WordPress Installation
Introduction to WordPress Installation
WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems for creating websites. You can use it to build blogs, business websites, educational platforms, portfolios, news websites, and online stores.
Before you can start designing a website or publishing content, you need to install WordPress and configure its basic settings.
In this Chapter, you will learn how to install WordPress manually, install it through hosting tools, configure the database, understand the WordPress file structure, access the admin dashboard, and set up important website settings.
To understand the process more easily, imagine that you want to create a website for a web development institute called IT Code Hub. You will use this example throughout the Chapter to understand how WordPress installation works in a real project.
Table of Contents
1. Installing WordPress Manually
Manual installation means downloading WordPress from its official website and installing it on your hosting server or local computer by following the installation steps yourself.
This method helps you understand how WordPress works behind the scenes. It is particularly useful for students, developers, and people who want more control over their websites.
Requirements for manual installation
Before installing WordPress manually, you need the following things.
- A web server such as Apache or Nginx
- PHP installed on the server
- MySQL or MariaDB database
- A web browser
- The WordPress installation package
If you want to practise on your own computer, you can use a local development environment such as XAMPP. If you want to publish your website online, you need a web hosting account and a domain name.
Step 1. Download WordPress
Visit the official WordPress website and download the latest stable version.
Official download link: https://wordpress.org/download/
After downloading the package, you will receive a ZIP file containing the WordPress installation files.
For example, the downloaded file might be named wordpress.zip.
Step 2. Extract the WordPress files
Extract the ZIP file on your computer. You will see a folder named wordpress containing files and folders required to run your website.
If you are working with XAMPP on your computer, copy the extracted folder into the htdocs directory.
For example, your folder path may look like this.
C:\xampp\htdocs\itcodehub
If you are using Linux, the equivalent directory might be located at:
/opt/lampp/htdocs/itcodehub
Your exact directory may differ depending on how your local server is installed.
Step 3. Create a database
WordPress needs a database to store website information, including posts, pages, users, comments, and settings.
Open phpMyAdmin through your local server and create a new database.
For example, create a database named:
itcodehub_db
For a typical local XAMPP installation, you can access phpMyAdmin at:
Use a suitable database username and password for your environment. On a local development installation, the default database credentials may differ from those on a live hosting server.
Step 4. Start the WordPress installation
Open your browser and enter your local website address.
http://localhost/itcodehub
WordPress will guide you through the installation process. Select your preferred language and continue.
Enter the database details you created earlier.
For example:
| Setting | Example value |
| Database name | itcodehub_db |
| Database username | root |
| Database password | Depends on your local setup |
| Database host | localhost |
| Table prefix | wp_ |
These are example values for a local development project. On live hosting, use the database credentials provided by your hosting company.
Step 5. Complete the installation
WordPress will ask for information such as your website title, administrator username, password, and email address.
For your example website, you could enter IT Code Hub as the site title.
Choose a unique administrator username and a strong password. Avoid predictable usernames and passwords, especially on a public website.
After submitting the form, WordPress will complete the installation.
Real life example
Suppose you want to build a website where IT Code Hub students can read tutorials about WordPress, SEO, and web development.
You download WordPress, create a database, configure the installation, and create an administrator account.
Your website is now ready for you to add pages, publish articles, install themes, and configure plugins.
2. Installing WordPress with Hosting Tools
Manual installation is useful for learning, but it is not the only way to install WordPress.
Many hosting companies provide automatic installation tools that install WordPress with only a few clicks. This is often the easiest method for beginners who want to create a website quickly.
What are WordPress hosting tools?
Hosting tools are features available inside your hosting control panel. Depending on the hosting provider, they may include WordPress installation, database management, backups, domain management, and security settings.
Common examples include Softaculous, Installatron, and WordPress management tools provided by hosting companies.
Steps to install WordPress using hosting tools
Step 1. Log in to your hosting account.
Step 2. Open your hosting control panel, such as cPanel.
Step 3. Find the WordPress installer. It may appear under a section called Softaculous Apps Installer or WordPress Manager.
Step 4. Select WordPress and click Install.
Step 5. Choose your domain name and installation directory.
Step 6. Enter your website title, administrator username, password, and email address.
Step 7. Select the installation options and start the installation.
Step 8. Wait until the installer confirms that WordPress has been installed.
You can then visit your website and log in to the WordPress dashboard.
Understanding the installation directory
The installation directory determines where WordPress will be installed.
