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How to Set Up WordPress on Localhost: Easy Step-by-Step G…

Posted on by William Zheng

Ever wanted to create your own website without making it public just yet? Setting up WordPress on your computer—also known as localhost—is the perfect way to experiment, design, and test your site safely.

Knowing how to install WordPress on localhost lets you develop at your own pace, free from the risks and costs of going live too soon.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to get WordPress running locally, share helpful tips, and answer common questions, so you can start building with confidence.

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How to Set Up WordPress on Localhost: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up WordPress on your local computer—also known as localhost—is an excellent way to experiment, develop, or build your site before launching it live. This method allows you to work privately, test plugins and themes, and make changes without affecting a live audience. If you’ve ever wondered how web developers design websites behind the scenes, setting up WordPress on localhost is the secret starting point.

Let’s walk through the complete process, from start to finish.

Why Install WordPress on Localhost?

Before jumping into the steps, it’s helpful to understand the key benefits:

  • Experiment Safely: Test changes without risking your live site.
  • No Internet Needed: Build and tweak offline, whenever inspiration hits.
  • Faster Development: Changes happen instantly, with no upload delays.
  • Free of Cost: Setting up localhost solutions is generally free.
  • Unlimited Testing: Try themes, plugins, and custom code endlessly.

What You Need Before You Begin

  • A Computer: Windows, macOS, or Linux desktop/laptop.
  • Some Disk Space: WordPress and server tools don’t require much, but 1GB free is a safe minimum.
  • Basic Computer Skills: If you can install software, you’re good to go!

Key Steps to Setting Up WordPress on Localhost

To install WordPress locally, you’ll need to set up a local server stack. Options like XAMPP, WAMP (Windows), MAMP (macOS), or LocalWP are the most popular. For this guide, we’ll outline the steps using the widely used XAMPP method, but the process is very similar for other local servers.

Step 1: Install a Local Server (XAMPP, WAMP, MAMP, or LocalWP)

A local server stack bundles everything WordPress needs to run: Apache (web server), MySQL (database), and PHP (scripting language).

How to do it:
1. Download the installer: Visit the official website of XAMPP (for Windows/Mac/Linux), WAMP (for Windows), or MAMP (for Mac). Choose the version compatible with your operating system.
2. Install the program: Double-click the installer and proceed through the installation prompts. Default settings work well for most users.
3. Launch and start services: Open the control panel for your server stack. Start the Apache (web server) and MySQL (database) services.

Step 2: Download the Latest Version of WordPress

  1. Visit the official WordPress website.
  2. Download the latest WordPress ZIP file to your computer.


WordPress Local: How to Set Up Localhost [5 Steps] - Liquid Web - setup wordpress on localhost

Step 3: Place WordPress Files in the Local Server Directory

  1. Unzip the Downloaded File: Extract the contents of the WordPress ZIP file you just downloaded.
  2. Copy Files: Move the extracted “wordpress” folder into your local server’s root directory.
  3. For XAMPP, this is typically htdocs (e.g., C:\xampp\htdocs\).
  4. For WAMP, it’s often www (e.g., C:\wamp64\www\).
  5. For MAMP, use the htdocs folder as well (e.g., /Applications/MAMP/htdocs/).
  6. Give Your Site a Name: You can rename the “wordpress” folder to anything (e.g., mywebsite) if you want your site accessible via localhost/mywebsite.

Step 4: Create a Database for WordPress

Your WordPress site needs a database to store content and settings.

  1. Open phpMyAdmin: In your browser, go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin/.

  2. Create a New Database:

    • Click the “Databases” tab.
    • Name your database (e.g., mywordpressdb).
    • Choose “utf8_general_ci” as the collation for compatibility.
    • Click “Create.”

  3. No need to add tables—WordPress does this automatically during setup.*

Step 5: Run the WordPress Installation

  1. Start the Installation Wizard: In your browser, go to http://localhost/your_folder_name (replace your_folder_name with the actual folder you used).
  2. Pick Your Language: Choose your preferred language and continue.
  3. Database Setup: Enter these details:
    • Database Name: the name you created (e.g., mywordpressdb)
    • Username: usually root on local setups
    • Password: leave blank (for XAMPP default) or enter your local server’s password if you set one
    • Database Host: localhost
    • Table Prefix: wp_ (default is fine for single site, but you can change it)
  4. Run the Installer: Click “Submit,” then “Run the Installation.”
  5. Site Information: Fill in your site title, set an admin username and password, enter your email, and choose whether to discourage search engines (this can be changed later).
  6. Finish: Click “Install WordPress.” Once done, you can log in at http://localhost/your_folder_name/wp-admin/ with your new credentials.

