Your Perfect Beginner’s Guide to How to Install WordPress

Table of Contents

Are you looking to install WordPress but unsure where to start? Don’t worry, as there are several methods available for installing WordPress, each catering to different needs and preferences. In this guide, I will provide comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for each method to ensure you can get your WordPress site up and running smoothly, no matter which option you choose.

So, let’s dive in and explore the different ways to install WordPress!

Main methods to install WordPress

Method 1: Choose a host that comes with WordPress pre-installed

The simplest way to install WordPress is to choose a hosting provider that handles the installation for you. Many WordPress-specific hosts offer the option to have WordPress pre-installed, allowing you to dive right into your WordPress site as soon as you sign up for hosting. In such cases, the question of “how to install WordPress” becomes irrelevant!

Many managed WordPress hosts also pre-install WordPress for you, although these services often come with higher price tags.

Get Started Free with Managed WordPress Hosting on Cloudways – Signup Now

If you’ve already chosen a different hosting provider, don’t worry. Most hosts still make it very easy to install WordPress, though you might need to click a few buttons. We’ll cover those steps in the next section.

Method 2: Installing WordPress via cPanel

In your cPanel interface, your host should provide access to one or more autoinstallers. These tools simplify the process of installing WordPress, as their name suggests, by automating most of the steps involved.

Autoinstallers handle the entire WordPress installation process, which we’ll detail in the next section, allowing you to bypass the manual steps. Instead, you simply enter some basic information, click a button, and the autoinstaller takes care of the rest.

There are several autoinstallers you might come across:

• Softaculous
• Fantastico
• QuickInstall

Additionally, some hosts might offer their own proprietary WordPress installer tool, which is another method for installing WordPress via cPanel.

While there may be minor differences in the interfaces of these autoinstallers, they all function similarly. I’ll demonstrate how to install WordPress on cPanel using Softaculous, but keep in mind that your specific autoinstaller might look slightly different.

Get started!

Step 1: Log in to Your cPanel

1. Open your web browser and navigate to your cPanel login URL.
2. Enter your username and password.

Step 2: Locate the Softaculous Apps Installer

1. Once logged in, scroll down to the “Software” section.
2. Click on “Softaculous Apps Installer.”

Step 3: Find and Select WordPress

1. In the Softaculous interface, find and click on the WordPress icon.

Step 4: Start the Installation

1. Click on the “Install Now” button.

Step 5: Configure WordPress Installation Settings

1. Choose the domain where you want to install WordPress.

2. Fill in the site settings:
   • Site Name
   • Site Description

3. Set up your Admin Account:
   • Admin Username
   • Admin Password
   • Admin Email
4. Choose the language and select any plugins if desired.

Step 6: Complete the Installation

1. Click the “Install” button at the bottom of the page.
2. Wait for the installation to complete.
3. You will see a success message with your WordPress login URL.

Depending on the specific autoinstaller you’re using, you might encounter a few additional options. You can safely ignore these and leave them set to their default values unless specified otherwise.

Once you’ve entered all the required information, click the Install button at the bottom of the screen. The installation process may take a minute or so. After it’s completed, you should receive a confirmation message. Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed WordPress on cPanel using an autoinstaller. You can now log into your new WordPress site by visiting YOURDOMAIN.com/wp-admin.

Method 3: Installing WordPress Manually

Step 1: Download WordPress

1. Go to the WordPress.org website.
2. Click on the “Get WordPress” button and download the latest version.

Step 2: Upload WordPress to Your Server

1. Log in to your web hosting account via cPanel or use an FTP client like FileZilla.
2. Navigate to the root directory of your website (usually public_html).
3. Upload the WordPress zip file.

Step 3: Extract the WordPress Files

1. If using cPanel, go to the “File Manager” and locate the uploaded zip file.
2. Right-click on the file and select “Extract.”

Step 4: Create a MySQL Database

1. In cPanel, go to the “Databases” section and click on “MySQL Databases.”
2. Create a new database.
3. Create a new user and assign it to the database with all privileges.

Step 5: Configure WordPress

1. Navigate to your website URL, and you will see the WordPress setup page.
2. Select your language and click “Continue.”

3. Enter the database details you created earlier:
   • Database Name
   • Username
   • Password
   • Database Host
   • Table Prefix (if needed)

4. Click “Submit” and then “Run the installation.”

Step 6: Complete the Installation

1. Fill in your site information:
   • Site Title
   • Username
   • Password
   • Your Email
2. Click “Install WordPress.”
3. You will see a success message with your WordPress login URL.

By following these instructions, you should be able to create the necessary screenshots to complement your guide. If you need further help with any specific part, let me know!