Category: Howto

Complete WordPress Installation Guide: Easy Step-by-Step Setup with MySQL and Nginx on Ubuntu 24.04 GCP Server
Installing WordPress on GCP Prerequisites
- A GCP Ubuntu 24.04 VM instance (e.g., Compute Engine).
- A domain name pointed to your VM’s public IP (optional but recommended).
- SSH access to the VM (via GCP Console or an SSH client).
- Sudo privileges for the user.
- Basic familiarity with Linux terminal commands.
Step 1: Set Up and Secure the Server
1. SSH into Your VM:
  In GCP Console, go to Compute Engine > VM instances, select your instance, and click SSH to open a terminal.
2. Update the System:
  Bash
  sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  Important Warning
  Ensure HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443) are allowed in GCP’s firewall
Step 2: Install Nginx
1. Install Nginx:
  Bash
  sudo apt install nginx -y
2. Start and Enable Nginx:
  Bash
  sudo systemctl start nginx sudo systemctl enable nginx
3. Verify Nginx:
  Bash
  curl http://localhost
  Or open a browser and navigate to http://. You should see the Nginx welcome page.
Step 3: Install MySQL
1. Install MySQL Server:
  Bash
  sudo apt install mysql-server -y
2. Secure MySQL Installation:
  Bash
  sudo mysql_secure_installation
  Follow prompts:
  – Set a root password (choose a strong one).
  – Remove anonymous users: Y.
  – Disallow root login remotely: Y.
  – Remove test database: Y.
  – Reload privilege tables: Y.
3. Create a WordPress Database and User:
  Bash
  sudo mysql -u root -p
  In the MySQL prompt:
  sql
  CREATE DATABASE wordpress; CREATE USER ‘wordpressuser’@’localhost’ IDENTIFIED BY ‘your_strong_password’; GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress.* TO ‘wordpressuser’@’localhost’; FLUSH PRIVILEGES; EXIT;
  Replace your_strong_password with a secure password.
Step 4: Install PHP and Required Extensions
1. Install PHP and Extensions: WordPress requires PHP and specific extensions for functionality.
  Bash
  sudo apt install php8.3-fpm php8.3-mysql php8.3-common php8.3-xml php8.3-curl php8.3-gd php8.3-mbstring php8.3-opcache php8.3-zip php8.3-intl -y
2. Verify PHP:
  Bash
  php –version
3. Configure PHP for WordPress:
- Edit php.ini to increase upload limits:
  Bash
  sudo nano /etc/php/8.3/fpm/php.ini
  Find and set:
  Text
  upload_max_filesize = 64M post_max_size = 64M
- Restart PHP-FPM:
  Bash
  sudo systemctl restart php8.3-fpm
Step 5: Install WordPress
1. Download WordPress:
  Bash
  cd /tmp wget https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz tar -xvzf latest.tar.gz
2. Move WordPress Files:
  Bash
  sudo mv wordpress /var/www/html/wordpress sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/wordpress sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/wordpress
3. Configure WordPress Database Settings:
  Bash
  cd /var/www/html/wordpress sudo cp wp-config-sample.php wp-config.php sudo nano wp-config.php
  Update the following lines with your database details:
  Bash
  define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘wordpress’); define(‘DB_USER’, ‘wordpressuser’); define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘your_strong_password’); define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);
  Save and exit.
Step 6: Configure Nginx for WordPress
1. Create an Nginx Server Block:
  Bash
  sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/wordpress
  Add the following configuration (replace example.com with your domain or server IP):
```
server {
    listen 80;
    listen [::]:80;
    root /var/www/html/wordpress;
    index index.php index.html index.htm;
    server_name example.com www.example.com;

    client_max_body_size 64M;

    location / {
        try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$args;
    }

    location ~ \.php$ {
        include snippets/fastcgi-php.conf;
        fastcgi_pass unix:/var/run/php/php8.3-fpm.sock;
        fastcgi_param SCRIPT_FILENAME $document_root$fastcgi_script_name;
        include fastcgi_params;
    }

    location ~ /\.ht {
        deny all;
    }
}
```
Save and exit.

