How To Install WordPress: Automatic vs. Manual Methods?
WordPress is easy to work with and not complicated, although the first installation may be overwhelming to users new to the platform. The popularity of the platform is hard to dispute; thousands of websites take advantage of the flexibility of WordPress. It facilitates the production of various sites, which can be as simple as blogs, or as complicated as e-commerce facilities. Content management is also quite easy with WordPress, which is why it is the favorite of many.
It is not surprising that a good number of people prefer WordPress in their websites given its flexibility. Nonetheless, it may be difficult to start. Are you a new user and you are starting your journey with WordPress with the aim of creating your own websites, the guide will explain to you how to install it.
We have already discussed putting together WordPress on a LocalHost, which serves the purpose of testing and development, and also a Live Server, which is where your site becomes open to the world. It is very important to understand the two approaches in order to make good use of WordPress.
How to Install WordPress Manually
Cloud hosting providers extensively use manual installation or they do it on shared hosting when using virtual private servers (VPS) or dedicated servers. They may not even have a one-click installer, but even when they do that process of installing WordPress is critical to comprehend as it is simple knowledge that can be applied during debugging, as well.
The other circumstance in which knowledge about this process is needed is when you need to migrate the site, manually.
Get WordPress on the wordpress.org site.
- Unzip the downloaded file.
- Select hosting control panel and create database. The specific interface can be different according to the hosting company. Consequently, you will obtain your database name, user and password. Save these details.
- Connect using SFTP to your web space. Use one of the FTP clients. The user name and password to connect may be on the host panel; they can be emailed by the provider to you.
- Move the downloaded and unzipped WordPress files to your hosting by dragging and dropping them to the necessary directory.To use WordPress on the primary domain, locate the publichtml directory and add the downloaded and unzipped WordPress files in it. In case you require WordPress in a subdomain, make a folder with the subdomain name and put files in it.
- Once the uploading process is completed, visit the browser and type in your domain or subdomain name. Installation in installation wizard. WordPress will require you to specify language, next database credentials and other login information. And by clicking on the Run the Install button, the installation will start.The idea behind this step is to bind the database and WordPress admin log and password.
In case something does not work as intended you can make a database connection by hand by updating the configuration file using the SFTP client. Located in the root directory of the WordPress installation is the wp-config-sample.php file. Copy and paste the copied one to wp-config.php. then open and put these lines therein:
define (DBNAME, databasenamehere);
define (DBUSER,usernamehere);
define (DBPASSWORD, passwordhere);
define (DB_HOST, localhost);
There, insert the name of your database, username and password. The default host is usually localhost unless the instructions of the hosting provider specify otherwise.
Once the process is done, you are able to log on and begin development of your site.
How to Install WordPress on cPanel
To begin with we need a little knowledge of what cPanel is.
Cpanel is a hosting control panel. One of the common things provided by hosting providers is one or more automatic installers, meaning that it is easy to install WordPress without any work. The auto-installer provided by most shared hosting providers has several CMS options available and WordPress will certainly be included as well. However, otherwise, consult the manual above on its manual installation.
But in case it is present, go by the directions. The interface can differ slightly depending on the hosting provider that you use, the steps that are required to install it are also usually similar.
- Download the automatic WordPress installer and install according to the instructions on the screen.
- You can specify the directory in the Directory field in case you wish to install WordPress on a certain URL. In case you leave it blank the WordPress will be installed on your top domain.
- Add the necessary information, including the Site Name and the Site Description. These environments may be altered subsequently.
Then select a username and a password to log in to WordPress then press the install button.
Once installed, you will be able to view the WordPress administration panel at domain.com/wp-admin where domain.com is the domain name you registered. Enter the user name and password you choose during the installation.
WordPress Installation Using WP-CLI
WordPress can also be installed using WP-CLI, particularly when performing a bulk installation where you are dealing with a certain number of cloud hosts or dedicated servers or trying to salvage a failed installation.
The following commands will assist you in downloading WordPress, generating the configuration file and installing WordPress:
wp core download
wp config create
-dbname yourdbname
-dbuser yourdbuser
-dbpass yourdbpassword
-core install -url= http://example.com
-title=Your Site Title
-adminuser=admin
-admin password= password
-admin email= email@example.com.
Automatic One-Click WordPress Installation on Managed Hostings
Managed WordPress hosting is easier to deal with in terms of website management since it provides a one- click installation option. But it is not only about installation, it also covers automatic updates of WordPress and the plugins, security watch, frequent backups and trouble shooting tools to maintain smooth running of your site.
With managed hosting, you get:
- one-second WordPress installation;
- automatic updates of WordPress and plugins like Yoast SEO, Wordfence Security, Elementor;
- backups taken regularly, and easy restores;
- free SSL and SSH;
- increased security and optimized performance;
- technical assistance in problem diagnosis.
Naturally, managed hosting is more costly. Nevertheless, it comes with the numerous key necessities – including security, backups, and performance optimization – which you would need to pay for individually with unmanaged hosting. This renders it a more cost friendly alternative in the long run.
What to Do After Installing WordPress
Congrats you have installed WordPress successfully!
