Mustafabunu.com

How to Purchase a Domain, Hosting, and Link Them.

Step 1: Sign Up on Cloudflare

  1. Go to Cloudflare
    • Open your browser and visit Cloudflare.com.
    • You should see the Cloudflare homepage and a Sign Up button.
  2. Create an Account
    • Click on Sign Up to proceed.
    • You’ll be redirected to a registration page.
    • Scroll down and select the Free Plan option.
  3. Add Your Website
    • Under the Free Plan, click on Add Website.
    • This will take you to the account creation form.
  4. Enter Your Email and Password
    • Provide a valid email address and create a secure password.
    • Confirm you are human by clicking the reCAPTCHA checkbox.
  5. Complete Registration
    • Click Sign Up to proceed.
    • Cloudflare will now direct you to the next page.

Step 2: Verify Your Email

  1. Check Your Email
    • Open your email inbox.
    • Look for an email from Cloudflare containing a verification link.
  2. Verify Your Account
    • Click the verification link inside the email.
    • This will automatically confirm your email and redirect you back to Cloudflare.

Step 3: Register a New Domain Name

  1. Navigate to Domain Registration
    • Once logged in, locate the left-hand menu.
    • Click on Domain Registration > Register Domain.
  2. Search for a Domain Name
    • In the search bar, type the domain name you want to register.
    • Cloudflare will show you available options.
  3. Choose a .COM Domain
    • If your preferred domain is available, select it.
    • Always go for a .com extension if possible.
    • If it’s unavailable, modify your domain name slightly until you find an available option.
  4. Confirm Your Selection
    • Click Confirm once you’ve chosen a domain.

Step 4: Complete the Registration & Payment

  1. Choose Registration Duration
    • Select 1 year (or a longer duration if preferred).
  2. Enter Your Registration Information
    • Fill in your personal or business details as required.
  3. Select a Payment Method
    • You can pay using Card or PayPal.

Paying with a Card

  • Enter your GigPay Cloudways card details.
  • Double-check your billing address.
  • Click Complete Purchase at the bottom of the page.

Paying with PayPal

  • Select PayPal as your payment method.
  • Fill in your billing address (same as your GigPay card).
  • Click Verify Address to confirm.
  • You’ll be redirected back to Cloudflare to complete the purchase.

How to Set Up Hosting on Cloudways

Once you’ve successfully registered your domain name on Cloudflare, the next step is to set up hosting.

Step 1: Sign Up for Cloudways

  1. Go to Cloudways
    • Visit Cloudways.
    • You’ll be greeted by the homepage.
  2. Start Free Trial
    • Click on Start Free at the bottom left.
    • If prompted, accept the cookies to proceed.
  3. Create an Account
    • Enter your first name and last name (use your real name).
    • Provide the email you used to create your Pinterest business account.
    • Create a strong password for your account.
  4. Provide Additional Information
    • Under “I would best describe myself as,” select Blogger.
    • Under “My monthly hosting spend is,” choose $50.
    • Click on “I have a promo code” and enter MUSTAFA (this gives you 20% off for the first two months).
  5. Agree to Terms and Sign Up
    • Check the box for Cloudways’ terms of service.
    • Click Sign Up.

Step 2: Account Verification

  1. Enter Website and Contact Information
    • You’ll be taken to a verification page.
    • Enter your domain name (the one you registered on Cloudflare).
    • Provide your personal contact number.
    • Under Role in Organization, select Editor.
    • Under Team Size, select Less than 5.
    • In Social Profile, enter your Twitter handle. If you don’t have Twitter, create an account.
  2. Specify Hosting Purpose
    • Under “What purpose will you use Cloudways for?”, enter “To host my website”.
    • Click Submit Details.
  3. Wait for Cloudways Approval
    • Cloudways will review your details.
    • You should receive an approval email within a few hours, but it can take up to 1-2 business days.
    • Be patient and check your email regularly.
  4. Activate Your Account
    • Once approved, you’ll receive an email with a yellow “Login and Activate” button.
    • Click Login and Activate to proceed to your Cloudways dashboard.

