You probably already know if you’re reading this article: WordPress is the most popular CMS in 2025.
In key figures, it powers 43.4% of all websites worldwide and holds a 62.0% market share among CMS-based sites.

But why such success, you might wonder?
Beyond the general advantages — quickly creating and launching a professional, customized, and optimized site — and its particularly beginner-friendly accessibility…
The CMS is well-known for its fast installation (5 minutes, according to its official website).
But what are the steps to install it?
What types of installation are there?
What problems might you encounter, and how can you fix them?

This guide is likely the only one you’ll need to answer all these questions and start enjoying the benefits of the world’s best CMS today.
Ready?
Let’s dive in…

What You Need Before Installing WordPress

Before you can launch the actual installation of your site editor (WordPress), a few technical elements are essential.
Don’t worry, nothing too complicated — but it’s better to have them in mind from the start.

Here are the prerequisites for installing WordPress CMS:

Hosting

Even though WordPress is a free tool, it needs to be hosted somewhere to store the files and data required for its operation.
This is due to its self-hosted nature.
You will therefore need to subscribe to a hosting plan with a provider like Hostinger (which is the one we use at N7XT).
To ensure good performance, make sure to choose a host compatible with the following technologies:

• PHP version 7.4 or higher
• MySQL version 8.0 minimum, or MariaDB 10.6 and above
• HTTPS protocol support

Domain Name

A domain name is your site’s unique address on the web. It allows visitors to easily access your site.
You can either purchase an available domain through a registrar or choose hosting that includes a free domain to simplify management.

For example, Hostinger offers one year of free domain registration with its managed WordPress hosting plans, including WHOIS privacy protection to secure your personal data.
Choose a relevant domain name linked to your online activity or brand image. It plays an important role in your online presence.

Files and Tools Needed for Installation

Depending on the method you choose to install WordPress, some additional tools may be required:

• The WordPress package downloadable from WordPress.org for manual installation
• An FTP client or file manager to transfer WordPress files to the server
• A code editor to make changes in CMS files if needed

Now that you know all the prerequisites for installation, let’s get to the main part.

Installation Methods

Installing WordPress Automatically with a Hosting Provider

Automatic installation, often called “one-click installation,” is offered by most hosting providers.
It relies on scripts like Softaculous, QuickInstall, or Fantastico to automate the entire process.

Here, we’ll focus on four well-known hosts: OVH, o2switch, IONOS, and Hostinger.
For other providers, feel free to check their dedicated documentation.

How to Install WordPress on o2switch

o2switch offers a single hosting plan that covers most needs, starting at €7/month (excluding VAT).
Transparency: links to o2switch may be affiliate links, meaning a commission may be earned if you subscribe via these links — a way to fund content and product testing.

Step 1 – Order Your Hosting
Go to the o2switch website, click the “Order” button at the top right, and select your plan.
Fill in the requested information, choose your domain name (if needed), and complete the payment.
Shortly after, you will receive an email titled “Welcome to o2switch.” Keep this message safe — it contains the essential credentials to manage your site.

Step 2 – Access cPanel
In the email, locate the section “General Web Account Administration.” It allows you to log in to cPanel, your hosting management dashboard.
This centralized panel gives access to many functions: domain management, databases, email accounts, files, etc.
Click the link next to “Its address is,” then log in using your credentials.

Step 3 – Launch Installation via Softaculous
Once in cPanel, scroll down to the “Softaculous Apps Installer” section and click the WordPress icon.
Then press the “Install Now” button.

Step 4 – Customize Installation Settings
You have two options:

1. Quick installation with default settings
2. Custom installation, to maintain control over the settings

We recommend choosing the second option.

Here are the fields to fill out:

• Software Installation: Choose the protocol (https:// if enabled), the domain, and the latest stable version of WordPress. Leave the “In Directory” field empty.
• Site Settings: Enter the site name, description, and leave “Disable WordPress Cron” unchecked.
• Admin Account: Create a username (avoid “admin”), a strong password (use the suggested generator), and an email address.
• Language: Select French.
• Plugins: The “Classic Editor” option is offered to revert to the old WordPress editor. Check only if you prefer to avoid Gutenberg.
• Advanced Options: Modify the database name and prefix if needed. Avoid “wp_,” choose something more complex.
• Theme Selection: You can choose one now or keep the default theme, which can be changed later.

