Before you begin the install, there are few things you need to have and do. You need access to your site and its directory and software to proceed with the installation. These are:
- An access to your web server (via shell or FTP)
- A text editor
- An FTP Client (if you need to install WordPress on a remote server)
- Your web browser of choice
- Latest version of WordPress
To install a self-hosted version of WordPress, you will first need to have a domain and hosting. If you do not have a web host yet, we recommend signing up for Bluehost. You can get a domain and hosting for only $6.95 per month.
Once you have signed up for a web host, you can install WordPress via uploading via FTP or via 1-Click installation (only available on some web hosts). If you do not have an FTP program, we recommend Transmit for Mac or FileZilla for Windows.
Once you have your hosting and FTP client ready, you can install WordPress in as little as 5-minutes.
WordPress Famous 5-Minute Installation
From WordPress.org:
Here’s the quick version of the instructions, for those that are already comfortable with performing such installations. More detailed instructions follow.
- Download and unzip the WordPress package, if you haven’t already.
- Create a database for WordPress on your web server, as well as a MySQL user who has all privileges for accessing and modifying it.
- Rename the wp-config-sample.php file to wp-config.php.
- Open wp-config.php in your favorite text editor and fill in your database details as explained in Editing wp-config.php to generate and use your secret key password.
- Place the WordPress files in the desired location on your web server:
- If you want to integrate WordPress into the root of your domain (e.g. http://example.com/), move or upload all contents of the unzipped WordPress directory (but excluding the directory itself) into the root directory of your web server.
- If you want to have your WordPress installation in its own subdirectory on your web site (e.g. http://example.com/blog/), rename the directory wordpress to the name you’d like the subdirectory to have and move or upload it to your web server. For example if you want the WordPress installation in a subdirectory called “blog”, you should rename the directory called “wordpress” to “blog” and upload it to the root directory of your web server.
HINT: If your FTP transfer is too slow read how to avoid FTPing at:
Step 1: Download and Extract. - Run the WordPress installation script by accessing wp-admin/install.php in your favorite web browser.
- If you installed WordPress in the root directory, you should visit: http://example.com/wp-admin/install.php
- If you installed WordPress in its own subdirectory called blog, for example, you should visit: http://example.com/blog/wp-admin/install.php
That’s it! WordPress should now be installed.
If you are unable to complete the installation of WordPress using the above method, ask your web host if it offers 1-Click WordPress installations using Fantastico. If it does not, consider switching to a host that does, such as Bluehost.