Looking for a tutorial showing you how to install WordPress, but keep finding resources that tackle every method except the one you need?
Weâve got your back.
In this post, we break down every conceivable way there is to install WordPress.
Youâll learn how to install WordPress using cPanel, Softaculous, MOJO, Fantastico, and QuickInstall; locally on both Windows and Mac; manually using FTP; and weâll break down popular hosting providers like GoDaddy, Bluehost, and HostGator.
Youâll also learn how to install WordPress Multisite, how to install WordPress in different languages, and more.
Just click the appropriate link in our Table of Contents to jump to the section you need.
Ready?
Letâs go.
Table of Contents
- How to Install WordPress on cPanel (Softaculous, MOJO, Fantastico, and QuickInstall)
- How to Install WordPress on Localhost (Or, How to Install WordPress Locally)
- How to Install WordPress via FTP (Or, How to Install WordPress Manually)
- How to Install WordPress Multisite
- How to Install WordPress in Your Language
-
How to Install WordPress on 12 Popular Web Hosts
- How to Install WordPress on SiteGround
- How to Install WordPress on Bluehost
- How to Install WordPress on GoDaddy
- How to Install WordPress on WP Engine
- How to Install WordPress on Flywheel
- How to Install WordPress on Kinsta
- How to Install WordPress on HostGator
- How to Install WordPress on DreamHost
- How to Install WordPress on A2Hosting
- How to Install WordPress on InMotion Hosting
- How to Install WordPress on iPage
- How to Install WordPress on Hostinger
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Install WordPress on cPanel (Softaculous, MOJO, Fantastico, and QuickInstall)
So, you decided to start a blog.
Awesome. Now itâs time to roll up your sleeves and get to work installing WordPress.
Thankfully, many of the popular WordPress hosts offer some form of simplified (or even automatic) installation.
If youâre using a âsharedâ WordPress hosting plan, thereâs a good chance your host will use cPanel.
Letâs walk through the cPanel processâ¦
Step #1. Find Out How to Access Your Hostâs cPanel
Unfortunately, the way you get to cPanel is not standardized across the web. Different hosts access it differently.
So, before you can do anything, you need to find out how to access your hostâs cPanel.
The easiest method is to find the emails your hosting provider sent you when you signed up for your account. Among other valuable bits of information, the URL to your cPanel will be in one of those initial emails.
But if you canât find the right email, donât worry.
Just Google the name of your web host and âcPanel loginâ.
That should do the trick.
Step #2. Get to Know cPanel
The main cPanel dashboard can be a little intimidating.
Relax.
You donât have to understand all cPanel has to offer. Weâre here to do one thing â learn how to install WordPress.
For that, letâs look for the cPanel installer tools, which are usually located near the bottom of the page.
Your host might be using any of the following installers: Softaculous, Fantastico, QuickInstall, or MOJO Marketplace.
Weâre going to focus on Softaculous since itâs the most popular.
But donât worry if your host uses a different installer.
While the specific interfaces might be a bit different, the idea behind every installer is the same.
Plus, they all ask you for the same set of data and inputs.
Step #3. How to Install WordPress Using Softaculous
To begin, look for the Softaculous section in cPanel.
Click on the WordPress logo. The installer tool will open:
Click on the Install Now button to begin the installation process.
Softaculous needs only a handful of details from you. Here are the fields you should pay special attention to:
- âChoose the version you want to installâ â Always go for the most-recent version available.
- âChoose Protocolâ â âhttps://â is the option preferred by Google.
- âChoose Domainâ â Leave unchanged if you have just one domain assigned to your server; if you have more than one domain, select the desired one for this installation.
- âIn Directoryâ â Leave empty if you want to install WordPress in the main directory of your domain name (which most people do).
- âSelect Plugin(s)â â Optional (but as a general rule: the fewer plugins, the better).
Hereâs what the form looks like:
Click Install to proceed.
When the process finishes, Softaculous will show you a final confirmation screen along with links to your WordPress dashboard.
And thatâs it!
Youâve installed WordPress using cPanel.