Finally, click “Install.” The system takes care of the rest!

How to Install WordPress on OVH

First of all, make sure you have reserved a domain name and a hosting plan.
To do this, go to OVH’s “Web Hosting” page, where several options are available.
The “Starter” plan starts at €0.99/month (excluding VAT), with a free domain for the first year.
For a bit more flexibility, the “Perso” plan is generally recommended: it offers 100 GB of storage, compared to only 1 GB for the Starter plan.
If you plan to host many images or videos, it’s better not to be limited from the start.

Once hosting is active, log in to your OVH client area and follow the three steps below:

Step 1: Choose Your Hosting
From your dashboard, scroll down to the “My Products and Services” section, then select the relevant hosting plan.

Step 2: Add the WordPress Module
Go to the “1-Click Modules” tab, then click “Add a Module.”
Select WordPress, choose your domain name, and confirm by clicking “Install.”
A confirmation message (green box) will appear if everything goes well.

Step 3: Access Your Site
Once the installation is complete, you will receive your login credentials by email (you can also find them under “Service Emails” in your profile).
Click the administration link to access the WordPress login page.
By default, OVH assigns a username like adminXXXX. Make sure to change it along with the password for better security (avoid the usual 0000 or admin 😉).

Note: During testing, OVH did not install the very latest version of WordPress (5.5.6 instead of 5.8.1). Be sure to check and update WordPress after installation.
OVH also offers an advanced mode to customize certain settings (database, credentials, language, directory…).
But unless you are already familiar with manual installation, it’s better to stick with the quick version. You’ll save time and can adjust some settings later.

How to Install WordPress on IONOS

Like OVH or o2switch, start by choosing a suitable hosting plan.
IONOS offers plans specifically optimized for WordPress, starting at €1/month (excluding VAT), including a domain name and SSL certificate for the first year.

Note: Some plans, like “Expand,” become more expensive from the second year.
Make sure to check your needs, especially regarding storage (25 GB for “Start,” 50 GB for “Expand”).

After selecting your plan, click “Continue,” then log in to your client area.
In the interface, open the menu and click “Domains & SSL.” Select “Use Domain,” then “Create a Website.”
Under the “Professional Solutions” tab, choose WordPress and click “Next.”

Step 1: Configure Your Site
Start by naming your site, then click “Create Website.”
Set an admin username and password — these will allow you to access your WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Choose the Installation Type
IONOS offers two options:

• Managed WordPress: Updates, security, and optimizations are handled automatically.
• Classic WordPress: You retain full control.

If you prefer to manage updates yourself, select “WordPress” and continue.
Next, link your domain to your site. IONOS will create the database and necessary files.
The installation takes about one minute.

Step 3: Log in to WordPress
You will be redirected to the WordPress login page (with a slightly customized IONOS design).
Log in with your credentials and choose whether to use the setup wizard.
With the wizard, you can immediately select a theme and activate some pre-installed plugins.
Otherwise, the default WordPress theme (currently Twenty Twenty-Five) will be activated.

And there you go — you’re on your WordPress dashboard. The installation is complete.

How to Install WordPress on Hostinger

At Hostinger, you have two ways to install WordPress: via the guided integration process or using the automatic installer.
If you’re using another host, you can go through Softaculous for a quick installation or proceed manually.

Installing WordPress with Hostinger’s WordPress Integration via hPanel

If you have a Business or Cloud plan at Hostinger, you can launch your WordPress site directly during the initial setup.
With integrated AI tools, this is ideal for beginners or for starting a site without losing time.

Here’s how:

1. Log in to hPanel, Hostinger’s custom dashboard, then go to Websites. Click Add Website and select WordPress as the platform.
2. Choose your language, then enter login credentials for your future WordPress site. These credentials can be different from your Hostinger account. Use a strong password, then click Next.
3. Indicate the type of site you want to create.
4. Choose a WordPress theme, select the plugins you want to add automatically (or deselect the ones you don’t want), then click Next.
5. Choose an existing domain or register a new one. The installation will start and may take a few minutes.
6. Once installation is complete, return to the Websites section of hPanel. Click WordPress Admin to access your site dashboard.

