Install WordPress manually on your web hosting #
WordPress can be easily installed at CURIAWEB using Softaculous. However, there are situations where you intentionally WordPress install manually wish. In doing so, you upload the WordPress files yourself to your web space, create a database, and connect WordPress to this database during the installation.
Manual installation is a bit more complex than installation with Softaculous, but it has a major advantage: you get to know the basic structure of a WordPress installation. You see where the WordPress files are located, what the database is needed for, and how WordPress connects both components.
Info For a standard new WordPress website at CURIAWEB, installation with Softaculous is usually the easier way. Manual installation is primarily of interest if you deliberately want to work with files, the database, and the installation directory yourself.
What happens during a manual WordPress installation? #
To put it simply, a WordPress website consists of two main areas: the Files on your web space and a Database.
The files include WordPress itself, themes, plugins, and uploaded media. In contrast, WordPress stores posts, pages, settings, user information, and numerous configuration data in the database, among other things.
Therefore, during a manual installation, you perform several steps yourself that an auto-installer like Softaculous normally handles for you:
- Download WordPress,
- Upload installation files to web space,
- create a database,
- create a database user,
- Connect WordPress to the database,
- complete the actual WordPress installation in the browser.
That sounds more complicated at first than it actually is. If you follow the individual steps one after another, WordPress can be installed manually without any problems.
What do you need for the installation? #
For the manual installation, you need an active hosting package, a domain or subdomain set up on it, and access to cPanel.
You also need the current WordPress installation package. You should obtain this exclusively from the official WordPress website.
For the transfer of the files you can either cPanel File Manager or use an FTP client. In this guide, we mainly use the cPanel File Manager because you don't need to install any additional software on your computer for it.
Download WordPress #
First, download the latest WordPress version from the official WordPress website. You will receive a compressed installation archive containing all the files and directories required for WordPress.
Save the file on your computer. You don't need to modify the individual WordPress files before uploading them to your hosting.
Warning: Do not download WordPress from any download portals or unknown websites. Always use the official WordPress source for the WordPress core files.
Open cPanel at CURIAWEB #
Next, you open the technical administration of your hosting.
- Log in to CURIAWEB Customer Center a.
- Open Services > My Services.
- Select the hosting package on which you want to install WordPress.
- Click on cPanel Login.
You are now in cPanel. Here you can manage files, domains, and databases of your hosting package, among other things.
Find the right directory for your domain #
Before uploading WordPress, you need to know in which directory your domain's files should be located. This directory is often called Document Root referred to as.
For the main domain of traditional cPanel hosting, this is often the directory public_html. However, a different directory can be configured for additional domains or subdomains.
Therefore, do not rely blindly on every domain automatically public_html used. Check in cPanel which document root is assigned to the domain in question.
Warning: If a website already exists in the target directory, do not simply overwrite or delete its files. Create a backup first and clarify whether the existing website is still needed.
Upload WordPress files with the cPanel File Manager #
Open in cPanel the File manager and navigate to the document root of the domain where WordPress is to be installed.
Upload the previously downloaded WordPress archive there. You can then extract the archive directly in the file manager.
After unpacking, a directory with the name is usually created WordPress. Inside are the actual WordPress files and directories, for example:
- wp-admin
- wp-content
- wp-includes
- wp-config-sample.php
- index.php
Install WordPress directly on the main domain #
If your website should be accessible directly under your domain, the contents of the unzipped WordPress directory must be located directly in the document root of your domain.
That means: Not the folder WordPress itself should remain there, but its content.
For example, if your domain meinefirma.ch is, your website should later be directly accessible via this address.
However, if the entire folder remains WordPress reside in the document root, your installation can end up at an address like this instead:
Important: If you want to run WordPress directly on your main domain, move the entire contents of the extracted folder WordPress into the document root of the domain. Do not simply move the folder itself.
Create a database for WordPress #
WordPress requires a database in addition to the files. The dynamic content and settings of your website are stored there.
In cPanel, you can create a new MySQL or MariaDB database and a corresponding user for this purpose.
Open the corresponding management section for MySQL databases or the available database wizard in cPanel.
1. Create new database #
First, create a new database. Use a name that will allow you to associate the database with your project later.
