First real draft. I think this works for techies who know how to do the individual steps.

Assumptions

At HostGator, when we create a new hosting account a bunch of files are automatically copied to public_html for the new domain. These include an index.html file and plugins and themes you might need. If these are not already there, you must upload them by hand. The index.html file is a very simple page saying “Welcome to your new site hosted by ExpertWebSupport.

These instructions vary depending on whether you have a “New Site” or a “Legacy Site.” (See How to Install & Go.) For a Legacy Site, you must use a temporary URL. (e.g., http://74.53.25.146/~username/) For a New Site, you may use the normal URL. (e.g., http://domain.com/)

This also assumes that if you have a New Site, you have already set the nameservers at your registrar to point to your hosting account.

Do this – For new sites

1. Open XWS Development Resources (at xsfor.us).
2. In another tab, open Customer links and more. (Under Miscellaneous resources.)
3. Update this page to add links for the new customer. (Update this resource button.) You’ll use the links later.
4. Scroll down to a recent customer addition.
5. Copy and paste links from a similar customer. If “New Site,” copy a standard customer (one line). If “Legacy Site,” copy a legacy site customer (2 lines).
6. Edit the links. When you’re done you should have links to the site, to the site’s cpanel, and to the site’s wp-admin page. One line for “normal” URLs; one line for “temporary” URLs if it’s a Legacy Site.
7. Save and display this page. (Use the Save and Display button at the bottom.)
   1. Log in to cpanel for the domain. Use the correct link that you just created in 3.3. Open this in a new window, keeping “Customer links and more” available for later.
   2. Go to Software / Services > Fantastico.
   3. Select WordPress (Blog section). [Note: Only newest version of WP is listed. How do you select older versions?] => You don’t. To use this method, you must install the most recent version.
   4. Create a new installation.
      Conventions:
      Domain: the domain you’re creating
      Directory/folder: {Leave this empty to install in the top level of the domain, which is the standard config. Or put in the name of the folder into which you want to install WordPress if this is a non-standard install.}
      User: admin0
      Pwd: Use current convention for admin pwd.
      Nickname: Administrator
      Admin email: [email protected] (for new sites) or [email protected] (for legacy sites).
      Site name: Leave the default which is the domain name.
      Description: “Tag line for the site.”
      Hit the create site button.
      On the next screen, email the installation details to [email protected] for new sites, or [email protected] for legacy sites.
   5. If this is a Legacy Site, change URLs for the site to the temporary ones.
8. In cpanel’s home page, select Databases > phpMyAdmin.
   This will take you to a phpMyAdmin screen.
9. Select the database for WordPress. It is named xxxadmin_wrdp1 probably.
10. Click the Browse icon (column 1) for the wp_options table.
11. Find the “siteurl” option. Normally, page 1, id# 2. Use the Edit button (pencil icon) to change this option.
12. Remove the “normal” URL and put in the Temporary URL for the site. Copy this URL for use later.
    WARNING: You must NOT have a slash “/” at the end of the URL in this field.
13. Click Go to save.
14. Find the “home” option. Normally, page 2, #38. Edit it.
15. Paste the temporary URL here too. Same Warning as above.
16. Click Go to save.

That’s it. You are done with the “change URLs” task. There isn’t even a logout from phpMyAdmin.

1. In the cPanel File Manager, go to public_html. Rename index.html to be index_orig.html.
2. Log in to the WordPress admin screen using the admin0 credentials you created above.
   If New Site, use the normal URL. (e.g., http://domain.com/wp-admin/)
   If Legacy Site, use the temporary URL. (e.g., http://expertwebsupport.com/~username/wp-admin/)
   These should be available on the XWS Dev > “Customer links and more” page, which should be in an existing tab or window.

Do this – For new sites and for conversions from Semio

1. Install themes
   1. Builder
   2. Builder Child-Foundation Blank
   3. Builder Child-Iconic Sky
   4. Some other Builder child themes if known
2. Install plugins (* = optional)
   1. BackupBuddy
   2. Gravity Forms
   3. *DisplayBuddy suite
   4. Widget Logic
   5. Redirect
   6. *Special Recent Posts
3. Activate some Builder child theme. Don’t activate Builder itself.
4. Visit the site. It should look like a new Builder-based site. Debug if there’s a problem.
5. Go to Users. Create the standard set of WP users.
6. Pages > Add New. Create a Home page. Title = Home. Content = Put Home page content here.
7. Pages > Add New. Create a Blog page. Title = Blog. Content = Placeholder for Blog page.
8. Settings > Reading. Static home page = Home. Blog page = Blog.
9. Posts > Add New. Title = Sample Post. Content = Sample post to show where posts show up. Delete when you have a real post.
10. Visit the site. It should look like a “ready to go” site.
11. Tools > Backup. Set up automatic backup, at least weekly. Daily if that seems right.
12. Log out of the admin0 user account.
13. Log in with one of the other administrator accounts that you created above, to make sure that’s working.

The installation is now done.

Next step is to send email to the customer explaining next steps.