How to Install WordPress on Localhost (Or, How to Install WordPress Locally)
The instructions for how to install WordPress locally depends on whether youâre using a PC (Windows) or a Mac.
Weâll go over both methods.
First up: Windows.
(If youâre on a Mac, click here to jump ahead.)
How to Install WordPress on Windows
WordPress is a great tool for local web development.
Hereâs how you install WordPress locally on Windows:
Step #1. Get XAMPP
XAMPP is a local web server for your computer. Itâs an all-in-one package with everything you will need to run software (such as WordPress) locally.
You might have heard of a similar tool called WAMP.
Under the hood, WAMP and XAMPP do the same thing. However, in my opinion, WAMP isnât as reliable as XAMPP.
For this reason and others, weâll focus on XAMPP in this tutorial.
From the XAMPP website, click on the download button for Windows and save the XAMPP package to your desktop.
Launch the XAMPP installer and follow the prompts on the screen.
First, select the individual components you want to have installed. To be safe, you can choose all of them:
Next, select the installation folder for XAMPP.
XAMPP will take a minute or two to install.
When itâs finished, youâll see this confirmation screen:
When you click on Finish, youâll see the main XAMPP config panel.
In it, click on the two Start buttons next to Apache and MySQL.
Like so:
You should see the two labels change to green:
When you see green, your local server is working!
Step #2. Create a Blank Database for WordPress
From the control panel of XAMPP, click on the Admin button in the MySQL row:
This will launch a tool called PHPMyAdmin, which is an open-source database management tool.
Go into Databases (from the top menu).
Enter a name for your new WordPress database (something simple) and click the Create button:
You should see your new blank database in the sidebar:
You can now exit PHPMyAdmin.
Step #3. Download WordPress
Go toWordPress.org and download the most recent version of the software.
Donât worry. Itâs free:
Next:
- Save the file to your desktop or downloads folder. Extract it.
- Go to the folder where you installed XAMPP (C:\xampp) and find the htdocs subfolder.
- Create a new subfolder inside htdocs. This is where your site is going to live. For the purpose of this demo, Iâll name the folder mynewsite.
Take the contents of the WordPress archive and move them to this new subfolder (âmynewsiteâ or whatever you named yours).
It should look like this:
Step #4. Install WordPress Locally on Windows
Open your web browser and navigate to localhost/mynewsite.
What youâll see is the on-screen WordPress Installation Wizard.
The first step is choosing your language:
The next screen is an info card to get you up to speed with whatâs going to happen. Click on Letâs go! once youâve read it.
The next step is a crucial one in the installation.
This is where you get to enter the details of your WordPress connection to the database.
Here are my settings based on everything Iâve set in the previous steps so far:
Important parts:
- Database Name â This is the name you set in PHPMyAdmin when creating the database in Step #2.
- Username â Set to root.
- Password â Leave blank.
- Database Host â Set to localhost.
- Table Prefix â Leave as is.
The next step is where you get to set the name of your site and the details of your main admin account:
Click on Install WordPress to finalize everything.
And thatâs it. Youâve installed WordPress locally on Windows.
How to Install WordPress on Mac
While installing WordPress locally on Mac isnât the usual âget app from App Storeâ experience weâre used to, it can still be done with relative ease.
Hereâs how to install WordPress on Mac:
Step #1. Get MAMP
MAMP is a local web server that works quite well on Mac.
(Itâs also easier to install than some of its alternatives.).
From the MAMP website, go to the downloads section and choose the option for macOS:
Save the package to your computer.
Launch the MAMP installer and proceed through the on-screen wizard.
When the installation finishes, open MAMP from Macâs Launchpad.
In the config panel, click on the main Start Servers button.
Congrats! Your local server is working.
Step #2. Create a Blank Database for WordPress
As soon as you start your server in MAMP, you will be taken to the serverâs homepage.
Usually, itâs âhttp://localhost:8888/MAMP/â (without the quotes).
From there, click on PHPMYADMIN under TOOLS:
As mentioned earlier in the post, PHPMyAdmin is a handy, open-source database management tool.
