This wikiHow teaches you how to create a wiki-style website. Wiki hosting is a great way to facilitate community-focused websites to share information. The easiest way to create a wiki is to use a free site called Fandom (formerly known as Wikia), but you can also use a more fully featured alternative (self-hosting) such as MediaWiki or TikiWiki, depending on your web host.
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Method 1 of 3: Using Fandom
Step 1. Visit https://www.fandom.com through your computer's web browser
This service allows you to create a wiki powered by Fandom for free.
Step 2. Create a Fandom account
If you already have an account, click the human outline icon in the top right corner of the page and select “ SIGN IN ” to log in to the account. If not, click REGISTER ” to create a new account.
- After entering the requested information, click “ REGISTER ” to create an account.
- After creating an account, open the email from Fandom and click the link “ CONFIRM NOW ” to complete the registration process.
Step 3. Click the WIKIS tab
This tab is at the top of the page. The menu will expand afterwards.
Step 4. Click START A WIKI on the menu
Step 5. Name your wiki
In the column at the top of the page, type a title/site name. Use a name that describes the purpose of the site.
If Fandom feels that a wiki for the topic already exists, you will see a warning message
Step 6. Create an address
Adding a title will usually automatically generate the web address for your wiki in the " Give your wiki an address " field, but you can edit the address if necessary.
- Make sure ideas for your wiki are not already in use or available before creating them. Click the “Search” icon in the top right corner of the page, type in a wiki idea or topic, and click the arrow icon to search for it. If there is already, the idea or topic will be displayed in the right pane. It's a good idea to join your existing wiki for the chosen topic instead of creating a new site. This way, you can work with other people and use existing information instead of building a site from scratch or from scratch.
- Since Fandom offers free hosting, your wiki address will have the format "www.[name].fandom.com".
- If the language you want to use is not selected, first search and select the language from the menu.
Step 7. Click the blue NEXT button to continue
It's in the lower-right corner of the page.
Step 8. Enter a description
Type your site's purpose or description into the text field at the top of the page. A description will appear at the top of the page once the site is uploaded and up and running. If the site is intended for children aged 13 years (or less), check the appropriate box.
Step 9. Select the desired hub
Hub is Fandom's wiki categorization system. For example, if your wiki is about a singer, select the hub “ Music ” from the "Choose a Hub" menu.
You can mark additional categories after selecting the main category
Step 10. Click CREATE A NEW WIKI
It's a blue button in the lower-right corner of the page.
Step 11. Select the desired theme
Themes determine the colors and layout of the wiki. The page will be updated to show a preview of the selected theme.
Fandom will create a wiki in the background. A progress indicator is displayed under the theme to show the progress of site creation/editing. Once the wiki is created, you can modify the theme any time you want
Step 12. Click VIEW MY WIKI after the button is displayed
It's a blue button in the lower-right corner of the page once the wiki is ready to be activated. You will be taken to the new wiki main page which is the first page people see when they visit your site.
Step 13. Create a new article for the wiki
To get started, you'll need at least one article on the wiki.
- Click the sheet of paper button in the upper right corner of the page to create a new article.
- Enter the page title in the first column in the "Create a new article" window and click “ NEXT ”.
- Develop articles in the visual editor window. The editing tools are at the top of the screen. When finished, click " Save ”.
Step 14. Modify your wiki
Once you start writing articles, you may want to change the look of your site. All wiki settings are located on the administrator's dashboard which can be accessed via the circular button with a horizontal line and a single branch, in the upper right corner of the page. On this page, you can find:
- “Wiki” panel: Allows you to modify the colors and layout of the wiki.
- “Community” panel: Allows you to add and manage users, make announcements, and get help.
- “Content” panel: Allows you to manage categories, add pages, and insert media into the main page.
Method 2 of 3: Become Your Own Wiki Host
Step 1. Choose the wiki software to create your site
Sites require certain software to look and function as the wikis you know and love. After installing the program, you can add and edit articles. First, if you're already using a web hosting provider, ask if the provider formally supports wiki programs. If so, you can easily install it from the host's administrator panel. If not, check the available wiki program options and select a web host that supports them. You can also manually install the most popular wiki programs if you already have a dedicated web server or virtual private server. Some popular wiki program options include:
- MediaWiki is one of the most popular wiki platforms (used by Wikipedia and wikiHow), and is supported by a variety of popular web hosts such as Dreamhost, HostGator, SiteGround, and others. You can also easily install it on a dedicated or virtual private server. For the latest installation requirements, visit
- TikiWiki is another popular option supported by a unique variety of well-known web hosts, including Bluehost, Hostmonster, Inmotion, and Web Hosting UK. TikiWiki offers reliable plug-in support so you can add features such as forums, image galleries, calendars, and more. If you have your own server, you can install TikiWiki from
- Other popular options include DocuWiki, TiddlyWiki, Wiki.js, and XWiki.
