WordPress is most popular blogging platform and content management system. Newcomers to WordPress often have a problem how to set up WordPress on domain.
They don’t understand that WordPress installation is in fact very easy. New users are often surprised when I tell them that WordPress is well-known for its ease of installation.
All good WordPress web hosting companies allow you to install WordPress with few clicks. Installing WordPress is a simple process that takes less than five minutes to complete.
In this How to set up WordPress installation tutorial, my goal is to offer a comprehensive WordPress installation tutorial for beginners and advanced users alike.
I will show you how to install WordPress using Fantastico, Softaculous, and SimpleScripts for beginners. I will also explain how to install WordPress manually for intermediate users.
You will need to have a domain name and web hosting in order to install WordPress. This tutorial takes into presumption you already have domain and hosting ready.
Purchasing domain and hosting is no rocket science so I don’t think that needs some explanations. I recommend InMotion hosting, GreenGeeks, (check GreenGeeks pros and cons) or Siteground shared hosting plans intended for WordPress.
You can’t miss them as they are most cheapest options (see best WordPress affordable hosting). Remember to find and use some coupon or watch for deal and never pay full price if you are new customer. You can also purchase domain name with same hosting.
For setting up a WordPress blog or website you will always need to login to your hosting panel. You get login data in your email after purchase as well as link. So I hope that doesnt need explaining.
Table of Contents
How to Set Up WordPress Manually?
Manual installation is little harder for beginners so use it if your hosting company doesn’t provide installation via Softaculous, Fantastico or SimpleScripts.
1. Download the WordPress installation package
To start the installation, download WordPress from its official download page. Then click on the Download button for the latest WordPress version. The installation package will be saved to your hard disk.
2.Upload WordPress Files to Your Server
Now it is time to upload WordPress files on server. That can be done via FTP or File Manager in your cPanel. Upload the WordPress files to your public_html folder.
3.Create a MySQL Database
You need to create a MySQL database and assign a user to it with full permissions. For detailed instructions on how to do that, follow the steps described this tutorial – How to Create MySQL Username and Database. Remember or write down data for database, username and password because you will need it.
4.Installation process
Go to your website to start with the installation process. If you have uploaded WordPress in your public_html directory you’ll need to go to http://yourdomain.com (your website name).
You may get message telling you don’t have a wp-config.php file and you should create one. Just click on the Create a Configuration File button to proceed.
Then you will see a message asking you to prepare the necessary information for the installation. Simply press the Go! button. After that you will need to enter the details for database and username (you wrote it down, didn’t you?) and press the Submit button.
WordPress will now check if your settings are correct. If you have entered all the necessary information, you will see a confirmation screen. Press the Run the Install button to proceed.
On the next screen enter the information about your administrative username and the title of your new site. NOTE: Never use “admin” as username. Once you fill all information press the “Install WordPress” button.
Your new WordPress application is installed. You can Login In by going to (your site name)
How to Set Up WordPress Using SimpleScripts?
SimpleScripts allows one-click install for WordPress. To use SimpleScripts, your hosting company must have it installed in their server. You will see it when you log into their control panel. Look for an icon like this:
Step 1: Sign in to your control panel > Scroll down to Software / Services > Select SimpleScripts > You will be redirected to the SimpleScripts page.
NOTE: SimpleScripts and WordPress are also available under the ‘SimpleScripts Installations‘ tab as well as ‘Site Builders‘ tab. It doesn’t matter on which one you click.
Step 2: The top of the screen will show you any current installations and the bottom will show what programs are available to install using SimpleScripts. Under Blogs > Select WordPress.
The WordPress Panel will give you information and options which include:
- A description of the WordPress program with screenshots and License Information.
- The current version of WordPress and the release date.
- Any current installations of WordPress you may have already installed will be listed under the My Installs tab.
- Installation Options > Click Install.
Step 3: The next screen gives you the opportunity to select your install options.
– Step 3.1: Installation Preferences:
- Shows which version of WordPress being installed. Will show the current version.
- Select where you want WordPress installed. NOTE: You can select a domain or subdomain that you currently have.
– Step 3.2: Advanced Options:
- Site Name or Title: Choose a name for your site.
- Click to display the additional options which include administrative privileges, database configuration and more.
- Admin Username – Dont use “Admin” as your username
- Admin Password
- Admin Email Address
- Tick the box to automatically create a new database.
– Step 3.3: Plugins and Themes
- All are checked by default. Untick any you don’t want installed.
– Step 3.4: Legal Information
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- Tick the I have read the Terms and Conditions Box > Click Complete
Step 4: You will see a progress bar then the message “Your WordPress installation has completed successfully.” The next screen will give you your access information which you should save.
You will also received an email from SimpleScripts with your access information. Your WordPress installation is complete.
Setting Up WordPress Using Softaculous
In order to use Softaculous your hosting company must have it installed in their servers. When you log into your control panel, look for an icon like this:
When clicked on Softaculous icon, you will be redirected to the Softaculous dashboard. On the left hand side menu, you should see a list of software categories. Click on the “Blogs” category and then select WordPress. Click the Install link above the header to start the installation.
Choose the domain you wish to use for WordPress. Then select in what directory to install WordPress on using In Directory field. By default, it will install to yourdomain.com/wp , but if you wish yourdomain.com to go directly to WordPress, then leave this field blank.
Click the Install link above the header to start the installation. Enter a name and description for your site, as well as username, password and email. Be careful when choosing protocol.
You will most likely want to change it to http://www. After everything set click Install.
After a few moments you will see a page announcing that WordPress is now installed on site. Click the link to go to the WordPress admin page, or simply browse to yourdomain.com/wp-login.php or yourdomain.com/wp-admin. Login with the username and password you choose when installing.
Softaculous is also useful for maintaining web sites you have installed with it. If you would like to back up your WordPress site, or even delete it entirely, you can easily from your Softaculous control panel.
How to Install WordPress Using Fantastico?
If hosting company has Fantastico available, then you can use it to install WordPress. Login to your control panel and look for an icon like this:
Click on the icon and you will be redirected to the Fantastico control panel. On the left hand side menu, you will see WordPress under the Blogs section.
To install WordPress using fantastico, click on the “New Installation” link. Select which domain you want to install WordPress on. Enter the directory name if you don’t want the blog to be on the main domain.
If you want the blog to be on the main domain, then leave this field blank. Under the admin access data, enter the username and password that you would like to use to access your WordPress dashboard.
Make sure that your username is not admin and that you use a strong password. Enter a site title and description. Once you have entered all the information, click on the Install WordPress button.
A new confirmation page will be loaded for the installation. Click the Finish Installation button if no errors are reported. After completing the installation the final screen will load, providing you with the installation details.
WordPress How to Install Final Words
As you can see there are various ways to successfully install WordPress. Same steps are used if you want to install WordPress on subdomain.
It isn’t that hard. Manual installation is little more complicated, but if hosting company have scripts like SimpleScripts, Fantastico or Softaculous installation can be fast and easy.
And if you need to transfer WordPress site to new host while keeping same domain, then be sure to check my guide on that topic.
How were your beginnings with WordPress? Did you have problems installing WordPress on domain or subdomain? Share your experience and let me know in comments below.
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