How to Install WordPress: A Detailed Step-by-Step Guide

WordPress is the world's most popular content management system, and installing it is far easier than it looks. In this guide I'll show you how to install WordPress on a hosting account manually, from scratch, step by step: uploading the files, creating a database in cPanel, configuring it, and the famous “5-minute install”. If you hit an error along the way, use the WordPress installation errors guide linked at the end.

Before You Start: What You Need

• A hosting account with cPanel access.
• A domain name pointed at your hosting.
• FTP access (or the cPanel File Manager).
• The latest WordPress package downloaded from wordpress.org.

The Overall Flow

A manual WordPress install has six steps. Review the flow first, then we'll do each step:

Step 1: Download WordPress

Download the latest WordPress version as a .zip from wordpress.org/download. Always installing the newest version matters for security and compatibility.

Step 2: Upload the Files to public_html

You can upload the zip in two ways:

• With cPanel File Manager: open public_html, upload the zip and Extract it. Make sure the WordPress files sit directly inside public_html (no extra wordpress subfolder left over).
• With FTP: unzip on your computer and upload the contents to public_html with FileZilla.

If your site address will be exactly yoursite.com, the files must be inside public_html. If they stay in public_html/wordpress/, your site will open at yoursite.com/wordpress.

Step 3: Create a Database in cPanel

WordPress stores its content in a MySQL database. In cPanel, go to MySQL Databases and do three things in order:

1. Create the database: e.g. siteniz_wp. Note the full name (a prefix is usually added).
2. Add a user: set a username and strong password; note both.
3. Add the user to the database: grant ALL PRIVILEGES.

Step 4: Pick a Language and Enter Database Details

Open your site address in the browser. The WordPress setup wizard starts; first choose a language, then it asks for the database connection details. Enter the values you just created:

1. Database Name: the full name of the database you created (e.g. siteniz_wp).
2. Username / Password: the database user and password.
3. Database Host: usually localhost on shared hosting.
4. Table Prefix: for security, you can use a custom prefix (e.g. wpx_) instead of the default wp_.

If these are correct, WordPress creates wp-config.php automatically. If there's a permission issue, you may be asked to save the shown content as wp-config.php manually and upload it to public_html.

Step 5: The Famous 5-Minute Install

If the database connection succeeds, the final screen appears, where you enter your site's basic details:

1. Site Title: your site's name (changeable later).
2. Username: avoid predictable names like admin.
3. Password: choose a strong, unique password.
4. Email: a valid address for resets and notifications.

Click Install WordPress. The install completes in seconds.

Step 6: Log In to the Admin Panel

You can now log in at yoursite.com/wp-admin with your username and password. The WordPress dashboard appears:

First Things to Do After Installing

• Permalinks: under Settings > Permalinks choose the “Post name” structure (SEO-friendly).
• SSL/HTTPS: install free SSL from cPanel and switch the site address to https.
• Remove sample content: delete the default post, page and comment.
• Core plugins: add caching, security and an SEO plugin.
• Backups: set up an automatic backup solution.

If you ran into a “database connection error”, a white screen or a 404 during install, see our WordPress installation errors and fixes for detailed solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does a WordPress install take?

Once the files are uploaded and the database is ready, the actual install really does take a few minutes — hence the “5-minute install”.

What's the difference between one-click (Softaculous) and manual install?

Tools like Softaculous automate all steps; they're fast, but knowing the manual install helps you learn what's happening and troubleshoot problems.

What do I enter as the database host?

On most shared hosting, 'localhost' is correct. Some providers use a different host name; if unsure, ask your hosting provider.

What is wp-config.php?

It's the configuration file where WordPress stores database details and core settings. It's created automatically during install and lives inside public_html.

Conclusion

Installing WordPress is just six steps: download, upload, create a database, enter the connection details, finish the 5-minute install and log in. Follow the steps in order and the install completes smoothly. If you get stuck, our installation errors guide has you covered.

Related Guides

• The Most Common WordPress Installation Errors and Fixes
• What Is cPanel and How to Use It? (Beginner's Guide)
• What Is FTP and How to Use It? (Detailed FileZilla Guide)

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