How to install WordPress

This tutorial is part of our WordPress tutorials series.

In this tutorial I will show you how to manually install WordPress without any one click installers such as Softaculous or Fantastico.

If you would like to save time and effort you can hire Zomex to complete the installation for you. Simply create your order using the link in the description of this video.

The first step is to decide where you'd like to install WordPress. WordPress could be installed in the root directory to be used as your complete website or in some cases you may choose to install it within a sub-directory as a secondary use to a main website.

This tutorial is completed using our own cPanel web hosting service. A premium service that we have been providing since 2009. View the description of this video to order your web hosting account today and save using the coupon code youtube.

Now let's begin.

To start we must first download WordPress. Access WordPress.org and click on the Get Wordpress button in the top right. Next click on the Download WordPress button to the left to download the WordPress files to your local computer.

Next login to cPanel and access file manager.

Access your public_html directory and upload the WordPress ZIP. This file can also be uploaded using FTP if your hosting service does not use cPanel.

Once the upload is complete refresh the public_html directory and extract the WordPress ZIP file.

The new wordpress directory contains the extracted WordPress files. As we want to use wordpress as a main website we will need to move files within the wordpress directory to root which is public_html.

Double click the wordpress directory to access, select all files and move them to public_html.

We can now delete the empty wordpress directory.

Next rename wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php and open the file.

WordPress is made up of 2 parts. The first is the PHP files which contain the functions, themes and plugins. The second is a database which the WordPress files will interact with. The database will store all of your website including settings, posts, pages, admins, comments etc. The WP config file is where we need to add our database information so WordPress can function.

Let's go ahead and create the database.

Head back to cPanel. Access the MySQL Databases page.

Within the Create New Database section set a name for your database. You can use any name you like but keep in mind that it will be case sensitive.

Make a note of your database name.

Next scroll down and create a database username and password.

Make a note of your username and password.

Scroll down to the Add User To Database section and select your database User and Database and click on Add. Select all permissions and confirm. This will grant the User full access to your WordPress database.

Head back to the wp-config.php file and copy/paste your database info to each field between the single quotes. The DB_host is set to localhost by default, this will be correct for 90% of hosting environments. You can double check this at the top of PHPMyAdmin next to server. Once you have added your database information save the file.

The final step is to run the WordPress installer.

Open your web browser and visit the directory of your domain where WordPress is installed. If you installed WordPress within a sub-directory add the name of the directory after your domain. In our case the domain is zomex.net and we've uploaded the files to public_html rather than a directory so it will be:

https://zomex.net/

You should now see the welcome page. On this page you will need to set a name for your website along with a username, password and email.

Your username and password will be used to access the WordPress admin panel once installed. I recommend that you avoid using the username admin as this can be easily guessable. Instead come up with a unique username and strong password. Your email can be used to reset your login if forgotten. Once you have filled out the form click on the Install WordPress button.

You should now see the WordPress login page. Using your username and password set earlier login to WordPress. Your admin panel is used to build and manage your website. To view your public facing website hover over the Home icon in the top left and click on View Site. To return back to the admin area type /wp-admin at the end of your homepage URL.