Google Cloud Platform Server Setup

Step 1: Create a Virtual Machine Instance

1. Log in to the Google Cloud Console:

   • Go to Google Cloud Console and sign in with your Google account.

2. Create a new project:

   • If you haven’t created a project, click on the project name at the top of the page and select “New Project.” Follow the prompts to create a new project.

3. Navigate to Compute Engine:

   • In the left navigation pane, go to “Compute Engine” > “VM Instances.”

4. Create a new VM instance:

   • Click on the “Create Instance” button.
   • Configure your instance settings, including the name, region, and machine type.
   • Under “Boot disk,” select a Debian-based image (e.g., Debian, Ubuntu).
   • Set the size of the boot disk according to your needs.
   • Click “Create” to create the VM instance.

Step 2: Connect to the VM Instance

1. SSH into the instance:
   • In the VM Instances page, click the SSH button next to your instance to open a terminal window and connect to your VM.

Step 3: Install and Configure WordPress

1. Update the system:

   • Run the necessary commands to update the system.

2. Install Apache, MySQL, PHP, and other required packages:

   • Install the required packages for WordPress.

3. Secure MySQL installation:

   • Secure the MySQL installation.

4. Download and install WordPress:

   • Download and install the WordPress files.

5. Set up WordPress configuration:

   • Configure the wp-config.php file with your MySQL credentials.

6. Configure Apache:

   • Configure Apache to allow overrides and restart it.

Step 4: Configure Domain (Optional)

1. Point your domain to the server’s IP address:
   • In your domain registrar’s settings, set the A record to your server’s IP address.

Step 5: Enable HTTPS (Optional)

1. Install Certbot for Let’s Encrypt:

   • Install Certbot for Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates.

2. Obtain SSL certificate:

   • Obtain and configure an SSL certificate for your domain.

3. Follow the prompts to configure SSL for your domain.

Step 6: Update Firewall Rules

1. Allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic:
   • Update firewall rules to allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic.

Step 7: Additional Security Measures

1. Keep the system updated:

   • Regularly update the system for security.

2. Implement a strong password policy.

   • Ensure strong passwords for MySQL and server users.

3. Regular Backups:

   • Set up regular backups of WordPress files and the database.

4. Monitor and Log:

   • Implement monitoring tools and review logs for suspicious activities.

5. Remove Unnecessary Services:

   • Disable and remove unnecessary services and packages.

Remember to adapt the steps to your specific requirements and configurations. Stay updated on security best practices and regularly monitor and maintain your WordPress installation for optimal performance and security.