For example, if you select your main domain and leave the directory empty, WordPress will usually be installed at:
https://example.com
If you enter blog as the directory, WordPress may be installed at:
https://example.com/blog
The exact result depends on your hosting configuration.
Real life example
Imagine IT Code Hub has purchased a domain named itcodehub.example and a hosting plan.
Instead of downloading WordPress and creating the database manually, you open the hosting control panel and use its automatic installer.
The tool creates the database, installs the WordPress files, and helps configure the website.
You can then log in and begin designing the institute website.
Remember that automatic installation does not eliminate the need to configure security, backups, website URLs, and other important settings.
3. WordPress Installation Settings
During installation, WordPress asks for several details. These settings help establish the identity of your website and determine how you will manage it.
Some options are available during the initial installation, while others can be changed later from the WordPress dashboard.
Website title
The website title is the name of your website.
For example:
IT Code Hub
This name can appear in your website header, browser title, and other places depending on your theme and settings.
Administrator username
The administrator username identifies the account you use to manage your website.
For example, you might use a unique username that is not easily guessed.
Avoid using a simple username such as admin on a publicly accessible website when you can choose a more distinctive one.
Administrator password
Your administrator password protects access to the WordPress dashboard.
Use a long, unique password that you do not reuse on other websites. A password manager can help you generate and store strong passwords.
Administrator email
WordPress uses the administrator email for important notifications, password recovery processes, and certain administrative messages.
Use an email address that you can access.
Search engine visibility
WordPress provides a setting that can discourage search engines from indexing your website.
This can be useful while you are developing a website or preparing its content. However, it does not guarantee that the website will remain private.
When your website is ready for public visitors, check that this setting is disabled if you want search engines to index your content.
Real life example
Suppose you are building the IT Code Hub website but have not finished adding your course pages.
You can configure the website title, create a secure administrator account, and discourage search engine indexing while you work.
Once the website is ready, review the visibility setting and other launch requirements before announcing the website publicly.
4. Understanding the wp-config.php File
The wp-config.php file is one of the most important files in a WordPress installation.
It contains essential configuration information that allows WordPress to connect to its database and use certain settings.
This file is usually located in the main WordPress directory.
For example:
itcodehub/
wp-admin/
wp-content/
wp-includes/
wp-config.php
index.php
What does wp-config.php do?
The wp-config.php file commonly contains the following information.
- Database name
- Database username
- Database password
- Database host
- Authentication keys and salts
- Optional debugging settings
- Other configuration constants
During installation, WordPress can create this file automatically using the database information you provide.
Example of database configuration
A simplified example looks like this.
PHP
define( ‘DB_NAME’, ‘itcodehub_db’ );
define( ‘DB_USER’, ‘itcodehub_user’ );
define( ‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘your-strong-password’ );
define( ‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’ );
These lines tell WordPress which database to use and which credentials to use when connecting to it.
The values above are examples. Replace them with the actual credentials provided by your local environment or hosting provider.
Understanding the code
The define() function in PHP creates a constant.
For example:
PHP
define( ‘DB_NAME’, ‘itcodehub_db’ );
This defines a constant named DB_NAME with the value itcodehub_db.
WordPress uses this configuration to identify the database that stores the website’s information.
The database host is often localhost, but your hosting provider may specify a different hostname.
Security considerations
The wp-config.php file contains sensitive information. If someone gains access to its contents, they may obtain database credentials or other security-related information.
For this reason:
- Do not share the file publicly.
- Do not upload its contents to public code repositories.
- Use appropriate file permissions.
- Keep WordPress and your server software updated.
- Maintain secure backups.
- Avoid changing configuration values unless you understand their purpose.
Real life example
Imagine that your IT Code Hub website suddenly displays a database connection error after you change its database password.
You can investigate whether the credentials in wp-config.php still match the database credentials configured on the server.
If the values do not match, WordPress may not be able to connect to the database.
Always back up the configuration file before making changes.
5. Understanding the WordPress Database
A database is where WordPress stores much of the information used to run your website.
Think of the database as a digital filing cabinet. Each table stores a particular category of information, such as website settings, users, or posts.
WordPress commonly uses MySQL or MariaDB.
Why does WordPress need a database?
A WordPress website may contain hundreds of articles, pages, user accounts, comments, and settings.
Rather than storing all this information in separate files, WordPress uses a database to organize and retrieve it.
For example, when you publish an article titled WordPress Installation Guide, WordPress stores the article’s content and related information in the database.
