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How to Install WordPress Manually: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on by William Zheng

Ever wondered how to take full control of your website right from the start? If you want to install WordPress yourself—without relying on one-click installers—you’re in the right place.

Manually setting up WordPress not only boosts your understanding of how your site works but also gives you greater flexibility and troubleshooting power. It’s an essential skill for anyone serious about managing their own digital space.

This article will guide you through each step of a manual WordPress installation, offering handy tips and clear insights along the way.

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How to Install WordPress Manually: A Step-by-Step Guide

Installing WordPress manually may sound intimidating at first, but it’s a valuable skill that empowers you with more control over your website. Whether you want to learn the technical basics, troubleshoot, or set up WordPress on custom hosting configurations, the manual process gives you the confidence to manage your site independently. In this guide, you’ll discover exactly how to install WordPress step by step, learn best practices, practical tips, and answers to your most common questions.

Why Install WordPress Manually?

The manual installation process helps you:

  • Understand how your website works at a fundamental level
  • Customize your setup for advanced features or non-standard hosting environments
  • Troubleshoot and fix issues that automated installers sometimes miss
  • Feel confident making changes or moving your site in the future

Even if your web host offers a one-click installer, knowing how to install WordPress manually is a handy skill for any site owner.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you dive in, make sure you have these essentials:

  • A web hosting account with access to your hosting control panel
  • Domain name pointed to your hosting server
  • An FTP client (such as FileZilla) or access to your hosting file manager
  • A text editor (such as Notepad or Sublime Text)
  • A web browser
  • Database details: You’ll need to create a database and database user with a password

Step 1: Download the Latest Version of WordPress

  1. Go to the official WordPress website and download the latest WordPress.zip file.
  2. Extract the contents to a folder on your computer. You should see a folder named wordpress, containing files like wp-config-sample.php, index.php, and subfolders such as wp-content, wp-admin, and wp-includes.

Step 2: Upload WordPress Files to Your Server

You can upload the WordPress files using your hosting control panel’s file manager or an FTP client. Here’s how with FTP:

  1. Open your FTP client and connect to your server using your FTP credentials.
  2. Navigate to the root directory for your website:
    • For your main domain, this is usually /public_html/ or /www/.
    • For a subdomain or addon domain, choose the matching directory.
  3. Upload all files and folders from your extracted wordpress folder into your website directory.


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Tip: Upload the inner files, not the parent wordpress folder itself, to avoid having your site at yourdomain.com/wordpress unless you specifically want that.

Step 3: Create a MySQL Database and User

Your WordPress website needs a MySQL database to store content and settings.

Using cPanel (most hosting providers):

  1. Log in to your hosting control panel (often cPanel).
  2. Find and open the MySQL® Databases section.
  3. Create a new database:
    • Enter a database name (e.g., mywebsite_wp).
    • Click “Create Database.”
  4. Create a database user:
    • Choose a username and strong password.
    • Click “Create User.”
  5. Add user to your database:
    • Assign the user to your new database.
    • Grant All Privileges.
  6. Make a note of:
    • Database name
    • Database username
    • Database password
    • Database host (often localhost)


How to Install WordPress Manually - DreamHost - install wordpress manually

Practical tip: Write these details down—you’ll need them soon!

Step 4: Configure wp-config.php


How To Install WordPress: Via cPanel, Manually or Locally - Astra - install wordpress manually

To connect WordPress to your database, you need to update the configuration file:

  1. In your WordPress files on your server, locate the file named wp-config-sample.php.
  2. Rename it to wp-config.php.
  3. Open wp-config.php in a text editor.
  4. Find the following lines and replace the placeholder values with your database details:

php
define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name');
define('DB_USER', 'your_database_username');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

  1. (Advanced) Improve security: Scroll down to the “Authentication Unique Keys and Salts” section. Use a strong set of security keys. There are online tools to generate these.
  2. Save the file and close the editor.

Step 5: Run the WordPress Installation Script

Now you’re ready to complete the setup in your browser.

