How to install WordPress (video tutorial)
Before you start
- You'll need a web hosting client with control panel access
- The ability to create a MySQL database
- Some software to edit the text and an FTP application
- Create a secure: database name, username, password. WordPress username and password
Installing WordPress: Part #1
- Go to http://wordpress.org and download the latest version
- Open up the wordpress folder, find the wp-config-sample.php file and rename it wp-config.php
- Login to your Control Panel (cpanel) and set up a MySQL database, with database name, username and password. IMPORTANT! Note these details down and keep them safe, including the prefix that will be provided by your client
- You will have to set privileges for your database. This will vary on how your client is setup, but without enabling editing, the database won't work
- With your text editor, open up the wp-config.php file and replace ('DB_NAME', 'database_name_here'); define('DB_USER', 'username_here'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'password_here'); with your chosen settings - including the prefix supplied
- Upload all the contents of your amended wordpress folder to your website via your chosen FTP application
Installing WordPress: Part #2
- Open up your web browser (preferably Firefox or Chrome), and punch in your website address followed by /wp-admin. For example http://www.my-website-address.com/wp-admin
- If all has gone well, you will be presented with a screen to enter the name of the site, and your access name and password. IMPORTANT! Note these down and keep them safe. (If you don't see this screen, retrace your steps to see where you messed up)
- From this point you will be asked to login, use the details from the previous step and away you go - get posting and creating!
Text editing software
FTP applications
Digging into WordPress
If you want to know more, or everything, I would strongly recommend reading Digging Into WordPress by Chris Coyier and Jeff Starr. Buy the PDF, there is nothing more you could ever want to know in this complete and comprehensive guide.