104: How to install Wordpress

If you followed my advice about how to select a good host, installing Wordpress should be easy enough through an automatic installer. If you went with another option that requires a manual install it will take a bit longer, but it’s still not hard. I’ll start by showing you how to install Wordpress manually, and then point you towards videos that detail how to install Wordpress on the two hosts I recommended – Bluehost and Webfaction.

Oh, and please check that your host fulfill Wordpress’ requirements. Most hosts do, but make sure just in case.

Installing Wordpress manually

Step 1: create a database. The first thing you should do is to create a database for Wordpress to use, unless your host has created one for you. Here’s how I do it on Webfaction – it should be something similar on your host.

I find the place where I add a new database – in my case a drop down menu:

When I click on the link I get to fill in some important information. First, I get to choose what kind of database I need to create – we’re interested in MySQL. Next, I need to name it. The name can be whatever, but I recommend going with something that is descriptive of your site – here I’m naming it Wordpress. And last, I get to choose character encoding. Unless you know what you’re doing utf8 is most likely what you should use if you’re writing with latin characters.

And when I click create that’s it! Webfaction automatically creates me a database user with the right privileges, and informs me of the username and password. If your host doesn’t do that you’ll have to do it yourself. It shouldn’t be too tricky, but if you can’t figure it out I recommend contacting their support.

Step 2: download Wordpress. Go to wordpress.org and download the installation package. The download link is featured on the front page. Do not download Wordpress from any other place – you’re only guaranteed to get the latest stable version without bad stuff from wordpress.org.

Step 3: Extract your files and configure wp-config.php. Find the file you downloaded. It is a compressed folder, either ending with .zip or .tar.gz. Open it and place the files in a new folder where you can find it. I placed mine on the desktop in a folder named wordpress.

Look for the file named wp-config-sample.php. Copy it and rename the copy wp-config.php. This is the file you need to edit to make Wordpress talk to the database you just created. Look for these lines:

/** The name of the database for WordPress */
define('DB_NAME', 'putyourdbnamehere');

/** MySQL database username */
define('DB_USER', 'usernamehere');

/** MySQL database password */
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'yourpasswordhere');

/** MySQL hostname */
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

Put your database name in place of putyourdbnamehere, the username in place of usernamehere and password for that user in place of yourpasswordhere. Remember to keep the single quotes. In rare cases you need to edit your MySQL hostname, but if so your hosting provider should tell you that. Now look for these lines:

define('AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');
define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');
define('LOGGED_IN_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');
define('NONCE_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');

These are security keys to avoid your site from being hacked. You never have to edit these again, and you don’t have to remember them, so just write a really long line of characters there.

Step 4: Upload your files to your host. Now it’s time to upload these files to your hosting account with an FTP client. Filezilla is a good free open source client available for both Mac and PC. It’s what I’m using below – make sure you get the client version. When you first open Filezilla you have to enter your account details. You should have gotten these from your host.

Next you’ll see a split screen. The folders on your left represent your local computer, and the folders on your right are the folders on your hosting account. Navigate to your Wordpress files on your local computer and drag them to the folder you want them on your hosting account.

(The folder you want them in is usually dependant of what you want the URL of the site to be. If you install Wordpress in /mynewphotosite, then your URL to Wordpress will be http://youradress.com/mynewphotosite. If you install Wordpress in / – your root directory – then the URL to Wordpress will be http://youradress.com.)

Step 5: finalize the installation. Now open your browser and navigate to the URL where your Wordpress install is. If all went well you should see a screen asking you to fill in the name of your site, your e-mail and if you want your new site to be visible in the search engines. Follow the instructions on the screen. (If you get a message stating Error establishing database connection you need to make sure the information in your wp-config.php is correct.)

Click next, carefully note the password you get, and you’re done! You can now view your new site at the URL you installed it to, or append /wp-admin to get to the login screen where you enter your login details. (The login screen for wordpressphoto.net is http://www.wordpressphoto.net/wp-admin, for example. And no, I won’t give you the password )

It doesn’t look like much right now, but you’ll change that easily. Just give yourself a pat on the back and sit down to marvel at your new site for a few minutes. Now it’s time for the fun to begin!

Other guides to manual Wordpress installs

If you still have problems doing a manual install read through these resources. They all have slightly different takes on it:

• How to install Wordpress step by step – Marko Saric of howtomakemyblog.com goes through the manual installation procedure in great detail. His site is also good for much other general blogging advice, so have a look around while you’re there.
• How to install the latest version of Wordpress – Themelab has a very easy to follow step by step guide. The screenshots are from an older version of Wordpress, but the same procedure is still applicable.
• WP Codex: Installing Wordpress – when all else fails, the official codex documentation and the support forums should do the trick. The people there are smart and will help you fast.

Installing Wordpress on Bluehost

Bluehost has created a good screencast that shows you how to install Wordpress on an account with them. It’s as easy as clicking a few buttons. The picture below will take you to the Bluehost tutorial site.

If you think Bluehost will fit your bill, then sign up with them to install Wordpress like this.

Installing Wordpress on Webfaction

The crew at Webfaction has also created a video. It shows you how to install Wordpress using their automated installer. It will also teach you how to configure Wordpress to send e-mail from their servers and how to make the app handle load better.

If you fancy yourself more of an advanced user and think Webfaction suits your style, then head on over and sign up. Remember that you need an external domain name registrar to handle your domain names. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again: this is the company I use, and I recommend them heartily.