If you’re planning to launch your own WordPress website, you’re in the right place!
In this guide by HAMWebsite, you’ll learn how to install WordPress manually or using the one-click installer on your hosting platform.
WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), allowing you to create professional websites, online stores, blogs, and virtually any type of site with ease.
To get started with WordPress, you first need a reliable web hosting provider and a unique domain name.
Look for a host that offers:
One-click WordPress installation
Good performance and uptime
Security features and customer support
Your domain name should be easy to remember, relevant to your content, and preferably short.
Visit the official WordPress website at wordpress.org and download the latest version of WordPress for free.
The download comes in a ZIP file which contains all the files needed to install WordPress on your server.
Make sure you always download WordPress from the official source to ensure security and get the latest updates.
After downloading WordPress, upload the extracted files to your hosting server using an FTP client like FileZilla or through your hosting control panel’s file manager.
Make sure to upload the files to the root directory (usually public_html or www) where your website will be accessible.
To run WordPress, you need to create a MySQL or MariaDB database on your hosting account.
You can do this through your hosting control panel (like cPanel or Plesk) by creating a new database and a database user with full permissions.
Make sure to save the database name, username, and password—you will need these during the WordPress installation.
Open your web browser and navigate to your website’s domain.
This will launch the WordPress installation wizard.
Follow the on-screen instructions to:
Choose your site language
Enter your database details (name, username, password)
Set your site title, admin username, and password
Complete the installation
Once done, you can log in to your WordPress dashboard and start building your site.
Most hosting companies include Softaculous Installer in their control panel. With this tool, you can install WordPress in less than 2 minutes.
Log in to your hosting control panel.
Select the WordPress icon under Softaculous > Install.
Fill in the required information (such as site name, admin username, password).
Click Install to complete the process.
Install a Suitable Theme
Choose a theme that fits your website’s style and purpose.
Install Essential Plugins
Add plugins like Yoast SEO, contact forms, and security plugins to enhance your site’s functionality.
Configure Permalinks
Set up SEO-friendly URLs in your WordPress settings for better search engine rankings.
Add Posts or Pages
Start creating content by adding your first blog post or page.
Installing WordPress is just the first step toward creating a successful website. After setup, it’s crucial to install a suitable theme that matches your brand and purpose. Equally important is adding essential plugins like Yoast SEO for optimization, contact forms for communication, and security plugins to protect your site. Don’t forget to configure SEO-friendly permalinks to improve your site’s visibility on search engines. Finally, start creating content by adding posts and pages to engage your visitors and grow your online presence.
