Getting a DIY blog

Get more information on the steps to take to get a DIY blog.

The process for getting a DIY blog is as follows:

1. Request a space for your blog by filling in a Web Hosting Request Form. If you need help filling the form in, please see the advice given below. If the request is for a research-related blog, you may be contacted after form submission to provide payment details.
2.  Within 2 weeks, you should have a space set up and will be supplied with a username/password for Cpanel on the space.
3.  Use Cpanel to install WordPress on the space. This is an easy one-click install. How to install WordPress (we strongly recommend you use the 'Install using Softaculous Auto-Installer' guidance). 
4.  Log in to WordPress to install plug-ins and themes as required. You’ll also log in to WordPress to update WordPress itself, plug-ins and themes when required. WordPress will alert you when updates are required.

Advice for filling in a Web Hosting Request Form

Domain name

This will be your blog’s web address. This service can allow a fairly flexible choice of web address, but you may need to get permission to use a specific address. In choosing your domain name, please:

• Ensure it is unique and not already taken
• Keep it short but understandable
• Ask for permission if required. There is an FAQ which gives information about domain name choice and who to seek permission from (if required).

Hosting option

Typically:

•  For a teaching and learning blog, you will need a (free) Linux ‘bronze’ hosting package.
•  For a research-related blog, you will need a (paid-for) ‘Linux’ bronze hosting package.

Find out more about our hosting service options and what each of them comes with.

EASE integration

You can choose whether the hosting option comes with the potential to use EASE on the platform for securing content. Please note that, at this time, WordPress isn’t integrated with EASE (so you will need to set up the access accounts directly in WordPress once the site is created).

Brief description of the intended use for the hosting

This should be a short paragraph to explain that you plan to use WordPress to create a blogging space, and what content will fill it.

Entitlement

This section exists for us to know you are a real person filling the form in: it shows you are entitled to the hosting you are applying for!

Consent to processing information

This is agreement that we can process the information you provide (from a GDPR perspective). We’ll hang onto this data during the life of your blog to help us keep you up-to-date with any service related news.