This is a common question what some website owners asked! Installing WordPress via a 1-click install, or manual install of your WordPress software on your own site is common for some people who wanted to quickly implement a website on their servers. Typically, installing WordPress on your server via a public_html directory is a best way to get your site publically displayed,–so people can read your content. If you installed WordPress via a non-public directory, it will not work. Some people prefer to create a folder for a place to run their website as a directory deep location of a directory like a “Blog” folder, or “support” folder for helping customers with software or services.
If you rely on a 1-click install of WordPress
If you like a quick install of WordPress (applies to shared or reseller hosting), and you have an active GreenGeeks Account. You can easily install WordPress via an automated installer that is easy to configure in just seconds, or minutes. By default, this application installs your site inside a public_html directory. This is a common method of running your site via a root directory. i’ve mastered this before, and I liked this feature. If you already use this feature, you can easily install WordPress via a subdomain, or subdirectory. That also makes it easier for you to choose to run your site via SSL, or without SSL.
Since this application guides you through via each step; you can run your site after a successful install of WordPress.
If you have no 1-click apps to install WordPress
If you don’t have this feature to easily install WordPress, you need to be comfortable working with your server, setting up MySQL databases and users, along with configuring files to run your WordPress install,–before you start using your website, if you want guidence for manually installing WordPress, follow these steps carefully:
First: Download WordPress From An Official WordPress Site
Always go to wordpress.org and download the latest version. Avoid going to other websites that claim they have WordPress freely available to download. Although; WordPress is open-source software… it has no copy-protection on their code.
Before you download your latest version of WordPress… perform the following:
- Remove old downloaded versions of WordPress from your local computer.
- If you have a Chromebook, check if you have an empty folder for you to extract your folder containing WordPress files.
- If you have an Android laptop, extract your WordPress Folder, and rename your extracted folder “public_html” or any name,–depending on how you want your site to be implemented.
Second: Create an SQL database and database user
You need to create an SQL database and database user for your WordPress site to work. SQL databases enables you to publish dynamic content. CMS software use SQL database to store content for your dynamic website.
Log into your GreenGeeks account, click CPanel login; create MySQL database and user. Be sure to keep note of a database user and password. Always store it on your txt file,–so you can grab them later on.
The SQL database name must match a user name of a database, to prevent confusion… for this instance; example_sitename7 with a same user name.
You can use a password-generating tool to generate password for your database user.
After you created a database with a linked user; close your tab. Be sure to log out of your hosting panel.
Third: Edit your wp-config.php file
On your local folder, and edit your wp-config.php file. You can learn more about editing your wp-config.php file by going to codex.wordpress.org. Be sure your SQL database name and password matches with a matching database.
Fourth: Upload your WordPress folder what you’ve renamed earlier
If you are using CPanel, zip your renamed folder on your local computer, and upload it by using file manager. Extract your renamed folder, and confirm if your WordPress files and folders are uploaded.
If you are using an FTP client; upload your renamed folder.
Fifth: Test your website
Open a new tab, type your website URL where your WordPress software is installed. If your site works, and a prompt to install WordPress appears; follow the prompts.
If you got an error message,–telling your SQL database can’t be connected, you may need to check your wp-config.php file for possible errors, or mistyped information. If that happens; try to varify if your SQL databases are matched with proper information.
Final: Enjoy your new website
Now you have an install of WordPress on your website. You can write posts, pages, and even create a shop to sell products what you make from scratch.
Conclusion
A public_html directory is a best place to install WordPress. If you tried the another folder; your website will not work, and your public visitors aren’t able to see your website.