We use it to create a new database for WordPress.
Go into Databases (from the top menu):
Enter a name for your new WordPress database (something simple) and click on Create.
Like so:
You should see your new blank database in the sidebar.
You can now exit PHPMyAdmin.
Step #3. Download WordPress
Go to WordPress.org and download the most recent version of the software.
Next:
- Save the archive to your Mac and extract it.
- Go to the default web folder of your server. Thatâs usually in Applications/MAMP/htdocs. You can check the location of your default web folder by going into MAMP settings and choosing the Web Server tab:
- Create a new subfolder. This is where your site is going to live. For the purpose of this demo, Iâll name my subfolder mynewsite.
Take the contents of the WordPress archive and move them to the new folder you created. It should look like this:
Step #4. Install WordPress Locally on Mac
Open your web browser and go to localhost:8888/mynewsite.
What youâll see is the on-screen WordPress installation wizard. The first step is choosing your language:
The next screen is an info card to get you up to speed with whatâs going to happen. Click Letâs go! once youâve read it.
In the next step, you will enter the details of your WordPress connection to the database.
Here are my settings based on everything Iâve set in the previous steps:
Important parts:
- Database Name â This is the name you set in PHPMyAdmin when creating the database in Step #2
- Username â Set to root.
- Password â Set to root.
- Database Host â Set to localhost.
- Table Prefix â Leave as is.
The next step is where you get to set the name of your site and the details of your main admin account:
Click on Install WordPress to finalize everything.
And thatâs it. Youâve installed WordPress locally on a Mac
How to Install WordPress via FTP (Or, How to Install WordPress Manually)
Installing WordPress via FTP takes only minutes, but you do need to have a couple of things ready beforehand.
Chiefly, you need to have access to a web server â aka, a web hosting account.
Start by going to your host of choice and purchasing one of the available web hosting plans. If you already have a web host, youâre ahead of the game!
Next:
Step #1. Download WordPress
Go to WordPress.org and download the latest version of WordPress.
Save the package to your computer and extract its contents.
Step #2. Upload WordPress Files to Your Server
The next step involves connecting to your web server via FTP and uploading your just-downloaded WordPress files.
Youâre going to need to use a third-party FTP tool to do that.
FileZilla is a popular one. Weâll use it for the purposes of this demo.
Now, in order to connect to your server, youâll need your connection details.
This information should have been provided via email when you first signed up for your hosting account. But if you canât find it, no worries. You can find your FTP information inside your hostâs cPanel.
Go to the FTP Accounts section (under FILES):
Youâll find your FTP accounts there. Or, alternatively, you can create your FTP account if one doesnât already exist.
Next to your FTP account, thereâs a link labeled Configure FTP Client.
Click on it:
This will reveal a new section.
In it, click on the FTP Configuration File button under FileZilla:
You can open that file with FileZilla and set up your connection details immediately.
With that done, the only thing left to do is upload your WordPress files to the server.
Depending on your hosting setup, you might need to upload WordPress to a specific directory.
However, for most users the directory will be called public_html or public_www.
If in doubt, verify with your web host.
Step #3. Create a New Database for WordPress in cPanel
WordPress, just like any other modern CMS, cannot work without a database.
The database is where all your posts, pages, comments, and other site content are kept.
To create a new database, go back to cPanel, scroll down to the DATABASES section, and click on MySQL Database Wizard:
From there, youâll be guided through the steps to create a new database.
First, pick a name for your database:
Next, create a new user account that WordPress will use to access the database.
Lastly, assign sufficient access rights to the new user account.
Itâs best to do that by simply selecting ALL PRIVILEGES, like so:
Your database setup is now complete!
Step #4. Install WordPress Through the Online Installer
This is the last step on your journey to getting WordPress installed via FTP.
Simply fire up your browser and navigate to your siteâs URL.
Youâll see the main page of the WordPress installer.
First, choose the language of your site:
The next step is a crucial one, and itâs where youâll need to provide your database details.
(Hopefully you jotted those details down earlier!)
