Why Learning How to Install WordPress Matters

WordPress powers over 40% of all websites globally, making it the most popular content management system (CMS) today. Whether you’re building a personal blog, an online portfolio, or a business site, knowing how to install WordPress is your first step towards building a robust digital presence. The good news? It’s easier than you think.

Pre-Installation Checklist: What You’ll Need

Before jumping into the installation, make sure you’ve got the following ready:

• Domain name – e.g., yourwebsite.com.
• Web hosting plan – preferably one that supports PHP and MySQL (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround, Hostinger).
• Access to your hosting control panel – like cPanel or a custom dashboard.
• FTP client (for manual installation) – such as FileZilla.

Make sure your hosting environment meets WordPress requirements: PHP 7.4+, MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+, and HTTPS support.

Method 1: One-Click Installation via cPanel

Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installer. Here’s how to use it:

1. Login to your hosting account and go to cPanel.
2. Scroll to Softaculous Apps Installer or WordPress Manager.
3. Click WordPress and then hit the Install Now button.
4. Fill in the form:
   • Choose protocol: Use https:// if you have SSL installed.
   • Choose domain: Select where WordPress should be installed.
   • Site settings: Give your site a name and description (you can change it later).
   • Admin Account: Set a username, password, and admin email.
5. Click Install. After a few seconds, you’ll get a success message with your admin login URL (e.g., yourwebsite.com/wp-admin).

Method 2: Manual Installation via FTP

If you prefer more control or your host doesn’t offer one-click install, follow these steps:

1. Download the latest version of WordPress from the official website.
2. Unzip the file on your computer.
3. Use an FTP client like FileZilla to upload the contents of the wordpress folder to your server (usually to the public_html directory).
4. Go to your domain in a browser to begin the setup wizard.
5. Fill in your database details (you can create a database via cPanel > MySQL Databases):
   • Database Name
   • Username
   • Password
   • Database Host (usually localhost)
6. Click Submit and run the installation.
7. Set your site title, admin user, and password.
8. Login to your dashboard at yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Initial WordPress Setup After Installation

Once WordPress is installed, there are a few things you should configure right away:

• Update permalinks: Go to Settings > Permalinks and choose “Post name”.
• Install a theme: Navigate to Appearance > Themes to choose or upload a theme.
• Install essential plugins: Consider plugins like:
  • Yoast SEO or Rank Math
  • WPForms for contact forms
  • Wordfence for security
  • UpdraftPlus for backups
• Delete sample content: Remove the default “Hello World!” post and sample page.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

• Database connection errors: Double-check your DB credentials and make sure the database user has correct privileges.
• White screen of death: Increase PHP memory in wp-config.php or disable faulty plugins.
• File permission errors: Set correct file/folder permissions – 755 for folders, 644 for files.
• Stuck on installation page: Clear your browser cache or try reinstalling WordPress manually.

FAQs: How to Install WordPress

Need help choosing a host? Check out our guide on Best WordPress Hosting Providers for 2025.

Updated: June 2025