WordPress is one of the most popular blogging and CMS software—over 60% of blogs run on WordPress. Although installing WordPress is very easy, newbies may find it challenging.
This article is for those who do not know How To Install WordPress.
Most reputable web hosts offer an automated mechanism for installing WordPress. We may not be able to cover all such web hosts. However, this article provides a generic approach for installing WordPress on any web host.
Table of Contents
Things You Need Before Installing WordPress
Before installing WordPress, you need a domain name and a web hosting plan. You can proceed with Namecheap for a domain name, and for web hosting, consider Cloudways.
Once you have both, you need to update the nameserver and DNS records so that your domain name is pointing to the correct IP address.
How To Install WordPress
We can install WordPress using the two methods below. If you are using shared hosting, you can use an auto-installer, but for VPS and dedicated servers, the manual method is the only option.
- Using auto-installer
- Using the Manual method
How To Install WordPress Using Auto Installer (Softaculous)
Auto Installer is a script that automates the installation of any web software. Typically, when you want to install web software like WordPress. In that case, you need to create a database, connect it to your WordPress installation, set up backup options, and perform several other tasks.
The auto-installer does everything for you with a single click, reducing the chances of errors. That is why any newbie can also install WordPress using the auto-installer.
C Panel is the most popular and widely used web control panel. It comes with an auto-installer called Softaculous, which automates the installation of WordPress.
Here are the detailed guidelines about how to install WordPress using the C panel
1. Login To C Panel
When you buy shared hosting, the provider will send you the cPanel login details and URL. You must log in first with those credentials.
2. Search For Softaculous
Most web hosts provide Softaculous. If your web host offers this, navigate to the CPanel home page and search for Softaculous.
Click on it to go to the Softaculous dashboard. Alternatively, you can access the WordPress option directly on the installation page.
3. Install WordPress
Click “Install Now” to proceed to the WordPress installation page.
On the installation page, most options are self-explanatory. However, you must pay attention to the protocol, domain, directory, and version.
Please fill out the following details.
- Protocol: Here, you can choose whether you want HTTPS or HTTP. If you install it in the www subdirectory, choose https://www or HTTP://www.
- Domain Name: You must add the domain name in the C panel. Then you can select it here.
- Directory: To install WordPress in a directory rather than the root, enter the directory name. The directory name should not exist; Softaculous will create it for you.
- Site Settings: Here, you need to select your site name, description, admin ID, password, and other relevant details. You can change these later.
- Other Settings: Depending on your web hosting, you may have options to select a few plugins, themes, and other features.
Once you have filled in all the details, click the “Install” button, which will be available at the end of the installation page.
It may take a couple of minutes to install WordPress.
How To Install WordPress Using FTP [Install WordPress Manually]
Installing WordPress using FTP is a universal method that should work with any hosting provider. Here are the steps that you need to follow.
1. Download WordPress
First, download the WordPress package to your computer and unzip it. You can download the package here.
2. Upload The Package To The Installation Folder
You must now upload the unzipped contents to the WordPress installation folder. It can be the root directory or any subdirectory where you want to install WordPress. You can use FTP software, such as FileZilla, to upload the content.
3. Create MySQL Database
WordPress stores its information in a database. Therefore, a database will need to be created.
Navigate to SQL Service -> MySQL Databases, which will take you to the database creation page.
Enter the database name below and click on “Next Step.“
Enter the database username and password, and then click “Create User.“
Give all privileges to the user for that database and click “Make Changes.“
4. Install WordPress
Now, you must type in the URL where you uploaded the WordPress package content. For example, if I uploaded the content to the “testing” folder of rianstech.com, we need to access the URL rianstech.com/testing to start the installation process.
You will be presented with the welcome screen. Select the language and click on “Continue.“
It’s time to connect the database we created in step 3. Click on “Let’s Go“
Enter the database name, username, and password. There is no need to change the database host and table prefix. Click “Submit“
If you get the following message, your database connection is successful. Click “Run The Installation” to start the installation process.
Enter the site title, username, password, and email address. You can change them later if you want. Once you’ve completed this step, click “Install WordPress.“
After some time, you will receive a message indicating that the installation is successful. Click “Log In” to log in to the WordPress admin dashboard.
That’s it. You have successfully installed WordPress.
Conclusion: How To Install WordPress
Installing WordPress is very easy. I hope that after reading this article, it will be easier for you.
Most web hosts have their own mechanisms for installing WordPress. However, the two methods listed in this article are generic and can be used with any host.
The first method applies to web hosts that use the CPanel. However, the second method applies to all web hosts, regardless of the control panel they use.
