Step 1: Download WordPress
Visit the official WordPress website at wordpress.org and download the latest version of WordPress. It will be a compressed ZIP file.
Step 2: Prepare Your Hosting Environment
Before installing WordPress, make sure you have a hosting environment that meets the minimum requirements. You will need a web server (such as Apache or Nginx), a PHP version of 7.4 or greater, and a MySQL database.
Step 3: Upload WordPress Files
Extract the contents of the ZIP file you downloaded in Step 1. Connect to your hosting account using an FTP client or through the file manager provided by your hosting provider. Upload all the extracted files to the desired location on your web server. This location can be the root directory of your domain (e.g., public_html) or a subdirectory (e.g., public_html/blog) if you want WordPress to be installed in a specific folder.
Step 4: Create a MySQL Database
Access your hosting control panel and navigate to the database section. Create a new MySQL database and take note of the database name, username, password, and host. You will need these details during the installation process.
Step 5: Configure the wp-config.php File
In the root directory of your WordPress installation, you will find a file called wp-config-sample.php. Rename this file to wp-config.php. Open the file in a text editor and locate the following lines:
php
Copy code
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name_here’);
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘username_here’);
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘password_here’);
define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);
Replace ‘database_name_here’, ‘username_here’, ‘password_here’, and ‘localhost’ with the database name, username, password, and host you obtained in Step 4.
Step 6: Run the Installation Script
Open a web browser and navigate to the URL where you uploaded WordPress. If you installed WordPress in the root directory, the URL will be something like: http://yourdomain.com. If you installed it in a subdirectory, the URL will be http://yourdomain.com/subdirectory.
You will see the WordPress installation page. Select your language and click on the “Continue” button. On the next page, you will be prompted to enter your website title, username, password, and email address. Fill in the required information and click on the “Install WordPress” button.
Step 7: Complete the Installation
WordPress will create the necessary tables in the MySQL database and set up your website. Once the installation is complete, you will see a success message. You can then click on the “Log in” button to access the WordPress admin dashboard.
That’s it! You have successfully installed WordPress manually. You can now log in to the admin dashboard and start customizing your website, installing themes and plugins, and creating content.
Note: Manual installation is recommended for advanced users who have experience working with web servers, databases, and FTP clients. If you’re a beginner or prefer a simpler installation process, many hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installations through their control panels.