In this project, I set up a blog site from scratch to gain hands-on experience in web hosting, domain management, and site security. The blog was built using WordPress, and I handled all aspects of the process—from domain registration to SSL certification—while helping my girlfriend launch her own site. This project significantly enhanced my practical IT skills in managing web-based systems.
I registered the domain via Namecheap and chose InfinityFree for hosting due to its cost-effectiveness for beginners. Configuring the domain's nameservers to point to the hosting provider was a key part of the process, introducing me to DNS management and basic web hosting setup.
I used Softaculous to install WordPress, a user-friendly content management system (CMS), to quickly get the blog online. Dealing with initial DNS propagation delays taught me patience and gave me a deeper understanding of how DNS works in practical scenarios.
To establish a professional communication channel, I configured ZohoMail for custom email addresses linked to the domain. This involved setting up MX records and ensuring that DNS entries were properly configured to route emails through Zoho’s servers.
Securing the website with SSL was crucial. I utilized InfinityFree’s free SSL service, which required creating CNAME records for SSL validation. I learned the intricacies of DNS configuration and SSL certificate deployment, ensuring that all web traffic was encrypted and secure.
During the setup, DNS propagation delays and SSL certificate issues were some of the challenges I faced. By troubleshooting DNS configurations and verifying record accuracy, I resolved these issues. I also learned the limitations of shared hosting environments, such as the inability to access the site directly via IP, and how these impact site management.
This project provided invaluable hands-on experience with web hosting, DNS, and site security. The ability to navigate challenges like DNS propagation and SSL issues demonstrated my capacity for problem-solving in real-world IT environments. Successfully setting up the blog site not only helped me hone these technical skills but also prepared me for future IT roles involving web systems and infrastructure management.