BENTECH

WordPress Deployment and Management on IONOS Hosting

Master deploying WordPress on IONOS hosting using direct domain actions and the IONOS App Center, as well as cleaning up and resetting existing sites and databases.

This course covers the end-to-end process of installing WordPress on IONOS web hosting. Students will learn the standard setup workflow, how to diagnose and resolve issues with domains blocked by pre-existing installations, manual cleanup of Webspace and databases, and direct deployment through the IONOS App Center.

Section 1: Standard Domain Setup & WordPress Installation

Learn how to access your hosting dashboard and configure WordPress using available domain settings.

Lesson 1.1: Accessing Domains & Initiating WordPress Setup

  • IONOS Dashboard Navigation
  • Domain Action Selection
  • Bypassing the Default Website Builder
  • WordPress Credentials Configuration

To set up a fresh WordPress website on an IONOS account, start by logging into ionos.com and navigating to 'Domains & SSL' from the top navigation menu. This screen lists your primary domains and any configured subdomains along with their current status. When a domain or subdomain is free of an active CMS, a link labeled 'Use Your Domain' appears. Clicking this opens the 'Adjust Destination' screen. It is important to scroll down past the initial cards advertising IONOS's built-in website builder, as selecting those will direct you to a proprietary builder rather than WordPress. Under 'Common domain actions', select 'Creating a Website with WordPress'. You will then assign your target domain, name the site, and configure the administrative username, password, and interface language before deciding between standard WordPress or Managed WordPress.

Practical work

  1. Log into ionos.com and open the 'Domains & SSL' dashboard.
  2. Locate an unassigned domain or create/select a subdomain.
  3. Navigate to 'Creating a Website with WordPress' under common actions and complete administrator credentials.

Section 2: Handling Existing Installations & Performing Clean Resets

Understand how to identify locked domains, reset domain configurations, and clean up leftover files and databases.

Lesson 2.1: Resetting Domains & Removing Residual Databases

  • Missing 'Use Your Domain' Link Diagnosis
  • Reset Domain Configuration
  • Cleaning the 'clickandbuilds' Directory in Webspace
  • Deleting Orphaned MariaDB Databases

If a domain or subdomain already has WordPress or a previous CMS mapped to it, the 'Use Your Domain' prompt will be absent. Instead, the status column displays the current application and directory details. To restore a domain to an unassigned state, click the action gear icon next to the domain, choose 'Adjust Destination', scroll down to 'Reset domain', select the configuration checkboxes, and confirm the reset. This disconnects the domain from the existing application. To prevent conflicts and avoid cluttering your hosting limits, you must also remove the underlying files and databases. Go to Menu -> Hosting -> Web Hosting Business. Open 'Webspace', navigate to the 'clickandbuilds' directory, and delete the folder associated with the old site. Then navigate to 'Databases', click 'Manage', and delete the unused database instances.

Practical work

  1. Inspect your domain list for any domain showing an active 'WordPress' status instead of 'Use Your Domain'.
  2. Perform a domain reset via 'Adjust Destination' -> 'Reset Domain'.
  3. Open Webspace, locate the 'clickandbuilds' folder, and delete the legacy install folders.
  4. Open Hosting Databases and delete any orphaned database instances.

Section 3: App Center Deployment & Dashboard Onboarding

Learn the alternative App Center installation method and first-time login to the WordPress administration dashboard.

Lesson 3.1: Deploying via App Center and First Login

  • Accessing my.ionos.com/APPCenter
  • App Catalogue WordPress Installation
  • Assigning Target Domain
  • Accessing the WP-Admin Dashboard and Bypassing Wizards

An efficient alternative to domain-based installation is using the IONOS App Center directly by opening `my.ionos.com/APPCenter` in a browser. This brings up the Control Panel App Catalogue, which hosts various CMS platforms. Select WordPress from the catalogue and click 'Install'. Set your website title, define the administrator login credentials and password, choose your language, and accept the terms of use. Next, select whether you prefer Managed WordPress or self-managed WordPress, pick the target domain or subdomain from the dropdown menu, and click 'Assign Domain'. Once setup completes, click 'Edit Website' to access the WordPress login page (`wp-login.php`). Log in using the admin credentials you created. When prompted by the IONOS setup assistant or Jetpack installation screen, you can choose 'No thanks, I'm an expert' and 'Continue without Jetpack' to immediately access the clean WordPress dashboard.

Practical work

  1. Navigate to `my.ionos.com/APPCenter` in your browser.
  2. Deploy WordPress and assign your reset or chosen domain.
  3. Log into the WordPress dashboard and bypass both the IONOS assistant and the Jetpack prompt.