Building a WordPress Subdomain from Scratch on Skool with The Foundation Factor
Today I hosted my first live Watch Me Work session on Skool, and it was a blast. These sessions are designed to show the unpolished, behind-the-scenes process of building and growing websites the right way. There’s no fluff. I don’t take any shortcuts. It’s just me working and a real system rooted in The Foundation Factor.
What We Covered in the Skool Watch Me Work Session
Creating a Subdomain
I kicked things off by logging into my SureSupport hosting panel and creating a brand-new subdomain: watchmework.gogomarketingllc.com. Subdomains are one of the most underrated tools in a developer’s kit. They let you test, build, and experiment without breaking your main site which is something every entrepreneur should understand before launching live.
Alot of times, we use subdomains to create a staging site or sandbox for the production site. We also use them for customer accounts or company process manuals. There’s many ways to use subdomains; however, never use a subdomain to host a blog. Ask me why on my Skool community platform.
Don’t you just love terminology? That reminds me. I need to add a glossary if I’m gong to continue talking about building a website from scratch. Remind me to do that.
Installing WordPress
From there (creating the subdomain), I installed WordPress through the hosting backend. A fresh install gives you a clean slate, with its own database and admin access. Simple, but powerful. I could have also installed the WordPress backend manually, but theres really no point in doing it that way nowadays.
Theme Setup with Divi
I walked through installing and activating the Divi theme from Elegant Themes. Divi is my go-to builder because it combines flexibility, scalability, and long-term control. Those qualities are exactly what entrepreneurs need if they want to build, grow, and own their online presence which is the core mission of The Foundation Factor. I also made a point to differentiate between Divi 4 and Divi 5 which is not yet in production. I will not build any production sites until it is.
Security Best Practices
Security isn’t optional, it’s foundational. We deleted unused default themes, removed plugins like Akismet and Hello Dolly, and added Google reCAPTCHA to protect forms from spam and bots. I had to start over on the reCAPTCHA creation because I was logged into the incorrect Google account. You never know what’s gonna happen on an unscripted live. You would have seen my reCAPTCHA test fail on a live broadcast. That sucks. But if you don’t start secure, you’ll regret it later.
Why Skool and The Foundation Factor Work Together
Throughout the session, I shared some of my background and philosophy:
- 30+ years in marketing and web development
- Work in more than 30 countries with companies scaling from a few million to $100M annually
- A documented system of trial, error, and proven results
The big takeaway: WordPress with Divi is the platform I recommend for 90% of entrepreneurs. It’s flexible enough for startups but strong enough to scale. Pair that with my private Skool community, and you’ve got a place to watch, learn, and ask questions as we build websites the right way.
Why Watch Me Work Sessions Matter
In my free guide Before You Build It, I talk about the dangers of starting on the wrong platform or hiring the wrong freelancer. A website is not a decoration. It’s your business system online.
That’s why these weekly Watch Me Work sessions on Skool are important. They’re live, transparent, and grounded in the same system I’m writing about in my upcoming book, The Foundation Factor: How to Build, Grow, and Own Your Online Presence from Scratch.
You’re not just getting theory, you’re watching the process unfold in real time.
What’s Next on Skool and The Foundation Factor
- Next Live Session: Thursday, 8/28/2025 at 1:00 PM
- Community Access: Join my Skool community to participate in weekly Watch Me Work | Gogo Live sessions.
- Free Course: The companion class for Before You Build It is available for free inside the Skool platform.
- The Book: The Foundation Factor: How to Build, Grow, and Own Your Online Presence From Scratch is in the editing stage. It’s designed to give entrepreneurs a proven system for building and scaling their presence online.
If you missed today’s live session, replays will be available in the Skool community. Join me next time! There’s no better way to learn than by watching the actual work happen.