WordPress Fundamentals

Learn WordPress from scratch including theme and plugin development.

beginner Backend Development 7 hours

Chapter 2: WordPress Installation and Setup

Chapter 2 of 15

Chapter 2: WordPress Installation and Setup

2.1 Installation Requirements

WordPress requires specific server requirements to run properly.

Server Requirements:

  • PHP 7.4 or higher (PHP 8.0+ recommended)
  • MySQL 5.6 or higher (or MariaDB 10.1+)
  • Apache or Nginx web server
  • HTTPS support (recommended)
  • Mod_rewrite module (for pretty permalinks)

2.2 Installation Methods

WordPress can be installed using various methods.

Installation Options:

  • One-Click Install: Most hosting providers offer this
  • Manual Installation: Download and upload files via FTP
  • Local Development: XAMPP, MAMP, Local by Flywheel
  • Command Line: WP-CLI for advanced users
  • Docker: Containerized installation

2.3 Initial Setup

After installation, complete the initial WordPress setup.

  • Choose language
  • Set site title and tagline
  • Create admin account (strong password)
  • Configure database connection
  • Complete installation wizard
  • Login to WordPress admin

2.4 Post-Installation Configuration

Configure essential settings after installation.

  • Set permalink structure
  • Configure timezone and date format
  • Set up email settings
  • Configure reading settings
  • Set up media settings

2.5 Local Development Setup

Set up local development environment for WordPress.

  • Choose local development tool (Local, XAMPP, etc.)
  • Install WordPress locally
  • Configure local domain
  • Set up database
  • Enable debug mode