Installing WordPress Automatically via hPanel Installer

This method is convenient if you want to install an older version of WordPress or set up the CMS on a subdomain without affecting the main site.

Here’s how to use the automatic installer:

1. In hPanel, go to Website → Auto Installer, then select WordPress.
2. Fill in the requested fields: site title, email, WordPress username and password. Click Next.
3. Choose the WordPress version, site language, and update frequency. For stability, it’s recommended to enable updates only to stable versions. Then click Install.
4. Your WordPress installation will appear under Installed Applications. Click the three dots next to the URL, then Manage to access the management panel.
5. Click WordPress Admin to open the WordPress dashboard.

Installing WordPress Manually on a Server

What You Need to Know Before Starting

As you’ve seen, automatic installation is mainly designed for beginners. It’s simple and fast.

But why choose manual installation? Here are three good reasons:

1. Some hosts add extra elements to WordPress during installation. This is not the case with OVH or o2switch, for example.
2. Manual installation gives you full control over configuration, allowing more customization options.
3. Automatic installers do not always provide the very latest WordPress version. You’ll need to update immediately after installation, which is crucial for security.

What You’ll Need for Manual Installation

No matter your hosting provider, you’ll need:

• An internet connection
• A computer (unfortunately, this cannot be done from a smartphone or tablet, at least for now)
• Suitable web hosting. WordPress recommends a server running at least PHP 7.4 and MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.6 (or higher versions)
• A domain name
• A MySQL or MariaDB database to create via your hosting panel
• An FTP client to connect to your server — FileZilla is excellent, but Cyberduck or Transmit also work
• The latest WordPress version to download from WordPress.org
• Your FTP credentials (usually provided in the welcome email from your host)

Once everything is ready and you’ve checked off each item, it’s time to take action: here are the 5 main steps to install WordPress online.

Step 1: Download WordPress Files

Even if you’ve probably read it elsewhere, it’s worth repeating here.
WordPress relies on two key elements: a database (which we’ll create shortly) and the core WordPress files — in other words, everything that makes it work as a CMS.
These files are available directly on the official WordPress.org website.
Go to the WordPress download page here. Click Download WordPress [current version].

You will receive a ZIP file.

Once the ZIP file is downloaded, extract it and save its contents somewhere on your computer, such as your desktop.

Inside, you’ll see a set of files essential for the installation.
A small but important note: here we are talking about WordPress.org, the self-hosted version that anyone can use for free.
Do not confuse it with WordPress.com, which also functions as a hosting platform.
To clearly distinguish between the two, you can check out our dedicated article on the subject.

Step 2: Create a Database

The database (or DB) is arguably the cornerstone of any WordPress site. It stores all your data: content, settings, users… basically everything that keeps your site running.
In other words, if it disappears (e.g., accidentally deleted) or becomes corrupted, disaster is inevitable.
So always remember to make regular backups of your site. This is crucial.

Let’s now see how to create a database with your hosting provider.
Here, we’ll use o2switch as an example, but don’t worry — the procedure is generally similar with most hosts.

Start by accessing your cPanel.
You’ll find the link in the welcome email you received when activating your hosting, right after “Its address is.”

Once logged in, locate and click on MySQL Databases.
(MySQL is the tool that allows you to manage your databases.)

Name the Database
Enter a name for your database.
Use only lowercase letters, without spaces or accents.
The name will automatically be preceded by your cPanel username.
Then click Create Database to finalize this step.

Create a MySQL User

Just below, in the same cPanel section, go to MySQL Users to create a user who will have access to this database.

• Enter a username (WordPress will need it to connect).
• Choose a strong password. Avoid classic choices like “1234,” “0000,” or your birthday.
  Click Password Generator to create a secure password.
  Worried you’ll forget it? Save it in a text file and on paper.
• Then click Create User.