Hereâs a breakdown for each:
- Database Name â The name of your database (from the previous step).
- Username â Your chosen username (from the previous step).
- Password â Your chosen password (from the previous step).
- Database Host â In most cases, set this to localhost. If your hosting setup requires a different value here, they can provide this info.
- Table Prefix â You can safely ignore this field and leave as is.
The next step is where you get to set the name of your site and the details of your main admin account:
Click on Install WordPress to finalize everything.
And thatâs it! Youâve successfully installed WordPress manually using FTP.
How to Install WordPress Multisite
WordPress Multisite is an interesting feature built into WordPress.
Simply speaking, with WordPress Multisite, you can launch multiple WordPress websites, all working on the same WordPress install.
This is great for businesses and organizations that need multiple websites, but want to keep the cost of managing them low.
WordPress Multisite is also a great choice for universities where itâs very common for individual courses or teachers to have their own sites.
Hereâs how to set up and install WordPress Multisite:
Step #1. Install WordPress Locally, via cPanel, or via FTP
To begin your journey with WordPress Multisite, you first need to install WordPress using any of the methods described earlier in this guide.
Go here to install WordPress locally on Windows or here to install WordPress locally on a Mac.
Finally, go here to install WordPress using FTP.
Once youâve installed WordPress, youâre ready for the next step.
Step #2. Enable WordPress Multisite
Connect to your server via FTP (explained previously in this guide), and download the wp-config.php file from your main WordPress directory.
Open the file in Notepad (or similar software) and add the following line at the bottom:
define (âWP_ALLOW_MULTISITEâ, true);
Save the file and re-upload it to your main WordPress directory via FTP. Youâll want to overwrite the original file.
Step #3. Set up Your WordPress Multisite Network
At this stage, WordPress is ready to let you configure your network of sites. Hereâs how:
First, go to your plugins and deactivate all of them.
Next, go to Tools > Network Setup. This is where you create your network of WordPress sites.
Click on the Install button to begin.
On the next screen, WordPress will give you specific instructions for finalizing the setup.
This will involve editing two files in your WordPress directory (similarly to how we did it a minute ago with wp-config.php).
Example setup:
Step #4. Create your WordPress Multisite Sites
Once you log back into WordPress, youâll see an updated version of the admin interface with one new section in the top left corner:
This menu is where you can switch between your WordPress sites (and where you can add new sites to the network).
Each website is independent, can feature different content, different user accounts, different themes, different plugins, and so on.
Congrats! Youâve successfully set up WordPress Multisite.
(Feel free to re-activate all your plugins!)
How to Install WordPress in Your Language
Did you know WordPress has been translated into 113 (and counting) languages?
Itâs true. You can install WordPress in everything from Afrikaans (South Africa) to é¦æ¸¯ä¸æç (Simplified Chinese).
In short:
You can install WordPress in your language, no matter what that language might be.
Hereâs how to do it:
#1. Download WordPress in Your Language
Go to WordPress.org.
Since WordPress is quite predictive and helpful with international users, based on your location, youâll see a note encouraging you to download WordPress in your language.
Hereâs an example:
What the above box says is:
âWordPress is also available in Polish.â
When you click on the language â in this example, âPolskiâ â youâll get redirected to a new, localized WordPress website.
Once there, download the WordPress package and save the ZIP file to your desktop and extract its contents.
#2. Install WordPress via FTP
Next, follow the same instructions we discussed earlier in this guide.
Click here to jump to Upload WordPress Files to Your Server.
Bonus Tip: Installing Language Files from the Admin Dashboard
If youâve already installed WordPress in one language, but youâd like to use a different language, donât fret.
WordPress makes switching your language a breeze.
In your Dashboard, go to Settings > General > Site Language.
Then simply choose the language youâd like to use.
And thatâs it! Youâre done.
