If you’ve decided to use WordPress as your blog platform, congratulations! You’ve made a wise decision. Let’s jump right into how to start using this amazing blog platform to build your business or ministry by looking at the first step, installing WordPress.
Visit WordPress.org. (Note, if you’re hosting your blog on WordPress rather than owning it yourself, you’ll visit WordPress.com.)
Assuming you have a website host, go ahead and click on the button that says “Download WordPress” It’ll also list the version number.
If you’re uploading to a remote web server download WordPress onto the computer you’re going to be using to conduct business, unzip it.
**Note, if you’re using FTP or you have your own server then the instructions are a bit different. Visit the WordPress Installation documentation to determine your process.
Depending on your host, you may already have a WordPress database set up for you and the majority of hosts do offer this. If not you’ll have to create a WordPress database and user. WordPress offers detailed documentation on how to do this depending on your specific needs.
The next step is generally to unload your files and run the install script. You’ll need to know where you’re unloading your files. It’ll either be in your root directory or your subdirectory depending on how you have your blog set up. If it’s part of a website then it’ll be your subdirectory. For example, http://example.com/nameofsubdirectory/
Running the install script is easy at this point. All you have to do is visit the appropriate directory. For example, if you placed the WordPress files in the root directory, you’ll go to http://example.com/wp-admin/install.php
And if they’re in the subdirectory you’ll go to http://example.com/nameofsubdirectory/wp-admin/install.php
Assuming installation goes smoothly then you’ll be taken to your welcome/admin screen. If not, then there are several troubleshooting questions and answers available at WordPress.com
Most of the last several sites I’ve installed using Cpanel. If you’ve chosen hosting with ASmallOrange.com or similar hosting company using Cpanel, simply go to the panel and follow the instructions. I once had 3 sites set up before the the changes to the nameservers propagated. It took about 10 minutes (the domains pointed to sites in about 24 hours. Cpanel integration is another reason why I’m a big fan of WordPress.
Do you have fun installation stories? The first time I installed Joomla I created every table in the database before the install. That taught me to read the instructions first. What’s your install story? Leave it in the comments.
I use WordPress and I’m still figuring it out. But my blog is simple. It is mostly about my first ever published children’s book. I hope to soon get the others in the series published too. I was wondering if I could be a guest blogger on your site?
Eleonore. I’m trying out a new plugin you would be welcome to test. It’s for guest posting. See it at the Submissions link.