Step 3: Create a Cloud Server

  1. Verify Your Phone Number
    • A yellow verification bar will appear at the top of the page.
    • Click on it and enter your phone number.
    • You’ll receive an OTP (one-time password)—if it doesn’t arrive immediately, click Resend Code.
    • Enter the OTP to complete verification.
  2. Select a WordPress Application
    • On the setup page, choose WordPress version 6.2.2 (or the latest version).
    • You’ll see three types of WordPress options—select the first one.
  3. Set Up Your Server
    • Application Name: Enter your website name.
    • Server Name: Use your name or your website’s name.
    • Project Name: Enter Project Pinterest.
  4. Choose a Cloud Hosting Provider
    • Select between DigitalOcean or Vultr.
    • DigitalOcean ($11/month) is a solid choice, while Vultr ($14/month) offers great speed.
  5. Select a Server Plan
    • Choose the 1GB RAM plan (the lowest option) to start.
  6. Choose a Server Location
    • Always select a U.S. location (New York is recommended).
  7. Launch Your Server
    • Click Launch Now to create the server.
    • If a Get Started button appears, click it, select dont show, and dismiss any pop-ups.
    • The server setup will take about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Connect Your Domain to Cloudways

1. Set Your Domain Name in Cloudways

  1. Once the server is ready, go to My Applications (not My Server).
  2. Click on your website application.
  3. Navigate to Domain Management.
  4. Click Add Domain.
  5. Enter your domain name (without “www”).
  6. Click Save Changes.
  7. Click the three dots next to your domain name and select Make Primary.

2. Update Your DNS in Cloudflare

  1. Find Your Server IP Address
    • Go to your Cloudways Server Dashboard.
    • Look for the IP address (a set of numbers like 123.45.67.89).
    • Copy the IP address.
  2. Go to Cloudflare DNS Settings
    • Log into Cloudflare.
    • Navigate to DNS > Records.
    • Click Add Record.
  3. Create an A Record for Your Domain
    • Type: A
    • Name: Your domain (e.g., example.com)
    • Content: Paste the IP address
    • Click Save.
  4. Create an A Record for WWW Version
    • Type: A
    • Name: www
    • Content: Same IP address
    • Click Save.

Step 5: Check DNS Propagation

  1. Verify Your Domain Connection
    • Open Google and search for “DNS Propagation Checker”.
    • Enter your domain name.
    • Check if green checkmarks appear across different locations.
    • If green checkmarks are present, your domain is successfully pointing to your Cloudways server.

How to Set Up Payment on Cloudways

Step 1: Enter Your Billing Address

  1. Go to the Payment Address Section
    • In your Cloudways dashboard, navigate to Account Settings > Payment Address.
  2. Enter Your Address Details
    • Country: Select Nigeria.
    • Address: Use the billing address associated with your card.
      • If you’re using a GeekPay card, check the billing address from your GeekPay account.
      • If you’re using a domiciliary card, enter the same address used when opening your domiciliary account.
    • City: Enter the city from your card’s billing address.
    • Postal Code & State: Use the details linked to your card.
    • If using a U.S. address, ensure it matches the billing details of your card.
  3. Replicate the Billing Address
    • Tick the box “Keep billing address same as my credit card address” to automatically copy the details.
  4. Proceed to Payment Gateway
    • Click on Proceed to Payment Gateway to add your payment details.

Step 2: Add Your Card Details

  1. Enter Your GeekPay/Domiciliary Card Details
    • Card Number: Enter your 16-digit card number.
    • Expiry Date: Input the MM/YY format (e.g., 08/27).
    • CVC Code: Enter the 3-digit security code on the back of the card.
    • Cardholder Name: Enter your name exactly as it appears on the card.
  2. Authorize the Payment
    • Click Authorize to verify and save your card.
    • If successful, your card will be added, and Cloudways will use it for future billing.

Step 3: Ensure Smooth Future Payments

Option 1: Let Cloudways Charge Your Card Automatically

  • Cloudways will attempt to charge your card at the end of each billing cycle (every 30 days).
  • If your card has insufficient funds, Cloudways will email you notifying that the payment failed.

Option 2: Manually Add Funds in Advance (Recommended for Extra Security)

To avoid billing issues, you can pre-load funds into Cloudways:

  1. Go to the “Funds” Section
    • Navigate to My Account > Funds.
  2. Click “Add Funds”
    • Choose between Credit Card or PayPal.
  3. Deposit Funds
    • If using a card, enter the amount (e.g., $11 for one month).
    • If using PayPal, link your GeekPay card to PayPal and make a payment.

How Cloudways Uses Preloaded Funds

  • If you add funds (e.g., $11), Cloudways will deduct from these funds first before attempting to charge your card.
  • If your preloaded funds run out, Cloudways will charge your card automatically.

Step 4: Monitor Your 3-Day Free Trial

  • At the top of your dashboard, you’ll see a timer counting down your 3-day trial period.
  • During the free trial, you won’t be charged.
  • After the trial, Cloudways will start tracking your usage, and after 30 days, you’ll receive an invoice for your hosting fee ($11/month for DigitalOcean).