WordPress Installation Guide: Step-by-Step for Beginners

Tutorials, WordPress

WordPress is one of the most popular platforms for creating websites—from personal blogs to large-scale e-commerce stores. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing WordPress on your hosting account. While LittleDesignOwl.com (a GoDaddy reseller) offers both hosting and domain registration services, these instructions will be useful no matter which provider you use.

1. Purchase a Domain Name and Hosting

Before installing WordPress, you’ll need two essential things:

  1. A Domain Name: The web address people will use to access your site (e.g., “yoursite.com”).
  2. Web Hosting: A server environment that stores your site’s files and makes them accessible on the internet.

Note: You can purchase both domain and hosting through LittleDesignOwl.com if you’d like a streamlined setup, or you can buy them elsewhere.

2. Connect Your Domain to Your Hosting Account

Once you have a domain and hosting, you need to “point” the domain’s DNS (Domain Name System) settings to your hosting server. This typically involves:

  • Updating Nameservers: Replace your domain registrar’s default nameservers with the ones provided by your hosting company.
  • Adding Your Domain to Your Hosting Control Panel: In your hosting account (often cPanel), add the new domain under “Add-on Domains” or “Domains” section.

3. Choose an Installation Method

There are two primary ways to install WordPress:

  1. One-Click Installation (recommended for beginners)
  2. Manual Installation (gives more control but is slightly more involved)

Most hosting providers—including those reselling GoDaddy services—offer an easy, automated installer through cPanel or a similar dashboard. Let’s take a look at both methods.

A. One-Click Installation

  1. Log in to Your Hosting Control Panel: Look for a “WordPress Installer” or a “Softaculous Apps Installer.”
  2. Select WordPress: Click on the WordPress icon and choose “Install.”
  3. Configure Settings: You’ll be asked to choose your domain (if you have more than one) and set up your site name, admin username, password, and email.
  4. Install: After entering your preferences, click “Install.” Within minutes, your new WordPress site will be ready.

B. Manual Installation

If you prefer setting things up yourself or your host doesn’t offer a one-click installer, follow these steps:

  1. Download WordPress: Go to WordPress.org and download the latest version.
  2. Upload to Your Server: Unzip the WordPress folder on your computer and upload its contents to your server’s root directory (often called public_html or htdocs) using an FTP client or the File Manager in cPanel.
  3. Create a Database: In cPanel, find the “MySQL Databases” section. Create a new database, a database user, and assign that user to the database with “All Privileges.”
  4. Configure the wp-config.php File: Locate the wp-config-sample.php file in the uploaded WordPress folder, rename it to wp-config.php, and open it in a text editor. Update the DB_NAME, DB_USER, and DB_PASSWORD fields with the information you just created.
  5. Complete the Installation: In your browser, go to yourdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php. You’ll see a setup page prompting you for a site title, admin username, password, and email. Submit the details, and that’s it—WordPress is installed!

4. Log In to Your WordPress Dashboard

After installation, go to yourdomain.com/wp-admin in your browser:

  • Username: The username you chose during installation
  • Password: The password you set

You’ll be taken to the WordPress Dashboard, where you can write blog posts, create pages, and customize the appearance of your site.

5. What’s Next?

With WordPress installed, here are a few next steps to get your site up and running:

  1. Choose a Theme: Under “Appearance,” explore free themes or upload a premium one.
  2. Install Essential Plugins: Consider plugins for SEO, security, and backups.
  3. Set Up Permalinks: In “Settings” → “Permalinks,” choose a user-friendly structure (e.g., “Post Name”).
  4. Create Your First Post or Page: Get familiar with the Gutenberg (block) editor to customize your content easily.

6. Need a Domain or Hosting? We Can Help

Even though this guide is suitable for any hosting provider, if you haven’t yet purchased a domain name or hosting, LittleDesignOwl.com has you covered. As a GoDaddy reseller, we offer:

  • Domain Registration: Find the perfect web address for your brand.
  • Affordable Hosting Plans: Ideal for beginners and small business owners wanting a reliable, easy-to-use platform.

By choosing to purchase your domain and hosting through LittleDesignOwl.com, you’ll enjoy a seamless installation process backed by our dedicated support.

Final Thoughts

Setting up WordPress may feel intimidating at first, but once you break it down into steps—purchasing a domain, securing hosting, and running through the installation—everything falls into place. Whether you use a one-click installer or prefer a hands-on manual approach, WordPress makes it easy to bring your creative projects and business ideas to life.

Have questions or need more help? Feel free to reach out or explore more WordPress tutorials here on LittleDesignOwl.com.

Happy building, and welcome to the world of WordPress!