WordPress is a popular and powerful content management system that allows you to create and manage websites with ease. While many people use WordPress on live websites, installing it on your local computer can be beneficial for development, testing, and learning purposes. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing WordPress on your local computer in 2023.
Benefits of Installing WordPress Locally
Installing WordPress locally offers several advantages:
Offline Development: With a local installation, you can work on your website even without an internet connection, making it ideal for development in remote or restricted environments.
Testing Environment: Installing WordPress locally allows you to test new themes, plugins, and updates without affecting your live website.
Learning and Experimentation: By installing WordPress locally, you can experiment with different themes, plugins, and configurations without the fear of breaking your live site.
Speed and Performance: Local installations usually provide faster loading times and better performance as they are not limited by internet speeds.
Privacy and Security: Working on your local computer ensures that sensitive information is kept private and reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
System Requirements for Installing WordPress Locally
Before you begin, make sure your computer meets the following system requirements:
Operating System: Windows, macOS, or Linux
Web Server Software: Apache, Nginx, or IIS
PHP Version: 7.4 or higher
MySQL or MariaDB Version: 5.6 or higher
Now, let’s get started with the installation process.
To run WordPress locally, you need to set up a local server environment. There are several options available, and we’ll cover three popular choices:
Setting up XAMPP
Download XAMPP from the Apache Friends website (https://www.apachefriends.org).
Execute the installation process and adhere to the prompts displayed on the screen. Commence the Apache and MySQL services through the control panel of XAMPP.
Installing MAMP
Visit the MAMP website (https://www.mamp.info) and download the appropriate version for your operating system.
Initiate the installer and carry out the entire installation procedure.
Start the Apache and MySQL servers from the MAMP control panel.
Using Local by Flywheel
Go to the Local by Flywheel website (https://localwp.com) and download the application.
Install Local by Flywheel by following the provided instructions.
Open Local by Flywheel and click on the “Create a New Site” button to set up a local WordPress installation.
Step 2: Setting Up the Database
After successfully installing the local server environment, the next step is to set up the database for your WordPress installation.
Creating a Database
Open your preferred web browser and enter “localhost/phpmyadmin” in the address bar.
Log in to phpMyAdmin using the default credentials (usually “root” for username and no password).
Once logged in, click on the “Databases” tab.
Provide a suitable name for your WordPress database within the designated “Create database” field.
Select the appropriate collation from the dropdown menu (usually “utf8_general_ci”).
Select the “Create” button to generate the database.
Configuring Database Credentials
Locate the WordPress installation folder on your local computer.
In the installation folder, find the file named “wp-config-sample.php” and make a copy of it.
Rename the copied file to “wp-config.php”.
Open the “wp-config.php” file in a text editor.
Look for the following lines of code:
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name_here’);
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘username_here’);
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘password_here’);
define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);
Substitute ‘database_name_here’ with the actual name of the database you previously created.
Replace ‘username_here’ with the database username (usually “root” or “admin”).
Replace ‘password_here’ with the database password (leave it blank if no password is set).
Save the changes to the “wp-config.php” file.
Step 3: Downloading and Installing WordPress
Now that your local server environment and database are set up, it’s time to download and install WordPress.
Obtaining the Latest WordPress Version
Visit the official WordPress website (https://wordpress.org) and click on the “Download WordPress” button.
Save the downloaded ZIP file to a location on your computer.
Extract the contents of the ZIP file.
Moving the WordPress Files
Locate the folder where your local server environment is installed (e.g., “htdocs” for XAMPP or MAMP, or the default folder for Local by Flywheel).
Open the extracted WordPress folder and select all the files and folders inside.
Copy the selected files and paste them into the root directory of your local server environment.
Step 4: Configuring WordPress
With the WordPress files in place, it’s time to configure the installation.
Editing the wp-config.php File
Open the “wp-config.php” file in a text editor.
Look for the following lines of code:
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name_here’);
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘username_here’);
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘password_here’);
define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);
Ensure that the database name, username, password, and host match the details you entered in the previous steps.
Save the changes to the “wp-config.php” file.
Running the WordPress Installation Script
Open your web browser and enter “localhost/your_website_folder_name” in the address bar.
Upon completion, you will be automatically redirected to the WordPress installation page.
Select your preferred language and click the “Continue” button.
On the next page, enter the site title, username, password, and email address for your local WordPress site.
Click the “Install WordPress” button to proceed.
Upon the successful completion of the installation, a message confirming the accomplishment will be displayed.
Step 5: Accessing Your Local WordPress Site
Now that you have successfully installed WordPress on your local computer, it’s time to access your newly created website.
Logging into the WordPress Dashboard
Open your web browser and enter “localhost/your_website_folder_name/wp-admin” in the address bar.
You will see the WordPress login page.
Input the username and password that you established during the installation procedure.
Click the “Log In” button.
Congratulations! You are now logged into the WordPress dashboard of your local site. From here, you can start customizing your website and exploring its features.
Customizing Your Site
On the WordPress dashboard, you will find various options and settings to customize your site.
Explore the Appearance section to select and customize themes.
Install plugins to add additional functionality to your website.
Create and edit pages or blog posts using the intuitive WordPress editor.
Customize menus, widgets, and other elements to suit your preferences.
Take advantage of the vast WordPress community and online resources to enhance your knowledge and skills.
Remember, any changes you make to your local WordPress site will not affect your live website until you upload it to a web server.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Throughout the installation procedure, it is possible to come across certain typical challenges. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:
Port Conflicts
If you experience port conflicts with your local server environment, try changing the default ports. Consult the documentation of your chosen local server software for instructions on how to modify port settings.
Database Connection Problems
Verify that the database credentials specified in your “wp-config.php” file are accurate. Double-check the database name, username, password, and host.
File Permission Errors
If you encounter file permission errors when accessing or modifying WordPress files, adjust the file permissions using the file manager or command-line tools available in your local server environment.
Conclusion
Installing WordPress on your local computer provides a convenient and secure environment for website development, testing, and learning. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up a local server environment, configure a database, download and install WordPress, and access your local site’s dashboard. Enjoy the flexibility and creativity that comes with working on your website offline.
Yes, you can install WordPress locally on a Mac by using tools such as XAMPP, MAMP, or Local by Flywheel.
Yes, you can transfer your locally installed WordPress site to a live web server by following migration steps, including exporting the local database, uploading files to the server, and configuring the new database credentials.
No, once you have installed WordPress locally, you can access and work on your site without an internet connection. However, certain features and functionalities that rely on external resources may not be available offline.
Yes, you can install plugins and themes on your local WordPress site to extend its functionality and change its appearance, just like you would on a live website.
Yes, you can have multiple local WordPress installations on the same computer by creating separate directories for each installation and configuring different database credentials for each site.