In cPanel, your chosen database name is often automatically prefixed with your cPanel username. From a name like WordPress can therefore, for example, result in a complete database name according to the following pattern:
WordPress user
Note the complete database name. You will need it later during the WordPress installation.
2. Create database user #
Then create a dedicated user for this database and assign a strong, random password.
cPanel can also automatically add a prefix to the database user. Therefore, make a note of the full username and the corresponding password.
Warning: Use a unique, strong password for the database user. It should not be identical to your WordPress administrator, cPanel, or customer center password.
3. Assign users to the database #
Creating the database and user alone is not enough. The user must then be assigned to the WordPress database.
Grant the user the required privileges for this database. In a standard WordPress installation, the WordPress database user needs the necessary rights to create, read, alter, and delete tables.
When using the cPanel Assistant, you can select the corresponding permissions for the user.
Info A common mistake in manual WordPress installations is that although the database and user were created, the user was not assigned to the database. WordPress is then unable to connect to the database correctly.
What data do you need now? #
For the next step, you should have the following information ready:
- Database name
- Database user
- database password
- Database host
In typical hosting environments, the database host is often localhost used. However, always use the specification valid for your hosting.
Keep the access credentials safe and never publish them on your website or in a publicly accessible document.
Does the wp-config.php need to be created manually? #
You can find the file in the WordPress installation package wp-config-sample.php. From this, the central configuration file wp-config.php be created.
This file stores, among other things, the access credentials for the WordPress database.
However, for a normal manual installation, you do not necessarily need to edit this file yourself in advance. If there is no wp-config.php exists, WordPress can attempt to create the file itself during the installation process using the data you entered.
For beginners, this approach is usually easier and reduces the risk of typing or syntax errors in the configuration file.
Tip: When you install WordPress manually for the first time, leave the file wp-config-sample.php initially unchanged and perform the database configuration via the WordPress installation wizard in the browser.
Start WordPress installation in the browser #
Once the WordPress files are in the correct directory and the database has been prepared, you open your domain in the browser.
When WordPress was installed directly on the main domain, you open, for example:
WordPress recognizes that the installation has not been completed yet and guides you through the setup.
If the installation does not start automatically, you can also access the installation path directly:
Connect WordPress to the database #
If there is no finished yet wp-config.php is available, WordPress now asks for your database access data.
Enter the previously created data:
- Database name: full name of your WordPress database
- Username: full database user
- Password: Database user password
- Database host: the information intended for your hosting, often localhost
- Table prefix: Prefix for the WordPress database tables
WordPress will then check whether a connection to the database can be established using these details.
What is the table prefix? #
WordPress uses a prefix for its database tables by default. This appears before the names of the individual tables.
The well-known standard prefix is wp_. For example, tables can have names like wp_posts or wp_options received.
For WordPress to function, it is crucial that the prefix stored in the configuration matches the tables actually in use. During a new installation, you can use the suggested prefix or set another valid prefix.
Error establishing a database connection #
If the message appears during installation „Error establishing a database connection“, WordPress cannot reach the database with the provided access credentials.
In this case, check in particular:
- Is the database name complete and correct?
- Is the database user correct?
- Is the database password correct?
- Is the database host correct?
- Has the user actually been assigned to the database?
- Does the user have the required permissions?
With cPanel hosting, the automatically added prefix for database and usernames in particular is a frequent source of errors.
Warning: Do not randomly change files or database settings when encountering an error. First, systematically check the database name, username, password, host, and user privileges.
Complete the actual WordPress installation #
Once the connection to the database works, WordPress will take you to the actual installation form.
There you define the basic data of your new website.
Website Title #
Enter a meaningful name for your website. For a company website, this could be your company or brand name, for example.
The title can be changed at any time under Settings > General be changed.
Administrator username #
Set a username for your first WordPress administrator account.
This account receives extensive rights within your website. Therefore, use an individual username and do not unnecessarily share the access data with other people.
Administrator password #
Use a long, unique, and random password. A password manager can help you generate a strong password and store it securely.
The WordPress password should not be identical to your other login credentials.
Administrator email address #
Provide an email address that you have permanent access to. WordPress uses this address for important administrative notifications.
Carefully check the address for typos before completing the installation.
Configure search engine visibility correctly #
During the installation, WordPress offers a setting for Search engine visibility a.
