This guide details how to work on a WordPress site with a development environment.

Preamble

• The process can be used at the beginning of a staging process, that is, the creation of a new version of your live website, in a development or testing environment:
  • This allows website owners to test features, security updates, plugins, themes, WordPress updates, and content changes, without risking disruptions or issues on the live site.
  • Once the tests have been conducted and the changes have been validated on the staging copy, it is possible to deploy them to production (on the live site) using automated deployment tools or by making the changes manually.
• Make your life easier! If needed, **local partners recommended by Infomaniak can handle these procedures**. Launch a **free call for tenders**. They take care of everything, freeing you from technical details.

Simple method

To install and set up a new WordPress site with the Infomaniak installer without overwriting your current website:

1. Install WordPress in a second location

Refer to this other guide to create the new site (in parallel with the old site domain.xyz) by assigning it a domain name in the form of new.domain.xyz for example and installing WordPress via Web Applications (Infomaniak WordPress installer).

At this stage, the main site (domain.xyz) remains untouched and you can calmly work on the new site new.domain.xyz. Both function in parallel.

2. Replace the old site with the new one

Once the new site is complete, you can delete the first site to reuse its domain name for the new one:

1. Delete the old site to make the domain name available and reuse it.
2. Add domain.xyz as an alias for new.domain.xyz.
3. Reverse the alias with the main domain.
4. Remove (unlink/delete) new.domain.xyz which has become an alias.
5. As a precaution, check the main URL of the WordPress site via the Web Applications dashboard on the Infomaniak Manager, to ensure it matches the new name, and not the subdomain you had chosen.

Advanced method

To work on an existing WordPress site without modifying its public version, it is recommended to proceed in 3 steps:

1. Duplicate the existing site
2. Work on its copy
3. Change the target directory of the production site to the production environment directory and modify the URLs of the pre-production site according to the domain name of the production site using a WordPress extension or via phpMyAdmin.

1. Duplicate the site to a second location

1. Refer to this other guide to create the new site (in parallel with the old site domain.xyz) by assigning it a domain name in the form of new.domain.xyz for example and installing WordPress via the Applications Web (Infomaniak WordPress installer).
2. Copy your existing site and paste it onto the newly created second WordPress site, using a WordPress extension.

2. Edit the duplicated site

1. At this stage, the main site (domain.xyz) remains untouched and you can calmly work on the new site new.domain.xyz. Both function in parallel.
2. It is recommended to install a WordPress extension (there are dozens available) dedicated to putting the second site into maintenance mode.
3. If you modify the structure of your site and the URLs of your articles/pages change, you can use a free extension like Redirection to automatically create redirects. This will prevent your visitors from encountering 404 pages while search engines reindex your site or if external sites link to your site.

3. Replace the target

1. When you have finished redesigning your site, all you have to do is change the target directory of the production site to the production environment directory and change the URLs of the pre-production site according to the domain name of the production site using a plugin.
2. If you are using a caching extension like WP-Rocket, W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache, it will be necessary to completely clear all the cache or even disable and then reactivate the plugin.
3. If you continued to modify your site in production during the site overhaul, it will be necessary to retrieve your modifications (articles, media, pages, etc.).
4. After the usual checks (missing images, broken links, etc.), all you have to do is disable the maintenance mode of your site and admire the result.

Thank you for entrusting the hosting of your WordPress site to Infomaniak.

Preamble

• For your information, the WordPress site creation tool can be:
  1. hosted by the WordPress.com infrastructure (paid) and in this case Infomaniak is not involved in the hosting
  2. installed freely but manually by the user thanks to the archive provided by WordPress.org, Infomaniak is then the web host but does not manage any updates and does not list the application in the Web Applications section of the Infomaniak Manager; you will be in this case if you migrate an external WordPress to Infomaniak
  3. installed automatically by the tool available on the Manager and in this case WordPress is maintained (in terms of security) largely by Infomaniak
• This is the third and final point that is developed in this guide.

