthly backups of the database, web files and files.

You most likely will not need it.

Basic Config after Install

1. Turn off all comments
   1. Disable anyone from adding a comment.
   2. We do not use the website as a blog but only as a basic information portal.
2. Add plugins
   1. Ninja Forms
   2. Ultimate FAQ
   3. WP Mail SMTP
      1. SSL 465
      2. use the global email server sl-507-7.slc.westdc.net
      3. Test email when done.
3. Ask Isaac to add the goodies
   1. This gives us DiVi builder and a few other security goodies

Problems

1. Usually a permissions issue.
   1. Set all files to 644
   2. Set all folders to 755
   3. Here is how. find chmod and exec
2. Or a nasty plugin
3. Or a messed up entry in wp-config
4. Or a messed up entry in vhost or ssl-vhost

Troubleshooting

Stuck in Maintenance Mode

This can happen for a variety of reasons. One easy fix is to remove the .maintenance file

sudo rm /var/www/html/wordpressSite/.maintenance

Then refresh the page.

WSOD (White Screen of Death)

This is just a passive unpassable screen that seems to appear at random.

(possible evidence of quantum entanglement or spiritual warfare)

No I have never found a solution but eventually you get there.