Introduction

WordPress, the popular content management system (CMS), powers over 35% of the web. This comprehensive guide will walk you through a step-by-step WordPress installation process, making it easy for beginners and useful for experts.

Before You Begin

To ensure a smooth WordPress installation, you'll need the following: 1. A web hosting account 2. A domain name 3. An FTP client (such as FileZilla) 4. Access to your web host’s control panel (cPanel or Plesk) 5. The latest version of WordPress

Step 1: Install cPanel

If you haven't already, sign up for a web hosting service and request that they set up the cPanel interface.

Locating cPanel

Once your host has set it up, visit your domain name followed by ‘:2082’ (for example, https://yourdomain.com:2082). You will be prompted to enter your account details provided by the web host.

Step 2: Create a Database

Inside cPanel, locate the ‘Databases’ section and click on ‘MySQL Databases’. Here, create a new database, username, and password for your WordPress installation.

Configuring the Database

After creating the database, scroll down to the ‘MySQL Databases’ section again. Click on ‘Add New User’, fill in the details, and grant all privileges to the user you just created.

Step 3: Download WordPress

Download the latest version of WordPress from WordPress.org. Save the .zip file on your computer.

Step 4: Extract and Upload WordPress

1. Unzip the downloaded WordPress folder on your computer. 2. Using an FTP client like FileZilla, connect to your web host and navigate to the root directory of your domain (usually public_html). 3. Upload all files from the unzipped WordPress folder to the root directory.

Step 5: Set Up WordPress

1. Visit your domain name in a web browser (for example, https://yourdomain.com), which should display the ‘Welcome to WordPress’ page. 2. Click on ‘Let's go!’, and you will be redirected to the WordPress installation screen. 3. Fill in the required details: site title, username, password, database name, user, and password (from steps 2 and 3). 4. Click on ‘Submit’. If the information is correct, you’ll see a confirmation message.

Step 6: Complete Setup

1. Log in to your new WordPress site using the username and password you created earlier. 2. Follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the setup process.

Congratulations!

You have now successfully installed WordPress. You can start adding content, customizing themes, and installing plugins as desired.

FAQs

1. Question: What is the difference between a domain name and web hosting? Answer: A domain name is your website's address on the internet (example.com), while web hosting is a service that provides server space to store your website files. 2. Question: How do I choose a good web host for WordPress? Answer: Research web hosts that specialize in WordPress hosting and check their features, such as server speed, uptime, support, and pricing. 3. Question: Can I install WordPress without FTP? Answer: Yes, some web hosts offer a one-click WordPress installation feature through their control panel.