WordPress, a powerful and flexible content management system (CMS), is one of the most popular platforms for building websites. While many web hosts offer one-click installations for WordPress, understanding how to manually install WordPress can provide greater control and customization. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of manually installing WordPress on any web host, ensuring you have the knowledge to tackle this task with confidence.
NOTE: Zalvis Platform offers its users to install WordPress software from its dashboard within few clicks. To learn more click here.
Prerequisites
Before we begin the installation process, there are a few prerequisites you’ll need to have in place:
1. Web Hosting Account: Ensure you have a web hosting account with a provider that supports PHP and MySQL.
2. Domain Name: You need a registered domain name pointing to your hosting account.
3. FTP Client: An FTP client like FileZilla to upload WordPress files to your web server.
4. Text Editor: A text editor like Notepad++ or Sublime Text to edit configuration files.
Step-by-Step Guide to Manual WordPress Installation
Step 1: Download WordPress
First, you need to download the latest version of WordPress from the official website.
1. Visit (https://wordpress.org) and click on the “Get WordPress” button.
2. Click the “Download WordPress” button to get the latest version in a .zip format.
3. Once downloaded, extract the .zip file to a folder on your computer.
Step 2: Upload WordPress Files to Your Server
Next, you’ll upload the extracted WordPress files to your web server.
1. Open your FTP client and connect to your web server using the FTP credentials provided by your web host.
2. Navigate to the root directory of your domain. This is often named `public_html` or `www`.
3. Upload all the files from the extracted WordPress folder to this root directory.
Step 3: Create a MySQL Database and User
WordPress requires a MySQL database to store all its data. You’ll need to create a database and a user with full permissions for that database.
1. Log in to your web host’s control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.).
2. Look for the “MySQL Databases” section and click on it.
3. Create a new database by entering a name for it and clicking “Create Database.”
4. Next, create a new MySQL user by providing a username and password.
5. Add this user to the database you created, granting all privileges.
Step 4: Configure the `wp-config.php` File
WordPress uses a configuration file called “wp-config.php” to connect to your MySQL database. You’ll need to edit this file to add your database details.
1. In the WordPress files you uploaded to your server, find the “wp-config-sample.php” file.
2. Rename this file to “wp-config.php”
3. Open “wp-config.php” in your text editor.
4. Locate the following lines and replace the placeholder values with your database details:
php
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name_here’);
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘username_here’);
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘password_here’);
define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);
5. Save the changes and upload the modified “wp-config.php” file back to your web server.
Step 5: Complete the Installation through the Web Interface
With the configuration file in place, you can now complete the installation through WordPress’s web interface.
1. Open your web browser and navigate to your domain (e.g., http://yourdomain.com).
2. You will be greeted by the WordPress installation wizard. Select your preferred language and click “Continue.”
3. Fill in the site information:
– Site Title
– Username (this is the admin username you’ll use to log in)
– Password (create a strong password)
– Your Email (this will be used for password recovery)
4. Click “Install WordPress.”
Step 6: Login and Configure Your New WordPress Site
Once the installation is complete, you’ll see a success message with a “Log In” button.
1. Click the “Log In” button and enter the username and password you created during the installation process.
2. You are now logged in to your WordPress admin dashboard, where you can start configuring your new site.
Additional Configuration and Security Tips
After installing WordPress, there are several additional steps you can take to ensure your site is secure and optimized.
Secure Your Site
1. Change Default Admin Username: If you used “admin” as your username, change it to something more secure.
2. Set Strong Passwords: Ensure all users have strong passwords.
3. Install Security Plugins: Consider installing security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri.
4. Update Regularly: Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated to protect against vulnerabilities.
Optimize Performance
1. Caching Plugins: Install caching plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache to improve site speed.
2. Optimize Images: Use plugins like Smush or EWWW Image Optimizer to compress images.
3. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN): A CDN can significantly improve load times for users around the world.
Customize Your Site
1. Choose a Theme: Select a theme that suits your website’s purpose. There are thousands of free and premium themes available.
2. Install Plugins: Add functionality to your site with plugins. Popular plugins include Yoast SEO, Contact Form 7, and WooCommerce.
3. Create Essential Pages: Set up important pages like About, Contact, and Privacy Policy.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Database Connection Error
If you encounter a “Error establishing a database connection” message, double-check the database credentials in your `wp-config.php` file. Ensure the database name, username, and password are correct, and that the user has the necessary permissions.
White Screen of Death
A blank white screen indicates a PHP error. Enable debugging by adding the following line to your `wp-config.php` file:
php
define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
Check the error messages that appear and resolve the issues as indicated.
Permission Issues
Ensure that WordPress has the correct file and directory permissions. Typically, directories should be set to `755` and files to `644`. Adjust these using your FTP client or through your web host’s control panel.
Memory Limit Exhausted
If you encounter a memory limit error, increase the PHP memory limit by adding the following line to your “wp-config.php” file:
php
define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
Conclusion
Manually installing WordPress on any web host might seem daunting at first, but by following these steps carefully, you can gain greater control over your site and ensure it is set up exactly how you want it. This process not only provides a deeper understanding of how WordPress works but also equips you with the knowledge to troubleshoot and customize your installation more effectively. Happy blogging!