Assign the User to the Database

Final step: grant access rights to this user.
Go slightly higher on the page and link the user to the database you just created.
By default, all privileges are granted.
For more security, you can limit to:

• Create
• Delete
• Insert
• Select
• Update

Finally, click Make Changes to confirm.

And that’s it! Your database is ready. Simple, right?

Step 3: Upload WordPress Files to the Server via FTP

Once your WordPress package is ready, it needs to be uploaded to your hosting server. For this, you’ll use an FTP client.
Several options exist, but the most well-known is FileZilla — the one I personally use.
Others prefer alternatives like Cyberduck. Test them and choose the one that works best for you.

If you want to learn more about FTP, you can check a full tutorial to manage your site files via FTP.
For now, we’ll continue with FileZilla.

Step 1: Download and install the software.
Then launch it and connect to your hosting provider.

Connect to the Server
Before transferring your files, configure the FTP client to access your hosting. You’ll need three pieces of information:

• Host name
• Username
• Password

These were provided in your hosting welcome email — make sure to have it handy.

There are two ways to enter this information:

• Directly in FileZilla’s top menu
• Or save it in the Site Manager (by clicking the icon at the top left)

Tip: Using the Site Manager saves your credentials so you don’t have to type them every time you log in!

Upload Files to the Correct Folder

In FileZilla, the left pane represents your computer, the right pane your server.
On the left, locate the WordPress folder you extracted earlier (usually on the desktop).
Select all files and folders inside (wp-content, wp-includes, wp-admin, etc.), but not the WordPress folder itself.
Drag and drop them into the right pane, in the root directory of your website.

This directory has different names depending on your host:

• public_html on o2switch
• www on OVH
• htdocs on some others

The key is to place the WordPress files directly in this root folder.

Do not: Include the entire “wordpress” folder in this directory; otherwise, your site will appear at yourdomain.com/wordpress, which you probably want to avoid (unless for a specific reason).
Otherwise, you’d have to migrate it later — not ideal for beginners!

Once the transfer starts, monitor its progress via the status bar at the bottom of FileZilla. This can take a few minutes — it’s normal.

Congratulations! You’ve completed a key step in installing WordPress via FTP.

Step 4: Connect Your Site to the Database

Now that all your files are installed on the server, it’s time to connect to your database.

Open your web browser and enter your site address, e.g., www.mysupersite.com.
A page will appear with a Let’s Go button. Click it to start the setup.

On the next screen, fill in the fields with the information used when creating your database (see Step 2):

• Database Name: Enter the exact name of the database you want to use for WordPress.
• Username: Enter the MySQL username you created.
• Password: Enter the password associated with this MySQL user.
• Database Host: Usually, you can leave it as localhost. This works with hosts like o2switch. If not, check with your provider.
• Table Prefix: By default, WordPress uses wp_. For security, change it to something unique, e.g., x8z9_ or m3q2ty_, to make hacking more difficult.

Once everything is filled in, click Submit to continue.

Step 5: Configure Your Login Credentials

You’re almost done! One last step before accessing your site admin.

On the next page, fill in the following information:

• Site Title: The name of your site (e.g., WPMarmite). It will appear at the top of your pages and can be changed later or replaced with a logo.
• Username: Choose a secure username to log in to WordPress. Avoid classics like “admin” or your site name.
• Password: Create a strong password (letters, numbers, uppercase, symbols…). WordPress offers a secure password generator — use it.
• Email Address: Enter a valid email; WordPress will use it for notifications (password resets, comments, alerts, etc.).
• Search Engine Visibility: Do not check the box that discourages search engines from indexing your site, unless you do not want it to appear on Google, Bing, or Yahoo.

Then click Install WordPress.

Done! You have completed the manual installation of WordPress.
To access your dashboard, click the Log In button or go to:
www.yoursite.com/wp-login.php

Installing WordPress Locally, Manually

Why Install WordPress Locally?

Installing WordPress locally means placing it on your own computer, without using a hosting provider.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to this method.

Some drawbacks to be aware of…

• Locally, the environment is not exactly the same as on an online server. This can cause issues when migrating your site to a host.
• Most tools do not allow you to easily share a project’s progress with a remote client.

