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

Installing WordPress manually gives you full control over the setup process and deepens your understanding of how your website works. This guide provides detailed instructions for each step, accompanied by recommended screenshots to make the process even easier.

Requirments 

• Web Hosting Account: Your host must support PHP and MySQL.
• FTP Client or File Manager: Tools like FileZilla help you upload files to your server.
• MySQL Database: Create a database and user for WordPress.
• Text Editor: Software like Notepad++ or VS Code for editing configuration files.

Step 1: Download WordPress

1. Visit WordPress.org: Head to WordPress.org.
2. Download the Package: Click the Download WordPress button to save the ZIP file to your computer.

Step 2: Extract the WordPress Files

1. Locate the ZIP File: Find the downloaded WordPress ZIP file.
2. Extract Files: Unzip the file to reveal the wordpress folder containing all necessary files.

Step 3: Create a MySQL Database

1. Access Your Hosting Control Panel: Log in to your hosting dashboard (e.g., cPanel).
2. Create a New Database: Navigate to the MySQL® Databases section.
3. Set Up a Database User: Create a user and assign all privileges to the new database.
4. Record Your Credentials: Note your database name, username, and password for later use.

Step 4: Configure the wp-config.php File

1. Navigate to the Extracted Folder: Open the wordpress folder on your computer.

2. Rename the Configuration File: Find wp-config-sample.php and rename it to wp-config.php.

3. Edit the File: Open wp-config.php with your text editor and update the database settings:

   /** The name of the database for WordPress */
   define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name');
   
   /** MySQL database username */
   define('DB_USER', 'your_database_username');
   
   /** MySQL database password */
   define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password');
   
   /** MySQL hostname */
   define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); // Often 'localhost', but verify with your host.

4. Save the Changes: Make sure your updated file is saved.

Step 5: Upload WordPress Files to Your Server

1. Connect to Your Server: Use your FTP client or the hosting file manager.
2. Upload Files: Transfer all contents of the wordpress folder to your chosen directory on the server:
   • Root Directory: For your main domain (e.g., yourdomain.com).
   • Subfolder: For a subdirectory installation (e.g., yourdomain.com/blog).

Step 6: Run the WordPress Installation Script

1. Access Your Website: Open your browser and navigate to your site’s URL:
   • For root directory: http://yourdomain.com
   • For subfolder: http://yourdomain.com/subfolder
2. Choose Your Language: On the installation screen, select your preferred language and click Continue.

Step 7: Complete the Installation

1. Enter Site Details: Fill in your site title, username, password (use a strong one), and email address.
2. Install WordPress: Click the Install WordPress button.
3. Finish Up: Once installation is complete, you’ll see a success message and a login button. Click the login button to access your WordPress dashboard at http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed WordPress manually. This process not only gives you control over every aspect of your site but also prepares you to troubleshoot potential issues in the future. Now, explore themes, plugins, and customizations to make your site uniquely yours.