Install WordPress & Apps

Infomaniak makes it easy to install the WordPress application (and other applications as well):

• Install WordPress using the Infomaniak installer
• Access the WordPress management interface

Using WordPress

Although WordPress is one of the easiest CMS to use, it is necessary to tame it. To help you in this process, here are external resources in several different languages to get started with WordPress:

• Essential basics to know to get started with WordPress
• WordPress French-speaking community help forum
• FAQ about backups / restorations
• Using a theme or extension ElegantThemes
• Free WordPress training provided by the site progresser-en-informatique.com. If you want to get to the point, focus on the following modules:
  • Understanding the administration interface
  • How to properly configure WordPress
  • Adding content to your website

This guide explains how to install a new WordPress site with WordPress & Apps Infomaniak included in the offersWeb hosting paid.

Install WordPress Infomaniak…

... while creating a new site on hosting

In order to access the Web Hosting and add a new site by installing WordPress at the same time:

1. Click here in order to access the management of your product on the Manager Infomaniak (Need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the product concerned.
3. Click on the button to add a site:
   
4. Choose to install WordPress.
5. Click the Next button:
   
6. Click on the button to use a domain name already present in your Organization (or on the other button if you need to first order a new domain).
7. Select the domain name from your already acquired domains (advanced options include choosing a custom location on the hosting server, and an earlier version of PHP).
8. Click the Next button:
   
9. Wait for a few minutes to create the site on the accommodation.
10. Enter the requested information, it will serve you to connect in the WordPress dashboard (it is possible to modify this information at any time after installation).
11. Click the Next button:
    
12. Enter the information about your site (it is possible to modify this information at any time after installation).
13. Click the Next button:
    
14. Choose between the Divi theme and the official theme of the most recent WordPress version (it is possible to modify this information at any time after installation).
15. Click Next.
16. Choose whether to install two Premium extensions offered with your subscription: Monarch and Bloom.
17. Click Next.
18. Confirm the installation from the summary page.
19. You can then log in to the WordPress dashboard or go back to the management of the Infomaniak website.

... on an existing and empty site

In order to access the existing blank site on the hosting and to install WordPress:

1. Click here in order to access the management of your product on the Manager Infomaniak (Need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the product concerned:
   
3. Click on the button to add an application:
   
4. Choose to install WordPress:
   
5. At the bottom, click the Next button.
6. Enter the requested information, it will serve you to connect in the WordPress dashboard (it is possible to modify this information at any time after installation).
7. Click the Next button:
   
8. Enter the information about your site (it is possible to modify this information at any time after installation).
9. Click the Next button:
   
10. Choose between the Divi theme and the official theme of the most recent WordPress version (it is possible to modify this information at any time after installation).
11. Click Next.
12. Choose whether to install two Premium extensions offered with your subscription: Monarch and Bloom.
13. Click Next.
14. Confirm the installation from the summary page.
15. You can then log in to the WordPress dashboard or go back to the management of the Infomaniak website.

Uninstall WordPress Infomaniak...

... while deleting the hosting website (and keeping WordPress data or not)

In order to access the Web Hosting and remove the website:

1. Click here in order to access the management of your product on the Manager Infomaniak (Need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the product concerned.
3. Click on the action menu to the right of the item.
4. Click Unlink the site:
   
5. Choose if you want to erase everything or keep the WordPress data on the hosting server.
6. Confirm deletion:
   
    

... keeping the site on the accommodation

In order to access Web Hosting and uninstall WordPress:

1. Click here in order to access the management of your product on the Manager Infomaniak (Need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the product concerned.
3. Click on the action menu to the right of the application.
4. Click Remove Application:
   
5. Confirm the deletion.
6. Click Uninstall to remove WordPress:
   

Read more

• See all WordPress FAQs
• Install a free SSL certificate
• Install another web application

This guide explains how to set up a WordPress network to manage multiple sites from a single WordPress installation, with URLs like site1.domain.xyz, site2.domain.xyz, or even domain1.com, domain2.com, etc.