If you want to prevent search engines from indexing the website while it is still under development, you can enable the corresponding option. WordPress uses this to instruct search engines not to include the website in their index if possible.
However, this setting is no access protection. The website can still be publicly accessible.
Important: If your website is to be public later and found via Google or other search engines, be sure to check before going live at Settings > Reading, that search engine visibility is not accidentally still disabled.
Complete installation and log in #
Click after checking your details on Install WordPress.
WordPress is now creating the required database tables and completing the basic installation. Afterward, you can log in with the previously defined administrator username and password.
You can usually reach the WordPress admin area at:
This completes the manual WordPress installation.
What is on your web space now? #
After installation, it's worth taking a quick look at the structure of WordPress. You don't have to understand every file, but you will see some directories again and again later.
wp-admin #
This directory contains files for the WordPress administration area. It is part of the WordPress core and should normally not be modified manually.
wp-includes #
Here are numerous central WordPress system files. This directory also belongs to the WordPress core and should not be edited manually.
wp-content #
For daily work wp-content particularly interesting. Among other things, this is where your installed plugins and themes are located, as well as the uploads managed by WordPress.
Typical subdirectories are:
- plugins - installed WordPress plugins
- themes - installed WordPress themes
- Uploads - uploaded images and other media files
wp-config.php #
The file wp-config.php is one of the most important files of your WordPress installation. Among other things, it contains information about the database connection and other central configuration settings.
Warning: Share the content of your wp-config.php Never public. The file contains security-relevant information such as the access credentials for the WordPress database.
Files and database belong together #
An important point for understanding WordPress: A complete backup of a WordPress website basically consists of more than just the files.
The files include, for example, WordPress, plugins, themes, and uploads. Posts, pages, and many settings, on the other hand, are located in the database.
Therefore, if you manually back up or migrate a WordPress website later, you usually have to Files and Database consider.
This basic understanding will help you considerably later with backups, migrations, and troubleshooting.
Manual installation or Softaculous? #
Both methods lead to a normal WordPress installation. The difference lies mainly in how many technical steps you perform yourself.
Softaculous automatically handles tasks such as creating and linking the database and setting up the WordPress files. During a manual installation, you perform these steps yourself.
Therefore, for most CURIAWEB customers, we recommend Softaculous. The manual method makes sense if you want to understand the installation process, need a special configuration, or intentionally want to work without an auto installer.
What should you check after installation? #
After a successful manual installation, you should check the same basic settings as with an installation via Softaculous.
- Is HTTPS working correctly?
- Is the correct website address entered?
- Are website title and administrator email correct?
- Is the desired permalink structure set?
- Is the search engine visibility configured correctly?
- Are WordPress, plugins, and themes up to date?
- Have unnecessary standard contents been removed?
- Is there a working backup?
Also, do not immediately install a large number of plugins. Add functions to WordPress selectively that your website actually needs.
Common problems during a manual installation #
The domain shows an old website #
Check whether the domain is actually pointing to the correct hosting and whether you have installed WordPress in the correct document root. If a DNS change was made recently, a transition period may also be required.
WordPress is available at /wordpress/ #
In this case, probably the entire extracted folder was WordPress placed in the document root, instead of moving its content to the root directory.
Error establishing a database connection #
Check database name, database user, password, and database host. Also, verify whether the user has been assigned to the database and possesses the required privileges.
The installation is not starting #
Check whether the WordPress files are actually located in the document root of the accessed domain. Also, check whether the domain points to the correct hosting.
HTTPS is not working #
Check if there is a valid SSL certificate for the domain and whether the domain is already pointing correctly to the server.
Summary #
During a manual WordPress installation, you take care of the steps yourself that Softaculous normally automates. You download WordPress, transfer the files to the correct directory of your hosting, create a database and a database user, and then connect WordPress to this database.
Pay special attention to the correct document root of your domain and ensure that the database user has been assigned to the database with the required privileges. If WordPress should be accessible directly via your main domain, the WordPress files must be located directly in the document root and not additionally in the directory WordPress.
After a successful database connection, you set the website title, administrator, password, and email address in the WordPress installation wizard. After that, you can usually access the administration of your new website via /wp-admin/ and you can begin with the actual configuration of your WordPress website.