  1. Open your web browser and go to your domain:

    • Example: http://yourdomain.com/ (or relevant subfolder)

  2. The WordPress setup wizard will launch. You’ll be asked for:

    • Site Title (you can change this any time)
    • Username (avoid using “admin” for security)
    • Password (use a strong one; note it down)
    • Your email address
    • Privacy (whether to allow search engines to index your site right away)

  3. Click “Install WordPress.”

  4. Once installation completes, you’ll see a success message and a button to log in.

Congratulations! WordPress is now manually installed on your hosting.

Benefits of Manual Installation

Why take the manual route over auto-installers?

  • Greater control: Tailor every step, including security keys, file placement, and advanced options.
  • Troubleshooting: Identify issues with file permissions, database configuration, or server settings.
  • Custom Setups: Useful for staging environments, multisite, or unusual hosting setups that may not support one-click installers.
  • Educational: Gain deeper understanding and confidence managing your website.

Common Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

Manual installation can come with a few challenges. Here’s how to tackle them:

  • Database Connection Errors: Double check your database name, username, password, and host. Typo or wrong host name (localhost is most common, but some hosts use a different value).
  • File Permission Issues: If you see errors about inaccessible files or directories, check that your files have the correct permissions (generally 644 for files and 755 for folders).
  • Configuration Mistakes: A single typo in wp-config.php can cause issues. Copy database info carefully and keep a backup of the original file.
  • Upload Limits: If your file manager or FTP times out or fails, try uploading files in small batches.

Practical Installation Tips and Best Practices

  • Stay organized: Name folders clearly and keep track of your database credentials.
  • Use strong, unique passwords: This goes for your database user and your WordPress admin account.
  • Keep WordPress updated: Always use the latest version for security and performance.
  • Back up routinely: After installation, make regular backups of your database and files.
  • Secure your site: Consider changing your WordPress login URL, disable file editing in the dashboard, and use security plugins.
  • Check PHP and MySQL versions: Make sure your hosting environment meets WordPress requirements.
  • Clean up sample content: After installation, remove default posts and pages for a clean start.

Cost Considerations

  • WordPress software: Free, open-source—there’s no charge for downloading or installing it.
  • Hosting costs: Varies depending on your plan. Shared hosting is most affordable; VPS and dedicated servers cost more.
  • Domain registration: An ongoing yearly fee.
  • SSL Certificate: Some hosts provide this free (Let’s Encrypt) but it may cost extra depending on your provider.

Manual installation doesn’t incur any extra cost over automated install. However, be mindful of optional add-ons or features your host may upsell during setup.

Should You Install WordPress Manually?

Choose manual installation if:

  • You want hands-on experience and full control
  • Your host doesn’t support auto-installers
  • You’re building a custom site or staging environment

For most beginners, automated install is faster, but understanding the manual process gives you confidence and skills for future site management.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the difference between manual and one-click WordPress installation?

One-click installers automate the upload, database creation, and setup steps for you. Manual installation gives you complete control over each stage, allowing for custom setups and advanced troubleshooting.

2. Do I need coding skills to install WordPress manually?

No coding is required! You only need to know how to update a text file with your database details, upload files using FTP or a file manager, and follow setup prompts in your browser.

3. How long does manual WordPress installation take?

For most users, the process takes 10–30 minutes, depending on your experience and the speed of your internet and host tools. The majority of time is spent uploading files and configuring your database.

4. Can I install WordPress manually on any web host?

Yes, so long as your hosting provider supports PHP and MySQL (the basic requirements for WordPress). The steps may vary slightly depending on your host’s control panel, but the process is universal.

5. What should I do if I see a “Error establishing a database connection” message?

This usually means there’s a mistake in your wp-config.php file—check your database name, username, password, and database host. Make sure the user has privileges on the database and correct any typos.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can manually install WordPress on nearly any hosting environment. This knowledge empowers you to customize, troubleshoot, and manage your website with confidence. Take your time, follow best practices, and enjoy exploring everything WordPress has to offer. Whether you’re building a blog, a business site, or a portfolio, mastering manual installation puts you in full control of your digital presence.

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