WordPress multisite installation

To begin:

1. Install WordPress via Infomaniak on your hosting space with a main domain name:
   
   • This first WordPress site must be reachable and function correctly:
     
2. Log in via FTP.
3. Edit the wp-config.php file of this first WordPress site concerned.
4. Above the line "/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */" (#94) copy and paste the code define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true);:
   
   
    
5. Save your changes.
6. Then log in to the administration of your WordPress site.
7. Temporarily disable all WordPress plugins:
   
8. Go to the TOOLS menu to create a Network:
   
9. Choose the method for creating your different WordPress sites (on subdomains)…
10. Click on the installation button:
    
11. Add the instructions displayed on the screen to the wp-config.php and .htaccess on the server.
12. After reconnecting to your WordPress, you will get a new menu "My Sites" where you can add and manage your different sites on the same network:
    
13. In the Manager, add an alias to your site in the form *.your-domain-here (the asterisk allows you to create a wildcard alias) with DNS update so that the correct CNAME is automatically added to the zone:
    
14. Install or update your SSL certificates:
    
15. When you create a new site within the network, by naming it for example home2 it will become accessible via home2.domain.xyz and so on:
    

This guide provides tips to perform operations related to a WordPress site, which notably allows you to…

• …copy and migrate a WordPress site from a competing host to Infomaniak,
• … change the domain name of a WordPress site,
• … backup an entire WordPress site…

Preamble

• Depending on the context, instead of performing a WordPress transfer, you can also simply…
  • … change the site address (the associated domain name) very easily if you have installed WordPress via the Infomaniak installer,
  • … duplicate a WordPress site to work in parallel in a development environment…
• Make your life easier! If needed, **local partners recommended by Infomaniak can handle these tasks**. Launch a free tender. They take care of everything, freeing you from technical details.

Transfer a WordPress site…

… with the All-in-One WP Migration extension

• Refer to this guide.
• Requires installing a new, clean WordPress (for example via the automatic Infomaniak installer) to import the old site onto it.

… with the Duplicator extension

• Refer to this guide.
• Requires connecting to the hosting via FTP to send a .zip archive and a PHP file to reinstall the old site.

This guide explains how to add a theme from Elegant Themes (Divi) for free to a WordPress site already installed via the Infomaniak installer.

Prerequisites

• Your WordPress site must be installed via the Infomaniak WordPress tools to use these themes and extensions.
• Themes can be added during installation (step 14 of this other guide) or afterward.
• To benefit from Elegant Themes support (customer service) you must subscribe to an Elegant Themes offer.

Add an Elegant Themes theme

To do this:

1. Click here to access the management of your WordPress site on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
   • If your site does not appear here, it means it was not installed via the Infomaniak tools… Refer to the prerequisites above.
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the relevant product:
   
3. Click on the action menu ⋮ located to the right of the relevant Web Application.
4. Click on Settings for the application:
   
5. Click on Edit under Theme:
   
6. Activate the desired theme.
7. Click on the Save button:
   

Using an Elegant Themes extension

Refer to this other guide to install Monarch, Bloom.

This guide explains how to install a new Web Application (Joomla, Drupal, Typo3, PrestaShop, etc.) in a few clicks on the paid Web Hosting offers.

Prerequisites

• Have a Infomaniak Web Hosting (order if necessary).
• Add a blank website to the Infomaniak hosting.

Specific guides

Take note of these guides if you are concerned with the specific installation of:

• WordPress
• ownCloud

Guides for any other Web Application

To access Web Hosting and install a Web Application:

1. Click here to access the management of your product on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the relevant product.
3. Click on the Add an app button:
   
4. Choose the desired application (if necessary, filter and search).
5. Click on Select:
   
6. Click at the bottom of the page on Next.
7. Enter a name.
8. Leave the default location or choose to install the app in a new folder that you can create using an icon visible to the right of point 8 in the image.
9. Optionally, choose to install an earlier version if necessary.
10. Click on the Next button:
    
11. Set the username and password.
12. Specify certain advanced settings if necessary (backup type, among others).
13. Review and accept the terms of use of the selected app.
14. Click on the Next button:
    
15. Confirm the installation of the application in the next step and wait.
    • Take note of any error message on the screen if, for example, the installation folder chosen is not empty or if the PHP version of the site on which you are attempting the installation is not compatible.