Fortunately, a tool like Local (which we’ll discuss shortly) offers this feature. Stay tuned — it’s a real gem.

Some advantages worth noting…

• It’s ideal for testing themes or plugins without worry. If a bug or conflict occurs, no stress: no one can see it since the site is offline.
• You’ll have a local version of your site (a backup copy) in case of hacking or server issues online.
• Performance is much better: a local site is fast!
• Finally, no internet connection is needed to work. Handy for working offline.

How to Install WordPress with Local (Local by Flywheel)

Local is software developed by Flywheel, a company specializing in WordPress hosting.
You may know it by its former name: Local by Flywheel.
It was simply rebranded in 2019 after being acquired by WP Engine, a major web hosting company in the United States.

Local is super convenient — and 100% free! Its speed and ease of use make it especially attractive.
It works on both Windows and macOS, and offers a colorful, clean interface that’s very pleasant to use.

Personally, I’ve never felt the need to try another tool since discovering it.

Some appreciated features of Local include:

• You can generate a link to share a site’s progress with a client — something MAMP does not allow.
• WordPress installs automatically in a few clicks, without tedious technical steps.
• You can create multiple local sites, all manageable from a single interface. Even better: each site can have its own configuration (different PHP, MySQL versions, etc.).
• It’s possible to back up your local sites to cloud platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox.
• If your host is Flywheel or WP Engine, the Connect feature allows you to easily deploy your local site directly to your online hosting.

Impressive, right? Let’s see how to install WordPress with Local in four simple steps.

1. Install Local

Go to the official Local website and click the Download button at the top right.
Then select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux), and enter your first name, last name, organization type, and email address.

Click Get it now to start the download, then install Local on your computer.
Once installed, open the software and click Create a new site to start creating your local site.

You can choose to start from scratch or use a Blueprint — a pre-configured site template with your usual settings, content, and plugins.
This is handy if you don’t want to start from scratch each time.

Choose a Name for Your Site

A new window will ask for your site’s name (What’s your site’s name?). You’re free to choose whatever you like.

Two advanced options are also available:

• Modify the local domain name (local site domain)
• Change the destination folder on your computer (local site path)

Once done, click Continue to move to the next step.

Define the Development Environment

Here, Local lets you choose the technical environment for your site, including PHP and MySQL versions.
Two options are available:

• Preferred: Local automatically selects recent versions. Recommended in most cases!
• Custom: Use this if you want to manually define the PHP/MySQL versions according to your preferences or constraints.

Once your choice is made, click Continue to proceed.

Create Login Credentials

Final step: create your WordPress dashboard login credentials.
Enter the following information:

• A username
• A strong password
• An email address

You can also enable the multisite option if you want to install a WordPress multisite setup.
Finally, click Add site to create your local site.

A few moments later (usually less than 3 minutes), a green dot will appear next to your site’s name, indicating everything is working.
Click Open site to see the result or WP Admin to access the backend.

Note: Even if Local’s interface has evolved since this article was written, the basic principles remain the same.

More info: Local is excellent, but not the only option. If you want to try other solutions, DevKinsta (offered by the host Kinsta) is another free alternative.

Next in this guide, we’ll show you how to install WordPress locally using MAMP.

How to Install WordPress with MAMP

MAMP is a tool that allows you to create a local PHP and MySQL server environment on Mac or Windows.
In short, it provides everything you need to run a WordPress site locally (for testing purposes, for example).

Installing MAMP and Creating a Database

As with a manual installation on a regular host, you first need to set up the server and database:

