How to Install WordPress

Method 1 shows how the process works if you use highly integrated hosts like SiteGround. This is the fastest and simplest way. We’ll use SiteGround (and HostGator) as examples. Most quality hosts have similar install methods, so these two can be used as templates. 

Method 2 is a walkthrough on how to install WordPress on whatever web host you use, but it’s more technical and advanced. This method might be more confusing for people that aren't as much tech-savvy.

Either way, make sure that you have a hosting provider first. Though WP does offer hosting options, it ironically isn’t a top WordPress host. 

In most cases, this is the one to use.

Any web host worth its salt will have something like a WordPress setup wizard, often where you can virtually set yourself up with a single click. Here’s an example of how to set up WordPress using SiteGround; others should have a similar scheme. 

Fast 💨: Installing WordPress with SiteGround 

SiteGround has a user-friendly dashboard that lets you set up WordPress in a matter of a few clicks…

After this example, I will also show you how to set up WordPress using HostGator, so that you can see how easy the process is for any good web host!

1. Log into SiteGround. 
2. You’ll get a notification in the Customer Area to ‘Start a new website’. Select it.
3. Next (screenshot below), enter your login credentials: email, username, and pass.
4. Hit the ‘Continue’ button.
5. Next, add any desired extras/enhancements, hit the ‘Complete setup’ button and you’re done

* Your login credentials should be the welcome email that you received after subscribing to your host.

Fast 🏍️: Installing WordPress with HostGator

HostGator also has a fast WordPress installation wizard (which it calls QuickInstall). This is the easiest way of installing WordPress. Rather than logging into your host, with this method, you log into cPanel instead.

1. Log into cPanel
2. Hit the QuickInstall icon in the Software category.
3. Hit the WordPress icon.
4. Here you can select what domain to install WordPress on. Click ‘Next’.
5. Enter your credentials like in the SiteGround process. If accepted, you’ll be able to log in to your WordPress dashboard and begin building your site.

Get the picture? Your web host should combine most of the manual installation steps into only a few single clicks—but without the technicalities.

The advanced method for how to manually install WordPress has four steps:

• ☑️ Step 1. Downloading Your WordPress Installation Package
• ☑️ Step 2. Uploading WP Files to Your Server
• ☑️ Step 3. Making a MySQL Database for WP
• ☑️ Step 4. Running and Completing Installation

Step 1. Downloading Your WordPress Installation Package ⬇️

You need the executable installation files, so head to the official WordPress download page. This is the best place to go as it will be updated with the latest most secure and stable WP version. 

The download will be saved to your hard drive. Once the download is complete, head to its location and extract the .zip file to a new folder (right-click, select extract all).

Step 2. Uploading WPs Files to Your Server ⬆️

Next is to upload the extracted WordPress files and folders to your hosting web server. The simplest method for this is to use an FTP server.

You should have the details necessary for setting up an FTP server in the welcome email from your hosting provider. All of the details should have been provided there. If not, head to your web host’s cPanel:

1. ☑️ Head to https://www.yourdomain.com:2083 or https://server-ip-address:2083.
2. ☑️ Go to cPanel and scroll to the Files section. 
3. ☑️ Double-click the ‘FTP accounts’ tool.
4. ☑️ From the list of accounts, choose ‘Admin FTP Account’.
5. ☑️ Choose ‘Configure FTP Client’, where your credentials will be.

This will look different depending on what FTP client you choose

If you don’t see any credentials, you can generate them using the same page. 

Once your credentials are ready, you’re ready to transfer your WordPress files to a new FTP server. A few good clients are FTPZilla, Cyberduck, and Transmit (for a more detailed guide: see this):

1. ☑️ Open your preferred client and connect to the server.
2. ☑️ Checkmark all the files you extracted earlier from WP’s official page.
3. ☑️ Drag files from your hard drive to the ‘public_HTML’ or ‘www’ folder on the server.

PRO TIP ⭐

You should select the public_HTML folder if you want a purpose to be your main installation for your account and to be reachable via your central domain (ie. www.yourwebsitedomain.com). If you want only part of your site to run via WordPress, you can create a subfolder (eg. public_HTML/product page). 

Step 3. Making a MySQL Database for WP 🗄️ 

WordPress needs to manage its data using a database. For this, you will connect it to a MySQL database with an assigned MySQL user who has full permissions (you will also create a user):

1. ☑️ Head to http://yourdomainname.com/cpanel (cPanel).
2. ☑️ Double-click ‘MySQL databases’.
3. ☑️ Name your database then click the ‘Create database’ button.
4. ☑️ In the MySQL users interface, scroll down until you find the area where you need to enter your username, password, then click the ‘Create user’ button.

Make sure that you note your credentials, your: database name, database username, and password. These will be needed for step four in the WordPress setup process, installing WordPress.

Step 4. Running and Completing Installation ✔️

The final step. You’ll need to head to your website in order to run the installation process, where you will be asked to input a few details about your database and site.

If your WordPress files are extracted to your public_HTML directory, head to it whatever browser you use. The below screenshot should be what you see. Select your preferred WordPress first language, then click Continue.

Next, you’ll be given an alert screen, notifying you about what details you need before proceeding. As you already have this information to hand, just hit Let’s Go.

Once you’ve tapped in the details of the MySQL database that you created in step three, press Submit.

There will be a short delay as WordPress verifies your configuration. If it’s all fine, you will get a confirmation screen like the one below. Hit the Run the Installation button to continue.

Next, you will need to enter your admin username and name your site. Be sure to enter a strong password as cybersecurity is a growing issue that site owners need to be concerned with.

Make sure your email address as well, as it will be needed if you lose your password. If you want to be visible on search engines, do not check the box called ‘Discourage search engines from indexing the site’. Now hit Install WordPress.

And now you’re successfully up. Your WordPress engine has been successfully installed. You are presented with a Login button that you can use to enter the WordPress website builder.

There, you can design your website and add/post content.

It’s becoming more difficult for business owners and content creators to keep their private identities safe when handling so many online accounts, but one great step is to anonymize your IP. 

For setting up WordPress, in most cases, we would recommend method one. It’s a quick and clean way of linking your 1) web host and domain to 2) WordPress and 3) a MySQL database. Because WordPress is so popular, it’s highly integrated into the various hosting platforms; usually, it requires only a few clicks.

In the rare event that you need a universal installation means, method 2 is a flexible way of connecting your WordPress CMS to whatever web host.

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