WordPress is widely used across millions of websites globally as a leading content management system. If you’re looking to set up your WordPress site, you can easily install it through cPanel. cPanel is a web hosting control panel designed to manage your website’s files and settings efficiently. In this piece, we’ll show you how to install WordPress in cPanel.
Understanding cPanel
cPanel is an online Linux-based graphical user interface (GUI) used for managing and organizing your WordPress website. It allows you to publish websites, manage domains, organize site data, and more. While cPanel is most commonly associated with WordPress, various web hosting providers offer their versions of cPanel-like interfaces.
Do All WordPress Hosts Use cPanel?
Not necessarily. While cPanel is popular, many web hosts offer custom control panels made to their services. These custom panels function similarly to cPanel but are provided by the hosting company rather than cPanel itself. If you’re unsure which control panel your host uses, it’s best to check directly with them.
Is cPanel Private and Secure?
Yes, cPanel provides a private environment accessible via your unique login credentials. It’s essential to keep your cPanel login details secure since they grant access to your website’s sensitive information and settings. While cPanel itself is secure, it’s crucial to implement additional security measures to protect your WordPress site from potential cyber threats.
Method 1: Manual WordPress Installation in cPanel
While cPanel offers automated tools like Softaculous for easy WordPress installation, opting for manual installation provides greater control over configuration settings. This method also supports essential security practices such as custom database prefixes and secure file permissions, often overlooked in automated setups. Below are the steps for manual installation:
Step 1: Download WordPress
1. Visit the WordPress website.
2. Click Get WordPress.
3. Download the WordPress zip file.
Step 2: Upload WordPress Files to the Server
1. Log in to your cPanel account at your_domain_name.com/cpanel.
2. Go to the File Manager under the Files section.
3. Upload the WordPress zip file to your desired domain.
4. Extract the zip file and move its contents to the domain root.
5. Delete the unnecessary files after extraction.
Step 3: Create a New MySQL Database
1. Access cPanel’s Tools page.
2. Go to MySQL Databases under the Databases section.
3. Create a new database with a distinct name.
Step 4: Create a Database User
1. In the MySQL Users section, create a user with a strong password.
2. Note down the username and password securely.
Step 5: Assign User to Database and Set Permissions
1. Add the created user to the database with all privileges.
2. Ensure the user has the necessary permissions without drop rights.
Step 6: Install WordPress
1. Access your domain via a web browser.
2. Follow the WordPress setup prompts using the database details.
3. Complete the installation by filling out the required information.
4. Click Install WordPress and log in to the WordPress admin panel.
This manual approach not only ensures meticulous configuration but also improves security and customization options for your WordPress site.
Method 2: Installing WordPress on cPanel Using Softaculous
Softaculous is a tool integrated into cPanel that simplifies the installation of web applications like WordPress. Here’s a guide on installing WordPress using Softaculous:
Step 1: Accessing Softaculous
▪️Log into your cPanel account.
▪️Scroll down to the Software section.
▪️Click on Softaculous App Installer.
▪️Locate WordPress in the list and click Install.
Step 2: Installation URL
▪️Choose the installation protocol (e.g., https).
▪️Select the domain name where you want to install WordPress.
Step 3: Admin Account Setup
▪️Create a username for your WordPress admin account.
▪️Set a strong password.
▪️Provide a valid email address for your admin account.
Step 4: Site Settings
▪️The installer provides the default Site Name and Site Description.
▪️Edit these values to reflect your website’s name and description.
▪️Leave the remaining settings unchanged.
Step 5: Completion
▪️Scroll to the bottom and click install.
▪️The installation process takes a few minutes.
▪️A confirmation message will appear once the installation is complete.
Additional Information
▪️The installer will provide the website URL to access the WordPress dashboard.
▪️Softaculous also offers options for customizing the installation, such as selecting a different version of WordPress or installing additional plugins.
Next Steps After Installing WordPress Using cPanel
#1. Customizing Your WordPress Site
01. Choose a Theme
Select a WordPress theme that aligns with your site’s purpose, brand, and aesthetic preferences.
Explore the free and premium theme options available in the WordPress repository and third-party marketplaces.
02. Install and Activate Plugins
Improve your site’s functionality by installing WordPress plugins.
Choose plugins that provide essential features such as security, SEO, social media integration, and more.
03. Customize Content
Create and publish compelling content, including blog posts, pages, and media.
Use the WordPress editor to format and style your content effectively.
04. Configure Settings
Adjust general site settings such as site title, tagline, and permalinks.
Configure user roles and permissions to manage access to your site.
#2. Set up an SSL certificate
This will encrypt your site’s data and improve its security and credibility.
#3. Install a caching plugin
This can speed up your site’s loading time and improve user experience.
#4. Optimize your site for mobile devices
Ensure your site is responsive and easy to navigate on all devices.
#5. Consider using a content delivery network (CDN)
This can distribute your site’s content across multiple servers, reducing load times and improving performance.
#6. Monitor your site’s traffic and analytics
Use tools like Google Analytics to track your site’s performance and identify areas for improvement.
#7. Launching Your WordPress Site
1. Preview Changes
Use the WordPress preview feature to view your changes before making them live.
Ensure your site looks and functions as intended.
2. Go Live
Make your site accessible to the public by clicking the Launch or Go Live button in WordPress.
3. Promote Your Site
Share your site on social media platforms, submit it to search engines, and engage with your audience.
Utilize SEO techniques to improve your site’s visibility in search results.
Additional Tips
✔Consider using a staging site to test changes before deploying them on your live site.
✔Regularly update your WordPress core, theme, and plugins for security and performance.
✔Create regular backups of your site to protect against data loss.
✔Monitor your site’s performance and analytics to identify areas for improvement.
Conclusion
Installing WordPress via cPanel is a straightforward and automated process. You bypass the need to download the source code or manually set up the database, as Softaculous handles everything easily. After installation, you can quickly access your WordPress site, customize it further, and begin publishing your blogs. I trust this guide has equipped you to effortlessly create an impressive WordPress website.