2. Enable the Site:
Bash
sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/wordpress /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
3. Test and Reload Nginx:
Bash
sudo nginx -t sudo systemctl reload nginx
Step 7: Secure with Let’s Encrypt SSL (Optional but Recommended)
1. Install Certbot:
  Bash
  sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y
2. Obtain and Install SSL Certificate:
  Bash
  sudo certbot –nginx –agree-tos –redirect –hsts –staple-ocsp –email your_email@example.com -d example.com -d www.example.com
  – Replace your_email@example.com and example.com with your email and domain.
  – This automatically configures Nginx for HTTPS and redirects HTTP to HTTPS.
3. Verify HTTPS:
  – Visit https://example.com. You should see the WordPress setup wizard.
Step 8: Complete WordPress Installation

Access WordPress:
- Open a browser and navigate to http://<your-server-ip>/wordpress or https://example.com (if SSL is configured).
- Follow the WordPress setup wizard:
  - Select your language.
  - Enter site title, admin username (avoid “admin” for security), password, and email.
  - Click Install WordPress.
Log In:
- Go to http://<your-server-ip>/wordpress/wp-admin or https://example.com/wp-admin.
- Log in with your admin credentials.
Step 9: Post-Installation Steps
1. Set Up DNS (if using a domain):
  – Point your domain’s A record to your GCP VM’s public IP in your DNS provider’s settings.
  – Wait for DNS propagation (may take up to 48 hours).
2. Secure File Permissions:
  Bash
  sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/wordpress sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/wordpress sudo chmod 640 /var/www/html/wordpress/wp-config.php
3. Enable Caching (Optional):
  – Install a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache via the WordPress dashboard.
  – For advanced caching, configure Nginx FastCGI Cache or Redis (requires additional setup).
Troubleshooting Tips

Nginx Welcome Page Instead of WordPress:
- Ensure the Nginx server block points to /var/www/html/wordpress and is enabled.
- Remove the default Nginx site:
Bash
sudo rm /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default sudo systemctl reload nginx
Database Connection Error:
- Verify wp-config.php credentials match the MySQL database/user settings.
- Ensure MySQL is running:
Bash
sudo systemctl status mysql
Wizard Not Loading:
- Install missing PHP extensions:
Bash
sudo apt install php8.3-imagick php8.3-bcmath -y sudo systemctl restart php8.3-fpm
Permission Issues:
- Double-check ownership (www-data) and permissions (755 for directories, 644 for files, 640 for wp-config.php).
Bash
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/wordpress sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/wordpress
Notes:
Backup Strategy: Regularly back up your WordPress files (/var/www/html/wordpress) and MySQL database using tools like mysqldump or plugins like UpdraftPlus.
Performance: Nginx is lightweight and ideal for high-traffic WordPress sites. Consider using a CDN (e.g., Cloudflare) for further optimization.
Security: Keep your server, WordPress, and plugins updated. Use strong passwords and consider a security plugin like Wordfence.
August 3, 2025
Complete Guide: Adding Meta Descriptions to WordPress Blog Sites
Table of Contents
What Are Meta Descriptions?

Meta descriptions are HTML attributes that provide concise summaries of web pages. They appear in search engine results pages (SERPs) below the page title and URL, giving users a preview of what they’ll find on your page.

Example:
```
<meta name="description" content="Learn how to add effective meta descriptions to your WordPress blog with our step-by-step guide. Improve your SEO and click-through rates today.">
```
Why Meta Descriptions Matter

SEO Benefits
- Improved Click-Through Rates (CTR): Compelling descriptions encourage more clicks
- Better User Experience: Help users understand page content before clicking
- Search Engine Context: Provide search engines with page summaries
- Featured Snippets: Can influence snippet selection in search results
Business Impact
- Higher organic traffic
- Better qualified visitors
- Improved conversion rates
- Enhanced brand visibility
Method 1: Using SEO Plugins (Recommended)

Option A: Yoast SEO Plugin

Step 1: Install Yoast SEO
1. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard
2. Search for “Yoast SEO”
3. Click Install Now and then Activate
Step 2: Configure Yoast SEO
1. Navigate to SEO > General in your dashboard
2. Run the configuration wizard for initial setup
3. Choose your site type and optimization preferences
Step 3: Add Meta Descriptions to Posts/Pages
1. Edit any post or page
2. Scroll down to the Yoast SEO meta box
3. Click Edit snippet
4. Fill in the Meta description field
5. Watch the length indicator (aim for green/orange)
6. Preview how it will appear in search results
7. Update/Publish your post
Step 4: Set Default Templates (Optional)
1. Go to SEO > Search Appearance
2. Configure default meta description templates for:
  - Posts
  - Pages
  - Categories
  - Tags
  - Custom post types
Option B: RankMath SEO Plugin

