Time to build! Most hosts include a one-click (or few-click) WordPress installer, and the whole process usually takes just minutes. Every host’s screens look a little different, but the steps below are nearly universal. Grab a coffee and follow along.
Step by step
- Point your domain. If your domain lives at a separate registrar, update its nameservers or DNS records to your host’s values. DNS changes can take a while to spread, sometimes up to a day or two.
- Open the installer. In your hosting control panel, find something like “WordPress,” “Install WordPress” or an app installer such as Softaculous.
- Choose the domain. Select your domain and install to the root (leave the folder field blank) so your site lives at
yourdomain.com, not a subfolder. - Set your admin account. Pick a unique username (never “admin”), a long, strong password and an email you check.
- Enter a site title. Don’t sweat it; you can change it anytime.
- Click install and wait for the success message.
Turn on HTTPS
HTTPS encrypts traffic between your visitors and your site, and browsers flag sites without it. Many hosts issue a free SSL certificate automatically; others need a click in the control panel. Once it’s active, visit Settings → General and make sure both the WordPress Address and Site Address start with https://.
Professor’s warning: Save your admin username and password in a password manager right away. Don’t reuse a password from anywhere else, and never share your admin login. You’ll add two-factor authentication in Module 5.
Log in and look around
Head to yourdomain.com/wp-admin and sign in. Congratulations, you’re a WordPress site owner! Your installer may have added sample content like a “Hello world!” post, a “Sample Page” and a few extra plugins or themes. It’s good housekeeping to delete what you won’t use.
Your assignment
- Install WordPress on your domain using your host’s installer.
- Confirm your site loads with the padlock icon over HTTPS.
- Delete the sample post, the sample page and any preinstalled plugins you don’t need.
