New format
How to install WordPress on hosting
WordPress runs on hosting with PHP and MySQL or MariaDB: create a database, put files in the site root, and run the install wizard. Next — admin login, permalinks, updates.
Below: the current order. One-click installers in the host panel (Softaculous and similar) often do the same in minutes; the classic path matters when auto-install is unavailable or you need full control. PHP and DB version requirements are on wordpress.org — figures like PHP 4.3 from old articles are long obsolete.
What you’ll need
A domain with DNS pointing to hosting, panel access (or FTP/SFTP), a fresh WordPress archive from the official site. Code editor and FTP client — optional; the host file manager is often enough.
Before start ask the host: PHP version, MySQL/MariaDB, limits, how to create a DB. If you’re unsure about the plan type — sort hosting first.
Minimum set:
- hosting with current PHP
- MySQL/MariaDB database and a user with rights
- SFTP/FTP or a file manager
- official WordPress archive
- a strong password for the WP admin
Database
In the host panel create a database and user, attach the user to the DB with full rights. Save: DB name, login, password, host (often `localhost`, sometimes a separate host).
Charset and collation — utf8mb4 if the panel offers a choice. Host support will help if textbook fields are missing.
WordPress files on the server
Unpack the archive locally and upload the contents of the `wordpress` folder to the site root — so `wp-admin`, `wp-content`, `wp-includes`, and `index.php` sit side by side. Or upload the zip and unpack on the server if the panel can.
SFTP beats outdated unencrypted FTP. Client name (FileZilla, panel, any manager) doesn’t matter — host, login, port, and directory do.
Install wizard
Open `https://your-domain.example/wp-admin/install.php` (or the site root — redirect to install). Set language, DB details if asked, then site title, admin login, password, and email.
Don’t use login `admin` and password `123456`. After success sign in at `/wp-admin/`. If you create the config by hand from `wp-config-sample.php` — fill DB data and unique security keys (generator on wordpress.org), save as `wp-config.php`.
Classic order:
- DB created
- files in the root
- install.php completed
- admin login
- permalinks and updates
One-click install in the host panel
Many hosts offer “install WordPress in one click.” Pick the domain, admin login and password — the script creates the DB and files. After that still open the admin, change the password if needed, and check updates.
Auto-install saves time but doesn’t remove responsibility for backups, SSL, and core, theme, and plugin updates.
Right after install
Enable HTTPS, set permalinks, remove demo content, install only needed plugins from the official catalog. Pick a theme for the job, not “the most downloaded picture.”
Discourage search indexing while the site is still a draft. Security and speed are separate tracks.
Day-one checklist:
- strong password and admin email
- core updates
- SSL and redirect to HTTPS
- permalinks
- backup before plugin experiments
Takeaways
Installing WordPress is DB + files + wizard. After that hygiene matters more: passwords, updates, backups, sensible plugins.
The official package and current PHP on hosting beat a “PHP 4 guide” from old articles.
FAQ
Must I edit wp-config by hand?
No. The install wizard often creates the config if the directory is writable. Hand-copying from the sample is a fallback.
Where do the files go?
Into the domain document root: usually `public_html`, `www`, or the domain folder in the panel. Not a random nested folder if the site should open from the root.
How is install different from admin login?
Install creates tables and the first user. Then login is `/wp-admin/`. Login and password reset are a separate article.
Do I need paid hosting?
For a practice blog free or local sometimes works. For commerce — a paid plan with backups, SSL, and a normal PHP version.
Does install put you on page one in search?
No. The CMS is only a platform. SEO is content, tech, and months of work; site prep is not page-one rankings. Share of the core is typically planned for two to six months after work starts.
Installing WordPress on hosting?
We’ll walk DB, files, and the install wizard — without PHP 4.3 guides.
Discuss the task
