To create a website using PHP, one must have a basic understanding of web development and PHP programming language. It is an open source, sever -side programming language, which is used to develop web pages that are more interactive and engaging than standard HTML.
To create your website using PHP, first of all get a web hosting service that holds PHP. This will provide you a place to store; host the files which will execute on your PHP website. There are thousands of options to choose from. You should choose a host that offers Linux/Unix servers, because PHP will not work on Windows NT servers.
Choose a domain name for your PHP website, a name that relates to the theme of your website. You can get domain for free with your web hosting account, or you have to purchase it separately from other sites that sell domain names.
To create a MySQL Database for the PHP website, sign into the control panel at the web host. To manage your web hosting account, every web host supply you the access to a control panel. After creating a new database, keep remember database name, user name and password.
Select a content management system (CMS) to administrate the files for your PHP website. CMS allows an easiest way to put in content to your web site; it will automatically add the content and images into a PHP file format. There are several free CMS options such as Joomla, OS Commerce, which can be selected according to the nature of your website.
After setting up PHP files on the CMS, now download them to your computer and upload them to your account at the web host via a File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Filezilla or FireFTP are free FTP software program that will make the procedure fast and easy.
Once your files are uploaded to your website, install the Content Management System for your PHP website. Typing your domain name in to the web browser will automatically launch the CMS installation script. If this does not happen automatically, this means you have to direct your browser to an installation folder. Here, you will be asked to provide the name and address of your website and the information about how to log into the MySQL database that you have created. You must delete the installation folder once you have completed installing the CMS.
Choose a template to enhance the look of your website. You can also install a professionaly designed web template. The template should be compatible with your CMS such as if you are having Joomla CMS, then look for for Joomla templates. This is because your template and CMS are intended to work together.
Once the template has been installed, you have a fully functional PHP website.