Uninstall a Web Application

To access Web Hosting and uninstall the previously installed application:

1. Click here to access the management of your product on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the relevant product.
3. Click on the action menu ⋮ located to the right of the application to uninstall.
4. Click on the trash can icon to delete the application:
   
5. Confirm the deletion.

Learn more

• Modify the domain name associated with the Web Application
• Configure backups for Web Applications
• Restore a Web Application

This guide details the offer of Serveur Cloud which allows you to create several hostings (FTP "spaces" for which you create your FTP/SSH accounts) on which you add sites (Apache "vhosts" for the indicated domain), and the VPS offer intended for a different use.

Breaking free from shared hosting limitations

With a managed Cloud Server, you can distribute your sites across your hosting environments as you wish. You can configure them by specifying the root directory as well as certain information such as the memory_limit and the max_execution_time beyond the limits imposed by a shared environment.

Web tools are available such as cronjobs, Site Creator, WordPress (which allows for the installation and use of the WordPress tool with ease) or access and error logs. It is quite possible to add a specific Apache module or to install a caching system.

Server Cloud or VPS?

Managed (Serveur Cloud)

Infomaniak manages the software part of the servers under FastCGI and PHP-FPM without allowing you to freely configure the server (for example, no custom installation). Only specific programs can be installed.

Unmanaged (VPS)

Infomaniak handles the hardware and installs the chosen version of Linux or Windows upon order. There is no software-level intervention. The server is under "your responsibility". You can restart the server via the Infomaniak Manager and a snapshot system is available (excluding VPS Lite).

If you are hesitant to take a Server and you mainly plan to have a large amount of video content, you can pair a shared hosting with a VOD space. This solves the problems of overload on a site since it allows you to separate the audiovisual content from your shared hosting and thus have a video storage space that easily supports significant load increases. You will also have detailed statistics at your disposal regarding the viewing of your videos.

Switching from one to the other...

To migrate a **Serveur Cloud** to a **VPS**, or vice versa, there is no "turnkey" solution. For this type of migration, you must cancel the product that is no longer desired and then order the product you need in its place. Infomaniak will refund upon request any purchase of a new server if the cancellation occurs within 30 days of the order.

This guide explains what a web host like Infomaniak is and specifies its role and limits of intervention.

Infomaniak, web host since 1996

According to Wikipedia, a web host is a company that provides Internet hosting for computer systems to individuals or entities that do not wish to do so themselves.

Infomaniak is also…

• … decades of experience in hosting and online solutions
• … more than a million users in Switzerland and Europe (CHF 36.5 million in revenue in 2022)
• … a company certified ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 and committed to sustainable development
• … 100% Swiss-made technological expertise with data hosted in Switzerland
• … a rich knowledge base and customer support available

Responsibilities and limits of intervention

As a web host, Infomaniak installs, secures, and keeps servers up to date, updates its web interfaces (Manager) and guides its clients in the use of services.

However, **Infomaniak does not intervene in the content of the servers or the development of websites**.

Technical support limitations

The technical support cannot help you with…

• … solve issues related to site development or its updates
• … implement solutions (migrations, complete installations)
• … manually install WordPress
• … take control of your computer remotely

but can assist you with…

• … solve issues related to the infrastructure or the Manager
• … clarify certain processes

A Premium support and a migration service are available for more demanding needs.

Find external help

For help with your site's content or organizing your emails, use the Infomaniak tender platform which lists over 1000 verified professionals, or consult the directory.

This guide explains how to add a free extension from Elegant Themes (Monarch, Divi Builder, Bloom, etc.) or a theme to an already installed WordPress site via the Infomaniak installer.

Prerequisites

• Your WordPress site must be installed via the Infomaniak WordPress tools to use these themes and extensions.
• The extensions can be added during installation (step 16 of this other guide) or later.
• To benefit from Elegant Themes support (customer service) you must subscribe to an Elegant Themes offer.

Add an Elegant Themes plugin

For this:

1. Click here to access the management of your WordPress site on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
   • If your site does not appear here, it means it was not installed via the Infomaniak tools… Refer to the prerequisites above.
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the product in question:
   
3. Click on the action menu ⋮ located to the right of the relevant Web Application.
4. Click on Settings for the application:
   
5. Click on Add under Extensions:
   
6. Activate the desired extensions.
7. Click on the Save button:
   
8. The extensions are then available in your WordPress admin interface:
   

Use an Elegant Themes theme

Take note of this other guide to install an Elegant Themes theme with Infomaniak.