WordPress is known as the most popular website builder in the world. It powers over 39%
of all websites on the internet. The main reason for that is because WordPress is easy to
install which makes it easy for anyone to create a website.
All the best WordPress web hosting companies allow you to install WordPress with just a
few clicks. In most circumstances, installing WordPress is a simple process that takes less
than five minutes to complete.
In this chapter, our goal is to offer a complete WordPress installation tutorial for
beginners and advanced users alike.
For beginners, we will show you how to install WordPress on all top hosting platforms by
using 1-click install scripts like Fantastico, Softaculous, and QuickInstall.
We will also explain how to install WordPress manually using FTP for our intermediate
users.
Apart from showing you how to install WordPress, we will also give you tips on things to
do after you install WordPress.
Things You Need Before Installing WordPress
Before you install WordPress, first you will need a domain name and a good web hosting
company that knows WordPress.
We highly recommend that you use Bluehost because they will give you a free domain and
60% off their hosting plan.
The reason we recommend Bluehost is because they are one of the largest hosting
companies in the world. They are also an officially recommended WordPress hosting
provider.
How to Install WordPress on Bluehost
Bluehost is an officially recommended WordPress hosting provider and one of the largest
hosting companies in the world. They know WordPress inside out and have the most
beginner-friendly WordPress installation process.
Bluehost automatically installs WordPress on your domain name when you sign up. Once
you log in to your Bluehost account, you’ll find your WordPress site under the ‘My Sites’
tab.
You can simply click on the ‘Log into WordPress’ button, and it will take you directly to
the WordPress admin area.
Except for their ‘Basic’ plan, Bluehost also allows you to install WordPress on unlimited
sites with all their hosting plans.
Simply click on the ‘Create Site’ button under the ‘My Sites’ tab to get started.
This will launch the Bluehost guided WordPress installation wizard. First, it will ask you
to provide a site title and optionally a tagline.
This will launch the Bluehost guided WordPress installation wizard. First, it will ask you
to provide a site title and optionally a tagline.
Click on the ‘Next’ button to continue.
After which, you will be asked to select a domain name and path for your website. If you
have already purchased a domain name, then you can select it from the dropdown menu.
You can always purchase and add new domain names to your account by visiting the
‘Domains’ page from the hosting dashboard.
After selecting your domain name, you can leave the directory path blank and let Bluehost
choose it for you. The installer will also show a few essential plugins that you can install.
You can now click on the ‘Next’ button to continue.
The installer will set up your WordPress site, which may take a few moments. After that, you will see a success message with your WordPress site details.
You will also receive these details via email. You can now click on the login to WordPress button to enter your new site’s admin area.
Congratulations, you have installed WordPress on your Bluehost hosting account. That
wasn’t too bad right.
How to Install WordPress from cPanel
Cpanel is a popular software used by many web hosting companies. It provides website
owners with a simple web-based interface to manage their hosting accounts.
It is one-stop access to several useful utilities including auto-installer scripts that help you
install WordPress.
Hosting companies select which auto-installer script they want to use. Generally,
Softaculous, QuickInstall, and Fantastico are the most popular options.
How to Install WordPress using Softaculous
Softaculous is a popular auto-installer script. It allows you to easily install popular web
applications like WordPress with just a few clicks. Hosting companies like SiteGround
and InMotion Hosting use Softaculous in their control panel.
Simply log in to your cPanel account and look for Softaculous or WordPress installer icon.
You will find them under the Auto Installers section.
Clicking on any of these icons will launch a Softaculous auto-installer for WordPress.
First, you will see an overview of WordPress. You need to click on the Install tab to
continue.
Clicking on any of these icons will launch a Softaculous auto-installer for WordPress.
First, you will see an overview of WordPress. You need to click on the Install tab to
continue.
Softaculous will now ask you where you want to install WordPress. You need to choose
HTTP:// or http://www. as protocol.
If your site has SSL and HTTPS, then you can select HTTPS:// or https://www. as
protocol.
After that, you need to choose the domain name where you want to install WordPress.
Most users want to install WordPress in their domain’s root directory, like example.com.
In that case, you need to make sure that the ‘In Directory’ field is blank.
After that, you need to choose the domain name where you want to install WordPress.
Most users want to install WordPress in their domain’s root directory, like example.com.
In that case, you need to make sure that the ‘In Directory’ field is blank.
Scroll down a little, and you will see the site settings section.
Under this section, first, you need to provide a title and description for your WordPress
site. Don’t worry you can easily change them from your WordPress admin area after
installation.
Under this section, first, you need to provide a title and description for your WordPress
site. Don’t worry you can easily change them from your WordPress admin area after
installation.
Next, you need to choose an admin username, password, and email address. Softaculous
will automatically fill in the username and password fields for you. It will use a non-
dictionary word for username and a strong password.
You can change them if you want so that they are easy to remember for you. However, we
strongly urge you to always use a strong password. See our guide on the best way to
manage passwords for WordPress beginners to learn how you can manage strong
passwords easily.
Make sure that you enter the correct email address in the admin email field. This is where
WordPress will send notifications and password reset links if you ever forgot your
password.
The rest of the options on the screen are optional. You can now click on the install button
to run the installer.
Softaculous will run the installer using the settings you provided. You will see a progress
bar with installation status. It will take a couple of minutes. Do not close the window until
the progress bar reaches 100% otherwise, this may affect your WordPress installation.
You will see a success message after the installation is finished. It will also show you links
to your website and your WordPress admin area.
