Installation

Why do I need to download WordPress and then try Install it via the Instructions

If you already have hosting and a domain name,. your hosting company will not have WordPress available by default. You have to install it – although some hosts offer an easy, 1-click, install of WordPress.

Have you reviewed Installing_WordPress?

WordPress is a server-based application that requires PHP and MySQL (or similar database) to run. A WordPress site allows you to manage your content and wraps everything in the generally easy-to-use WordPress environment. WordPress is also quite flexible through the use of themes and plugins. Now weather its right for you – only you can answer.

What I would suggest though is to install WAMP (Windows) or MAMP (Mac) and install WordPress locally to see how it works and to get a better idea of what it’s capable of doing. WAMP/MAMP are local server environments.

To get started, launch MAMP/WAMP (i.e. start the server).

Next create a database in MySQL using PHPMyAdmin or another MySQL tool. Note the name of the database.

Now upload the WordPress files to a folder in the WAMP/MAMP server “htdocs” directory/folder.

Open up the wp-config-sample.php file with a text or code editor. You’ll see its well documented.

Put in the database name, the database user and password (for local this can be root – see the WAMP/MAMP documentation). For the database url put keep localhost but put in the port number (on MAMP the default is 8889). Save your edited file as “wp-config.php”.

Now point your browser at localhost:8888/name-of-wordpress-directory

You should now see the WordPress installation introduction screen.

Fill out the form and you’ll have just installed your first WordPress site.