In this article, you’ll learn how to install WordPress on Hostinger without stress. WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world, powering millions of websites, blogs, and online stores. It is known for its flexibility, ease of use, and extensive library of plugins and themes that allow anyone to create a professional-looking website without needing to be a coding expert.
If you are looking to start a blog, business website, or e-commerce store, WordPress is an excellent choice. Hostinger, on the other hand, is a widely trusted web hosting provider that offers affordable plans, excellent performance, and user-friendly interfaces that make it easier to manage websites.
For beginners and even experienced webmasters, Hostinger simplifies the process of installing WordPress, allowing you to launch your website in just a few clicks. In this guide, we will take you through every single step of installing WordPress on Hostinger, ensuring your site is up and running without errors.
Installing WordPress might seem intimidating at first, especially if you are new to web hosting. However, with Hostinger’s intuitive control panel and built-in tools, the process becomes smooth and straightforward. By the end of this guide, you will know exactly how to set up your hosting account, install WordPress, configure basic settings, and secure your website.
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How to Install WordPress on Hostinger (Step-by-Step Guide)
To install WordPress on Hostinger, simply follow the steps given below;
Step 1: Purchase a Hosting Plan from Hostinger
Before you can install WordPress, you need a hosting account. Hostinger offers several hosting plans, including shared hosting, cloud hosting, and VPS hosting. For beginners, the Single Shared Hosting or Premium Shared Hosting plans are usually sufficient.
- Go to Hostinger’s website at www.hostinger.com
- From the main menu, click on Get Started or Hosting
- Choose a hosting plan that suits your needs. If you plan to have multiple websites or need higher performance, the Premium or Business plan is recommended.
- Select a billing cycle (monthly, yearly, or multiple years) and complete the payment process.
Once your hosting plan is active, you can access the Hostinger hPanel, which is a control panel similar to cPanel but more beginner-friendly. The hPanel will be your central hub for managing your website, emails, domains, and installing applications like WordPress.
Step 2: Connect Your Domain
If you already purchased a domain name from Hostinger or another provider, you need to connect it to your hosting account. A domain is your website’s address (e.g., www.educatefresh.com).
- Log in to your Hostinger hPanel.
- Navigate to Domains > Add Website.
- If your domain is registered with Hostinger, select it from the dropdown menu.
- If your domain is from another provider, update the nameservers to point to Hostinger. You can find the Hostinger nameservers in your hosting account dashboard. It usually looks like this:
ns1.dns-parking.comns2.dns-parking.com
After updating the nameservers, it may take a few hours for the changes to propagate globally. This is normal and does not affect the installation of WordPress itself.
Step 3: Access the Auto Installer in Hostinger
Hostinger has an Auto Installer tool that makes installing WordPress incredibly simple. You don’t need to manually upload files or create databases unless you want full control.
- Log in to your Hostinger hPanel.
- Scroll down and click on Website > Auto Installer.
- Select WordPress from the list of available applications.
This tool will guide you through the entire installation process step by step.
Step 4: Fill in WordPress Installation Details
Once you select WordPress, you need to provide some essential information to set up your site properly:
- URL: Choose the domain or subdomain where you want WordPress installed.
- Website Title: Enter the name of your website. This can be changed later in the WordPress settings.
- Admin Username: Choose a secure username for your WordPress admin account. Avoid using “admin” for security reasons.
- Password: Create a strong password for your admin account. Use a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Admin Email: Enter your email address. This is where notifications, password resets, and important updates will be sent.
- Language: Select the language for your WordPress installation.
After filling out the details, click Install. Hostinger will automatically create a database, configure the necessary files, and complete the installation. This usually takes just a few minutes.
Step 5: Access Your WordPress Dashboard
After installation is complete, Hostinger will display a link to your WordPress admin panel. The URL typically looks like: www.educatefresh.com/wp-admin
- Click the link to access the login page.
- Enter the admin username and password you created during installation.
- You will now be in the WordPress dashboard, where you can manage your website, add content, install themes, and configure plugins.
The WordPress dashboard is user-friendly but can seem overwhelming at first. Don’t worry; you will get used to it quickly.
Step 6: Choose a WordPress Theme
The appearance of your website is determined by the theme you choose. WordPress offers thousands of free and paid themes.
- From the WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes.
- Click Add New to browse free themes from the WordPress repository.
- Preview themes to see how they look on your website.
- Click Install and then Activate to apply the theme.
You can also purchase premium themes from marketplaces like ThemeForest or Elegant Themes for more advanced designs and customization options.
Step 7: Install Essential Plugins
Plugins extend the functionality of your WordPress website. Some essential plugins include:
- Yoast SEO: Helps optimize your website for search engines.
- WPForms: Allows you to create contact forms easily.
- Akismet: Protects your site from spam comments.
- Jetpack: Provides security, backups, and performance tools.
To install plugins:
- Go to Plugins > Add New in the WordPress dashboard.
- Search for the plugin by name.
- Click Install Now and then Activate.
Be careful not to install too many plugins, as they can slow down your website. Focus only on the plugins that are necessary for your site’s functionality.
Step 8: Configure Basic Settings
Before launching your website, it’s important to configure some basic settings:
- Permalinks: Go to Settings > Permalinks and select Post name. This improves SEO and creates clean URLs.
- General Settings: Go to Settings > General and check your website title, tagline, and timezone.
- Discussion Settings: Configure comment settings to prevent spam and manage user interactions.
- Reading Settings: Decide if your homepage should display your latest posts or a static page.
Step 9: Secure Your WordPress Website
Security is crucial for any website. Here are some tips:
- Change your login URL using a plugin like WPS Hide Login.
- Enable SSL (HTTPS) from Hostinger’s hPanel to encrypt data.
- Regularly update WordPress, themes, and plugins to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Use a security plugin like Wordfence or iThemes Security.
Step 10: Start Creating Content
With WordPress installed and configured, you are ready to create content. Start by adding pages like Home, About, Services, Blog, and Contact. Use posts for blog entries and articles.
- To create a page: Pages > Add New.
- To create a post: Posts > Add New.
- Use the Gutenberg editor to add text, images, videos, and other media easily.
In Summary
To install WordPress on Hostinger is not difficult, but a straightforward process, even for beginners. By following these steps carefully, you can have a fully functional website in just a few minutes. Hostinger’s Auto Installer, easy-to-use hPanel, and support resources make it one of the best hosting providers for WordPress users.
Remember, after installation, focus on customizing your theme, installing essential plugins, securing your website, and creating valuable content. With consistent effort and optimization, your WordPress website can grow into a powerful online presence.
Meanwhile, feel free to use the comment box below for any questions or recommendations. Also, like and share on your social media accounts so that others can know about it.