How to Install WordPress
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By Assuming you already have a domain name and web hosting account, you’re ready to go ahead and install WordPress. If you don’t have a domain name and web hosting yet, visit Getting Started With WordPress.
You can also watch the WordPress Install Video here.
If you host offers WordPress Auto-Install, watch the WordPress Auto-Install video instead.
1. Download WordPress
The very first thing you’ll want to do is download a copy of WordPress. So, go to the WordPress site here, and look for the link that says “DOWNLOAD.ZIP.” You should see it on the right side of the page with a dark blue background. When you see the link, click on it, and save the file to your desktop so it’s easy to find going forward.
2. Unzip the Folder
After you download the program, you’ll need to unzip the files into their own folder on your desktop. Most computers have a built-in zip/unzip application when you buy them, and if you’re not sure about your system, right-click on the file you just downloaded, and look for the menu option that says “Extract All …” Select that option if you see it. If you don’t have an unzip feature already installed, you can download a free program called Stuffit Expander (for PC or Mac).
3. Set Up Your FTP Program
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and an FTP program will allow you to copy files from your own computer to your web hosting account. There are many FTP programs available, and one of the more popular ones is free program called FileZilla. You can download it here.
4. Get Your FTP Access Information
You’ll need to enter this information into your FTP program to access and upload files to your web host. Specifically, you’ll need to enter the the domain name, username and password for your FTP account. You can get this information from your web host if you don’t have it already.
5. Set Up Your MySQL Database With Your Web Host
This isn’t as scary as it may sound. Well, not if you have a good web host. You can usually find a link in your web hosting control panel to set up a MySQL database. Once the database is set up, you’ll need the database name, database password, database username and database hostname The hostname is usually “localhost,” but not always, so check with your web host to be sure. If you use Hostgator, it is localhost.
6. Enter Your Database Information into Your WordPress Config File
Remember when you downloaded and unzipped the WordPress program on your computers desktop? Open that folder, and you’ll see another folder labeled “WordPress.” Open that folder, and find a file named wp-config-sample. Open this file in a text editor such as Notepad or Wordpad. When you open the file you’ll see some text, much of which looks like gibberish, but it’s not. Look specifically for the lines that read:
// ** MySQL settings - You can get this info from your web host ** //
/** The name of the database for WordPress */
define('DB_NAME', 'putyourdbnamehere');
/** MySQL database username */
define('DB_USER', 'usernamehere');
/** MySQL database password */
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'yourpasswordhere');
/** MySQL hostname */
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
This is the place to enter the database information you saved from the previous step. So whatever the database name is, enter that information in place of ‘putyourdbnamehere.’ Just be sure to leave the ‘ marks before and after as it appears above. Do the same for the DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD and DB_HOST. When you’re done, save the file, but save it as wp-config.php rather than wp-config-sample.
7. Upload WordPress to Your Server
Okay. We’re in the homestretch. The next thing you want to do is upload the entire WordPress program from your computer to you host’s server. So, first, open your FTP program and connect to your host’s server. Back in step 5, you tracked down your FTP information. If you haven’t already entered it into your FTP program, go ahead and do that now. Again, you’ll need to enter you domain name, your username and your password. After you enter the information, go ahead and connect to your host’s server.
At this point, you’ll need to make a decision about where you’ll place your WordPress program. You can put it in – either – the root directory of your host server or a sub-directory. Personally, I place mine in a subdirectory because I run several different websites on the same server, and it just makes things a lot easier by keeping them separate. After you make your decision, go ahead and upload all the files and directories located in the WordPress folder you unzipped to you desktop, excluding the folder itself.
8. Run the WordPress Install Script
- If you installed WordPress in the root directory of your server, open your web browser and type the following: http://www.mydomain.com/wp-admin/install.php (replace “mydomain.com” with your own domain name).
- If you installed WordPress in a sub-directory, open your web browser and type the following: http://www.mydomain.com/subdirectory/wp-admin/install.php (replace “mydomain.com” with your own domain name and “subdirectory” with the name of the sub-directory you created).
After you go to this page, WordPress will do the rest. Just follow the onscreen directions, and then you’ll be all done.
Update: If you use 1and1.com for your web hosting, you may have one final step. See this comment.
About the Author
Michael Pollock is the marketing and product development guy for Solostream. He's also a blogger, a web marketing trainer and an entrepreneur. When he's not evangelizing Solostream, he trains other solopreneurs on how to use the web to reach more people, earn more money and live a bigger life. Michael's Website.
I found this post on Google as I was looking for Wordpress Installation Videos.
Thanks for putting it up.