Step 2. Install the wiki software on the server
If you are using a web host that supports tools such as MediaWiki or TikiWiki, go to the administrative panel to search for the program's installation tools. If you installed the program on your own server, you can use an FTP program such as FileZilla to transfer the wiki program to the server. These steps are a basic guide to installing MediaWiki.
- Search and read guides for information on using MediaWiki or TikiWiki.
- Downloaded Wiki programs are usually offered as compressed files. You can extract it to your computer or to the server directly.
Step 3. Create a database
For example, MediaWiki supports MySQL and SQLite. The installation program may automatically create a database, depending on the web host being used. If not, you will need to make your own. For SQLite users, you only need to specify the database name because after that, the database will be installed automatically. For MySQL users, create a new database named "wikidb" and user "wikiuser" using the following command:
CREATE DATABASE wikidb;
CREATE USER 'wikiuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password to use';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wikidb.* TO 'wikiuser'@'localhost' WITH GRANT OPTION;
- If the database and web server are on different servers, use an appropriate hostname instead of localhost (eg mediawiki.example.com).
- Read this article to learn more about how to create a MySQL database.
Step 4. Run the installation script from the browser
After uploading the wiki program files and creating the database, you can access the index.php page on the server from a browser to run the auto-install script. If you want to install MediaWiki, for example, you need to fill out a form with your wiki information:
- Wiki name - This entry is the name of your wiki. The name of the wiki will appear in the metadata segment and is integrated throughout the site.
- Contact e-mail - This entry refers to the primary administrative e-mail address. The email address will appear in all email notifications and some error pages.
- Language - Click the drop-down menu to select the site interface language.
- Copyright and Licenses - Specify the license information you want to use. The “GNU Free Documentation License” option is a Wikipedia compatible license.
- Admin username and password - This account information is the first administrator account that has the right to block users from editing rights and other administrative tasks. You can create more accounts later.
- Database host - This entry refers to the location where the database is stored. If the database is stored on the same server as the wiki program, use localhost.
- Database name - This entry is the name of the database you are using.
- Database username/password - Enter the username and password used to access the database.
Step 5. Customize your wiki
Once you've got the basic aspects of the wiki up and running, you can change their visual appearance through themes created by other users or by experimenting and modifying the CSS code.
Also change the wiki logo to match the function or purpose of the site
Method 3 of 3: Creating a Successful Wiki
Step 1. Determine the purpose of your site before creating it
By recognizing the purpose or function of your site, you can choose the right program and hosting options. You can create a wiki as a personal page/site, a community room, or a combination of the two. In addition, you can also use the wiki to observe the purpose of life, create product manuals for businesses, collaborate with colleagues on a project, create electronic newsletters (newsletters) for the community, provide a hobby discussion space, and so on.
- It would be nice if the wiki had a broad focus and allowed many knowledgeable authors and editors to contribute. If you want to create a site that is popular and involves a large number of community members, the focus should be open enough to allow plenty of room to develop discussion.
- It's better, for example, to start a wiki about the game company and all of its games, instead of discussing just one of the games they release.
Step 2. Find out if there are any duplicate sites that are similar to yours
Of course there is no point if you create a site that is similar to other sites. The purpose of a wiki is to allow everyone to write together, not to distance themselves from each other.
Check for wiki services other than the service you are using. For example, if you use a Wikia service to create your site, check out possible similar sites on Wikia and Wikidot
Step 3. Create a team before you create a site
You need advice and motivation when creating a site so discuss this project and invite others to join. It is possible that they will contribute to the project if invited or embraced before the site is created because they can see themselves as co-creators of the wiki.
Step 4. Set permissions
Wikis come with a built-in set of permissions that might suit your needs, but many people want to change who can access and edit certain content/elements. This is important, especially in a business setting where it allows multiple collaborators to work on a single product page, without allowing anonymous users to tamper with it.
In general, you can specify who can upload or edit uploads via the wiki settings page, both for the site as a whole and for posts/uploads
Step 5. Start creating content for your wiki
Once the site is up and running, it's time to write articles! When launched, the site will not have any pages and other contributors. To change it, you have to start adding some content. Keep in mind that quality content will drive people to visit the site. As visitors grow, people will start contributing to your site through their own articles and edits. It will take some time for you to reach this stage, but sooner or later, you can build a new community!
