WordPress Installation Tutorial
This is a WordPress installation guide for beginners: first prepare the domain and server, then choose the installation method based on shared hosting, VPS, or panel environment, and finally complete backend basic settings, themes, plugins, and go-live checks.
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Most WordPress installation failures are not due to WordPress itself being difficult, but because the domain, server, database, and permissions are not ready.
Prepare the following 5 items before starting. If any item is missing, complete it first; do not jump directly to the installation wizard.
Don't jump straight into manual installation steps. First, determine your hosting type and choose the path that is most convenient and least error-prone.
| Installation method | Who It's For | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| One-click installation from hosting control panel. | For users of SiteGround, Hostinger, shared hosting, etc. | Recommended. The control panel automatically creates the database and files, best for beginners. |
| Installation via panels like Baota/WP Panel. | For beginners who bought a VPS but don't want to type commands. | Suitable as an entry point to VPS; practice on a test site first. Baota users can continue withBaota Panel WordPress Installation Tutorial.。 |
| Manual upload of installation package. | For those who want to understand the relationship between WordPress files and the database. | Suitable for learning and troubleshooting; can also be used for production projects. |
| Local installation. | For those who only want to experience the backend or practice themes/plugins. | Not suitable for going live; suitable for learning and testing. |
Below is the general manual installation process. Even if you use one-click installation, it is recommended to understand these steps for future troubleshooting.
WordPress is not ordinary software installed on your own computer; it is deployed on a server and accessed via a browser to manage the website backend.
Point the domain to the server and prepare PHP, database, web server, and HTTPS. Virtual hosting users can usually skip environment configuration.
Prefer downloading the latest version from the official WordPress.org website. The English version can also switch to the Chinese language pack in the backend.
Place the WordPress files in the website root directory, e.g., public_html, wwwroot, or www. Baota Panel users can download and extract online directly.
WordPress requires a database to store posts, pages, settings, users, and plugin data. Prepare the database name, username, and password before installation.
Visit your domain in a browser, and WordPress will prompt you to fill in database information and basic site information.
After successful installation, enter the backend, first handle permalinks, language, timezone, SSL, default posts and pages, and basic security settings.
Installation errors usually involve database, file permissions, PHP environment, and access path. First troubleshoot in the following order.
First check if the database name, username, password, and database host are correct. For VPS local databases, usually use localhost; for shared hosting, check the database host provided by the host. Also confirm that the database user has permission to access this database.
Check if the domain resolution has taken effect, if the website root directory is correct, and if the domain bound to the server site is correct. If WordPress files are left in a subdirectory like wordpress, the access path may not be as expected.
Usually due to incorrect file permissions or owner. Panel users can change the website file owner to the web user in file management, and confirm that the wp-content directory has write permissions.
You can prepare content via temporary domain, IP, or local testing, but using a domain to access a domestic server usually requires filing. For websites targeting overseas users, consider overseas servers.
Successful WordPress installation is just the beginning. The following settings will affect subsequent SEO, security, and maintenance experience.
These issues mainly come from beginners installing WordPress for the first time.
Building your own independent website usually uses the open-source program provided by WordPress.org. WordPress.com is an official hosting service that is worry-free but differs in freedom and business control.
Usually it is your domain name followed by /wp-admin/. If you cannot log in, first check whether domain resolution, HTTPS, cache, and security plugins are affecting access.
Baota Panel is suitable for beginners who have already purchased a VPS but do not want to manually write commands. The typical process is to first install the web environment, then add a site, create a database, upload or download the WordPress installation package online, and finally visit the domain name to enter the installation wizard. You can refer toBaota Panel WordPress Installation Tutorial.。
First complete the WordPress core installation and basic settings, then choose a theme. Do not frequently install and delete themes before planning the page structure.
It is possible, but it is recommended to use a panel to reduce difficulty and make backups. Beginners who do not want to manage the server at all can consider WordPress hosting first.
First check in order: domain resolution, whether the server is running, site binding, HTTPS, database connection, and PHP error logs. Do not change too many things at once, otherwise it will be difficult to locate the problem.
You can first try to install it yourself following the tutorial. If you encounter problems such as database connection failure, HTTPS, permissions, theme or plugin installation failure, then contact me to determine whether one-time assistance or website building coaching is suitable.
WordPress beginner here to learn, thanks for sharing. 🐶
Expert, I'd like to ask, how can I create a loop in WordPress to output post thumbnails + post titles to make a category page?https://cn.wordpress.org
Mainstream page builders come with post components; just add and configure them directly.
Hello teacher, may I ask if it's possible to enter the webpage design interface before purchasing a domain and server? Because designing and creating image resources takes some time, and if it's done and then launched immediately, it could save some money.
The money you save won't make up for the time you waste.
Expert, I'd like to ask, how can I create a loop in WordPress to output post thumbnails + post titles to make a category page?
Don't themes come with category pages by default? If using a page builder, there are also specific components to achieve this.
When I search using 'site+URL' on Google, it always shows a URL like preview-domain.com. My website was fully built before I changed the site title. preview-domain.com was the default title in WordPress before. How can I modify it so that the homepage's preview-domain.com is changed to the current title?
This is likely because you opened your site to search engine indexing before it was completed. After finishing the site and making the corrections, Google will update it over time.