With a domain name registered and keyword research complete, it was time to actually get HistoryOfElvis.com live on the internet. In 2008, this meant choosing a web host, installing WordPress, and configuring the basics. The process has gotten considerably easier since then, but the decisions you make at this stage still matter.
How I Set Up Hosting in 2008
I recommended three hosting providers at the time: LunarPages, ServInt, and BlueHost. All were shared hosting providers popular with WordPress users. I personally used ServInt to host my blog. The setup process involved signing up with a host, using a tool called Fantastico to auto-install WordPress, and then configuring the directory structure so that URLs would not include “/wordpress/” in every path.
I installed WordPress into a /wordpress subdirectory and configured it to serve pages from the web root. This was a common trick to keep URLs clean. I also recommended buying phpBay, a WordPress plugin for displaying eBay auction listings, before we even discussed it — that is how central affiliate monetization was to the entire project.
Setting Up a WordPress Niche Site in 2026
The fundamentals are the same — you need a host, a domain, and WordPress — but the experience is far more streamlined today.
1. Choose a Modern Hosting Provider
The hosting landscape has changed dramatically. Shared hosting is still available, but managed WordPress hosting has become the standard for anyone serious about their site. Here are the best options in 2026:
- Cloudways — Managed cloud hosting with excellent performance and reasonable pricing. Great for niche sites that need to scale.
- SiteGround — Reliable shared and cloud hosting with strong WordPress support and built-in caching.
- Bluehost — Still a solid budget option for beginners, with one-click WordPress installation.
- Hostinger — Extremely affordable managed WordPress hosting that punches above its price point.
For a single niche site, you do not need expensive hosting. A plan costing five to fifteen dollars per month is more than sufficient until you are getting significant traffic.
2. Install WordPress (It Takes Minutes Now)
Gone are the days of manually uploading files via FTP and editing wp-config.php by hand. Every major host now offers one-click WordPress installation. The process typically looks like this:
- Sign up with your hosting provider and point your domain to their nameservers
- Log into your hosting control panel
- Click “Install WordPress” (or similar)
- Choose your domain, set a site title, and create admin credentials
- WordPress is live in under five minutes
3. Configure the Essentials
Once WordPress is installed, handle these settings before adding any content:
- Permalinks — Set to “Post name” structure (Settings > Permalinks). This creates clean, SEO-friendly URLs automatically. No more directory hacks needed.
- SSL certificate — Ensure your site loads over HTTPS. Most hosts provide free SSL certificates through Let's Encrypt. Google treats HTTPS as a ranking signal.
- Site title and tagline — Set these to something descriptive and keyword-relevant.
- Timezone and date format — Small details that matter for scheduled posts and timestamps.
- Discussion settings — Consider whether you want comments enabled. For niche sites focused on affiliate revenue, comments often create more spam management headaches than value.
4. Keep Hosting and Domain Separate
One thing I got wrong in 2008 was buying my domain through my hosting provider. If you ever want to switch hosts, having your domain registered separately at a registrar like Namecheap or Cloudflare makes the migration process much simpler. Keep domain registration and hosting as separate services.
The Lesson from 2008
Getting a WordPress site up and running in 2008 required genuine technical skill. You needed to understand FTP, directory structures, and PHP configuration. Today, the technical barriers are almost zero. That is both good news and bad news — good because you can launch faster, bad because so can everyone else. The competitive advantage has shifted entirely from technical setup to content quality and marketing strategy.
Get your site up quickly, configure the basics correctly, and spend your time on what actually matters: creating content that serves your audience.
Hi Mark,
From my point of view, this case study of yours couldn’t have come at a better time. I recently discovered Caroline’s excellent eBook on building a niche site and it inspired me into action. I’ve got so far as to get the site up, install a couple of the plug ins suggested by Caroline and mess around with the colour scheme of one of the Prosense themes.
I must admit that I didn’t spend anytime researching keywords or available adsense advertisers until after I’d registered the domain name which was a big mistake. Thankfully, I don’t think I’ve chosen a ‘dung beetle’ equivalent!!
I shall read you progress with great interest and from what I’ve read so far, it will be a great help.
Cheers.