Website Setup
SiteGround Client Area features a website setup wizard that makes the process a smooth and straightforward experience. The flow of the wizard takes into consideration how the client has signed up and whether the client has indicated a wish to create a brand new site or transfer an existing one.
Pending initial site setup
If you order your first hosting account through our website, we initiate your first site creation as part of this order. That is why, when you open your Client Area > Websites for the first time, you will be prompted to complete the setup for this site. To do that, click Finish Site Setup.
Choosing a domain
On the next step, you can choose the domain for your site. By default, the website is set with the domain you submitted when you purchased your hosting plan. However, you can change it and choose between the following options:
- New Domain — use this option to register a new domain and use it for this website
- Existing Domain — use this option to use a registered domain for the website
- Temporary Domain — use an auto-generated temporary domain if you don’t have a registered domain
Press Continue to move to the next setup step to choose to create a new website or transfer an existing one from another hosting provider.
Choosing an application for your site
Once you indicate you will be starting a new website, you will be able to choose an application to build your site with. Below, you will find more information about each available option.
Option 1: SiteGround Website Builder
SiteGround Website Builder is a new in-house tool included for free with your hosting plan, designed to make website creation quick and effortless. With no coding required, you can simply drag, drop, and edit elements to launch your professional website in minutes.
After setting up your site, log in to the Website Builder admin and choose a professionally designed template to begin building with. Customize layouts, colors, and images with ease, and use the AI-powered text tool to create content quickly. Click here to learn more about the SiteGround Website Builder.
To build your site with SiteGround Website Builder, simply click on the Select button in the SiteGround Website Builder section.
Option 2: WordPress
To build your site with WordPress, simply click Select in the WordPress section.
Next, set up the website login credentials that you will use to access the back-end section of your site, where you can manage and add content to your pages. Fill in your email address and add a strong password. To get a random strong password, click Generate. To preview the password, click Unhide (the crossed-out eye icon). When you’re finished setting up your login details, click Continue.
Option 3: Creating an empty site from scratch
If you do not want to use any of the suggested apps or wish to choose the app for building your site later, you may click the Skip & Create Empty Site option at the bottom of the page. This will create a completely empty site that you can later customize.
Adding extras and launching your new site
After selecting the application or blank site option on the second step, the setup wizard presents you with the option to add extra functionalities to your new site. These suggested extras are tailored to the type of website you are creating and are designed to enhance your website management experience.
To activate any of the suggested features, simply click Add. If you prefer to skip them, you can click Finish to complete the website creation process.
Brand new site setup
If you do not have a pending initial wizard, you can start a brand new website from your Client Area > Websites > New Website button.
A new window will pop up, where you can choose between several different options.
Option 1: WordPress
To install a new WordPress installation, press the Select button for the WordPress option, and then click Continue.
On the following screen, you can start by choosing the data center for the new website by clicking the link next to Website will be created in Data Center.
In the pop-up screen, choose the new location from the drop-down menu.
Finish the setup by setting the domain name, providing a username and a password for the WordPress back-end panel, and choosing extras.
Option 2: SiteGround Website Builder
To create a new Website Builder website, press the Select button for the Website Builder option.
If you have an existing hosting plan, open the Select Plan dropdown menu to add the website to it, or start with a 14-day free trial Website Builder plan. Then, confirm with the Continue button to finish the setup.
Option 3: Ecommerce
Press the Select button for the Ecommerce option to create a new Ecommerce trial website. To finish the setup, press the Continue button.
Option 4: Creating a blank site
You can choose to create a blank Site Tools instead of installing an application with the setup wizard. You can later install a custom website application or use the App Installer in Site Tools. To select this option, press Skip & Create Blank Site.
Then, finish the setup by choosing a data center, a domain, and extra services.