When a visitor opens the article, WordPress retrieves the required information and displays it using your active theme.
Important WordPress database tables
A standard WordPress installation uses several core database tables.
| Table | Purpose |
| wp_posts | Stores posts, pages, and other content types |
| wp_postmeta | Stores additional information associated with content |
| wp_users | Stores user account information |
| wp_usermeta | Stores additional user information |
| wp_options | Stores many website settings |
| wp_comments | Stores comments |
| wp_commentmeta | Stores additional comment information |
| wp_terms | Stores categories, tags, and other terms |
| wp_term_taxonomy | Defines the taxonomy associated with terms |
| wp_term_relationships | Connects content to categories, tags, and other terms |
The prefix wp_ is the default example. Your installation may use a different prefix.
How the database works
Consider the following process.
Step 1. You log in to WordPress.
Step 2. You create a new page called About IT Code Hub.
Step 3. You write the page content and click Publish.
Step 4. WordPress saves the page information in the database.
Step 5. A visitor opens the About page.
Step 6. WordPress retrieves the page information and displays it using your theme.
This process happens whenever WordPress needs to retrieve or update database information.
How to view the database
If you use a hosting control panel or XAMPP, you can often use phpMyAdmin to view database tables.
Select your WordPress database and inspect the tables.
Be careful when editing or deleting database records directly. Incorrect changes can break your website or permanently remove important information.
Always create a backup before making database changes.
6. Understanding the WordPress File Structure
When you install WordPress, you receive many files and folders.
Understanding their purpose helps you troubleshoot problems, manage themes and plugins, and maintain your website.
The main WordPress directory typically looks like this.
wordpress/
wp-admin/
wp-content/
wp-includes/
index.php
wp-config.php
wp-login.php
wp-load.php
wp-settings.php
wp-blog-header.php
.htaccess
The exact files may vary by WordPress version and server configuration.
wp-admin folder
The wp-admin folder contains files used to power the WordPress administration area.
This includes the dashboard where you manage posts, pages, themes, plugins, users, and settings.
For example, when you open the WordPress dashboard to publish a new article, WordPress uses code from its administration system.
You should not edit core files in this folder to customize your website.
wp-content folder
The wp-content folder contains much of the website’s customizable content.
It commonly includes the following folders.
wp-content/
themes/
plugins/
uploads/
The themes folder stores installed themes.
The plugins folder stores installed plugins.
The uploads folder stores media files uploaded through WordPress, such as images, documents, and other supported files.
For example, if you upload a featured image for an article about WordPress installation, WordPress will normally store the image in the uploads directory.
wp-includes folder
The wp-includes folder contains many of the core files and libraries used by WordPress.
These files support important functions such as handling requests, processing content, and working with WordPress features.
You generally should not modify these files directly.
wp-config.php file
This file contains the site’s database connection details and other configuration settings.
It is essential for connecting WordPress to the database.
index.php file
The index.php file is an important entry point for a standard WordPress installation.
It helps load WordPress so that the requested website content can be processed and displayed.
wp-login.php file
This file handles the standard WordPress login process.
You can normally access the login page through:
https://example.com/wp-login.php
.htaccess file
On Apache servers, the .htaccess file can contain configuration rules for features such as URL rewriting and access control.
WordPress may use this file to support pretty permalinks, depending on your server configuration.
Not every WordPress installation has an .htaccess file. For example, Nginx typically uses server-level configuration instead.
Real life example
Suppose you want to change the appearance of your IT Code Hub website.
You would normally work with a theme rather than editing WordPress core files.
If you want to add functionality, you might install a suitable plugin.
If you want to replace the website logo, you can usually upload it through the WordPress dashboard or your theme’s customization settings.
Understanding the file structure helps you identify where these resources belong.
7. Logging In to the WordPress Admin Dashboard
The WordPress admin dashboard is the control center of your website.
From this area, you can create pages, publish blog posts, install themes, manage plugins, and configure website settings.
How to log in
Open your web browser and enter your website’s login address.
For a live website, it is commonly:
https://example.com/wp-admin
You can also use:
https://example.com/wp-login.php
For a local website installed in the itcodehub folder, the address might be:
http://localhost/itcodehub/wp-admin/
Enter the administrator username or email address and the password you created during installation.
After successful authentication, WordPress will take you to the dashboard.