May Ong
[...] How to Install WordPress on Your own Server: includes a video guide to help you on your way. Walks you through FTP and database creation. A great guide for beginners. [...]
Thanks so much for this tutorial — It was the number one result for “Wordpress on your server.” Extremely helpful. Thanks.
Thank you Michael. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Perfect!
I keep getting hung up on one part of the installation. I created a folder as you did in the video, but when I attempt to transfer, either by dragging or ftp-ing the wordpress files over to it I get the error 550-no such file or directory exists. I’m at a total loss. Thanks for any help.
Thank you so much for this tutorial, it was very helpful!
Have a nice day :)
If you are using GoDaddy for hosting, you cannot use ‘localhost’. You must use the host name set up by GoDaddy to get the install to initialize. The host name is listed under the mySQL>Details(the pencil). Once you’ve replaced ‘localhost’ with this ‘p41mysql7.secureserver.net’ or something like it, presto, you’re good to go.
i trying for me second website , the first one works properly but the second one is having a problem .
why i keep receive this page :
CGI Error
The specified CGI application misbehaved by not returning a complete set of HTTP headers.
when i try to do your 9th step . anybody can help me ?
[...] Vía | SoloStream [...]
Hi, Michael
Thank you very much for your wonderful tutorial. I have followed your nine steps and I have finally get my own wordpress.
I’m a spanish librarian, and I’ve considered to do a spanish guide to help my colleagues following your tutorial.
Thanks so much for wrinting up, and sharing such an effective guide. I’m sure it will help a lot of people.
Sonia
Just finished the install. Perfect directions. Definitely sending traffic your way! This was the easiest and most comprehensive guide I’ve seen. Well done.
Thank you so much for this. This is perfect!
Just what I’m looking for… a word press quick guide… Thanks a lot.. Wordpress is all over the blog scene!
[...] pestañear es el de Michael D. Pollock, en su página Solostream Webstudio donde en su apartado l How to Install WordPress on Your Own Server + Video Tutorial te va explicando en inglés todo el proceso. Todos los pasos que indica los he ido siguiendo, pero [...]
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Thanks for the info! I am now able to set up my wordpress blog locally…
RJ
Tutorial Blog
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Hello,
Thank you so much for this tutorial, I was completely new with 1 and 1..(i’m used to cpanel)and I was able to install my blog by following this guide.
More power!!
hey, michael. i followed all the steps to setup my wordpress blog as my site. ran the setup process at /wp-admin/install.php, and even logged in and posted a new blog post using the wp-admin. but when i clicked “view blog” all it would take me to was a 1and1 parking page that advertised 1and1.
so this is one other CRUCIAL step for new 1and1 users who are trying to set up wordpress on their blog as the main domain. you must use the FTP access to delete the file called index.html from your root folder [a file that 1and1 uploaded for you when you began a new account]. once this is deleted the index.php file will take over the domain. if you fail to delete this index.html file from the root directory of your web server it will continue to park the 1and1 ad page over your site.
[...] komplette Tutorial + Video findet Ihr auf http://www.solostream.com. Leider ist die ganze Anleitung auf Englisch gehalten, was aber Dank des Videos doch recht einfach [...]
A quick way to install wordpress on to your own server is to create a folder in public HTML call it wordpress, then open the folder and upload the wordpress.zip file.
Right click the zip file and click extract, job done.
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Michael, I am using your Bosco20 design/Theme, but I’m not getting anything to load on the right side of my page. I know you aren’t “technical” support, but I thought you might have run into this before. Thanks!–Shawn
[...] [업데이트] How to Install WordPress on Your Own Server + Video Tutorial [...]
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that took like 15 minutes im all done.
just want to note for other people trying.
if you follow these “exact” steps it wont work. 1and1’s servername and all that is all defined by themselves like
1uisdfs3 so pay attention to details.
also it took forever to upload the files onto 1and1 via ftp just fyi
thanks!!! i was worried i couldnt use my own themes(other than 1and1’s limited ones) but im eager to try your tutorial looks very easy..thank u!
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[...] WordPress: WordPress is a fantastic (and free) publishing system, and as you’ll will see in this WordPress themes page there are a huge number of theme options to choose from. You will need to pay to host a WordPress blog if you want to use your own domain name (like http://www.DearDrMOZ.com), but it will be free if you are okay with “.wordpress” being included as part of your address as in “www.yourblogname.wordpress.com” – WordPress Pros: Great collection of pre-designed themes (or skins), free blogging and hosting available, posting is easy to do and too many features to list – WordPress Free Account Cons: Set-up takes a little work for a new user, but not quite as difficult as it might appear, your url will include “.wordpress.com” as in yourname.wordpress.com – Recommendation: Use WordPress if you want many design options and you plan to build a more sophisticated blog in the future. If you choose WordPress and want your own domain name, there are many useful tutorials available online to help you install the necessary files like this great one from Solostream. [...]
