Step-by-Step Guide to Install WordPress on Your Web Hosting in 2025 (Beginner-Friendly)

If you want to build a professional blog or website in 2025, WordPress is still one of the best platforms you can choose. It is flexible, SEO-friendly, trusted by millions of websites and powerful enough to grow with your online business. The good news? You don’t need to be a programmer to install WordPress and get started.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to install WordPress on your web hosting account — using both the easy one-click installer and the manual method. Everything is explained in simple, beginner-friendly language so you can follow along even if this is your first website.

You can bookmark this guide and use it as a checklist whenever you install WordPress on a new domain or hosting account.

What You Need Before Installing WordPress

Before you start the installation process, make sure you have these basics ready:

  • A domain name – Example: yourblogname.com
  • A web hosting account – Shared, managed WordPress or cloud hosting
  • Access to your hosting control panel – Often cPanel, Plesk or a custom panel
  • Access to your email – For receiving login details and confirmations

If you haven’t yet purchased your domain or hosting, it’s better to do that first so the installation process becomes smooth and quick.

Recommended reading:

Option 1: Install WordPress Using One-Click Installer (Recommended for Beginners)

Most modern hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installer through tools like Softaculous, Installatron or their own custom installer. This is the easiest and fastest way for beginners.

Step 1: Log In to Your Hosting Control Panel

  • Open your hosting provider’s website.
  • Log in with your username and password.
  • Look for a link such as cPanel, Control Panel or Dashboard.

Once inside, you’ll typically see icons for files, databases, email, domains and app installers.

Step 2: Find the WordPress or App Installer

In cPanel or other panels, look for:

  • Softaculous Apps Installer
  • WordPress Manager
  • Install WordPress
  • Applications or Website section

Click on the WordPress icon to open the installer.

Step 3: Choose the Domain and URL

In the installer screen:

  • Choose the protocol: https:// (recommended if SSL is active).
  • Select the domain name where you want to install WordPress.
  • Leave the “directory” field empty if you want WordPress on the main domain (e.g. yourblogname.com).
  • If you want it in a subfolder (e.g. yourblogname.com/blog), type blog or your chosen folder name.

Step 4: Enter Site and Admin Details

You’ll now see fields like:

  • Site Name – Your blog or brand name (you can change this later).
  • Site Description – A short tagline about the site (also editable later).
  • Admin Username – Use something unique, not admin.
  • Admin Password – Choose a strong password (mix of letters, numbers, symbols).
  • Admin Email – A valid email where you can receive notifications and password reset links.

Make sure you note down the admin username, password and login URL that the installer displays at the end.

Step 5: Select Language and Basic Options

  • Choose your preferred language for the WordPress dashboard.
  • Some installers offer basic plugins or themes; you can usually skip any that are not essential.
  • If there is an option to enable automatic updates for minor core versions, it’s often safe and recommended.

Step 6: Click “Install” and Wait

When everything looks correct:

  • Scroll down and click the Install button.
  • Wait for the progress bar to complete — it usually takes a few seconds to a minute.
  • Once done, you’ll see:
    • Your site URL: https://yourblogname.com
    • Admin URL: https://yourblogname.com/wp-admin

Click the admin link and log in with the username and password you set. Congratulations — WordPress is now installed!

Option 2: Install WordPress Manually (For More Control)

If your hosting does not offer a one-click installer, or if you prefer more control, you can install WordPress manually. It takes a few extra steps but is still manageable for beginners who follow instructions carefully.

Step 1: Download the Latest Version of WordPress

  • Go to the official WordPress.org website.
  • Download the latest WordPress ZIP file to your computer.
  • Extract the ZIP file locally (you’ll see a folder named wordpress).

Step 2: Create a Database and User in Your Hosting Panel

In cPanel or your hosting control panel:

  • Look for MySQL Databases or Database Wizard.
  • Create a new database (e.g. yourblog_wp). Note down the database name.
  • Create a new database user with a strong password.
  • Assign the user to the database and give it All Privileges.

You will need:

  • Database name
  • Database username
  • Database password
  • Database host (usually localhost on shared hosting)

Step 3: Upload WordPress Files to Your Hosting

You can upload WordPress using:

  • File Manager in cPanel, or
  • An FTP client (like FileZilla) – optional

Using File Manager:

  1. Open File Manager from your hosting control panel.
  2. Navigate to the folder where your site files should go:
    • Usually public_html for the main domain.
    • A subfolder inside public_html if you want WordPress in a directory (e.g. public_html/blog).
  3. Click Upload and upload the WordPress ZIP file.
  4. Once uploaded, select the ZIP file and choose Extract.
  5. Move the contents of the extracted wordpress folder directly into public_html (or your chosen directory), so your files are not inside a nested /wordpress folder unless you want that URL structure.

