These days most hosting companies have a one-click install to instal WordPress for you. However, there may be times when you need to install WordPress manually. Below will guide you through the basic steps.
The first thing you need to do is download the latest version of WordPress from wordpress.org/download/.
Once you have downloaded WordPress, you need to extract the zip file. You can do this using a program like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
Before you can install WordPress, you need to create a database for it to use. This can usually be done from your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc). If you’re not sure how to do this, contact your host, and they’ll be able to help you.
Once you have extracted the WordPress files, you need to copy them to your web server. This can be done using an FTP program like FileZilla or WS_FTP.
The next step is to edit the wp-config.php file and add your database details. This file is located in the root directory of your WordPress installation (the same place as the wp-admin and wp-content folders).
Add the server details, username, password and database name. Once you have done this, save the file and make sure it has been uploaded.
If you are setting up WordPress on a new server, you will need to change your DNS records. You can do this by logging into your domain registrar (the place where you bought your domain) and changing the A record to point to your new server.
If you are setting up WordPress on a subdomain or in a directory, you will need to create a CNAME record. For more information on this, contact your host.
Now that everything is set up, you can run the WordPress install script by going to http://example.com/wp-admin/install.php in your browser (replacing example.com with your domain name).
This will take you through the process of setting up WordPress, including creating a username and password for your admin account.
Now that you have completed the base install of WordPress, there are some additional steps you can complete to get started using WordPress effectively.
The first thing you’ll need to do is choose and install a WordPress theme. A theme is a collection of files that determine the overall appearance and layout of your website.
There are thousands of free and premium themes available for WordPress, so finding one that suits your needs shouldn’t be too difficult.
Once you’ve found a theme you like, simply head over to the ‘Appearance’ section of your WordPress dashboard and click ‘Add New Theme’. From there, you can either upload the theme files directly or search for the theme by name. If you are after some additional themes, you can look at Theme Forest, which has a wide range of themes available.
Once you’ve found and installed a theme, you can activate it by clicking the ‘Activate’ button. You should now see your chosen theme applied to your website!
There are a few other things you can do from the Appearance section, such as changing the colour scheme or background image, but we’ll leave those for another time.
Next, you’ll need to install some plugins. Plugins are essentially small pieces of software that add additional features and functionality to your website.
There are plugins for just about everything, so finding ones that suit your needs should be easy. Some popular plugins include contact form plugins, social media plugins, and SEO plugins.
To install a plugin, head over to the ‘Plugins’ section of your WordPress dashboard and click ‘Add New’. From there, you can either upload the plugin files directly or search for the plugin by name. Once you’ve found a plugin you like, simply click ‘Install Now’ and then ‘Activate’.
The next thing you’ll need to do is configure your settings. This can be done from the ‘Settings’ section of your WordPress dashboard. Here, you can change things like your website’s title, description, and timezone.
Now that you’ve got your theme and plugins installed, it’s time to start creating your pages. Pages are the main building blocks of your website and are typically used for static content like your About page or Contact page.
To create a new page, head over to the ‘Pages’ section of your WordPress dashboard and click ‘Add New’. From there, you can enter the title and content of your page. Once you’re happy with what you’ve written, simply click ‘Publish’ to make your page live.
In addition to pages, WordPress also has a built-in blogging system known as posts. Posts are typically used for dynamic content like news articles or blog posts.
To create a new post, head over to the ‘Posts’ section of your WordPress dashboard and click ‘Add New’. From there, you can enter the title and content of your post. Once you’re happy with what you’ve written, simply click ‘Publish’ to make your post live.
Now that you’ve got some pages and posts created, it’s time to start adding them to your menus. This can be done from the ‘Appearance’ section of your WordPress dashboard.
From here, you can create new menus and add items to them. Once you’re happy with your menus, simply click ‘Save’.
And that’s it! You should now have a basic understanding of how to set up a WordPress website.
If you need Perth WordPress support or want us to build you a stunning WordPress website, get in touch with the team at Hosted WP today! We’re always happy to help.