Important dashboard sections
The dashboard contains several menus.
| Menu | Purpose |
| Dashboard | Displays an overview of the website |
| Posts | Creates and manages blog articles |
| Media | Manages images and other uploaded files |
| Pages | Creates and manages website pages |
| Comments | Manages comments |
| Appearance | Manages themes and supported design settings |
| Plugins | Adds or manages website functionality |
| Users | Manages website accounts and roles |
| Tools | Provides various administrative utilities |
| Settings | Controls general website configuration |
The exact menus depend on your WordPress version, user permissions, active theme, and installed plugins.
Real life example
Imagine you want to publish an article called What Is WordPress.
You log in to the dashboard, open Posts, select Add Post, write the article, add a featured image, and publish it.
The article is then available on your public website, depending on its publication status and visibility settings.
What if you cannot log in?
If you cannot access the dashboard, check the following.
- Confirm that you are using the correct website URL.
- Check your username and password.
- Make sure WordPress is installed and the website is running.
- Use the password reset option if necessary.
- If you see a database error, investigate the database connection.
- If the login page redirects repeatedly, check your WordPress URL settings and HTTPS configuration.
Never share your administrator password with another person.
8. Configuring WordPress Permalinks
Permalinks are the permanent URLs used for individual posts, pages, and other website content.
A clear URL helps visitors understand what a page is about before opening it.
For example, consider these two URLs.
https://example.com/?p=25
https://example.com/wordpress-installation
The second URL is easier for a person to read and understand.
WordPress allows you to choose a permalink structure that determines how many of these URLs are created.
How to change permalinks
Follow these steps.
Step 1. Log in to the WordPress dashboard.
Step 2. Open Settings.
Step 3. Select Permalinks.
Step 4. Review the available permalink structures.
Step 5. Choose your preferred structure.
Step 6. Click Save Changes.
For many blogs and educational websites, the Post name structure is a practical option.
It produces URLs based on the content’s slug.
Common permalink structures
| Structure | Example |
| Plain | example.com/?p=25 |
| Day and name | example.com/2026/09/27/sample-post/ |
| Month and name | example.com/2026/09/sample-post/ |
| Post name | example.com/sample-post/ |
The exact URL depends on your content and configuration.
Real life example
Suppose IT Code Hub publishes an article about installing WordPress manually.
A descriptive URL could be:
https://example.com/wordpress-installation
This is easier to read and share than a URL containing only a post number.
Descriptive URLs can also help search engines and visitors understand the topic of a page, although changing a permalink alone does not guarantee higher rankings.
Important warning
Avoid changing established URLs unnecessarily.
If you change a published URL, visitors and search engines may still try to access the old address. You may need to create a permanent redirect from the old URL to the new one.
Before changing permalinks on an established website, review your existing URLs and make a backup.
9. Setting the Site Title and Tagline
The site title and tagline help communicate your website’s identity.
The site title is the name of your website, while the tagline is a short description of what the website offers.
What is a site title?
The site title identifies your website.
For example:
IT Code Hub
This title may appear in the site header, browser title, and other places depending on your theme and SEO configuration.
What is a tagline?
The tagline provides a short explanation of your website’s purpose.
For example:
Learn SEO, WordPress, and Web Development
This tells visitors what they can expect to find on your website.
How to change the site title and tagline
Step 1. Log in to the WordPress dashboard.
Step 2. Open Settings.
Step 3. Select General.
Step 4. Find the Site Title field.
Step 5. Enter your website name.
Step 6. Find the Tagline field.
Step 7. Enter a short description.
Step 8. Save your changes.
Depending on your theme, you may also need to visit Appearance and open the Site Editor or Customize option to control how the title and tagline appear.
Real life example
Imagine a visitor opens the IT Code Hub website for the first time.
If the header displays IT Code Hub and the tagline says Learn SEO, WordPress, and Web Development, the visitor can quickly understand the site’s focus.
A clear tagline helps explain the purpose of a website, but it should accurately represent the content you provide.
Tips for writing a tagline
- Keep it short and easy to understand.
- Describe the website’s main purpose.
- Use natural language.
- Avoid unnecessary repetition of keywords.
- Make sure the tagline matches your actual content.
10. Configuring WordPress URL Settings
WordPress has two important URL settings called WordPress Address and Site Address.
Although these settings often contain the same URL, they serve different purposes.
Understanding the difference is important because incorrect values can prevent you from accessing your website or dashboard.
What is the WordPress Address?
The WordPress Address, also called siteurl in the database, identifies where the core WordPress application files are located.
For example:
https://example.com/wordpress
This would be appropriate if the WordPress application itself is installed in the /wordpress directory.