Keep in mind that in the early stages of creating a site, you have the right to define or create content that will attract the attention of many visitors to your site. However, make sure you cover or present the desired topic well so that from day one, you have comprehensive articles
Step 6. Create article categories
The category page displays a list of related pages. Beyond the categories containing the main content, you will need to create a category page called " Organization " for specific pages on your site, such as the main page, and perhaps a category page labeled " Help " that contains help articles.. Keep in mind that you can add subcategories to a large category by categorizing the category page.
Step 7. Create a site policy guide
These guidelines are general rules for writing content on your wiki. With this guide, contributors can find out or learn how to convey or present information to readers on the site. You don't need to design rigid or restrictive policies. Try to make your policies flexible because people can't work or contribute comfortably or well to wikis with too strict rules.
- For example, you need to write standards for intrasite link building and article eligibility.
- Keep in mind that not all contributors will want to follow your style guide, but at least it can help you monitor and edit your articles.
- Guidance / direction is felt to be more "friendly" than verbal commands. Corrections given in writing may feel more “warm” or “fun” than corrections sent in person from one individual to another.
Step 8. Develop your knowledge of wiki syntax
You can write articles more efficiently if you learn some basic wiki syntax. Syntax allows you to edit the page directly without using the directional editor feature so you can define the layout and style according to your taste.
Step 9. Copy elements from other sites
Copying content from other wikis is indeed a form of plagiarism, but reusing other site styles and templates is still allowed. Templates are pages that can be easily attached or applied to other pages. You can use templates for a number of purposes, including specifying articles that need to be removed, marking articles as stubs or stubs, or taking quick notes.
Step 10. Monitor the sites you manage
One of the advantages or appeal of wikis is that anyone can edit their content, but this is also the biggest challenge for site owners or managers. The more visitors who access the site, the more likely it is that the site is subject to vandalism. Fortunately, most wiki programs allow maintainers to quickly restore previous versions of articles.
Show tolerance as much as possible. If you feel that your version of writing and the contributor's version are both correct or accurate, display the contributor's version. In this way, the perspective of the site can be broadened and contributors will feel welcome
Step 11. Encourage active community members
If you find your wiki interesting, some visitors will often come to write and curate content. If multiple users are enthusiastic about your site, give a few dedicated users more control. Be supportive and reflect friendliness to editors. It is important for them to get help that can guide and motivate them in creating or developing a site.
- Assign a few users from the community as site administrators so you don't have too much responsibility when it comes to monitoring and managing site content.
- Provide forums and chat pages that allow community members to discuss the rules and style of writing on the site.
- Give administrators the opportunity to choose policy and style changes.
- Hold a community event (eg editing competition) to keep all loyal editors happy.
Step 12. Spread the word about your site
Do whatever you can to promote your site:
- Describe your wiki on WikiIndex (wikiindex.org).
- Look for smaller sites and invite their managers or owners to collaborate.
- Feel free to submit or upload questions on other sites.
- Advertise your wiki via social media.
Step 13. Expand the site following its development
As your wiki grows in popularity, add features that benefit your site. Features such as forums, chat windows, voting, calendars, and the like can enhance wiki functionality. Also, get creative with the content you upload!
Also make sure you update the wiki program package to the latest version whenever an update is available so you can get the latest features and security fixes
Step 14. Have fun and enjoy the process
Wikis are the result of the collaborative hard work of the community. Embrace and live the community you create through the wiki and always make an effort to make it better. The purpose of the internet was to facilitate communication and to date, wikis are one of the most effective platforms for gathering and sharing information in a positive way. Congratulations on your successful wiki!
Tips
- Try learning HTML, CSS, and Javascript so you can change the look or interface of a wiki without being held back by built-in editing limitations.
- Wikis are usually community focused. After creating it, you are free to relax and give the community the authority to determine the direction of the site, of course within the limits or rules that you have set.
Warning
- Violating the wiki's terms of service risks getting your site removed or disabled.
- Uploading copyright-infringing information to the site could land you in a legal case if the site is publicly accessible.
- Some parties may delete or damage site content. You can restore your edits, but make sure you have a backup of your off-site posts, content, or articles (eg other computers/devices). If you use MediaWiki or FANDOM to create a wiki, take advantage of the “Protect” feature to prevent unauthorized parties from editing pages on the wiki. You can also use the block feature to prevent certain IP addresses or users from editing any page, regardless of the protection level or status you choose.
