Ghost Installation on Ubuntu: Step-by-Step Guide 2023

Hey there, fellow tech enthusiasts! If you're eager to get started with Ghost, the fantastic blogging platform, and you're running Ubuntu, you're in the right place. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the process of downloading and setting up Ghost on your Ubuntu server. Let's embark on this journey together!

Learn how to install and configure Ghost on your Ubuntu server with this comprehensive guide. We'll walk you through each step to ensure a smooth setup of your Ghost blogging platform.

Introduction

Hello, tech enthusiasts! If you're eager to dive into the world of Ghost—a powerful, open-source blogging platform—and you're running Ubuntu, you've come to the right place. This step-by-step guide will walk you through downloading and setting up Ghost on your Ubuntu server. Let's get started!

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

Ubuntu server (version 18.04 or later)
A user with sudo privileges
A domain name pointed to your server's IP address (optional but recommended)
Basic knowledge of the command line

Step 1: Update Your Server

First, update your package lists and upgrade existing packages to ensure your server is up-to-date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Required Packages

Install Nginx, MySQL, and other necessary packages:

sudo apt install -y nginx mysql-server

Step 3: Install Node.js Using Node Version Manager (nvm)

Ghost requires a specific version of Node.js (LTS version). We'll use nvm to manage Node.js versions.

Install nvm:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.1/install.sh | bash

Load nvm into your current session:
```
source ~/.bashrc
```
Install the latest LTS version of Node.js:
```
nvm install --lts
```
Verify the installation:
```
node -v
npm -v
```

Step 4: Install Ghost-CLI

Install the Ghost Command Line Interface globally using npm:

sudo npm install -g ghost-cli@latest

Step 5: Configure MySQL

Secure your MySQL installation and set up a database for Ghost.

Secure MySQL:
```
sudo mysql_secure_installation
```
Follow the prompts to set a root password and secure your MySQL instance.
Log into MySQL as root:
```
sudo mysql -u root -p
```

Create a new database and user for Ghost:

CREATE DATABASE ghost_db;
CREATE USER 'ghost_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_secure_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON ghost_db.* TO 'ghost_user'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Replace 'your_secure_password' with a strong password.

Step 6: Set Up the Ghost Directory

Create a directory for Ghost and set the appropriate permissions:

sudo mkdir -p /var/www/ghost
sudo chown $USER:$USER /var/www/ghost
sudo chmod 775 /var/www/ghost

Step 7: Install Ghost

Navigate to the Ghost directory and install Ghost:

cd /var/www/ghost
ghost install

During the installation, you'll be prompted to configure:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Ghost CMS?

Ghost CMS is an open-source content management system designed for bloggers and publishers. It offers a clean, intuitive interface and focuses on simplicity, speed, and SEO optimization.

What are the prerequisites for installing Ghost CMS on Ubuntu?

You need:

Ubuntu server (18.04 or later)
Node.js (LTS version)
MySQL or MariaDB
Nginx
A user with sudo privileges

How do I install Node.js on Ubuntu?

Using nvm (Node Version Manager):

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.1/install.sh | bash
source ~/.bashrc
nvm install --lts

How can I update Ghost?

Navigate to your Ghost installation directory and run:

cd /var/www/ghost
ghost update

How do I back up my Ghost site?

Export Content:

ghost export

Backup Files and Database:

Copy the /var/www/ghost/content/ directory.
Back up the MySQL database:

mysqldump -u ghost_user -p ghost_db > ghost_db_backup.sql

How do I troubleshoot Ghost issues?

Use Ghost-CLI's built-in doctor command:

ghost doctor

Check logs for errors:

ghost log

Ensure to verify and validate the instructions based on your specific Ubuntu and Ghost versions. For comprehensive and updated guides, always refer to Ghost's official documentation. If you need to get more organic traffic from Google you can visit ghost SEO guide to optimize your website.