Step 4: Connect WordPress to the Database (wp-config.php)

In your file manager:

  • Locate the file wp-config-sample.php in your WordPress folder.
  • Right-click and choose Edit.
  • Enter your database details in the following lines:
    • DB_NAME – your database name
    • DB_USER – your database username
    • DB_PASSWORD – your database password
    • DB_HOST – usually localhost
  • Save the file and rename it to wp-config.php.

Now WordPress knows how to connect to your database.

Step 5: Run the WordPress Installation Script

Open your browser and visit your domain:

  • If you installed WordPress on the main domain: https://yourblogname.com
  • If you installed in a folder: https://yourblogname.com/foldername

You should see the WordPress setup screen:

  • Choose your language.
  • Click Let’s go if it prompts for database details (only if you skipped editing wp-config.php earlier).
  • Enter your Site Title, Admin Username, Password and Email.
  • Decide if you want search engines to index your site yet (you can change this later).
  • Click Install WordPress.

Once the installation completes, you’ll get a success message with a link to your admin login page.

Logging In to Your WordPress Dashboard for the First Time

Your WordPress admin URL is usually:

  • https://yourblogname.com/wp-admin

Enter the username and password you created during installation. After logging in, you will see the WordPress dashboard with menu options like:

  • Posts – for blog articles
  • Pages – for static pages (About, Contact, etc.)
  • Appearance – to manage themes and menus
  • Plugins – to add extra features
  • Settings – to adjust site settings

From here, you can start building your site, choosing themes and writing your first posts.

Important Things to Do Immediately After Installing WordPress

To keep your site safe, fast and ready for AdSense and SEO, complete these basic steps right after installation.

1. Change Permalink Structure

  • Go to Settings > Permalinks.
  • Select Post name (recommended) for clean, SEO-friendly URLs.
  • Click Save Changes.

2. Delete Default Content

  • Delete the sample post “Hello World”.
  • Delete the sample page and any default comments.

This makes your site look more professional and reduces confusion.

3. Install a Lightweight Theme

  • Go to Appearance > Themes.
  • Click Add New and browse free themes from the WordPress repository.
  • Choose a theme that is responsive, clean and lightweight (important for speed and SEO).

You can always customize colours, fonts and layout later.

4. Install Essential Plugins

Plugins add extra features to your WordPress site. For a new blog, consider:

  • SEO plugin – helps with meta titles, descriptions and on-page SEO.
  • Security plugin – basic protections against common attacks.
  • Cache/performance plugin – to speed up your website.
  • Backup plugin – to keep regular backups of your site.

Install only what you need; too many plugins can slow down your site.

5. Set Up Basic Pages

  • About – who you are, what your blog is about, and who it helps.
  • Contact – how people can reach you (form or email).
  • Privacy Policy – especially important for AdSense and analytics.
  • Disclosure – if you use affiliate links or sponsored content.

These pages help with trust, policy compliance and overall professionalism.

Basic Security and Maintenance Tips for Your New WordPress Site

WordPress is secure by design, but poor habits can create weak points. Follow these simple tips:

  • Use strong, unique passwords for your admin and hosting accounts.
  • Never share your admin credentials through email or chat.
  • Keep WordPress core, themes and plugins updated regularly.
  • Remove unused themes and plugins.
  • Take regular backups (daily or weekly, depending on how often you update your site).

These basics can prevent most common issues and keep your site healthy for the long term.

Connecting Your New WordPress Blog with Your Growth & Monetization Plan

Installing WordPress is only the first step. To turn your blog into a growing asset, you’ll need:

  • A content plan
  • Traffic strategy (SEO, social, email)
  • Monetization plan (AdSense, affiliates, products, services)

Some useful next steps:

  • Plan 10–20 pillar blog posts related to your niche.
  • Set up email marketing to collect subscribers from day one.
  • Explore affiliate programs that fit your niche and readers.

Recommended reading:

Conclusion – One Clean Installation, Many Possibilities

Installing WordPress on your web hosting in 2025 is not as complicated as it may look at first. Whether you use the one-click installer or the manual method, the key steps are:

  • Prepare your domain and hosting.
  • Install WordPress on the correct domain or folder.
  • Set a strong admin username and password.
  • Configure basic settings, permalinks and essential plugins.
  • Create your core pages and start publishing content.

Once this foundation is ready, WordPress gives you freedom to customize your design, add features, improve SEO and grow your blog into a real online business. Take your time with each step, don’t rush, and remember you can always come back to this guide while setting up.

Your WordPress dashboard is now live and waiting. The next move is yours — start writing your first post, create your About page and take the first visible step towards your blogging goals in 2025.

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