Since your site is already up and running there are a few things you need to consider that will help to ensure your site works well and safely. The following are a few tips to get you going.
Installation is complete
After the installation is finished, you can log in to your WordPress site using the domain.com/wp-admin. You can use the same username and password that you created during the installation process to log into and administer your site.
Install a theme
The second choice is to install a theme that fits the purpose and design of your site. WordPress has a great number of free and premium themes. It is possible to browse and install themes on the wordpress dashboard by visiting Appearance Themes. You should select a responsive and user friendly theme that improves the functionality of your site as well as its design.
Install the necessary plugins
Plugins are functionality extensions to WordPress, which enable you to extend the capabilities of your site. The main ones to consider are Yoast SEO that will optimize your search engine, Wordfence Security which will protect your site against attacks, and Elementor which will allow you to design custom pages without necessarily having to write any code. Installing the plugins is easy, as you just have to go to the Plugins section of your dashboard, and select Add New, and then browse through the available plugins.
Configure your site settings
Go to the WordPress dashboard to settings and fill in crucial information about your site. At the General Settings, you will be able to customize your site title, tagline, time zone and language. In Reading Settings you have the option of either using a dynamically displayed site with your latest posts, or use a static front page. Also, you should not forget to visit Permalink Settings and select a clean URL structure to your posts where the posts name option is the most search engine friendly.
Design important pages
Designing a few important pages in the beginning is important. These must have a home page that contains a welcoming message or introduction, a page that says about your site or business and contact page where the visitors can easily contact you. Besides, you should make sure you have privacy policy and terms of service pages, as these will make your site stay in compliance with data protection regulations, like GDPR.
Enable security settings
Security is essential to every site and WordPress sites are vulnerable to hackers. You can begin by modifying the default username in the administration of your site (admin) to a more unique one to increase the security of your site. Then you can install a security plug-in such as Wordfence that will aid in guarding your site against potential attacks. Another option that you might consider is the use of the two-factor authentication to provide an additional layer of security to the process of logging in.
Backup your site
You should also back up your site to ensure that you do not suffer loss of data. The automatic backup can be established with the help of such a plugin as UpdraftPlus or use the in-built backup solution offered by your hosting company. By doing this, you will have a backup version of your site to use in the event of an emergency.
Get down to writing content
Now that your site is correctly configured, it is time to write and publish. Fresh content on your site will keep your visitors interested and will boost your search engine optimisation.
Track the performance of your site
Continuous monitoring of your site After opening your site, you should monitor its performance. Track traffic, user behavior and other important metrics with the help of such tools as Google analytics. It will give you important insights that should be used to maximize your site and make data-driven decisions that can increase your audience.
Typical Problems during an installation and Troubleshooting.
- Error Connecting to a Database. This may happen when the name of the database, user name or password are entered wrongly. Check these in your wp-config.php.
- File permissions issues. In case you can not upload or edit files, it may be because of improper file permissions. Ensure the file and folder permissions of the WordPress files and folders are properly configured.
- PHP memory limit error. WordPress will need some memory in order to operate. In the event that you come across this mistake, then you might have to raise the PHP memory limit by revising the wp-config.php file.
- Missing files after upload. In case you notice that some files are no longer there after uploading them to the server, then ensure that your upload process has been successfully completed and that you have uploaded the whole WordPress directory.
- 500 internal server errors. This may be brought about by a conflict between the plugins or a theme, corrupted .htaccess file, or server settings. This problem can be solved by disabling the plugins/themes or by creating a new .htaccess.
FAQ
What is the duration of installation of WordPress?
The process of installation is also usually very fast. WordPress can be installed within a few minutes using an automatic installer (such as provided in the cPanel and managed hostings). The process of manual installation can require a little more time of 5-10 minutes, based on your knowledge of the procedure and the environment where it is hosted.
Am I required to have domain name and hosting to install WordPress?
Yes, domain name and hosting is required to install WordPress in a live site. Free sub domains are available with certain hosting companies. You need to host your web site files, and most of the providers have optimized hosting packages (WordPress).
Is it possible to install WordPress manually when I have a one-click installation feature with my hosting provider?
Yes, it is possible to install WordPress by hand, although you can use one-click installations, provided by your hosting provider. Automatic installation is more fast and easy but manual offers you greater control over the process. It may be helpful when you wish to tailor the installation further or you want to know more about the functioning of WordPress.
Last Words
The installation of WordPress offers both the beginner and the advanced user. Web hosting providers can make the automatic installation in most cases, which makes it fast and easy. You just normally complete a couple of forms and WordPress is good to go.
Installing manually however, provides you with control. It requires downloading of WordPress files, the creation of a database, and uploading of the files on your server. Although it is more technical, it helps to get a better understanding of the platform. The knowledge is used to troubleshoot problems in the future.
No matter how you install WordPress site, it is important to maintain it. A healthy, working site should be updated regularly, well secured (with intricate passwords and security software), and backed up regularly. These are continuous in order to keep off loss of data and to keep your site running smoothly.
The installation of WordPress offers both the beginner and the advanced user… For more tips and tutorials, download also the pdf tutorial handbook here