1. Download and install the latest version of MAMP (version 5.0.6 in this case).

• The installation wizard is straightforward. No special settings are required; just proceed to the end of the installation.
  • Then open the Preferences menu, go to the Ports tab, and set Apache to 80. This allows you to access your local sites via http://localhost instead of http://localhost:8888. Click OK to confirm.
  • Next, check the root folder used to host your sites. By default, it is located at Applications/MAMP/htdocs. This is where you should place your WordPress files.
    If you want to install WordPress in a subfolder, adjust this path. For example, you can rename the folder to something more descriptive like mywebsites. Click Select next to Document root to choose the desired folder.
• Add WordPress Files
  • Download the latest version of WordPress from the official site.
  • Once the ZIP file is downloaded, extract it and place its contents in the default root folder htdocs (or another folder of your choice).
  • Rename the WordPress folder you just moved to reflect the name of your project. By default, it will be called wordpress.
  •  
• Create a Database
  • From the MAMP page in your browser, go to Tools → phpMyAdmin.
  • PhpMyAdmin is a visual tool for managing databases.
  • In the interface, click Databases at the top.
  • In the Create database field, enter a name (e.g., mybeautifulsite). Avoid accents, uppercase letters, spaces, or special characters.
  • Leave the collation as utf8_general_ci and click Create.
  • The database will now appear in the side menu.
  •  
• Connect WordPress to the Database
  • If initial settings were done correctly, simply type in your browser: http://localhost/yoursite (e.g., http://localhost/mybeautifulsite).
  • Without the port settings, the URL would look like: http://localhost:8888/mysupersite/.
  • You should see the WordPress installation page.

Click Let’s go to start the setup. Then follow the usual steps of manual installation:
Fill in the database connection details: enter the name of the database you created, and use root for both username and password. Click Submit.
WordPress will automatically create the wp-config.php file with this information.
If it doesn’t, open wp-config-sample.php in the htdocs folder, replace database_name_here, username_here, and password_here with your information, and save it as wp-config.php.
On the next screen, set your username, password, and email. Then click Install WordPress. If successful, you’ll see a confirmation message. Click Log In to access the WordPress admin dashboard.
 
 
Common Issues During WordPress Installation
 
Even though installing WordPress is generally simple, manual installations can sometimes cause errors. Here are the most common problems and quick solutions:
 
Database Connection Error
 
When you see “Error establishing a database connection”, your site cannot access the data needed to display the page.
This is usually due to incorrect credentials or a corrupted database.
First, check the information in wp-config.php. Make sure the username, password, etc., match your MySQL credentials.
If all database info is correct, try resetting your MySQL password.
As a last resort, you can delete the current database and create a new one. Remember to update the database info in wp-config.php before reinstalling WordPress.
 
WordPress White Screen
 
This appears as a completely blank page with no error message.
Often caused by insufficient memory or corrupted files (critical files like functions.php, .htaccess, or wp-config.php).
Solutions:
If you recently modified a critical file, revert the changes and reload the page, or re-import the WordPress files.
Increase the memory allocated to WordPress to ensure it has enough PHP resources. On Hostinger, this can be done via Advanced → PHP Configuration in hPanel.
Enable WordPress debug mode by setting WP_DEBUG to true in wp-config.php to see errors and warnings.
 
Header Information Error
 
The error “Cannot Modify Header Information” usually occurs when there are spaces or unwanted characters before <?php or after ?> in wp-config.php.
Fix:
Download wp-config.php via your file manager.
Open it in a text editor and make sure the first line starts exactly with <?php and the last line ends with ?> with nothing before or after.
Save changes and replace the old file on your server.
 
Directory Listing Displayed Instead of Site
 
If your browser shows a file list instead of the homepage, the server isn’t recognizing index.php as the default page.
On Hostinger, you can:
Disable directory listing via Advanced → Directory Index Manager, select public_html, and choose No index.
If needed, manually upload an index.php file to the public_html folder.
 
PHP Code Displayed as Text
 
If PHP code shows on your site instead of rendering, it means the server is not processing PHP properly.
Likely causes: incorrect PHP installation or configuration.
Solutions:
Check that your host supports PHP.
Verify MySQL credentials in wp-config.php.
On Hostinger, go to Advanced → Repair File Permissions in hPanel and apply recommended permissions:
644 for files (read/write for owner)
755 for folders (read/write/execute for owner)

Install WordPress Easily

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve covered the main methods to install WordPress today, depending on your project.
We detailed each method step by step, in a simple and accessible way.
Of course, you don’t need to install WordPress using all these methods.
The simplest and fastest way is to choose the method that best suits your needs.