Ubuntu-Server-LEMP-Stack-with-WordPress.txt

#This applies to DigitalOcean Droplet running on Ubuntu 18.04 and NGINX 

SSH into server using details provided. Click "Connect to Console" in DO dashboard to get the info if needed

Follow normal steps to install NGINX, MySQL, PHP:
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-linux-nginx-mysql-php-lemp-stack-ubuntu-18-04

Follow normal steps to create a self-signed cert if you are waiting on DNS to propagate:
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-create-a-self-signed-ssl-certificate-for-nginx-in-ubuntu-16-04

If you have DNS propagated already, use the Let'sEncrypt method for NGINX:
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-secure-nginx-with-let-s-encrypt-on-ubuntu-16-04

Follow normal steps to install WordPress
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-wordpress-with-lemp-on-ubuntu-16-04


A few speedbumps that may come up --

Always make sure to restart or reload nginx -- `sudo systemctl restart` `sudo systemctl reload nginx`
Always check to make sure edits have been implemented properly -- `sudo nginx -t`
You may run into some issues when installing PHP, be sure to update -- `sudo apt-get update` -- and upgrade `sudo apt-get upgrade` -- and in rare cases -- `sudo apt-get dist-upgrade`. Once all is upgraded/updated the PHP packages should install as normal.
Certain additional PHP packages may not install due to dependencies. the one offender I found was php-mcrypt, but this is not necessary yet.
When you install plugins or need updates to WordPress be sure to install dependcies your system will say you need when installing/updating

UPgarding and Updating:
Upgrade and updates need access using sudo chown -R www-data /var/www/html
When the upgrades/updates are complete remove access for security sudo chown -R username /var/www/html

Always remember to restart PHP after making changes -- sudo systemctl php7.2-fpm