How to install WordPress manually

WordPress powers a massive chunk of the internet. Its versatility and ease of use make it a favourite for everything from personal blogs to complex e-commerce sites. While many hosting providers offer one-click installs, understanding the manual process gives you more control and deeper knowledge of the web technologies that power your WordPress website. So here goes; here’s how to easily install WordPress manually.

Let’s break down the installation into manageable steps.

Do you have Softaculous (or similar)?

Many web hosting accounts come with cPanel or a similar control panel. These panels often include Softaculous, Installatron, or another auto-installer tool.

  1. Log into your cPanel (or similar).
  2. Look for the “Softaculous Apps Installer” (or similar) section.
  3. Find WordPress and click “Install.”
  4. Follow the simple prompts to set up your site in minutes – ‘Quick install’ is fine for novices but it’s always better if you are able to take your time and check each setting).

If you don’t have an auto-installer, continue to install WordPress manually

Prerequisites

  1. Domain name
    You’ll need to register a domain name. Try https://123-reg.co.uk
  2. Web hosting
    Choose a hosting provider that supports PHP and MySQL (the technologies WordPress runs on).
  3. FTP client (optional)
     An FTP client like FileZilla helps you transfer files to your server. Many hosting providers have file managers built into their control panels as well.

Download WordPress

  1. Head to the official WordPress website (wordress.org) and download the latest version. It’ll be a ZIP file.
  2. Extract the ZIP file’s contents to a folder on your computer.

Create a MySQL database and user

  1. Most web hosting control panels have a section for managing databases. If not download and install phpMyAdmin.
  2. Create a new MySQL database.
  3. Within that database, create a new user and give that user full privileges on the database: SELECT, INSERT. UPDATE, DELETE, ALTER, CREATE TABLE, DROP TABLE, INDEX
  4. Make a note of the database name, username, and password.

Upload WordPress files to your server using FTP

  1. Connect to your web server using your FTP client.
  2. Navigate to the root directory of your website (often called public_html, www, or named after your domain).
  3. Upload all the files you extracted from the WordPress ZIP file into this directory

Configure wp-config.php

  1. Within the WordPress files you uploaded, locate the wp-config-sample.php file.
  2. Rename it to wp-config.php.
  3. Open wp-config.php in a text editor and fill in the MySql database details (noted above):
    define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘your_database_name’);
    define(‘DB_USER’, ‘your_database_user’);
    define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘your_database_password’);
    define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’); (This is the most common value, but confirm with your hosting provider if unsure)
  4. You can optionally set custom values for authentication keys and table prefix to improve security.

Run the WordPress installation script

  1. Open a web browser and go to your website’s URL.
  2. You should see the WordPress installation screen.
  3. Select your preferred language.
  4. You’ll be asked to enter some information:
    Site title: The name of your website.
    Username: The username you’ll use to log into your WordPress dashboard.
    Password: Choose a strong password.
    Email: Your email address.

Complete the installation

  1. Click “Install WordPress.”
  2. You’ll see a success message, and you can then log into your WordPress dashboard using the username and password you just created.

Post-installation essentials

  1. Set permalinks
    Go to Settings -> Permalinks and choose a structure that suits your needs (e.g., “Post name”). More information regarding URLs can be found on the WordPress website.
  2. Install a theme
    Choose a theme that aligns with your website’s design and functionality.
  3. Install essential plugins
    Consider plugins for security, SEO, backups, and contact forms.

What are the best WordPress plugins?

Choosing the “best” WordPress plugins is subjective, as it depends on your specific needs and website goals. However, several essential plugins cater to common requirements if you install WordPress manually.

Yoast SEO is a cornerstone for optimising your site’s visibility in search engines, providing real-time content analysis and technical guidance.

Wordfence Security safeguards your site from malicious attacks and vulnerabilities, offering firewall protection and malware scanning.

UpdraftPlus ensures your data’s safety with automated backups and easy restoration options.

Elementor or Fusion Builder both empower you to create visually stunning and customised page layouts with limited coding knowledge.

Contact Form 7 facilitates seamless communication with visitors through customisable contact forms and provides protection against malicious attacks via Google reCaptcha integration.

Remember to research, read reviews, and experiment to find the perfect plugins that complement your unique requirements and enhance your WordPress experience. Remember to keep plugins to a minimum and delete any unused plugins immediately.

Congratulations!

That’s everything you need to know to install WordPress manually but this is just the beginning. Start customising your site, creating content, and exploring the vast possibilities WordPress offers.

Troubleshooting tips

  1. If you see errors, double-check your database credentials in wp-config.php.
  2. Ensure file permissions are correct on your server (usually 644 for files and 755 for directories).
  3. Contact your hosting provider’s support if you encounter any issues.