How to Install WordPress on Your Hosting Account

If you are looking to build a website, WordPress is almost certainly the platform you should be using. Powering over 40% of all websites on the internet, it is the world’s most popular content management system — and for good reason. It is flexible, user-friendly, and supported by a vast community of developers and designers. But before you can start customising themes and publishing content, you need to install WordPress on hosting first. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know, step by step.

What You Need Before You Begin

Before you attempt to install WordPress on hosting, there are a few things you will need to have in place. Getting these sorted in advance will make the process much smoother and help you avoid unnecessary delays.

A Domain Name

Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet — for example, yourwebsite.co.uk. You will need to have already registered a domain name and pointed it to your hosting provider’s nameservers. This process can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully, so it is worth sorting this out before anything else.

A Web Hosting Account

You will need a web hosting account that supports PHP and MySQL, which are the core technologies that WordPress runs on. Most reputable shared hosting providers, including those offering cPanel-based hosting, support WordPress out of the box. If you are unsure whether your host is compatible, check their documentation or contact their support team.

Access to Your Hosting Control Panel

You will need your hosting login credentials to access your control panel, most commonly cPanel. This is where you will manage your files, databases, and email accounts. Keep these details handy before you begin.

Method One: Installing WordPress Using an Auto-Installer

The easiest and most popular way to install WordPress on hosting is by using an auto-installer tool. Most hosting providers include one of these tools as standard. Softaculous and Fantastico are two of the most widely used options, and they make the entire process incredibly straightforward — even for complete beginners.

Step 1: Log In to Your cPanel

Head to your hosting provider’s website and log in to your account. From your dashboard, navigate to cPanel. Once inside, scroll down until you find the “Softaculous Apps Installer” or a similar auto-installer icon. Click on it to open the tool.

Step 2: Find WordPress in the Installer

Inside Softaculous, you will see a list of available applications. Click on WordPress, which is usually featured prominently on the homepage of the installer. You will be taken to a page with an overview of WordPress, along with an “Install Now” button. Click it to proceed.

Step 3: Configure Your Installation Settings

This is where you will enter the key details for your new WordPress website. Here is what you will typically need to fill in:

• Choose Protocol: Select either http:// or https://. If you have an SSL certificate installed, always choose https://.
• Choose Domain: Select the domain name you want WordPress installed on from the dropdown menu.
• In Directory: Leave this blank if you want WordPress installed at your root domain (e.g. yourwebsite.co.uk). If you want it in a subfolder, type the folder name here.
• Site Name and Description: Enter your website’s name and a short description. These can be changed later from within WordPress.
• Admin Username and Password: Choose a strong, unique username and password for your WordPress admin account. Avoid using “admin” as your username, as this is a common target for hackers.
• Admin Email: Enter a valid email address. This will be used for password resets and important notifications.

Step 4: Complete the Installation

Once you have filled in all the required fields, scroll down and click the “Install” button. Softaculous will handle everything automatically, including creating the necessary database and configuring your files. Within a minute or two, you will see a confirmation message with a link to your new WordPress website and your admin login URL.

Method Two: Installing WordPress Manually

If your hosting provider does not offer an auto-installer, or if you prefer to have more control over the installation process, you can install WordPress manually. This method takes a little longer but is not as complicated as it might sound.

Step 1: Download WordPress

Visit wordpress.org and download the latest version of WordPress. You will receive a .zip file containing all the WordPress core files.

Step 2: Create a MySQL Database

Log in to your cPanel and navigate to the “MySQL Databases” section. Create a new database, then create a new database user and assign a strong password. Finally, add the user to the database and grant them all privileges. Make a note of the database name, username, and password — you will need these shortly.

Step 3: Upload WordPress Files via FTP

Extract the WordPress .zip file on your computer. Using an FTP client such as FileZilla, connect to your hosting account using your FTP credentials (available from your cPanel). Upload the extracted WordPress files to your public_html directory (or a subdirectory if you prefer).

Step 4: Run the WordPress Installation Wizard

Once your files are uploaded, visit your domain name in a browser. You will be greeted by the WordPress installation wizard. Select your language, then click “Let’s Go.” Enter the database name, username, password, and host (usually “localhost”) that you noted earlier. Click “Submit,” then “Run the Installation.” Fill in your site title, admin username, password, and email address, then click “Install WordPress.” That is it — your site is live.

Logging In to Your WordPress Dashboard

Once your installation is complete, you can log in to your WordPress admin dashboard by visiting yourwebsite.co.uk/wp-admin. Enter the username and password you chose during installation. From here, you can install themes, add plugins, create pages and posts, and begin building your website exactly the way you want it.

Essential Steps After Installation

Now that you have managed to install WordPress on hosting successfully, there are a few important tasks you should complete straight away.

Install an SSL Certificate

If your hosting provider offers a free SSL certificate (many do via Let’s Encrypt), make sure it is activated. An SSL certificate encrypts data between your site and its visitors, improves trust, and is a ranking factor for Google.

Update Your Permalink Structure

Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and choose a URL structure that includes the post name. This is better for both SEO and readability.

Install a Security Plugin

Protecting your WordPress site from the outset is essential. Install a reputable security plugin such as Wordfence or Sucuri to guard against brute force attacks, malware, and other threats.

Set Up Regular Backups

Always have a backup strategy in place. Plugins like UpdraftPlus allow you to schedule automatic backups to cloud storage, giving you peace of mind should anything go wrong.

Further Reading and Resources

Getting WordPress installed is just the beginning of your website-building journey. There is a wealth of knowledge available to help you make the most of your new site. For more helpful guides and tips on managing your online presence, visit the DA Manager blog, where you will find a range of resources covering SEO, digital marketing, and web management.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to install WordPress on hosting is one of the most valuable skills you can have as a website owner. Whether you use an auto-installer for convenience or opt for a manual installation for greater control, the process is well within reach for anyone willing to follow the steps carefully. Once your WordPress site is up and running, the real fun begins — building, customising, and growing your online presence from the ground up.