Step 1: Install RankMath
1. Go to Plugins > Add New
2. Search for “Rank Math SEO”
3. Install and activate the plugin
Step 2: Setup Wizard
1. Follow the setup wizard
2. Connect your Google Search Console (recommended)
3. Configure basic settings
Step 3: Add Meta Descriptions
1. Edit a post or page
2. Find the Rank Math SEO section
3. Fill in the Description field
4. Use the content analysis suggestions
5. Save your changes
Option C: All in One SEO (AIOSEO)

Step 1: Installation
1. Install from Plugins > Add New
2. Search for “All in One SEO”
3. Activate the plugin
Step 2: Adding Descriptions
1. Edit your post/page
2. Scroll to AIOSEO Settings
3. Add your meta description
4. Use the preview feature
5. Save changes
Method 2: Manual Code Implementation

Option A: Custom Functions Approach

Step 1: Add Function to functions.php

Add this code to your active theme’s functions.php file:
```
// Add meta description support
function custom_meta_description() {
    if (is_single() || is_page()) {
        global $post;
        
        // Get custom meta description
        $meta_desc = get_post_meta($post->ID, '_custom_meta_description', true);
        
        if (!empty($meta_desc)) {
            echo '<meta name="description" content="' . esc_attr($meta_desc) . '">' . "\n";
        } else {
            // Fallback to excerpt or content
            $excerpt = wp_strip_all_tags(get_the_excerpt());
            if (!empty($excerpt)) {
                $excerpt = wp_trim_words($excerpt, 25, '...');
                echo '<meta name="description" content="' . esc_attr($excerpt) . '">' . "\n";
            }
        }
    } elseif (is_home() || is_front_page()) {
        // Homepage description
        $site_desc = get_bloginfo('description');
        if (!empty($site_desc)) {
            echo '<meta name="description" content="' . esc_attr($site_desc) . '">' . "\n";
        }
    } elseif (is_category()) {
        $cat_desc = category_description();
        if (!empty($cat_desc)) {
            $cat_desc = wp_strip_all_tags($cat_desc);
            echo '<meta name="description" content="' . esc_attr($cat_desc) . '">' . "\n";
        }
    }
}
add_action('wp_head', 'custom_meta_description');
```
Step 2: Add Meta Box for Custom Fields
```
// Add meta box for meta description
function add_meta_description_meta_box() {
    add_meta_box(
        'meta-description',
        'Meta Description',
        'meta_description_callback',
        'post',
        'normal',
        'high'
    );
    add_meta_box(
        'meta-description',
        'Meta Description',
        'meta_description_callback',
        'page',
        'normal',
        'high'
    );
}
add_action('add_meta_boxes', 'add_meta_description_meta_box');

// Meta box callback function
function meta_description_callback($post) {
    wp_nonce_field('save_meta_description', 'meta_description_nonce');
    $value = get_post_meta($post->ID, '_custom_meta_description', true);
    echo '<textarea style="width:100%; height:100px;" name="custom_meta_description" placeholder="Enter meta description (150-160 characters recommended)">' . esc_textarea($value) . '</textarea>';
    echo '<p><span id="meta-desc-count">0</span>/160 characters</p>';
    echo '<script>
        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
            $("textarea[name=custom_meta_description]").on("input", function() {
                $("#meta-desc-count").text($(this).val().length);
            }).trigger("input");
        });
    </script>';
}

// Save meta description
function save_meta_description($post_id) {
    if (!isset($_POST['meta_description_nonce']) || !wp_verify_nonce($_POST['meta_description_nonce'], 'save_meta_description')) {
        return;
    }
    if (defined('DOING_AUTOSAVE') && DOING_AUTOSAVE) {
        return;
    }
    if (isset($_POST['custom_meta_description'])) {
        update_post_meta($post_id, '_custom_meta_description', sanitize_textarea_field($_POST['custom_meta_description']));
    }
}
add_action('save_post', 'save_meta_description');
```
Option B: Header.php Direct Implementation

Add this code to your theme’s header.php file within the <head> section:
```
<?php if (is_single() || is_page()): ?>
    <?php
    $meta_desc = get_post_meta(get_the_ID(), '_custom_meta_description', true);
    if (!empty($meta_desc)): ?>
        <meta name="description" content="<?php echo esc_attr($meta_desc); ?>">
    <?php endif; ?>
<?php endif; ?>
```
Method 3: Theme-Based Solutions

