How do I install WordPress manually?
In this guide, we show you how to install WordPress manually on your web space. You can use this option if you can't or don't want to use the 1-click installer which is available in most of our hosting plans.
Note: For a quick and easy installation, we recommend using the 1-click installation tool, which is included in our Managed WP add-on and all our hosting plans except for Beginner.
- Step 1 - Locate your database login details
- Step 2 - Download WordPress
- Step 3 - Upload and unzip the WordPress files
- Step 4 - Open the setup page and select your language
- Step 5 - Start the installation
- Step 6 - Enter your database details
- Step 7 - Enter your login details
- Step 8 - WordPress is installed
- Step 9 - Log in for the first time
- Tips to help you get started
Step 1 - Locate your database login details
To install WordPress, you need to have the name, user name and password of your database. You can find them in the one.com Control Panel in PHP and database settings under Advanced settings. Copy the details to a file, or leave the window open for you to return to later.
Create a database using this guide if you don't have one yet.
Tip: Forgot your database password? Click the pencil icon on the right side of the screen to change it.
Step 2 - Download WordPress
You need to download the WordPress installation files to begin. Click the button below to download the latest version, or go to the WordPress website to download them.
Step 3 - Upload and unzip the WordPress files
Note: In this guide, we are installing WordPress on a main domain. If you want to install it on a subdomain, create a subdomain according to our guide, open it in File Manager and then continue from sub-step 2 below.
In this step, you need to upload the WordPress files to your web space with File Manager.
- Log in to the one.com Control Panel and click File Manager under Files & Security.
- In File Manager, click Upload and select the WordPress .zip file you downloaded in Step 2 - most likely, it's located in a folder called Downloads, or similar. Upload it to your webspace.
- After the file has been uploaded to File Manager, unzip it by clicking Unzip.
- After unzipping is finished, delete the .zip file.
5. Open the folder named after the WordPress version, eg. "wordpress-6.8.3", then open the folder "wordpress" within it.
6. Select all files - use Ctrl + A on Windows or cmd + a on Mac, or click the checkmark above the list of files and choose Select all.
7. When all files are selected, click Move in the grey bar at the top.
8. Click Up one directory twice to open the directory of your (sub)domain, where you uploaded the .zip file. Then, click Move the items to this folder button - you can see it below the file list.
9. You can now delete the folder named after the WordPress version, eg. "wordpress-6.8.3".
Step 4 - Open the setup page and select your language
- In File Manager, select the file called index.php and click the link after Full path. This will open a setup page where you can complete the installation.
- Select a language for your WordPress installation. Your WordPress dashboard will be available in this language.
- Click Continue.
Step 5 - Start the installation
Make sure you have the database login details from Step 1. Click Let's go! to continue.
Step 6 - Enter your database details
1. Enter your database details, the ones that you located in Step 1. Click Submit to continue.
Tip: If you plan to install multiple WordPress installations in the same database, we recommend letting the table prefix reflect the location where you will install WordPress, like www_.
2. You will see a confirmation if all details are correct and WordPress can access your database. Click Run the installation to continue.
Step 7 - Enter your login details
It's now time to enter your login details and create your admin user. You need to add the following information:
- A title for your site; you can change this again later.
- Your username; it will be visible on your site if you post something. It should not be Admin.
- The password you use to log in; make sure that you select a strong password.
- An email you have access to; WordPress will send all its communications to this address.
- You can check the box for search engine visibility if you don't want your site to appear on Google. This can be handy while you are still creating your website. You can change it again later.
Click Install WordPress when you are ready.
Step 8 - WordPress is installed
Success! If everything went alright, you should now see the confirmation that WordPress has been installed. Click Log in to continue to the login page, where you can access your dashboard.
Step 9 - Log in for the first time
You are now ready to log in to your WordPress dashboard for the first time. Here you manage your themes, plugins, posts, and pages.
Type in your username and password and click Log in.
Tip: Save this page to your bookmarks bar, so you can easily access it again.
Tips to help you get started
Install the one.com plugin
We have developed our own plugin to help you get the most out of your WordPress website. It allows you to install other plugins and specially designed themes only available for one.com customers. Check our guide on how to install it.
Improve security
WordPress is the most used CMS in the world. Unfortunately, this means it is also very popular with hackers. For this reason, we have created a guide to help you improve the security of your WordPress site.
Disable anonymous comments
One of the things you can do right away to make your site less vulnerable to abuse is to disable anonymous comments. Go to Settings > Discussion and check the box for "Users must be registered and logged in to comment".
Don't have a website yet? With WordPress, you can easily and quickly build the website of your dreams.
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