How to Manually Installing WordPress
WordPress has revolutionized the world of website creation and management with its user-friendly interface and powerful features. While there are many ways to install WordPress, manually installing it gives you more control over the process and a deeper understanding of your website’s architecture. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of manually installing WordPress, ensuring you have a solid foundation to build upon.
Table of Contents:
- Prerequisites
- Download WordPress
- Create a Database
- Configure wp-config.php
- Upload Files to Web Server
- Run WordPress Installation
- Finishing Touches
- Exploring the WordPress Dashboard
- Selecting and Customizing a Theme
- Adding Essential Plugins
- Creating Your First Content
- Maintaining and Securing Your WordPress Site
1. Prerequisites:
Before you start, ensure you have the following prerequisites:
- A domain name and a web hosting account.
- FTP client software (e.g., FileZilla) for file transfer.
- Text editor (e.g., Notepad++) for editing configuration files.
- MySQL database credentials (username, password, database name).
2. Download WordPress:
Visit the official WordPress website (wordpress.org) and download the latest version of WordPress. Unzip the downloaded file on your local computer.
3. Create a Database:
Login to your web hosting control panel (usually cPanel) and navigate to the “Databases” section. Create a new MySQL database and user, noting down the database name, username, and password.
4. Configure wp-config.php:
In the unzipped WordPress folder, find the file named “wp-config-sample.php.” Rename it to “wp-config.php.” Open this file in your text editor and locate the following lines:
define('DB_NAME', 'database_name_here');
define('DB_USER', 'username_here');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'password_here');Replace ‘database_name_here’ with your actual database name, ‘username_here’ with your database username, and ‘password_here’ with your database password. Save the file.
5. Upload Files to Web Server:
Using your FTP client, connect to your web server. Navigate to your website’s root directory (often named public_html or www). Upload all the WordPress files and folders from your local computer to this directory.
6. Run WordPress Installation:
Open your web browser and enter your domain name (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com). You will be greeted with the WordPress installation page. Select your preferred language and click on the “Let’s go!” button.
Provide the database information you entered in the wp-config.php file earlier. Leave the “Database Host” field as “localhost” unless your hosting provider specifies otherwise. For the “Table Prefix,” you can use the default “wp_” or customize it for security reasons.
Click on the “Submit” button, and WordPress will verify your database connection. If successful, click on the “Run the installation” button.
7. Finishing Touches:
Now, complete the installation by providing the following information:
- Site Title: The name of your website.
- Username: Your desired admin username.
- Password: Your strong admin password (make sure it’s secure).
- Your Email: Admin email for important notifications.
- Privacy: Choose whether to allow search engines to index your site.
After filling out the details, click on the “Install WordPress” button. If all goes well, you’ll see a success message, along with a login button.
8. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard:
Once logged in, you’ll enter the WordPress dashboard. This is your command center for website management. Familiarize yourself with the various sections, including Posts, Pages, Media, Appearance, Plugins, and Settings.
9. Selecting and Customizing a Theme:
Visit the “Appearance” section and explore the available themes. You can install a free theme or upload a premium one. Activate your chosen theme and customize it to match your brand’s identity.
10. Adding Essential Plugins:
Navigate to the “Plugins” section to enhance your site’s functionality. Install essential plugins like Yoast SEO for search engine optimization, Akismet for spam protection, and a caching plugin to boost performance.
11. Creating Your First Content:
Under the “Posts” section, start creating your first blog post. Use the intuitive visual editor to format text, add images, and embed media. Don’t forget to optimize your content for SEO.
12. Maintaining and Securing Your WordPress Site:
Regularly update WordPress, themes, and plugins to ensure security and performance. Implement strong security measures, such as changing default admin URLs and using security plugins. Back up your site regularly to safeguard against data loss.
Conclusion
Manually installing WordPress might seem intimidating at first, but it offers valuable insights into how the platform works and provides you with a greater sense of control over your website. Following this comprehensive guide, you’ve learned the step-by-step process of manually installing WordPress – from preparing your prerequisites to configuring the database and running the installation script.
Moreover, you’ve explored the WordPress dashboard, customized your site’s appearance, added essential plugins, and even created your first content. Armed with this knowledge, you’re well-equipped to manage and expand your WordPress site. Remember that the journey doesn’t end here; continue learning and exploring to unlock the full potential of your website and provide your audience with a seamless and engaging experience.
FURTHER READING
How to Install WordPress Automatically: Simplifying Website Creation