How to Install WordPress on 12 Popular Web Hosts
The following section covers how to install WordPress on 12 popular hosting providers. Click on a link below to jump to your host:
- How to Install WordPress on SiteGround
- How to Install WordPress on Bluehost
- How to Install WordPress on GoDaddy
- How to Install WordPress on WP Engine
- How to Install WordPress on Flywheel
- How to Install WordPress on Kinsta
- How to Install WordPress on HostGator
- How to Install WordPress on DreamHost
- How to Install WordPress on A2Hosting
- How to Install WordPress on InMotion Hosting
- How to Install WordPress on iPage
- How to Install WordPress on Hostinger
How to Install WordPress on SiteGround
SiteGround (affiliate link) offers a cool wizard tool to get your WordPress installed in minutes. Thereâs no need to deal with any coding, settings, or uploading things a server.
Hereâs a video showing you the process:
But, if you prefer written instructions, here are the steps:
When you log into your SiteGround user panel for the first time, youâll be greeted by a message asking if youâd like to have a new website set up for you:
Click on the option labeled âStart a new websiteâ and select WordPress as your platform.
SiteGround will also create a new admin account for you. All you need to do is provide the login details:
Thatâs all there is to it.
How to Install WordPress on Bluehost
When you sign up for a Bluehost WordPress Hosting plan, the latest version of WordPress is installed automatically for you. All you have to do is configure it.
Here are the steps:
If youâd like to set up additional WordPress sites, itâs easy to do so via the Bluehost dashboard.
Go to My Sites, and then click on Create a Site.
Enter your site details and proceed through the individual screens.
First, youâll need to pick a name for your WordPress installation:
You will then enter the domain name and directory, plus any optional plugins you might want:
Finally, set your admin user login and password.
How to Install WordPress on GoDaddy
GoDaddy uses cPanel for installing WordPress on their hosting plans.
Hereâs their official video walking you through the entire (simple) process:
And if you need to add another WordPress site, thatâs easy too.
Log into your GoDaddy user panel, go to Managed WordPress > Manage All. Click Add Site.
From this point on, GoDaddy will take you by the hand and do most of the work for you. All youâll need to do is enter a name for your site and your desired login credentials for the admin user.
When the installation finishes, GoDaddy will show you a WordPress Setup Wizard to help you customize your site:
You can click No thanks or Continue.
How to Install WordPress on WP Engine
WP Engine (affiliate link) is one of the original âmanagedâ WordPress hosting platforms. They handle all the technical heavy lifting for you, so you can focus on whatâs important for your websiteâs success.
What this means in practice is WP Engine will install WordPress for you when you create an account. You donât have to lift a finger.
You access the site from your user panel:
If you want to add additional sites to your WP Engine setup, itâs pretty easy. Hereâs a video tutorial showing you how:
If you prefer written instructions, hereâs WP Engineâs official guide for adding or deleting WordPress installs.
How to Install WordPress on Flywheel
Like WP Engine, Flywheel is a managed WordPress hosting platform. They take care of the technical aspects â including installing WordPress â for you. All you have to do is provide a few pieces of info.
Hereâs a video walking you through the process:
If you would like to create additional sites, from your user profile click the Create a New Site button:
Next, provide all the necessary details such as site name, admin user login, password, and your preferred payment method.
Once youâve completed the form, your site will become visible in your user profile.
Thatâs all there is to it.
Hereâs Flywheelâs official guide for adding new sites if you need more information.
How to Install WordPress on Kinsta
Kinsta is a newcomer to the managed WordPress hosting market. Like WP Engine and Flywheel, Kinsta installs WordPress for you when you create your account.
If youâd like to add additional WordPress sites to your Kinsta plan, follow the steps in this video:
If you prefer written instructions, hereâs Kinstaâs official guide for adding WordPress sites.
How to Install WordPress on HostGator
Like many shared WordPress hosts, HostGator gives you access to cPanel. With it, you can easily install WordPress using the steps in the video below:
Canât play the video? No worries.
HostGator also offers an extensive how-to article for installing WordPress on their platform.
How to Install WordPress on DreamHost
For each of their WordPress hosting plans, DreamHost provides WordPress pre-installed. All the work is done for you.
If youâd like to add additional WordPress sites, hereâs a video showing you how itâs done:
Prefer written instructions?
