Introduction

WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), powering websites, blogs, and online stores thanks to its flexibility and ease of use. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just getting started, installing WordPress on your hosting is simple and rewarding.

What You’ll Need Before You Begin

A domain name and a web hosting account that supports WordPress (many hosts offer one-click WordPress installers like Softaculous, Fantastico, or Hostinger’s Auto Installer)

(Optional, but recommended) Basic familiarity with FTP/SFTP or your host’s file manager.

Method 1: One-Click Install (Beginner-Friendly)

Many hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation tools that handle everything in minutes:

1. Log into your hosting account’s control panel (e.g., cPanel, hPanel).
2. Navigate to an auto-installer tool like Softaculous, QuickInstall, Fantastico, or an Auto Installer section.
3. Select WordPress from the list of apps.
4. Fill in required details: domain or subfolder, admin username, password, email, site title.
5. Click Install and wait for the process to complete.
6. Access your new site and WordPress admin dashboard using the provided links.

Method 2: Manual Install (More Control)

Perfect if you prefer hands-on setup or your host doesn’t offer one-click installers:

Step 1: Download & Unzip WordPress

Download the latest version from wordpress.org and extract it on your computer.

Step 2: Create a Database & User

In your hosting control panel, open MySQL Database Wizard or phpMyAdmin to create a new MySQL/MariaDB database, and a user with full privileges. If using phpMyAdmin:

• Create database (choose utf8mb4_general_ci for best compatibility)
• Add a new user, assign privileges
• Note host (often localhost).

Step 3: Upload WordPress Files

Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your host’s file manager to upload WP files to:

• Root directory (for example.com)
• Subdirectory (e.g., example.com/blog).

Step 4: Configure wp-config.php (Optional)

Rename wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php and edit with your database details (name, user, password, host). You can skip this and let WP handle it during setup.

Step 5: Run the WordPress Install Script

In your browser, go to:

• yourdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php (root)
• or yourdomain.com/blog/wp-admin/install.php (subdirectory)

Fill in your site title, admin username, password, and email. Choose whether to allow search engine indexing (you can change this later)

Method 3: Host-Specific Auto Install (e.g., Hostinger)

On platforms like Hostinger:

1. Go to Websites → Dashboard, find the Auto Installer.
2. Choose WordPress, enter site details (title, admin credentials).
3. Use the Advanced section to specify version, language, installation path.
4. Click Install, and access your newly set-up WordPress site within minutes.

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What to Do After Installation

• Secure your site with an SSL certificate (HTTPS).
• Choose a theme, install essential plugins (SEO, caching, forms).
• Set up permalinks for better SEO.
• Connect your site to Google Search Console.

Summary Table

Method	Best For	Pros	Cons
One-Click Installer	Beginners	Fast, easy, minimal setup	Less control over configuration
Manual Install via FTP	Intermediate/Advanced	Full control, flexible setup	Requires more technical steps
Host-Specific Auto Tool	Users on specific hosts	Fast, simplified, partially customizable	Limited if host UI varies

Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer a quick setup or building everything manually, installing WordPress on your hosting is accessible to nearly anyone. Take advantage of the hundreds of themes, plugins, and community resources that make WordPress so powerful and flexible.