Installing WordPress on your hosting server is the first step to launching a website. Whether you're setting up a blog, an online store, or a portfolio, WordPress is a user-friendly platform that powers millions of websites. This guide will walk you through the steps to install and set up WordPress on your hosting server.
Step 1: Choose a Hosting Provider and Domain Name
Before installing WordPress, you need a hosting provider and a domain name for your website. Here are a few popular hosting providers:
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Bluehost
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SiteGround
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HostGator
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WP Engine
Most hosting providers offer 1-click WordPress installation and a free domain for the first year. After purchasing a hosting plan and domain name, you’ll have access to your hosting dashboard (usually cPanel).
Step 2: Install WordPress Using cPanel (1-Click Installation)
The easiest way to install WordPress is by using your hosting provider’s cPanel and the 1-click installer.
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Log in to your hosting account.
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Go to cPanel or Control Panel.
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Find the Softaculous or WordPress icon in the Software section.
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Click on WordPress and then click on the Install Now button.
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Fill in the installation details:
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Choose the domain where you want to install WordPress.
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Enter a site name, description, and admin credentials (username, password, and email).
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Click on Install.
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Wait for the installation to complete. You’ll receive a confirmation message and the link to your newly installed WordPress website.
Step 3: Manual WordPress Installation (Without 1-Click Installer)
If your hosting provider doesn't offer a 1-click installer, you can manually install WordPress. Here's how:
Download WordPress
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Go to the official WordPress download page.
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Download the latest version of WordPress in a zip file.
Upload WordPress Files to Your Server
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Log in to cPanel and go to File Manager.
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Navigate to your website’s root directory (usually public_html).
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Upload the WordPress zip file.
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Extract the zip file in the root directory.
Create a MySQL Database
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In cPanel, go to the MySQL Database Wizard under the Databases section.
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Create a new database and user, and assign the user to the database with All Privileges.
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Note down the database name, username, and password. You will need them during the WordPress installation.
Install WordPress
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Open your browser and visit your domain (e.g.,
www.yoursite.com). -
You’ll be redirected to the WordPress setup screen.
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Choose your language and click Continue.
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Enter your database details (database name, username, password, and host, which is usually "localhost").
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Click Run the Installation.
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Enter your site title, admin username, password, and email address.
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Click Install WordPress.
Step 4: Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
After the installation is complete, you can log in to your WordPress dashboard.
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Go to
www.yoursite.com/wp-admin. -
Enter your username and password.
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Click Log In.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed WordPress on your hosting server.
Step 5: Choose and Install a WordPress Theme
Now that WordPress is installed, it’s time to customize the look of your website.
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In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes.
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Click on Add New to browse free themes from the WordPress repository or upload a theme you’ve downloaded.
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Click Install and then Activate to set your theme.
Step 6: Install Essential WordPress Plugins
Plugins add functionality to your WordPress website. Here are a few essential plugins you should install:
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Yoast SEO: For search engine optimization.
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WPForms: For creating contact forms.
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WooCommerce: If you plan to run an online store.
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UpdraftPlus: For creating backups.
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Wordfence: For website security.
To install plugins, go to your WordPress dashboard, click on Plugins > Add New, search for the plugin, and click Install and Activate.
Step 7: Customize Your WordPress Settings
To make your website work according to your needs, customize the settings in WordPress.
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Go to Settings in your WordPress dashboard.
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Adjust the following settings:
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General: Set your site title, tagline, timezone, and language.
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Reading: Choose how many posts to show on the homepage and set your homepage.
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Permalinks: Set your URL structure for better SEO (usually Post name is preferred).
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Step 8: Start Creating Content
Now that your website is set up, you can start creating content.
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Go to Posts > Add New to create a blog post.
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Go to Pages > Add New to create static pages like About Us, Contact, etc.
Conclusion
Setting up WordPress on your hosting server is straightforward, especially with the 1-click installer provided by most hosting services. Follow these steps to get your website up and running in no time. Don’t forget to choose a good theme, install essential plugins, and create regular backups of your website.
For more help, join our Tech Fix Forum for any WordPress-related queries!