Here is Dreamhostâs how-to article for using their handy 1-Click WordPress Install.
How to Install WordPress on A2Hosting
A2Hosting offers both shared and managed WordPress hosting.
For shared hosting, they offer 1-Click WordPress installation using Softaculous. Hereâs a video to walk you through the steps:
If you opt for one of their managed hosting plans, WordPress will come pre-installed with your A2Hosting account.
If youâd like to add more WordPress installs to your account, hereâs the official A2Hosting video to show you how:
How to Install WordPress on InMotion Hosting
Like its managed-hosting competitors, InMotion Hosting provides pre-installed WordPress on your hosting account from the get-go. This means that you donât need to install WordPress on your own.
If youâd like to install WordPress on an add-on domain, InMotion offers this handy tutorial video:
How to Install WordPress on iPage
Just like other âmanagedâ WordPress hosting companies, iPage provides WordPress pre-installed with your account. (You also get a set of pre-installed WordPress themes and plugins.)
Hereâs a helpful video showing you how to configure your iPage WordPress site:
If you need to install some additional WordPress sites on iPage, click here to read their guide.
How to Install WordPress on Hostinger
Hostinger offers a quick-and-easy auto installer for WordPress.
Hereâs their official video showing you how itâs done:
If you prefer written directions, hereâs Hostingerâs tutorial for installing WordPress (using various methods).
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we wrap things up, letâs go over a few common, related questions we often hear:
Do I Need to Install WordPress?
Answer: It depends.
If you use a âmanagedâ web host like WP Engine, installing WordPress is taken care of for you. You donât have to do anything (beyond filling in a few pieces of information).
However, if youâre using a âsharedâ hosting plan, youâll need to install WordPress.
The good news is that most web hosts have made the process easy. A few clicks and youâre finished.
Does WordPress Cost Money?
No, the WordPress software is 100% free. Anyone can go to WordPress.org and download it for free at any time.
The typical costs for running a WordPress website come from other factors, such as purchasing a domain name and choosing a hosting provider.
Does WordPress Include Hosting? (Or, Does WordPress Host Your Site?)
If youâre using WordPress.com, the answer is yes.
WordPress.com is a free, hosted version of the WordPress software offered by the company. (You can upgrade to various paid plans if you need more features.)
However, if youâre using the self-hosted version of the software available for free at WordPress.org, the answer is no. Youâll need a hosting provider.
Which Hosting is Best for WordPress?
WordPress.org officially recommends Bluehost, DreamHost, and SiteGround.
At Smart Blogger, we recommend SiteGround (affiliate link) and WP Engine (affiliate link).
Since SiteGround is on both lists, itâs safe to say itâs a solid option.
How to Install WordPress Themes?
Your WordPress installation will come with several free themes (designs), but there are thousands of additional themes â both free and premium â you can add.
Hereâs a quick guide for how to install WordPress themes from inside your WordPress dashboard.
How to Install WordPress Plugins?
Though you have to be careful not to go overboard with them, WordPress plugins are one of the softwareâs best features â they allow you to add all sorts of functionality to your WordPress site thatâs not available out of the box.
SiteGround has published a helpful tutorial for how to install WordPress plugins if you would like step-by-step instructions.
How to Install Facebook Pixel on WordPress?
If youâre interested in running Facebook Ads (either now or in the future), you need to install a Facebook Pixel on your WordPress site.
Whatâs a Facebook Pixel? Itâs a piece of tracking code you add to your website that collects data whenever someone visits your site or takes a specific action.
Hereâs a video explaining it in more detail (including how to install it):
If you prefer written instructions, here is Facebookâs help article on Facebook Pixel, which includes steps for creating and installing them.
Itâs Time to Install WordPress
Installing WordPress can be overwhelming â especially if youâve never done it before.
Hopefully, this in-depth guide has been able to point you in the right direction. Use it, bookmark it, and feel free to share it with a friend.
And if thereâs an installation method we missed, tweet us or let us know about it in the comments. Weâll happily add it.
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