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You seem like you really get this, so I hope you don’t mind if I ask for your help. I’ve been trying to install wordpress at 1&1 for about three days. I have uninstalled and reinstalled, and every time when I go to /wp-admin/install.php it comes up as a 404 not found. Any idea what I’ve done wrong?
Michael,
Thank you for taking time to create these wonderful tutorials. I author a wordpress blog but had someone else setup the files on my server. With your help I will now be able to do my next install myself. Thanks again for your guidance.
Patsy
Micheal,
A great big thanks. I have been trying to install WordPress on the server of my host for a week and kept coming up short. Your explaniation while not perfect is clear and easy to follow. The gaps were easy to fill in, WordPress is on my server, and by Monday my blog will be up and running.
Many Many Thanks.
Thanks for sharing, very informative step-by-step guide.
Thanks so much Michael. I went through 3 different hosts but their directions were so unclear to a low-tech person like I am. It’s the trivial steps that tech experts assumed I and others already know but really don’t. I found your videos and signed up with 1and1 as you reccommended and followed your instructions step by step. I finally got it. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!
Tiffany
[...] I’ve not included information about how to install WordPress on your server. Many hosts have tools for “one click” installation. Between each step there should be one that says: “Check, play, fiddle, tweak, check”. Boring to repeat. Essential to do. 1.DECIDED TEMPLATE [...]
Thanks so much for helping walk me through this procedure. I’ll buy you a beer if you’re ever down this way in San Diego!
[...] 1. A WordPress Blog/Site. Okay, so you probably already have this part covered. If not, this tutorial will show you how to download and install WordPress on your own server. [...]
[...] What I like most about Tubetorial, beyond the site design, is the videos themselves. They’re relatively short (most are 2-5 minutes in length), and the quality is excellent. Take for example, their latest offering, Why WordPress and How it Works, a 5 minute video extolling the virtues of WordPress. If you’re not already a WordPress fan, this may convince you to make the switch. If so, you can find a couple of tutorials to help you install WordPress here and here. You can also find out a little more about WordPress by listening to my interview with Denise and Patsi on Conversations with Experts. [...]
Thanks for taking the time to write up such an effective tutorial. I am sure many people will benefit from it.
[...] 1. A WordPress Blog/Site – Okay, so you probably already have this part covered. If not, this tutorial will show you how to download and install WordPress on your own server. [...]
hey glenn:
if your domain is hosted with 1and1 it’s pretty easy.
1. login to your control panel.
2. click on “Domains.”
3. click the checkbox next to the domain you want pointed at your site.
4. click on “Destimation” from the top menu bar.
5. on the following page, you’ll see a heading “Destination.” Click the “Edit” button.
6a. if you installed your Worpdress in the root directory, the box that’s titled “Home Directory *” should read “Existing Directory.”
6b. if you installed WP in a subdirectory, look for the box that says ” Existing directory *” and choose the directory where you installed WP.
if your domain is NOT hosted with 1and1, you can’t do this. in this case, my best advice is to transfer your domain into 1and1, then go thru the above process.
to initiate a transfer …
1. go to the “Domain Overview” page (click on “Domains”), and click on “New” from the top menu bar.
2. enter you domain name in the field provided and click “Check Domain.”
3. the following page will tell you the domain is already registered and allow you to initiate a transfer.
hope that helps.
best – michael
The tutorial helped a lot.
How did you get your domain name pointed to your site. I tried with mine and it doesn’t seem to work. 1and1 support doesn’t seem to have the answer either..
Hi to everybody, my name is Sadie Kilpatrick, & I live in Atlanta Georgia. You guys have a super informative blog site, and I like it a lot.
Nice walkthrough Michael. Can’t wait til the tweaking begins.
Unfortunately, we are very limited in what we can do for this type of error since it is WordPress hosting related. Our best advice is to contact your hosting provider for set up help. Good luck. Bye the way, we have successfully used 1and1 for a few sites so I’m sure they will be able to assist you.
You’ll have to ask the host your talking about if they support WordPress. They would know the answer to your question.
Good point. You can use Google to try other ftp clients. We also recommend FileZilla. We have updated the post based on your observation. Thanks.
Nothing Complicated, Shubham.
That’s the same way. Only difference to create config file manually or let it for wordpress.
Rest of the things are compulsory.