WordPress guide
How to Install WordPress in cPanel
In short
In cPanel, open Softaculous, choose WordPress and click Install. Pick https:// and your domain, clear the In Directory box to install at the root, set the admin username, password and email, and click Install. It takes a couple of minutes.
Softaculous is included with cPanel on our hosting. It creates the database, uploads WordPress and writes the configuration for you, so you don't need FTP or the command line.
1. Log in to cPanel
The quickest way in is from the Client Portal: open Services > My Services, choose your hosting package and click Log in to cPanel. You can also go to https://yourdomain.co.uk:2083 and sign in with your cPanel username and password.
2. Open Softaculous
Find Softaculous Apps Installer on the cPanel dashboard (or search for it), then click WordPress and Install.
3. Fill in the install form
- Choose Protocol: pick
https://. Every plan includes free SSL, so the certificate should already be active. - Choose Domain: the domain to install on.
- In Directory: Softaculous often fills this in with
wp. Clear it to install atyourdomain.co.uk, or enter a folder name such asblogto install atyourdomain.co.uk/blog. - Site Name and Description: you can change both later in WordPress.
- Admin Username: anything except
admin, which is the first name bots try. - Admin Password and Email: a strong password, and an email address you check, for password resets.
- Advanced Options: optional. You can set the database name and turn on Softaculous backups here.
4. Install and log in
Click Install. When it finishes, Softaculous shows links to the site and the admin dashboard. Log in at yourdomain.co.uk/wp-admin with the admin username and password you set.
Before you start building
- Force HTTPS. Check both addresses in Settings > General start with https://, and redirect http:// visitors with your host's redirect setting or a plugin such as Really Simple SSL.
- Set permalinks. In Settings > Permalinks, choose Post name. It's much easier to set now than after pages are published.
- Remove sample content. Delete the sample post and page, and any themes and plugins you won't use.
- Check backups. Your hosting takes daily JetBackup backups. For a second, independent copy, see how to back up a WordPress site.
- Harden the login. See how to secure a WordPress website, and turn on LiteSpeed Cache for speed.
If the installer fails
Failed installs usually come down to one of three things: the target folder already has files in it (empty it or choose another folder), the plan's database limit has been reached (check MySQL Databases), or a temporary timeout (try again). If a failed install leaves files behind, remove it with Softaculous's own Remove option rather than deleting files in File Manager, so the database is cleaned up too.
Installing by hand instead
You can also create a database and user under MySQL Databases, upload WordPress from wordpress.org with File Manager or FTP, and run the installer by visiting your domain. That's useful if you need a specific WordPress version. If you're moving an existing site, don't reinstall: see how to migrate a WordPress site, or ask us to move it for you.
WordPress hosting on LiteSpeed
One-click WordPress, LiteSpeed Cache, free SSL and daily JetBackup backups on every plan, from £2.50 a month.
See hosting plansQuestions
Is Softaculous free?
Yes. It's included with cPanel on our hosting plans at no extra cost.
Do I need an SSL certificate before installing WordPress?
It's best to have one active first so you can choose https:// during setup. Free SSL is included on our plans and usually activates within minutes of the domain pointing at your hosting.
Can I install WordPress in a subfolder?
Yes. Enter the folder name in the In Directory box and WordPress installs at yourdomain.co.uk/that-folder.
What should I do first after installing?
Set permalinks to Post name, remove the sample content and unused themes, check HTTPS is forced, and confirm backups are running.