Choosing The Right Web Host
Before you install WordPress, there are a number of requirements set forth to virtually sanction the compatibility of WordPress with your web host. It'll be impossible to install and run WordPress on a web host that doesn't support PHP and MySQL.
The PHP version has to be 5.2.4 or higher, and the MySQL version has to be 5.0 or higher. Also, although not really essential, Nginx or Apache servers are more suitable for WordPress than others. It'd be wise to contact your web host for confirmation of the availability of these requirements.
Just in case you haven't yet purchased a hosting package, you can find a list of recommended web hosts on WordPress' official website.
Methods of Installing WordPress
There are two ways you can install WordPress - automatically or manually. Many web hosts now provide a simple installer for installing WordPress with a few clicks, with the most popular ones being Softaculous and Fantastico.
However, if your web host is lacking an auto installer, you can do it yourself. It'll only take more time and increase the likelihood of mistakes as well. Softaculous seems to be the most prominent auto installer right now, therefore, it'll be used in the elaboration below.
Automatic Installation Using Softaculous
You have to initially sign in to your web host's control panel (usually Cpanel) with your password and username. After logging in, scroll down until you find the "Software and Services" tab. Under that tab, you'll see an icon with "Softaculous" appended below it. Click on it.
On the new window that opens, select WordPress on the left sidebar and click install at the top after the page loads. You'll be presented with a form to fill in the details of your installation. This is how it should be filled:
- Protocol: Choose http://
- Domain: Choose the right domain
- Directory: Leave this empty
- Database name: Any name you prefer
- Site name & description: Optional
- Admin username: Enter your preferred username for logging in
- Admin password: Enter a strong password
- Admin email: Enter admin@yoursite.com
This information is applicable to other types of auto installers, which by the way are all intuitive.
Manual Installation of WordPress
1. Go to wordpress[dot]org and click on "download" at the top menu. Select the zip version, download it, and save it to your local disk.
2. Create a separate MySQL database from your Cpanel's "MySQL databases" section located under the "Databases" tab. Then create a separate MySQL user and attach that user to your newly created database. Make sure you give the attached user all privileges in the process of associating the account with the new database.
3. Unzip the zipped WordPress file you downloaded and locate the file named "wp-config-sample[dot]php" and change the name to "wp-config[dot]php". Open the same file with a simple text editor (e.g. notepad, avoid word processors) and look for the following and replace them with your own details:
- putyourdbnamehere: Replace with the name of your newly created database
- usernamehere: Replace with the username of the new user you added
- yourpasswordhere: Replace with password of newly added user
- localhost: Don't alter this if you are using Cpanel control panel
* It is advisable to be certain that your web host uses Cpanel before signing up for a hosting package. No other type of control panel is recommended.
Save the modified wp-config.php file.
4. Upload all the extracted files (only the files in the zipped file, excluding the zip file itself) to the root directory of your chosen domain.
5. Enter "yoursite.com/wp-admin/install[dot]php" into your browser's address bar and click "go". You'll be greeted with a page requesting details about your site, such as the title, admin password & username, etc. Enter the details requested and click the "install WordPress" button at the bottom. If you've done everything appropriately, you should now have a fully functional WordPress website.
Conclusion
Installing WordPress is not as intricate as many people perceive it. You just have to be rather meticulous and patient as well.
Before you install WordPress, there are a number of requirements set forth to virtually sanction the compatibility of WordPress with your web host. It'll be impossible to install and run WordPress on a web host that doesn't support PHP and MySQL.
The PHP version has to be 5.2.4 or higher, and the MySQL version has to be 5.0 or higher. Also, although not really essential, Nginx or Apache servers are more suitable for WordPress than others. It'd be wise to contact your web host for confirmation of the availability of these requirements.
Just in case you haven't yet purchased a hosting package, you can find a list of recommended web hosts on WordPress' official website.
Methods of Installing WordPress
There are two ways you can install WordPress - automatically or manually. Many web hosts now provide a simple installer for installing WordPress with a few clicks, with the most popular ones being Softaculous and Fantastico.
However, if your web host is lacking an auto installer, you can do it yourself. It'll only take more time and increase the likelihood of mistakes as well. Softaculous seems to be the most prominent auto installer right now, therefore, it'll be used in the elaboration below.
Automatic Installation Using Softaculous
You have to initially sign in to your web host's control panel (usually Cpanel) with your password and username. After logging in, scroll down until you find the "Software and Services" tab. Under that tab, you'll see an icon with "Softaculous" appended below it. Click on it.
On the new window that opens, select WordPress on the left sidebar and click install at the top after the page loads. You'll be presented with a form to fill in the details of your installation. This is how it should be filled:
- Protocol: Choose http://
- Domain: Choose the right domain
- Directory: Leave this empty
- Database name: Any name you prefer
- Site name & description: Optional
- Admin username: Enter your preferred username for logging in
- Admin password: Enter a strong password
- Admin email: Enter admin@yoursite.com
This information is applicable to other types of auto installers, which by the way are all intuitive.
Manual Installation of WordPress
1. Go to wordpress[dot]org and click on "download" at the top menu. Select the zip version, download it, and save it to your local disk.
2. Create a separate MySQL database from your Cpanel's "MySQL databases" section located under the "Databases" tab. Then create a separate MySQL user and attach that user to your newly created database. Make sure you give the attached user all privileges in the process of associating the account with the new database.
3. Unzip the zipped WordPress file you downloaded and locate the file named "wp-config-sample[dot]php" and change the name to "wp-config[dot]php". Open the same file with a simple text editor (e.g. notepad, avoid word processors) and look for the following and replace them with your own details:
- putyourdbnamehere: Replace with the name of your newly created database
- usernamehere: Replace with the username of the new user you added
- yourpasswordhere: Replace with password of newly added user
- localhost: Don't alter this if you are using Cpanel control panel
* It is advisable to be certain that your web host uses Cpanel before signing up for a hosting package. No other type of control panel is recommended.
Save the modified wp-config.php file.
4. Upload all the extracted files (only the files in the zipped file, excluding the zip file itself) to the root directory of your chosen domain.
5. Enter "yoursite.com/wp-admin/install[dot]php" into your browser's address bar and click "go". You'll be greeted with a page requesting details about your site, such as the title, admin password & username, etc. Enter the details requested and click the "install WordPress" button at the bottom. If you've done everything appropriately, you should now have a fully functional WordPress website.
Conclusion
Installing WordPress is not as intricate as many people perceive it. You just have to be rather meticulous and patient as well.