Check Your Theme’s Features

Step 1: Review Theme Documentation
- Look for built-in SEO options
- Check for meta description fields
- Review theme customization panels
Step 2: Popular Themes with Built-in SEO
- Astra: SEO settings in customizer
- GeneratePress: Built-in meta options
- OceanWP: Integrated SEO features
- Neve: Meta description support
Step 3: Theme Customizer
1. Go to Appearance > Customize
2. Look for SEO or Meta sections
3. Configure site-wide defaults
4. Set up page-specific options
Best Practices for Writing Meta Descriptions

Length Guidelines
- Optimal length: 150-160 characters
- Mobile: Consider shorter descriptions (120-130 characters)
- Desktop: Can go up to 160 characters
Content Guidelines

Do:
- Include your primary keyword naturally
- Write compelling, action-oriented copy
- Accurately describe page content
- Include a call-to-action when appropriate
- Make each description unique
- Use active voice
- Appeal to user intent
Don’t:
- Keyword stuff
- Use duplicate descriptions
- Write misleading content
- Exceed character limits
- Use only keywords without context
- Copy content directly from the page
Formula Examples

Blog Posts: “Learn [topic] with our [format]. Discover [benefit] and [action]. [Call-to-action].”

Product Pages: “[Product name] – [key benefit]. [Feature/specification]. [Price/offer]. [Call-to-action].”

Service Pages: “[Service] in [location]. [Years] experience. [Unique selling point]. [Call-to-action].”

Meta Descriptions for Different Page Types

Homepage
- Summarize your site’s main purpose
- Include your primary keywords
- Highlight unique value proposition
- Example: “Professional web design services in [City]. 10+ years experience creating stunning, responsive websites. Get your free quote today!”
Blog Posts
- Summarize the main points
- Include target keywords
- Promise value or solution
- Example: “Discover 10 proven WordPress security tips to protect your site from hackers. Easy-to-follow guide with expert recommendations.”
Category Pages
- Describe what visitors will find
- Include category-relevant keywords
- Set expectations
- Example: “Browse our complete collection of WordPress tutorials. From beginner guides to advanced techniques – everything you need to master WordPress.”
Product Pages
- Highlight key features and benefits
- Include pricing if competitive
- Create urgency when appropriate
- Example: “Premium WordPress hosting starting at $9/month. 99.9% uptime, free SSL, 24/7 support. Try risk-free for 30 days!”
About Page
- Introduce your brand/story
- Highlight credentials or experience
- Include personality
- Example: “Meet the team behind [Company]. 15 years of web development experience, 500+ happy clients, and a passion for creating amazing websites.”
Contact Page
- Include location if relevant
- Mention response time
- List contact methods
- Example: “Contact [Company] for professional web design services. Located in [City]. Free consultations available. Call, email, or visit us today!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid

Technical Mistakes
1. Duplicate meta descriptions across multiple pages
2. Missing meta descriptions on important pages
3. Exceeding character limits causing truncation
4. Using only keywords without readable sentences
5. Auto-generated descriptions that don’t make sense
Content Mistakes
1. Misleading descriptions that don’t match page content
2. Generic descriptions that could apply to any page
3. Keyword stuffing that feels unnatural
4. Ignoring user intent and focusing only on SEO
5. Not including calls-to-action when appropriate
Strategic Mistakes
1. Not testing different versions to see what works
2. Ignoring mobile users with overly long descriptions
3. Not updating descriptions when page content changes
4. Forgetting about brand voice and personality
5. Not analyzing performance to improve over time
Testing and Monitoring

Tools for Testing

Google Search Console
- Monitor click-through rates
- See which descriptions appear in results
- Identify pages with low CTR
Google’s Rich Results Test
- Test how your descriptions appear
- Check for any markup issues
- Preview mobile and desktop views
SEO Browser Extensions
- SEOquake
- MozBar
- SEO Meta in 1 Click
Performance Monitoring

Key Metrics to Track:
- Click-through rate (CTR)
- Impressions
- Average position
- Organic traffic
Monthly Review Process:
1. Export Search Console data
2. Identify low-performing descriptions
3. Test new variations
4. Monitor changes in performance
5. Document what works best
A/B Testing Meta Descriptions

Process:
1. Identify pages with low CTR
2. Create alternative descriptions
3. Implement changes
4. Monitor for 4-6 weeks
5. Compare performance
6. Keep the better-performing version
Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

