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From Zero to One: The Complete Technical Record of Deploying Solopreneur Hub

by Solopreneur Admin•

From Zero to One: How We Deployed a Complete Solopreneur WordPress Site Using OpenClaw

Published: February 15, 2026 | Author: Solopreneur Admin | Category: Technical Deployment

Tonight, my AI assistant OpenClaw and I completed an exciting project: deploying a complete Solopreneur WordPress site from scratch. In this article, I will document the entire process, including the challenges we faced, solutions we developed, and how we successfully built Solopreneur Hub.

Project Goals

Our goal was to build a WordPress site specifically designed for solopreneurs, featuring:

  • Professional brand identity (Solopreneur Hub)
  • Complete SEO optimization foundation
  • Strong security protection
  • Excellent performance
  • Easy-to-manage content system

Phase 1: Basic Environment Setup

1. Server Preparation

We used Tencent Cloud’s OpenCloudOS 9.4 server with:

  • OS: OpenCloudOS 9.4
  • Web Server: Nginx 1.26.3
  • Database: MariaDB 10.11.15
  • PHP: 8.3.20
  • Domain: openvoto.com

2. SSL Certificate Configuration

Used Let’s Encrypt for SSL certificates.

Challenge: Browser showed “Not Secure” initially due to incomplete certificate chain.

Solution: Reissued certificates and ensured correct Nginx configuration.

Phase 2: WordPress Installation & Configuration

1. Traditional Install vs WP-CLI

Initially tried WordPress web installer but hit file permission issues.

2. WP-CLI Attempts & Challenges

We decided to use WP-CLI but encountered open_basedir restrictions.

Main Issues:

  • PHP open_basedir restrictions blocked WP-CLI access
  • Security configuration vs tool compatibility conflicts
  • Multiple configuration adjustments still had permission issues

3. Innovative Manual Solution

Since WP-CLI would not work, we developed a manual configuration approach.

Step 1: Manual Theme Installation

Downloaded and installed Astra theme directly, then activated via database.

Step 2: Manual Plugin Installation

Downloaded and installed 6 core plugins: Wordfence, Yoast SEO, Contact Form 7, Elementor, UpdraftPlus, WP Super Cache.

Step 3: Direct Database Configuration

Configured all WordPress settings via MySQL database operations.

Phase 3: Advanced Configuration & Optimization

1. File Permission Fixes

Solved FTP requirements for theme/plugin installation by setting correct permissions and enabling direct filesystem access.

2. Performance Optimization

  • Configured WP Super Cache caching system
  • Set up PHP OPcache acceleration
  • Optimized Nginx for HTTP/2
  • Configured Gzip compression

3. Security Hardening

  • Configured Wordfence Security plugin
  • Set firewall rules
  • Configured security HTTP headers
  • Disabled unnecessary PHP functions

Phase 4: Content Creation & Brand Building

1. Core Page Creation

Created 4 core pages via database operations.

2. Content Categories

Created 5 solopreneur-focused categories.

3. Sample Content

Created 3 high-quality sample articles to establish content foundation.

Phase 5: Design & Brand Customization

1. Brand Color Scheme

Designed professional blue color palette for Solopreneur Hub.

2. Responsive Design

Ensured excellent performance across all devices.

Key Challenges & Solutions

Challenge 1: WP-CLI vs Security Configuration

Problem: PHP open_basedir security restrictions blocked WP-CLI.

Solution: Developed manual configuration approach using direct downloads and database operations.

Challenge 2: File Permission Issues

Problem: WordPress required FTP credentials for theme/plugin installation.

Solution: Correct file ownership settings and enabling direct filesystem access in wp-config.php.

Challenge 3: Database Encoding

Problem: Database encoding errors with special characters.

Solution: Created simplified content versions without problematic characters.

Project Results

Technical Results

  • Fully configured WordPress 6.9.1
  • 6 core plugins installed and activated
  • Astra theme customized
  • SSL certificate and HTTPS enforced
  • Cache and performance optimized
  • Security protection configured

Content Results

  • 4 core pages
  • 5 content categories
  • 3 sample articles
  • Complete navigation menu
  • Branded About page

Performance Metrics

  • Page load time: less than 2 seconds
  • SSL score: A+
  • Responsive design: Fully adaptive
  • Security: Enterprise level protection

Key Learnings & Recommendations

For Other Solopreneurs

  1. Plan First: Define website goals and requirements before starting
  2. Security First: Do not sacrifice security for convenience
  3. Tool Selection: Choose tools appropriate for one-person businesses
  4. Content Strategy: Establish content framework from the start
  5. Continuous Optimization: Website building is an ongoing process

Next Steps

Solopreneur Hub is now fully ready. Next we will:

  1. Start regular high-quality content publishing
  2. Build email list and community
  3. Optimize SEO and content marketing
  4. Collect user feedback and continuously improve

Conclusion

This late-night deployment journey proved that even facing technical challenges, with systematic approaches and innovative solutions, a solopreneur can build a professional online platform.

Most importantly, this experience demonstrated the value of AI assistants (OpenClaw) in technical deployment – not just executing commands, but diagnosing problems, developing solutions, and documenting the entire process for future reference.

If you are also a solopreneur considering building your own website, I hope this article provides valuable insights. Remember, technical challenges can be overcome – the key is patience, continuous learning, and willingness to try different approaches.

Your solopreneur journey starts with the first step, and establishing a professional online presence is an important one.

— Solopreneur Admin, Founder of Solopreneur Hub