How to Install WordPress – The Complete Guide to WordPress Installation

Installing WordPress is the first step to creating your own website or blog. WordPress is a powerful and flexible platform used by millions worldwide for building anything from simple blogs to complex business sites. This guide will walk you through the complete process of installing WordPress on your web server, ensuring your site is up and running quickly and securely.

There are several ways to install WordPress, and we will cover the following methods:

• One-click installation via a hosting provider.
• Manual installation using cPanel.
• Manual installation via FTP.

1. WordPress One-Click Installation via Hosting Providers

Many hosting providers offer a one-click installation process for WordPress. This method is the easiest and quickest for beginners who want to get started immediately without manual configuration.

Steps:

1. Choose a Hosting Provider:
   • Select a hosting provider that supports WordPress, such as AlexHost.
2. • Once you’ve purchased a hosting plan, log in to your hosting provider’s control panel (usually cPanel or a custom dashboard provided by the host).
3. Locate the WordPress Installer:
   • Most hosts provide a one-click installer under sections like Softaculous, WordPress Tools, or Website Installers.
   • Look for the WordPress icon and click on it.
4. Run the WordPress Installer:
   • Click Install and fill out the required fields:
     • Choose domain: Select the domain where you want to install WordPress.
     • Site name: Enter your website’s name.
     • Admin username: Create a secure username for logging into your WordPress admin dashboard.
     • Admin password: Set a strong password.
     • Admin email: Provide an email address for site-related notifications.
5. Complete the Installation:
   • After filling out the necessary information, click Install. The system will install WordPress, and you’ll receive a confirmation message when it’s complete.
6. Access Your WordPress Dashboard:
   • Once the installation is complete, you can log in to your WordPress dashboard by going to https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/.
   • Use the username and password you created during installation to log in.

2. Manual WordPress Installation Using cPanel

If your hosting provider doesn’t offer a one-click installer, you can manually install WordPress via cPanel, which gives you more control over the installation process.

Steps:

1. Download WordPress:
   • Visit the official WordPress.org website and download the latest version of WordPress.
   • Extract the zip file to your local computer.
2. Create a MySQL Database:
   • Log in to your hosting provider’s cPanel.
   • Navigate to the MySQL Databases section and create a new database.
     • Choose a database name (e.g., wp_database).
   • Create a database user and assign a strong password.
   • Add the new user to the database and assign All Privileges.
3. Upload WordPress to Your Server:
   • In cPanel, open File Manager and navigate to the root directory of your website (usually public_html).
   • Upload the extracted WordPress files to the root directory. You can use File Manager or an FTP client (such as FileZilla) to upload the files.
4. Configure WordPress (wp-config.php):
   • Locate the wp-config-sample.php file in the WordPress folder.
   • Rename it to wp-config.php.
   • Open the wp-config.php file and add your database details:
     define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name');
define('DB_USER', 'your_database_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

5. Run the WordPress Installer:
   • Open a browser and go to https://yourdomain.com. You’ll be directed to the WordPress installation setup page.
   • Choose your language, click Continue, and then enter the site setup details:
     • Site Title: Name your website.
     • Username: Choose an admin username.
     • Password: Create a secure password.
     • Email: Enter your admin email.
     • Search Engine Visibility: Check this option if you don’t want search engines to index your site yet.
6. Complete the Installation:
   • Once you’ve filled out the details, click Install WordPress.
   • You’ll see a success message and can now log in to your WordPress dashboard using your admin credentials.

3. Manual Installation via FTP (Advanced)

This method is similar to the cPanel installation but requires the use of an FTP client to upload files.

Steps:

1. Download WordPress:
   • Download the latest version of WordPress from WordPress.org and extract it to your local machine.
2. Upload WordPress via FTP:
   • Use an FTP client like FileZilla and connect to your hosting server using the FTP credentials provided by your hosting company.
   • Navigate to the root directory of your domain (usually public_html) and upload all the WordPress files.
3. Create a MySQL Database:
   • Follow the steps outlined in the cPanel method above to create a MySQL database for WordPress.
4. Configure the wp-config.php File:
   • Open the wp-config-sample.php file and add your database information (DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, DB_HOST).
   • Save the file as wp-config.php and upload it to the root directory using FTP.
5. Run the WordPress Installer:
   • Go to https://yourdomain.com in a web browser and follow the WordPress installation prompts to complete the setup.

Post-Installation Tasks

Once WordPress is successfully installed, here are some important post-installation tasks to perform:

1. Log in to the WordPress Dashboard:

• Access your dashboard at https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/ using the admin username and password you created during installation.

2. Choose a Theme:

• Go to Appearance > Themes and choose or install a theme that matches your website’s purpose.
• You can install free themes from the WordPress Theme Directory or upload a premium theme.

3. Install Essential Plugins:

• Plugins add functionality to your WordPress site. Common plugins include:
  • Yoast SEO for search engine optimization.
  • Jetpack for performance and security.
  • Contact Form 7 for contact forms.
  • W3 Total Cache for performance optimization.
  • WooCommerce if you’re running an online store.

Navigate to Plugins > Add New to search for and install plugins.

4. Set Up Permalinks:

• Go to Settings > Permalinks and select the desired URL structure for your posts (e.g., Post name). This improves SEO and readability.

5. Secure Your Site:

• Consider installing a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri to protect your site from vulnerabilities.
• Change the default WordPress login URL to something unique for extra security (using plugins like WPS Hide Login).

Conclusion

Installing WordPress is a straightforward process, whether you choose a one-click install or a manual setup via cPanel or FTP. By following this complete guide, you’ll have your WordPress website up and running quickly. Once installed, don’t forget to set up important aspects like themes, plugins, and security to ensure your site’s success.