Now that we know how to choose the right website host for our new WordPress blog, upload files via File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and have a database ready to go, all we have left to do is install the WordPress script and complete the set up process.
The WordPress blogging script files should already be downloaded and unzipped to your computer. Now you just need to open your FTP client and browse to find the WordPress files on your computer. In this tutorial we will be using FileZilla as our FTP client.
In FileZilla all computer files are viewed on the left hand side under “local site” – which also means “your computer.” In FileZilla browse your computer to find the WordPress files downloaded from the WordPress website. The left hand side of FileZilla under local site should look something like this:
Next you will want to connect to your website in FileZilla. The information needed to connect to a website via FTP is: website or FTP URL, username, password, and port # (default port number is 21.)
Once you are connected to your website you will notice in FileZilla that your website files are listed on the right hand side under “remote site” which also means “your website.” In the right hand section you will want to browse to the public_html folder or the root domain.
Note: The files located within the root domain is what website visitors first see when they arrive at your website. For example if you install WordPress on your root domain the WordPress blog will appear on the following URL: http://yourdomainname.com
However if you would like to install WordPress in a sub folder of the domain you can do this as well. In order to install WordPress in a sub folder you will want to create the folder within your root domain. Just create a new folder within the public_html folder. Name the folder whatever you would like, for example if you want your WordPress blog to be located at http://yourdomainname.com/blog then name the folder “blog.” Then open that folder and upload the WordPress files within that folder.
Next we are going to upload all WordPress files to the public_html folder. You will want to be sure you have already configured the wp-config-sample.php file with the database information and save it as wp-config.php within the WordPress files located on your computer.
Be sure to upload ALL files, including the new wp-config.php file you just created.
Once all the WordPress files are uploaded you will then want to go to your website URL to run the install script. To run the install script go to the following URL: http://yourblog.com/wp-admin/install.php (replace “yourblog.com” with your actual URL.)
Note: If you installed the blog in a sub directory then you will need to add the folder name within the URL like this: http://yourblog.com/foldername/wp-admin/install.php
Next You will want to enter your blog information:
On the next page you will receive the log in information to your WordPress dashboard. Be sure to write down your password and don’t lose it!
Congratulations you are now the proud owner of a self hosted WordPress blog! Now find a fancy theme, some cool plugins, and start blogging!
