How to install WordPress - step by step

Step 1: Choose hosting and domain

Before you move on to installing WordPress, you need to choose the right hosting and domain. Hosting is a key element for the speed and stability of your site, and a domain is the business card that your users will type into their browser to visit your site.

• Hosting – is the space on the server where your site will be stored. The choice of hosting depends on your needs and budget. The options available are:

• Shared hosting – the cheapest and most popular solution. The site shares server resources with other users, which can affect performance with higher traffic, but significantly reduces the cost.
• VPS (Virtual Private Server) – provides more control and dedicated server resources. It is ideal for sites with medium traffic or for demanding applications.
• Dedicated Server – offers full control over the entire server and maximum performance, but comes at a higher cost.
• Domain – this is the address of your site. You can register it directly with the hosting provider or with a domain registration company.

Remember, for hosting to meet the minimum technical requirements of WordPress:

• PHP version 7.4 or later,
• MySQL version 5.7 or later (or MariaDB version 10.3+),
• HTTPS support.

Step 2: Downloading WordPress

Downloading WordPress is the first step to installing it. WordPress is open source, which means you can download it for free from the official website. This is always the best and safest source for downloading the current version of the system.

1. Go to the official WordPress website: https://wordpress.org/
2. Click the “Download WordPress” button on the home page.
3. Select the latest version of WordPress and save the file on your computer in a place that is easy to locate.

Remember! Always download WordPress from trusted sources to avoid security and file compatibility issues.

Looking for an experienced company for your IT projects?

Contact us!

Step 3: Create a database

WordPress requires a database to store content and settings, such as blog posts, user data, comments or site configuration information. A database is such a central repository that enables real-time dynamic site generation, which is crucial for WordPress’ flexibility and functionality.

To create a database:

1. Log in to your hosting’s administration panel (e.g. cPanel).
2. Select the “MySQL databases” option.
3. Create a new database, specifying its name.
4. Create a database user and assign him a password.
5. Give the user full permissions to the newly created database.

Write down the database name, user name and password, as you will need them in the next step.

Important! The database is an essential part of WordPress’ operation, because without it, the system could not store and read the information needed to display the site’s content.

Step 4: Upload the WordPress files to the server

To install WordPress, you need to upload the installation files to your server. This process may seem complicated, but it’s actually quite simple if you use tools such as an FTP client. The installation files must go to the correct directory on your server for WordPress to work properly.

1. Unzip the downloaded WordPress zip file on your computer. In it you will find all the necessary files and folders that will be uploaded to the server.
2. Use an FTP client (such as FileZilla) to connect to your server. You will find your FTP login details in the administration panel of your hosting.
3. After connecting to the server, go to the “root” directory of your server (usually the “public_html” directory). This is the place where your website will be located.
4. Upload all WordPress files to this directory. The process may take a few minutes depending on the speed of your internet connection.

Remember! Make sure that no files are missed during the transfer. Correctly transferring all WordPress files to the server is crucial for your site to work properly.

Step 5: Start installing WordPress

Once the files have been uploaded to the server, you can start installing WordPress using the built-in installer. The process is intuitive and will guide you step-by-step through the site setup.

1. Open a browser and type in your domain address
2. You should see the WordPress installer welcome page with the option to select a language.
3. Select your preferred installation language and click “Next” to proceed to the next step.
4. Open a browser and type in your domain address
5. The WordPress installer welcome page should appear.
6. Select the installation language and click “Next.”

Step 6: Configure the database connection

1. On the database configuration screen, enter:

• Database name,
• Database user name,
• Database password,
• Database host address (usually “localhost”).

1. Click “Submit” to proceed.

If the data is correct, the installer will proceed to the next step. Otherwise, check the correctness of the entered information.

Step 7: Site settings and login

1. Enter basic information about your site:

• Site title,
• Administrator username,
• Administrator password,
• Email address.

1. Click “Install WordPress.”
2. Once the installation is complete, log into your WordPress admin panel by typing: www.twojadomena.pl/wp-admin.

Summary

Installing WordPress, is a simple process that can be done even without advanced technical knowledge. Using this guide, setting up your own website becomes easy and fun.

FAQ – frequently asked questions

Can I install WordPress on my local computer without buying hosting?

Yes, you can install WordPress on a local server using tools such as XAMPP or WAMP. Such an installation is mainly for testing and learning before deploying the site to a live server.

Is it free to install WordPress?

Yes, WordPress is open source software and you can install it free of charge. However, you’ll have to factor in the cost of hosting, domain and possible add-ons such as paid themes or plugins.

What should I do if I encounter an error while installing WordPress?

The most common problems are database connection errors. Check the correctness of the entered data, such as the database name, user and password. Also make sure that the database server is working properly.

What technical requirements must a web host meet to install WordPress?

The hosting must support PHP version 7.4 or later, MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+, and HTTPS for secure data transfer.

Can I install WordPress without technical knowledge?

Yes, installing WordPress is beginner-friendly. Many web hosts offer “one-click” installers that perform the entire process automatically.