This is a how to guide to install Wordpress, the popular content management system.

Introduction

This guide assumes you’ve already registered a domain, and that you’ve got a web hosting plan that allows you to install Wordpress. See resources section for more information.

So you’ve found the ultimate professional website template, and you’re wondering how to put it on your website? Then follow along as I explain how to install the Wordpress CMS for your theme.

Choose your method

There are basically two paths to install wordpress on your web server. One is the “beginner method”, which is ideal if you’re a first time Wordpress user.
And the “advanced method”, which is for experienced webmasters, web designers and developers who know there way around a hosting admin panel, phpmyAdmin, setting up a mySql database,…

Beginners method

This method is relatively straightforward, and requires you to click on a few buttons to get it all working.

When you registered for your web hosting plan, you received an email with a link to your website administration panel, which is like an online tool at your disposition for managing the configuration of your website.

Log in to your admin panel (usually CPanel) and find the Fantastico application. This application will automatically install Wordpress for you on your server.

If you need a detailed step-by-step guide, check out this: guide

Now that Wordpress is installed on your server, you can log in to the admin back end http://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-admin and on the appearance page, you can click on “Add new themes”, in the left panel menu. Then click “Uplload”, and you will be presented with a Browse button. Click that and choose the zip file on your computer that contains the professional website template that your purchased, and it will be uploaded and installed automatically!

Expert method

This method allows you to have more control over your Wordpress installation. You can download the latest version of Wordpress, then upload it to your server via FTP.

Now creat a new database for your Wordpress CMS, by using the Cpanel phpMyAdmin. You’ll need to set up a MySql user, and give him the necessary rights to your wordpress database.

Now, open the wp-config.php file via FTP and enter the database credentials, then go to http://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-admin and enter your credentials.
That’s it for the Wordpress installation. Now follow the same steps as in the beginner method for uploading your theme, or you can do via ftp also, just save it under /wp-content/themes/, then in Appearance->Change Theme, you can select it.

If you can’t see your new theme, you may have some permission issues, you can fix that yourself or if you’re not sure, ask the helpdesk, they are used to doing this.

Conclusion

So, I hope this little guide was helpful and that you managed to install Wordpress, and get your new theme up, and that your website looks fantastic! Now you only need to add content…

Resources

Web hosting guide

Requirements for installing wordpress

Guide for installing Wordpress on a local test server (for development & theme modification)

How to install Joomla (Coming soon)