So, you’ve decided to create your website using WordPress—excellent choice! WordPress powers over 40% of all websites, and for good reason. It’s user-friendly, highly customizable, and perfect for both beginners and experts. But before you start crafting your dream website, you need to install WordPress on your hosting account. The easiest and most common way to do this is via cPanel, the control panel provided by most hosting companies. If you’re new to this, don’t worry! This guide will walk you through the entire process in a highly detailed, beginner-friendly manner.
Step 1: Log in to Your cPanel
First things first, you need to access your cPanel account. Your hosting provider (like Bluehost, SiteGround, Hostinger, etc.) will provide you with cPanel login credentials when you purchase a hosting plan. To log in, open your web browser and enter your website’s cPanel URL. This is usually https://yourdomain.com/cpanel or https://yourhostingprovider.com/cpanel. Once you reach the login page, enter the username and password provided by your hosting company, then click on the login button. After successful login, you will see your cPanel dashboard, which contains a variety of tools to help you manage your hosting and website files.
Step 2: Locate the WordPress Installer (Softaculous)
Now that you are inside cPanel, the next step is to find the Softaculous Apps Installer, a tool that allows you to install applications like WordPress with just a few clicks. Scroll down the cPanel dashboard until you find the Software section. Here, you should see the Softaculous Apps Installer. If you don’t see it right away, use the search bar at the top of the cPanel dashboard and type ‘WordPress.’ When you find the WordPress Installer, click on it to proceed to the installation page.
Step 3: Start the WordPress Installation
Once inside the WordPress Installer, you will see an overview of WordPress, including its features and benefits. Click on the Install Now button to begin the installation process. You will then be asked to select the version of WordPress you wish to install. Always go with the latest version to ensure you have access to the newest features and security updates. Next, you need to choose the installation URL. Select your domain from the dropdown list, and make sure the ‘In Directory’ field is left empty unless you want WordPress to be installed in a subdirectory like yourdomain.com/blog.
Step 4: Configure Site Settings
Now comes the part where you set up the basic details of your website. You will be asked to enter the Site Name and Site Description. The site name is the title of your website, while the site description is a short tagline explaining what your website is about. Don’t worry if you’re unsure about these details; you can always change them later from the WordPress dashboard.
Next, you will need to create an Admin Username and Password. It is crucial to choose a strong username and password to enhance security. Avoid using ‘admin’ as your username, as it is commonly targeted by hackers. Instead, pick something unique and difficult to guess. Along with this, you need to provide an Admin Email where you will receive notifications about your website, including password reset links and security updates. Make sure this is an active email address that you check regularly.
Step 5: Choose Plugins and Theme (Optional)
During installation, Softaculous may give you the option to pre-install some plugins. Plugins are small software add-ons that add extra functionality to your website. While optional, you may want to install essential plugins like a security plugin or a caching plugin to improve website performance. Additionally, you may be asked to select a default theme for your website. WordPress comes with several free themes, but you can always change your theme later from the WordPress dashboard.
Step 6: Click ‘Install’
Once you have filled in all the required details, scroll down and click on the Install button. Softaculous will now begin the installation process, which usually takes a minute or two. During this process, it will set up the necessary database, configure the files, and complete the installation. Once the installation is complete, you will see a confirmation message along with your WordPress login URL, which is typically https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin. Make sure to save this information for future reference.
Step 7: Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
To start working on your website, open your web browser and go to https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin. This will take you to the WordPress login page. Enter the Admin Username and Password that you created earlier, then click the Log in button. If your credentials are correct, you will be taken to the WordPress dashboard, the main control panel for your website.
Inside the WordPress dashboard, you will see various menu options on the left-hand side, including Posts, Pages, Appearance, Plugins, and more. From here, you can start customizing your website, adding new content, and installing additional plugins to enhance functionality.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed WordPress on cPanel. Now that your website is up and running, you can start designing it the way you want. Explore different themes, install useful plugins, and begin adding content to make your website truly unique.
Remember, if you ever encounter any issues, most hosting providers offer 24/7 customer support, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them for assistance. The journey of building a website is exciting, and now that you have WordPress installed, you are one step closer to bringing your vision to life. So, go ahead and start creating something amazing!
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