What is the Site Address?
The Site Address, also called home in the database, identifies the public address visitors use to access your website.
For example:
https://example.com
In this example, visitors access the website through the domain root, even though the WordPress application files are located in a subdirectory. This arrangement requires the appropriate WordPress configuration and front-end entry point.
For a typical installation where WordPress files are in the root directory, both URLs are usually the same.
How to change WordPress URL settings
Step 1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Step 2. Open Settings.
Step 3. Select General.
Step 4. Find WordPress Address URL.
Step 5. Find Site Address URL.
Step 6. Enter the correct URLs.
Step 7. Save the changes.
Before changing these settings, confirm your actual WordPress installation path and hosting configuration.
Example of URL settings
For a typical website with WordPress installed in its root directory, the settings might look like this.
| Setting | Example |
| WordPress Address | https://itcodehub.example |
| Site Address | https://itcodehub.example |
For a local installation, the values might be:
| Setting | Example |
| WordPress Address | http://localhost/itcodehub |
| Site Address | http://localhost/itcodehub |
These are example addresses. Use your actual domain or local installation path.
Why must these URLs be correct?
Incorrect URL settings can cause several problems.
- Your website may redirect to the wrong address.
- Images and other resources may fail to load.
- You may be unable to access the dashboard.
- HTTPS and HTTP redirects may conflict.
- Links within your website may point to the wrong location.
If you accidentally change the URLs and lose access to the dashboard, you may need to correct them through your hosting configuration or database. Some installations also define URL constants in wp-config.php, which can override the database values.
Real life example
Suppose you develop the IT Code Hub website locally at:
http://localhost/itcodehub
Later, you purchase a domain and move the website to:
https://itcodehub.example
You need to configure the website’s URLs for the live domain and ensure that the website files, database, HTTPS certificate, and internal links are migrated correctly.
Simply changing the URL fields does not complete the entire migration process.
Practical Assignment for Students
Now it is time to practise what you have learned.
Your task is to install WordPress for a fictional educational website called IT Code Hub.
WordPress Installation Practice
Complete each task as you work through the Chapter.
Tasks completed
- Download WordPress from the official website.
- Install WordPress locally using XAMPP or install it through a hosting tool.
- Create a database named itcodehub_db.
- Complete the WordPress installation and create an administrator account.
- Locate the wp-config.php file and identify its main configuration settings.
- Explore the WordPress database tables using phpMyAdmin.
- Identify the wp-admin, wp-content, and wp-includes folders.
- Log in to the WordPress admin dashboard.
- Set the site title to IT Code Hub.
- Set a suitable tagline for the educational website.
- Configure a descriptive permalink structure.
- Review the WordPress Address and Site Address settings.
Assessment questions
Answer these questions after completing the practical assignment.
- What is the difference between manual and automatic WordPress installation?
- Why does WordPress need a database?
- What information is stored in wp-config.php?
- What is the purpose of the wp-content folder?
- How do you access the WordPress admin dashboard?
- What are permalinks, and why are descriptive URLs useful?
- What is the difference between a site title and a tagline?
- What is the difference between the WordPress Address and the Site Address?
- Why should you back up your website before changing important settings?
- What security measures should you take to protect your administrator account?
Official WordPress Learning Resources
Use these official resources to continue practising.
- WordPress download: https://wordpress.org/download/
- WordPress installation guide: https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/before-install/howto-install/
- WordPress administration documentation: https://wordpress.org/documentation/
- WordPress settings documentation: https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/settings-general-screen/
- WordPress permalink settings: https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/customize-permalinks/
Conclusion
Installing WordPress is the first major step toward building a functional website. Once you understand manual installation, hosting installers, databases, configuration files, and the WordPress file structure, you can manage your website with greater confidence.
You should also know how to access the admin dashboard, configure permalinks, set your site title and tagline, and verify the correct website URLs.
By completing the practical assignment, you will have a foundation for building a real website for an institute, business, blog, or portfolio.
In the next Chapter, you can move on to WordPress dashboard navigation, themes, and website customization to learn how to turn a basic WordPress installation into a professional website.
Next Chapter 4: WordPress Dashboard?
Explore Chapter 4: WordPress Dashboard to learn how to manage your entire website from one place. Understand the dashboard, updates, posts, media, pages, comments, appearance, plugins, users, tools, settings, and Site Health. Follow practical examples to build confidence in managing a professional WordPress website.