Meta Description Not Showing in Search Results
- Cause: Google may choose its own snippet
- Solution: Make description more relevant and compelling
- Note: Google uses its own judgment for snippet selection
Description Being Truncated
- Cause: Too many characters
- Solution: Reduce to 150-160 characters
- Tool: Use character counting tools
Duplicate Meta Description Errors
- Cause: Multiple pages with same description
- Solution: Write unique descriptions for each page
- Check: Use SEO tools to identify duplicates
Plugin Conflicts
- Cause: Multiple SEO plugins active
- Solution: Deactivate conflicting plugins
- Best Practice: Use only one SEO plugin
Theme Override Issues
- Cause: Theme hardcoded meta tags
- Solution: Remove theme meta tags or use child theme
- Check: View page source to identify conflicts
Debugging Steps
1. Check page source (Ctrl+U) for meta description tags
2. Use Google Search Console to see how Google reads your pages
3. Test with SEO tools to identify issues
4. Clear caching plugins after making changes
5. Wait 2-4 weeks for Google to re-crawl and update
Advanced Tips

Dynamic Meta Descriptions

Create template-based descriptions that automatically populate:
```
// Example for blog posts
function dynamic_post_meta_description($post_id) {
    $post = get_post($post_id);
    $category = get_the_category($post_id)[0]->name;
    $excerpt = wp_trim_words(strip_tags($post->post_content), 20);
    
    return "Learn about {$post->post_title} in our {$category} guide. {$excerpt} Read more tips and insights.";
}
```
Schema Markup Integration

Enhance meta descriptions with structured data:
```
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Article",
  "headline": "Your Article Title",
  "description": "Your meta description here",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Author Name"
  }
}
</script>
```
International SEO

For multilingual sites:
- Create unique descriptions for each language
- Consider cultural differences in messaging
- Use hreflang tags appropriately
- Test descriptions with native speakers
Conclusion

Adding effective meta descriptions to your WordPress blog is a crucial SEO practice that can significantly improve your search engine visibility and click-through rates. Whether you choose to use an SEO plugin for simplicity or implement custom solutions for more control, the key is consistency and quality.

Remember to:
- Keep descriptions between 150-160 characters
- Make each description unique and compelling
- Include relevant keywords naturally
- Monitor performance and adjust as needed
- Stay up-to-date with SEO best practices
Start with the plugin method if you’re new to SEO, then consider custom implementations as your needs grow more sophisticated. Regular monitoring and optimization will help you achieve the best results for your WordPress blog.

Quick Reference Checklist
- [ ] Choose your implementation method (plugin recommended for beginners)
- [ ] Install and configure your chosen solution
- [ ] Write unique meta descriptions for all important pages
- [ ] Keep descriptions 150-160 characters
- [ ] Include primary keywords naturally
- [ ] Add compelling calls-to-action
- [ ] Test descriptions before publishing
- [ ] Monitor performance in Google Search Console
- [ ] Update descriptions based on performance data
- [ ] Set up templates for automatic generation (optional)
Last updated: August 2025
August 1, 2025

Category: Howto

Complete WordPress Installation Guide: Easy Step-by-Step Setup with MySQL and Nginx on Ubuntu 24.04 GCP Server

Installing WordPress on GCP Prerequisites

Step 1: Set Up and Secure the Server

Step 2: Install Nginx

Step 3: Install MySQL

Step 4: Install PHP and Required Extensions

Step 5: Install WordPress

Step 6: Configure Nginx for WordPress

Step 7: Secure with Let’s Encrypt SSL (Optional but Recommended)

Step 8: Complete WordPress Installation

Step 9: Post-Installation Steps

Troubleshooting Tips

Complete Guide: Adding Meta Descriptions to WordPress Blog Sites

Table of Contents

What Are Meta Descriptions?

Why Meta Descriptions Matter

SEO Benefits

Business Impact

Method 1: Using SEO Plugins (Recommended)

Option A: Yoast SEO Plugin

Option B: RankMath SEO Plugin

Option C: All in One SEO (AIOSEO)

Method 2: Manual Code Implementation

Option A: Custom Functions Approach

Option B: Header.php Direct Implementation

Method 3: Theme-Based Solutions

Check Your Theme’s Features

Best Practices for Writing Meta Descriptions

Length Guidelines

Content Guidelines

Formula Examples

Meta Descriptions for Different Page Types

Homepage

Blog Posts

Category Pages

Product Pages

About Page

Contact Page

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Technical Mistakes

Content Mistakes

Strategic Mistakes

Testing and Monitoring

Tools for Testing

Performance Monitoring

A/B Testing Meta Descriptions

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

Debugging Steps

Advanced Tips

Dynamic Meta Descriptions

Schema Markup Integration

International SEO

Conclusion

Quick Reference Checklist