WordPress is one of the most popular website building platforms in the world. It allows you to create both simple blogs and complex websites with complex features and functionality. In this article, we will look at how to install WordPress and start building your own website.
Download and extract WordPress
The first step is to download the latest version of WordPress from the official website. These are usually zip files. After downloading the file, extract it to the folder that will store your site.
Install WordPress. Creating a database
Before you can install WordPress, you need to create a database for your site. The database is where all of your site’s data, such as messages, comments, and other records, will be stored.
Most hosting providers have a database creation tool, so you can use that tool or create a database through your hosting control panel. You will need to remember the database name, username and password that you will use to access the database.
Configuring the wp-config.php file
Once you’ve created your database, you need to configure the wp-config.php file, which is located in the WordPress root folder. Open this file in a text editor and enter your database details – database name, username and password.
And finally – install WordPress!
After you have configured the wp-config.php file, open a browser and enter the address of your site where you have installed WordPress. Wizard steps will be offered to complete the site installation. At this step, you need to specify the database and access to it, create the first user – the site administrator. If all the data is filled in correctly and the installation is complete – you will be able to log in to your site using the username and password you specified when installing WordPress.
Choosing a theme and additional plugins
After installing WordPress, a default theme will be available to you, which you can change to another using the admin panel. You can also install additional plugins that will help expand the functionality of your site.
Install WordPress – ok, what about the content?
After you have installed the theme and additional plugins, you need to create content for your site. It can be text content, photos, videos, etc. The content should be informative for the site’s potential audience and easy to understand. The content must comply with the requirements for its structuring (heading structure) and relevant characteristics (metatags) for all media elements.
Site optimization for search engines
To make your site easier to find in search engines, you can optimize it for SEO. This covers installing SEO plugins and performing a number of technical settings. Currently, we offer a free audit to identify problem areas on the site. You can take advantage of the offer by applying for the data on the Contacts page.
Deployment of the site on hosting
When you’re ready to launch your site, you need to deploy it to hosting. Our reliable partner in the matter of hosting is the company Gigacloud, with which we have been working side by side since 2018. If you use a hosting provider, you will need to upload the site files to the server and set up the domain. If you use cloud hosting, this process will be automated. Don’t forget the WordPress CMS works with a database!