Install WordPress into an empty, correctly mapped site directory using the application installer offered by your account or the official manual procedure. Decide whether the site belongs at the domain root or a subdirectory before installation.
Check the destination
- Add the domain to the hosting account and verify its DNS destination.
- Confirm whether existing files or a live site occupy the document root.
- Arrange HTTPS for the intended hostname before committing to the public site URL.
- Choose a unique administrator username, strong password and monitored recovery email.
- Record the installation location and configure backups after installation.
With Softaculous, review the selected protocol, domain and installation directory before submitting the form. A directory value such as blog places the site under that path. Do not assume an installer will safely merge with an existing application.
If you install manually
WordPress needs its files, a database and a database user with the required access to that database. Obtain the correct database hostname from the hosting account. Use the official WordPress download, upload into the chosen root, and complete the browser installer. Keep database credentials out of public screenshots.
Use the supported PHP and database versions available on your account. If a required extension is missing, check the hosting tools or ask support; changing random configuration values from a tutorial can hide the real requirement.
Check more than the dashboard
Create a draft page, upload an image and preview it. Test the published homepage and a nested page in a private browser window. Check that the hostname and HTTPS URL are consistent, and verify password-recovery email reaches the expected mailbox.
Delete unused sample content and remove unnecessary plugins. Save a clean baseline backup before extensive customization so you have a recovery point that is easy to understand.
Set up a files-and-database backup and use staging for future theme and plugin changes.
Sources and references
Hosting documentation. Publication and update dates reflect this edition.
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