Extra Tips and Best Practices

  • Remember Your Administration URL: To manage your site, always use the /wp-admin/ path (e.g., http://localhost/mywebsite/wp-admin/).
  • Change Folder Permissions (If Needed): On Mac and Linux, ensure your server folder has the right permissions. This is rarely an issue, but worth checking if you see error messages.
  • Back Up Your Local Files: Even though it’s not live, it’s good practice to occasionally copy your local WordPress folder and database for safekeeping.
  • Try LocalWP for Simplicity: For absolute beginners, apps like LocalWP provide a very user-friendly (one-click) approach with minimal setup.
  • Don’t Use “Admin” as Your Username: Choose a unique administrator name for better security—even for local projects.

Benefits of Building WordPress Locally

  • Zero risk: There’s no chance of breaking your live site.
  • Private development: Only you can see the site, unless you share your computer or network.
  • Easier troubleshooting: You can turn on debug messages and experiment without causing public errors.
  • Preview themes and plugins: Test out new looks or features as much as you want before going live.
  • Free development environment: All required tools—WordPress, XAMPP/WAMP/MAMP—are open-source and cost nothing.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Even though the process is quite straightforward, a few challenges might pop up:

  • Port Conflicts: Sometimes Apache won’t start because another app (like Skype) is using the same port. Change Apache’s port or close the conflicting app.
  • Database Connection Errors: Double-check you’ve typed the database name, username, and password correctly.
  • Permissions Issues: Especially on Mac/Linux, make sure your WordPress folder is writable by your user.
  • PHP Version Compatibility: Ensure your local server stack matches the recommended PHP version for the current WordPress release.
  • Mail Not Working Locally: Outbound email from local WordPress rarely works without configuration. For email testing, use plugins like WP Mail SMTP with test accounts.

Taking Your Local Site Live

When you’re ready to launch, you can “migrate” your local WordPress site to a live server. This process involves:

  1. Exporting your local database and site files.
  2. Importing them to your web host.
  3. Updating your site URL and links for the live domain.

Many plugins (like Duplicator or All-in-One WP Migration) simplify this process.

Cost Tips for Localhost WordPress Installation

  • All Free Tools: All tools you need (WordPress, XAMPP/WAMP/MAMP, phpMyAdmin) are open-source and free.
  • No Hosting Fees: As everything runs on your own computer, there’s no monthly hosting cost until you go live.
  • No Domain Needed: Use “localhost” as your address until you launch publicly.
  • Optional Upgrades: Powerful paid tools are available for advanced local development, but you don’t need them to get started.
  • Shipping Not Applicable: Since everything is installed locally, no shipping costs or physical products are involved.

Best Practices for a Smooth WordPress Localhost Setup

  • Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your local server stack and WordPress version for features and security.
  • Maintain Backups: Even if you’re only testing, backups save hours in case of mistakes.
  • Use Strong Passwords: Don’t get into bad habits with weak credentials, even on local setups.
  • Organize Projects in Folders: To avoid confusion, create a new folder for each local WordPress project.
  • Test Responsiveness: Use your browser’s mobile tools to see how your site looks on phones and tablets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I run multiple WordPress sites on my localhost?
Yes! Simply create a new sub-folder in your server’s root directory for each project (e.g., /htdocs/site1, /htdocs/site2). Create separate databases for each site during setup.

2. Are there risks to running WordPress locally?
Local WordPress installations are private, so security risks are minimal. However, avoid opening your local server’s access to the internet. Use strong passwords to prevent local misuse.

3. When should I move my site from localhost to live hosting?
Move your site live when you’ve finished designing, testing, and are ready for public visitors. Use migration plugins or manual methods to transfer your work.

4. Can I use premium themes or plugins on localhost?
Absolutely! You can install and test any theme or plugin on your local WordPress—free or premium—before deploying it on your live site.

5. Will my site look the same after moving it from localhost to live?
Yes, if you migrate correctly. Database and file migration retain all settings, pages, and posts. Just remember to update URLs and links to point to your live domain.

In Summary

Setting up WordPress locally is a smart and cost-effective way to build, design, and test your website. With just a few free tools and simple steps, you can create a private sandbox for your web projects. Experiment without worry, develop at your own pace, and gain confidence before launching to the world. Give it a try—it’s the perfect first step on your WordPress journey!

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